This is what we all wish Mario Maker would be.

For one, even if you don't want to play player made levels, the story mode offers so many levels with plenty of replayability, collectables, and time trials. I spent many hours trying my hardest to beat my previous time, and I rarely pay attention to time trials.

The power ups offer a lot of variety. There were platforming levels, speed running levels, puzzle levels, boss rush levels, and combinations of everything. And again that's just the developer levels.

The way this game curates its player made levels is a standard that any similar games should be held to. I really felt like I couldn't go wrong with the recommended levels each time I opened up the Level Tower to try something new.

The movement, platforming, and power ups all work so well and at no point did I feel like a death was anything but my own fault.

If you like platformers with a funny story to them, this is a must, even at full price. If you like the idea of creating and sharing out levels, then I can't think of a better game for you... that isn't exclusive to the Switch. But unlike Mario Maker, I don't see this shutting down anytime soon!

I know a lot of people will get mad at me for saying this, but this is better thank Hollow Knight.

Admittedly, Hollow Knight has a beautiful style and a bit more intrigue in its story, but dammit put a save point by the bosses!

I don't mind the difficulty here. The progression moves along well. Each time you unlock a new item, or key, or ability there's so much to go back through and explore. The bosses are varied, unique, and so much fun. Plus, unlike similar games, there's a save point outside every boss room! I am not good at these games so if I'm going to fight a particularly hard boss, I want to be able to leap right back in.

There are multiple endings, plenty of achievements, the dev is updating consistently with new features, and there's even a sequel announced.

If you play metroidvanias at all this is absolutely worth buying at full price. Plus it works perfectly on my Steam Deck.