Iconoclasts Reviews
Iconoclasts blends a complex story with neat puzzle platforming, and does so in great style. The game's length occasionally works against it, and the boss fights aren't all winners, but the story is worth seeing through to the end thanks to a memorable cast of characters and plenty of variety along the way. It's just a very robust, unique game that you'd be a tool to miss.
Mega Drive graphics belie the brains behind this puzzle-filled 2D platformer in which you play a misfit mechanic dismantling a religious techno-dystopia
Iconoclasts is yet another proof of how independent software is taking up an increasingly important part of the gaming market. Made with an almost palpable devotion, Sandberg's game manages to stand out for its unexpectedly mature narrative and superb level design. A few too cryptic puzzles and the massive amount of text could frighten users looking for a "pure" metroidvania. This doesn't affect the personality of Iconoclasts, which reveals itself to be a truly, great game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Iconoclasts is an action-packed and gorgeous game that offers some great puzzles and exciting boss fights.
Iconoclasts' combination of clever Metroid-inspired design and lush art offers more than enough incentive to stick with it, even when the ambitious plot doesn't always connect. This is a strange, complex game that – refreshingly – doesn't play quite like any other work in the genre. Iconoclasts offers a welcome reminder that they don't all have to play the same way.
If you’ve got room in your Switch collection for one more Metroidvania, be sure to make it Iconoclasts. This gorgeous game combines fun gameplay with a unique story to create an exciting world to explore.
Joakim Sandberg solely developed this game pixel by pixel for around 7 years, and the end result is an amazing adventure game with a lot of passion. without a doubt, this is one of the best 16-bit games of recent memory. the only negative thing about the game is the fact that tweaks are not really that helpful, which impacted our desire to discover more of the world's secrets.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Iconoclasts is a wonderful mix of platormer and puzzle game with great graphics and an exciting story.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Iconoclasts takes the Metrovania genre to a new level of polish and charm, with plenty of secrets and a story that's surprisingly refreshing for the genre. It may not reinvent the wheel but rather shows that there's still plenty that can be uncovered when you apply seven years worth of polish to the sidescrolling standard.
Iconoclasts is a well-made game which reflects the love that has been poured into it so clearly. The game is full of excellent dialogues, deep combat system and scenes that take your breath away.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Iconoclasts is an ode to the pixel, a beautiful adventure, with a very strong story load and an exquisite level design. It is in its own right one of the indies of the year and one of those games that exude love for the old and for things well done.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Iconoclasts is a game that, having its story as the main focus, deals with subjects such as faith, oppression, exploration of other peoples and prejudice. Beyond that, it succeeds in the technical aspects, despite some weird design choices. Joakim Sandberg is to be congratulated for, alone, being able to create one of the best games of the year.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
"Metroid Fusion flashbacks."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Iconoclasts is a game that you can't help but smile while playing. The meticulous attention to detail in every facet of the game save its storytelling (which is good, just not great) is remarkable. Failure to capitalize on the Switch's HD Rumble is a bit disappointing, but it's a minor blemish on an otherwise excellent experience.
If you have ever been turned off Metroidvanias for their tendency to prove too confusing or challenging, or pined for a larger focus on plot, Iconoclasts is the answer. By relegating the heavy exploration side of the popular genre in favour of driving a captivating narrative and characters to the forefront, Joakim Sandberg has crafted a 2D adventure that comes out as one of the most entertaining of the year, and certainly in the genre as a whole. Don't sleep on this.
Iconoclasts is one of the biggest surprises of the year. Despite occasionally suffering through the story sequences, I found that I couldn't stop playing (it's about 10 hours long). I can't recommend the game highly enough--go play it.
Don't let first impressions fool you. Beneath the bright colours and initially sunny disposition of Iconoclasts lies a game that is going to challenge you in a variety of ways. It will force the best from your quick-twitch-skills, with fast-paced and frenetic combat. It will strain your brain with tricky puzzles and unique boss encounters, and it will also present a world whose obstacles and solutions may even challenge your own ideals and world view. This is an experience that cannot be missed by fans of both 2D action platformers, or by those seeking a greater level of mental and ideological engagement.
Iconoclasts is an amazingly well-done game that never settles down for more than a minute, effortlessly switching from one challenge to another and never letting the player get too caught up on an area.
Iconoclasts is a kind of game that no AAA studio could ever have made. It has all the mechanics, visuals and other easily judged elements that a video game needs, and nailed down really well too, but it also has a less tangible feel to it that just endears it to the player. Even among other nostalgic pixel-art metroidvania games, this one stands out, and ought to be remembered as one of the indie greats.
On the whole, Iconoclasts is a memorable, thought-provoking, and enjoyable take on the Metroidvania genre which manages to stick out from the crowd with its chipper presentation and deeper storytelling style. Couple those elements with some of the best 16-bit spritework we've seen and a killer lineup of awesome boss encounters, and you've got another must-have for the Switch library. It may have been eight years in the making, but this one has certainly been worth the wait; don't miss out on this one.