Odallus: The Dark Call (2015)

This game is a retro-inspired action-platformer by Brazilian studio JoyMasher that pays clear homage to classics like Castlevania and Ghosts ’n Goblins. With beautifully detailed 8-bit style pixel art and a moody chiptune soundtrack, it successfully captures the atmosphere of the NES era while adding modern polish to mechanics and pacing. I'm a big fan of this developer, and I'll forever recommend their games, they are a joy for people who love retro, traditional, simpler video-game, and I'm also biased because of it's origin country.

The game blends straightforward platforming with light Metroidvania elements, featuring branching levels, hidden areas, and abilities that encourage revisiting earlier stages. It is a very pleasant experience to 100% this title, I highly recommend it, since it is not a very complex and time demanding title, which makes it a good fit for a post-credits experience. Combat is tight and responsive, with sub-weapons and upgrades adding variety to the action, boss fights are well-designed, requiring pattern recognition without feeling unfair, and checkpoints keep frustration at bay.

While the story of Haggis, a retired warrior seeking to save his son from demonic forces, is simple, it’s presented with atmospheric cutscenes that fit the dark fantasy tone, however, the main plot has a nice twist at the end (no spoilers). The campaign runs about five to six hours, making it a concise but satisfying experience, with an optional harder mode for those craving more challenge. Some people praised the game, often calling it one of the best modern “Castlevania-like” titles. Its combination of nostalgic style, fair difficulty, and polished design make it a standout indie release that remains highly recommended for fans of retro action adventures.