Ultros

Ultros takes the tried and tested Metroidvania formula, flips it on its head, bathes it in neon paint, switches dimensions, adds gardening mechanics and sends it to an outer-space uterus housing an ancient demon – and it all, somehow, works

Ultros is already a solid, extremely fun metroidvania game when played straight, with nice combat, an interesting story and a gorgeous world filled with intrigue and a great use of organic life as a major theme. But it's when the game focuses on exploration and the possibility of greater secrets that it becomes something truly special, showcasing clever puzzle design that ramps up the challenge ev...

Ultros is ultimately an excellent game, and I loved almost every minute I spent with it exploring what is really a giant work of art. The storytelling, the music, the art, the design and exploration are all wonderful to experience, even if its biggest puzzle mechanic is also its biggest frustration. But those frustrations don't overshadow the things that make Ultros shine, and they are all why it ...

Ultros is a great Metroidvania that ticks all the required boxes and then some. The magnificent art style deserves even more praise because it’s very original and drenched in dazzling alienesque tones, true eye-candy with no shortage of bloody moments and remarkable bosses, despite some potential confusion between what’s background and what’s not. Platforming and combat are both solid, and while t...

A bold metroidvania with a message to impart and ideas to spare, even if it doesn’t always make full use of them.

ULTROS is an incredible, vibrant, and gorgeous metroidvania that feels wonderfully unique and runs great on the Steam Deck.

Psychedelic stylings accompany a game of transformation and discovery.

Some of its best moments can only be appreciated by those willing to put in the extra time, which is both a rewarding and unfortunate reality, as not everyone will be able to experience the best the game offers with a single playthrough. But if you have the patience to persevere through some minor shortcomings and a couple of playthroughs, your understanding and appreciation for this game will no ...

We feel like Ultros is destined to become a cult classic. It will undoubtedly be loved by some, but many will find it overly vague in terms of story and direction to leave a lasting impact. It has some interesting ideas, a stunning visual style and a neat soundtrack, but the further you progress, more and more frustrations are likely to creep in, undermining them all. Add in the combat which doesn...

“Ultros is a bold and beautiful artistic vision, but a convoluted Metroidvania.”

While Ultros undeniably looks and sounds beautiful, the incredibly tedious gameplay and a time loop gimmick that leads to tiring monotony more than anything else make Ultros fail to be anything more than nice to look at in screenshots.

Late-game fiddliness spoils what is otherwise a vibrant and always interesting Metroidvania, whose emphasis on growth, connection and (tripping out on mad monsters) make it one of the most sumptuous games of 2024 so far.