Very Good but a tad overrated. While I greatly enjoyed this game, it doesn't quite live up to the 10's and Game of the Year awards it received. The game was surprisingly linear for a modern Metroidvania. Due to this, I didn't get to explore areas and eventually learn paths and routes like I normally do in these kinds of game. The difficulty is too high imo. I switched it it rookie mode which really felt like what normal mode should be on a challenging game. The EMMI encounters are frustrating. The parry that they require are so difficult to pull off that they really serve no purpose. Death at their hands is not overly punitive so it's not a huge deal but then again what's the point.

With all that said, the graphics and music are exquisite and the difficulty does result in a sense of accomplishment as you try a boss again and again and slowly see yourself getting better.