Valfaris Reviews
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.
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.
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
Valfaris doesn’t do anything noteworthily new, but the hectic, intense, satisfying experience it offers shouldn’t pass you by.
Valfaris is a dark, mean sci-fi trek through a corrupted landscape that can only be cleansed through fire.
Whether you like heavy metal or not, Valfaris presents a package that's worth your attention. From start to finish Valfaris doesn't stop to take a breath, and the game's quick load times keep you coming back for more after every death.
If you like challenging games that are full of action and are dripping with atmosphere, Valfaris comes highly recommended. And if you happen to like metal music, it’s even better. Steel Mantis has struck silver with this metal-infused shooter. It isn’t perfect but it’s bloody good. That’s better than the bronze or even maybe copper it struck with Slain: Back from Hell. Maybe next time it’ll strike gold. I’m looking forward to that.
Valfairs is as metal as they come. It's tough, gory, and a lot of fun with an amazing soundtrack. It's just a shame it doesn't tread much new ground.
Valfaris is solid. The pacing is great, and with the exception of the back half, the difficulty curve isn't too bad. The juggling of weapons in relation to their balance is well done, and the constant boss fights are a fulfilling challenge once you overcome each foe. Provided you enjoy the Nintendo-hard games of the past, Valfaris is well worth checking out.
"Call of the metal."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
If you’ve been looking for an experience on Switch that takes some of the core shooting mechanics of games the likes of Contra, then bolts the ability to hack and slash, and tops it all off with some cranking metal tunes and loads of intensity… Valfaris is going to be your new jam...
Slain was nice, but not mature in my opinion. A graphic display that rode on the retro wave. However, the makers have taken the criticism to heart. The big hit is not VALFARIS. With Axiom Verge, Blazing Chrome, Gunlord & Co. there is also a lot of strong competition. Nevertheless, accompanied by metal rhythms, it is fun to chop up opponents. There is still frustration, but unlike Slain you have the feeling that you have failed yourself. I can recommend the title to fans of the genre. Everyone else prefers to play rehearsal first.
Review in German | Read full review
While Valfaris is in many ways an excellent game, it's held back by some significant design flaws and technical problems.
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
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.
An ideal fit for those who want a little Judas Priest with their run-and-gun action.
Valfaris commits wholeheartedly to the heavy metal aesthetic and that yields some really wild boss fights and a soundtrack you won’t forget any time soon.
If the game features a trophy for dying 50 games, you will know that it won’t be a walk in the park. Especially when you’re most likely to score it early on and there are even no difficulty levels, putting everyone to face the same ordeal. It’s an entirely different matter whether the challenge is fair or unfair, though. After all, the line between the two is notoriously thin.
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.