Lots of Metroidvania games are available on the PS Store, but few capture the spirit of the classic side-scrolling Castlevania games.
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is clearly inspired by the classic NES game from Konami released in 1987, and it mostly succeeds as a fun and engaging action platformer, featuring enjoyable combat and clever level design.
The game takes place in 1698. You play as Rudiger, an ordinary farmer who unexpectedly becomes involved in a larger, politically charged story centered around a power-hungry priest named Father Pacer.
The writing is witty and enjoyable in places, but it really serves to highlight the fantastic action platforming, which is the game’s biggest strength.
Initially, the main character has simple moves – jumping, attacking, and bouncing like in the classic DuckTales game. However, as you play through the 21 levels, he learns new abilities, which makes the game feel rewarding and keeps things interesting.
What’s truly impressive is the game’s creativity within its established rules. You might find yourself riding a carriage through a spooky graveyard in one level, and in another, rowing a boat while battling terrifying sea creatures reminiscent of Cthulhu.
While the game still relies on classic side-scrolling gameplay, Lillymo Games keeps things interesting with creative level designs. One standout level features a gondola ride where you fend off gargoyles while simultaneously steering the cable car.
Boss fights are fairly inventive too, boasting unique patterns and awesome pixel art.
The main character’s design clearly takes inspiration from Simon Belmont in Castlevania, but the game does more than just mimic the old 8-bit style. It captures the feeling of those classic games while still looking better than anything the original NES console could have produced.
The game features charming animations when you advance to a new level, like seeing Rudiger juggle coins or pump his fist in anticipation of the upcoming challenges.
The game’s music is fantastic, using retro ‘chiptune’ sounds to create memorable and atmospheric tracks. It perfectly complements the dark, gothic world while also adding energy to the classic-style gameplay.
You can finish the main story in about an hour if you’re skilled, but the game offers a lot of reasons to play again, like finding collectibles and trying different gameplay challenges.
The game seems to have many different endings and hidden secrets, hinted at by trophies we haven’t discovered yet. It feels like a game packed with concealed details waiting to be found.
Okay, if I had to pick something to criticize, it’s just that the jumping feels a little clunky sometimes. If you don’t hit the direction you want exactly when you jump, you can get stuck going straight up. It’s not a huge problem – you get better with practice, of course! – but it does become noticeable towards the end of the game when you really need to be precise with your movements.
Overall, we really enjoyed this game and it put a smile on our faces. If you’re a fan of classic Castlevania games, we highly recommend checking it out.
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2026-04-17 20:10