Strayed Lights has potential, with an interesting combat formula based on matching colours and parrying. However, its clunky platforming, inconsistent mechanics and combat that is too simplistic in its attempt to aim for complexity and challenge leads to a game that ultimately fails to make the list of my favourite titles from 2023. There is heart here, but the game needs more polish because if the devs want to provide a lean and precise combat experience, this execution doesn’t quite stick the landing.

I believe this is a first project for this team, and I think it’s highly likely they’ll improve with time, so I won’t write them off completely. I look forward to seeing how they evolve between Strayed Lights and whatever their next title is.