Recompile

Recompile definitely isn't a perfect game – its combat and platforming have issues and it's easy to miss important things – but if you put the effort in, it's a rewarding and enjoyable experience with stunning visual and audio design and an interesting storyline.

A hacking action adventure that makes exploring code a platformy, puzzly treat. It could be clearer at times and combat's only fine, but this is a world you'll want to install regardless.

Recompile is one of the most interesting games I’ve played in a while. This entire Metroidvania takes place within a supercomputer’s code, where you play as a bit of code (ahem, virus) inserted into its neural network. Birthed into this strange system, you know nothing but the small bit of information provided to you by your coder: discover what had happened to this computer.

This game is not a simple proposition, although it may look like a typical 3D platforming game at heart it is a technically complex and at times very challenging addition to the Metroidvania genre.  If you are a fan of these types of games it is well worth checking out but be wary if you are not a fan of Metroidvania games.  Advertised as featuring intense combat, tight 3D platforming, super-powered abilities, and an environmental logic-based hacking mechanic it certainly lives up to those claims.  I would recommend being aware of this before you take the game on.

Hacking is also used in the game’s logic puzzles that you’ll only ever see a handful of times throughout the game. You’ll come across these pipe systems that need to be activated to send energy down the pipeline to trigger an activator on the other end. Most of these are pretty straightforward, but a few need some actual forethought and rhythm. Or, you can spend your bits to just force the puzzle solution. It’s an interesting balancing act of deciding whether to use your bits for a puzzle you’re struggling with, or a combat encounter. The issue with this however is the combat is never particul...

Recompile is not a bad game by any means, I just would not say it is a great one. I enjoyed myself at times, but ultimately feel like it did not do remotely enough to stand apart from the rest of the genre. Recompile is an interesting concept, but one that feels more like an incomplete idea. I loved the concepts, but there are some core gameplay things that would need to be fixed in order for me to truly feel like the idea made it’s way onto my computer the way the developers intended.

The exploration, narrative elements, art style, and audio are all excellent in Recompile, but the platforming begins to feel redundant after a while. Especially since the level design doesn't provide any clear direction and leads to regular backtracking and second guessing. There are also missed opportunities where the gameplay could have been more interesting and balanced. Still, the game should scratch that itch for those always looking for something new to experience.

Recompile looks like a surefire hit at first glance. There are tons of elements about it that make it stand out, at least in a commercial sense. This is a 3D metroidvania set inside a computer, with you playing as an anthropomorphic embodiment of a virus dealing with a malfunctioning mainframe. This entire story takes place within a mere literal second, showcasing the amount of processes that happen all the time inside your rig. The sound design is full of loud bass blasts and weird techno no...