Although there is no shortage of Metroidvanias flooding in PS store these days, the side-scrolling Castlevania era is a resource that remains largely untapped.
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege unashamedly draws inspiration from Konami’s 1987 NES classic, delivering a highly entertaining action platformer with thrilling combat and some incredibly clever set pieces.
Set in 1698, he takes on the role of the hated hero Rudiger, a peasant everyman who is drawn into an elaborate, political plot involving a power-hungry priest named Father Pacer.
The writing is sharp and funny at points, and it gives the star of the show a boost here, which is the aforementioned stage.
The main character’s combat weapons are straightforward at first – he can jump, attack, and stick like Ducktales – but expands in interesting ways as you work your way through the 21-stage campaign, giving a great sense of progression.
One thing that is very noticeable is how the game starts within its framework. For example, one section sees you riding a chariot through a cemetery; one is rowing a boat while dealing with Cthulhu-esque aquatic monstrosities.
Even though the basics of side scrolling remain, Lillymo Games always finds ways to mix things up. We especially liked one level involving a gondola, where you have to deal with attacking gargoyles while trying to keep the cable car moving in the right direction.
The boss battles are also creative, boasting unique patterns and stunning pixel art.
While the mostly brown main character sprite is a clear nod to Castlevania’s Simon, the game successfully conveys the “style” of the 8-bit era while surpassing what the original NES could deliver.
Specifically, there’s some really cool animation work when you get to a new stage, showing Rudiger giggling with coins or punching the air as he prepares for the challenges ahead.
The soundtrack is also a triumph of chiptune, full of evocative earworms that fit the gothic setting but bring a bit of retro gameplay.
While the campaign run can be completed in under an hour if you’re good, there’s a ton of replay value in the form of collecting and modding gameplay, giving you a reason to come back.
There are also many endings and references to Easter eggs in Trophies we didn’t find; we get the impression that this is the kind of game that has a lot of secrets sitting in the waist of its code.
If we had a real criticism, it’s that the jumping can be a bit stiff, sometimes locking you into a vertical jump if you’re not aiming as you aim during the climb. No big deal – git gud, right? – but it shows up a bit during the last few levels, where you need to be seen.
But all in all, this game made us smile. If you have any love for the first season of Castlevania, you should definitely give it a try.