One of the great things about modern metroidvanias is that there still seems to be so much new ground to explore. Eschewing the typical 2D-platformer style for an pixelated isometric view, new indie release Unsighted, from Studio Pixel Punk, takes that familiar metroidvania foundation but expands it well beyond the norm with a slew of mechanics and some excellent storytelling. The result is a highly replayable and reactive experience, complete with bonus gameplay modes and a diverse cast. Virtually everyone will find something here to enjoy, whether it’s the Souls-like systems, time-limited narrative, healthy mix of weapons and upgrades, or the engaging combat challenges and environmental puzzles throughout.
Alma is a helpful automaton created by Doctor Zeferina, built as a perfected synthetic weapon who possesses a sentient consciousness. By the start of Unsighted, an apocalyptic event has ravaged most of the planet, and a group of automaton robots attempt to rebuild and defend their fledgling community from outside threats. Those threats happen to be other robots who have "gone Unsighted" - comparable to “going hollow” in Dark Souls - and conversing with healthy NPCs displays their visible time limit in the corner. The idea is that once this ticks down completely, they lose their minds and become indistinguishable from the many robotic enemies Alma regularly cuts down on her journey.
Players begin Unsighted with a sizable time limit of their own, which does infuse the game an interesting sense of pressure. Special rare items can extend Alma’s remaining time or can be donated to other NPCs, and negotiating this system may lock out content or result in a few bonus items, dialogue, and events. It’s the type of mechanic that works well but can be deprioritized for other pursuits, and a selectable difficulty eases its application to the main quest.
Either way, the focus on combat and puzzle-platforming remains central, and Unsighted helpfully shines in this regard. Alma begins with a blaster and a sword but can obtain axes, grenade launchers, oversized shuriken, and even that old mainstay, the trusty hookshot. Combos are basic but new weapons can be wielded in each hand with alternating stamina drain, and use of a timed parry is integral when contending against enemies and bosses, allowing for critical damage and counters. And, much like Metroid before it, Unsighted considers its weapons as multifunctional tools, equally useful for puzzle solving, traversal, and combat.
There is some difficulty in recognizing elevations and surfaces in a ¾ view, which, ittedly, Unsighted does occasionally struggle with, but the platforming is otherwise excellent, and missed jumps do not ever result in an instant KO. Each explorable biome features unique visuals, barriers, treasures, and puzzles, with the world map fairly open at the start; Alma’s helpful robot fairy companion Isis will guide new players with some light waypointing, but feel free to ignore those objectives, as pushing into distant corners of the map to see what’s accessible is fully endorsed by the game’s design.
Unsighted’s overall look combines chunky characterful pixels with a wide range of color tones, sometimes looking like a visually busier Hyper Light Drifter, and its cast are primarily female-presenting. They’re a warm and approachable multicultural robotic bunch, and players will want to do their best to rescue them all if possible. Figuring out the puzzles and pathing through the main story may take first-timers 10 hours or more, but a New Game+ also offers the chance to “do it right” and save many more NPCs, all of whom play into a fun post-game sequence.
If the main quest isn’t enough, Unsighted includes higher difficulties, a boss rush mode, and a wonderful roguelike dungeon crawl mode as well. The latter is especially fun for anyone taken in by the combat, which plays perfectly with procedurally generated levels and upgrades, all without the pressure of a narrative time limit.
That just scratches the surface - there’s also crafting, a chip slot equipment system, companions to help in battle, some simple item fishing a la Hades, unique weapons to divine, and many more secrets we haven’t even touched upon. For Brazilian developer Studio Pixel Punk, Unsighted is an accessible and content-rich debut with a compelling sci-fi drama at its core, and certainly in the argument for one of the best metroidvanias of the year.
Unsighted releases on PC and Nintendo Switch September 30. A digital PC code was provided to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review.
Unsighted
- Released
- September 30, 2021
