Exile's End

"Exile's End"

Exile's End is a side scrolling shooter, that reminds me a lot of Shadow Complex, or Bionic Commando mixed with a ton of really cool creatures like in Metroid. It really is a flash back to 90's Action Adventure games on the Super Nintendo, or Sega Genesis. It does really well, in capturing the Nostalgic feel, and bringing it to the future on current Gen consoles..

You play as Jameson a Mercenary stranded on the planet Ravenwood, while on a mission to rescue the son of the President. The game starts out feeling kind of slow , and simple. Your character feels very weak, and unable to survive. It is all intentional though, because as you grow you become more able. Like early on you can't fall but like a 10 feet without taking damage, and you find items that make you stronger. At first you can't go under water, and you find oxygen preservers. It is all set up this way by beautiful design to encourage level exploration. There are many of hidden items in this game that will encourage checking every nook and cranny. Also will more than likely encourage replay value. Even a different ending as well to do so. I believe I saw an achievement for beating it in under three hours, That will definitely be on a second or third playthrough, after you learn the lay of the land.

The game is loaded with cool creatures, and enemies all with different attacks. There are also many of other ways to die, like rigged rocks, deep water, etc. You will find yourself dying a lot at first probably, but as you go you will start to find yourself addicted to discovering the next areas. They are all designed so really well to. They all look very different, as well as all have a layout that makes you explore to find items that make it possible to advance. All the way until the end, when it becomes really challenging in your escape. I had a lot of fun with this game. It really takes me back to a lot of the games I enjoyed as a youth. This is what I enjoyed, when i wasn't able to get my hands on the new Mini Nes Classic, and I wasn't let down at all. I plan to replay it , and try to capture those last achievements today. If your a fan of nostalgic/classic side scrolling action adventure games I highly recommend you give this a go.

Pros: Awesome challenging level design

Cool Character development

Really rad weapons, and equipment

Tons of replay value

Loaded with Nostalgia

Cons: A bit short

Overall: 8.2 A great trip back in time to a different era in gaming, when Nintendo was king, and the only thing you had to worry about as a kid was picking out the coolest trapper keeper.

For more info on this title check out: http://www.magneticrealms.com/