GINSHA

The controls are barely functional and enemies deal a truly ridiculous amount of damage. I jumped off ledges and insta-died at least ten times in a row in the third area. You can't pan with the camera to see what's below you, so lots of blind jumping into the abyss. You also lose all progress since the last save when you die. Concepts are poorly explained and virtually nothing is marked or labeled either on the map in the world. The atmosphere is amazing and the graphics are beautiful, but this is pretty half-baked and completely unpolished. At a bare minimum the controls need to be more refined (the dash in particular is completely out of control) and save points and other important landmarks need to be marked somehow.

Brutal Souls-like/Metroidvania hybrid. Amazing atmosphere and soundtrack. Worth the cost of entry if you are a fan of this genre and sci-fi.

Difficult to grasp and very busy to look at. There [i]might[/i] be a decent game in there for someone with a lot of patience and tolerance, but I was unable to get past this to give it a fair shake.

Really challenging and fun with retro styling, modern features. Thankful for the remap so can play with an arcade stick more easily. I wish i could figure out how to reset auto hacking terminals to manual.

GINSHA, developed by PolarityFlow and Adrian Zingg and published by PolarityFlow, is an indie metroidvania that sets out to do far more than most games in its category. On the surface, it presents a familiar structure—side-scrolling exploration, ability-based progression, and interconnected world design—but beneath that foundation lies a surprisingly dense mix of systems. It blends action-platforming with RPG elements, crafting, narrative choices, and even a morality system, creating an experience that feels both expansive and, at times, overextended. Movement and exploration form the backbone of the game. From early on, players gain access to a range of traversal abilities that make navigating the world fluid and satisfying. Double jumps, dashes, and aerial control allow for a sense of freedom that encourages experimentation, particularly when revisiting earlier areas with new abilities. The world itself is structured in a way that rewards curiosity, with hidden paths, upgrades, and optional content scattered throughout. Rather than guiding players through a strict path, the game often leaves direction open-ended, which can make discovery feel more organic but also occasionally d…

mah 4/10