Valfaris Reviews

Valfaris is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
82 / 100
Oct 9, 2019

If you're still thirsty for classic run & gun Contra lookalike, the new game from Slain's developer it's just that: a pixelated heavy metal orgy full of shots, sword swinging and blood. A classic template, but with an enormous weapon selection, environments and lots of bosses. The experts on the genre may find it an intense, but short, ride.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
8 / 10
Nov 5, 2019

Valfaris is an excellent and challenging action platformer with a wonderfully designed combat system. The balancing of close combat, laser action, and the shared resource for shield and subweapons mean that most encounters require a careful and skilful approach. The result in a standout title that shows how far Steel Mantis have come from the flawed Slain: Back From Hell.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2020

Valfaris is a superb action-platformer filled with violence, a killer soundtrack, and some gorgeously grotesque pixel art.

Read full review

Nov 15, 2019

While Valfaris is in many ways an excellent game, it's held back by some significant design flaws and technical problems.

Read full review

8 / 10
Oct 9, 2019

While its crushing difficulty and bare-bones story may turn off some casual players, those who triumph through Valfaris' 7 hours of gameplay and endless boss battles will leave feeling refreshed. This is a definite must-play for both Castlevania and heavy metal fans alike.

Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Oct 18, 2019

Fast, brutal and incredibly fun, Valfaris is as heavy metal as a game can be.

Review in Italian | Read full review

GameMAG
Top Critic
8 / 10
Nov 4, 2019

The developers of Valfaris have successfully adapted the mechanics of Conta, adding their own elements and ideas to the popular formula. The game is addictive and does not let go due to the high difficulty interesting weapons, RPG elements and a variety of game situations. All fans of horizontal scrolling shooters and high-quality pixel games are encouraged to pay attention.

Review in Russian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Nov 5, 2019

A heavy metal steeped side-scrolling blaster that is awash in blood, gore and super solid platforming shooter beats, Valfaris is essential for anyone looking for a challenging affair that does ample justice to Konami's poorly treated Contra franchise.

Read full review

8 / 10
Nov 10, 2019

Valfaris doesn’t do anything noteworthily new, but the hectic, intense, satisfying experience it offers shouldn’t pass you by.

Read full review

Ken McKown
Top Critic
6.5 / 10.0
Dec 19, 2019

This is something Valfaris lacks, and I wish more indie developers understood when making these games that I very much want to play, I just lose interest in far too soon.

Read full review

6 / 10
Oct 9, 2019

Overall, Valfaris is a much better game than its predecessor, introducing new systems and ideas to help keep its action-platformer formula engaging and interesting.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Oct 15, 2019

Valfaris is the perfect transposition in modern salsa by the run'n'gun that have cheered whole generations of fans.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2019

Valfaris is a frenetic, violent homage to classic shooters and heavy metal, with satisfying gameplay and challenging boss encounters, it'll be appreciated by anybody looking for something fun to head-bang to

Read full review

7 / 10
Nov 19, 2019

Valfaris is an action-packed platformer rich in absurd moments but with a very high difficulty level that will make players frantically hit their controllers in order to advance. Although not the most fluid of experiences, its exquisite visual environment, metal-laden soundtrack and variety of weapons and attacks make Valfaris a fun, violent and chaotic game that is nothing but enjoyable by heavy metal, sci-fi and action fans.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Jump Dash Roll
Jon Peltz
Top Critic
6 / 10
Oct 28, 2019

Razor-sharp aesthetics and wanton gore surely make Valfaris stand out from the side-scrolling crowd, but the tedious gameplay will grind down even the most patient gamer.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2019

Valfaris is a collection of conventional run 'n gun elements amplified by one of the gnarliest and most committed heavy metal aesthetics ever pledged to pixels. Ideas that belong to Valfaris may not be as well tuned as the Greatest Hits it so liberally samples, but it's easy to overlook in light of the vibrant carnage. Valfaris, in the parlance of its god, shreds.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Be prepared to be impressed but also frustrated with the difficulty spikes.

Read full review

4 / 5.0
Oct 10, 2019

Valfaris is a dark, mean sci-fi trek through a corrupted landscape that can only be cleansed through fire.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Oct 11, 2019

If you are willing to brave the chaotic difficulty and dystopian grittiness, Valfaris is absolutely worth every moment!

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Oct 12, 2019

Valfaris is the worthy heir to the once beloved Contra and Turrican series. Despite his short leght, it truly represents the new avant-garde of the genre.

Review in Italian | Read full review