Panzer Paladin (2020)

Being 80's kid, Panzer Paladin feels like homecoming, but with just the right amount of modern design choices. Spikes kill, checkpoints are scarce, bosses hit hard. Every death feels justified and all you can do is to try to learn from your mistakes. A limited number of lives keeps you on your toes as you progress through the levels. Controls are tight and I do appreciate that developers took a risk by making the Grit feel more heavy to move around, which feels like you're actually controlling a weighty armoured battle suit.

I LOVE the fact you can jump out from the robot suit! I went hitting on every block in search for narrow passages only the pilot can fit in. Hidden goods inside of walls are as rewarding as ever. Switching in between the weapons feels smooth and learning to use the spells by breaking or throwing them is tactically satisfying. You can even design your own weapons and use them in the game, alongside with those made by the ever so creative community. Hilarity ensues.

Panzer Paladin looks and sounds gorgeous! Each stage stands out with unique scenery, a few different enemy types and music which fits the theme. I can't praise the sound design enough, but every sound effect feels just right and the soundtrack is by far one of the best I've heard in a long while. I've found myself humming the main theme while writing this down. It's so BAD!

I have very little bad things to say about the game. There could have been more optional routes for Flame the pilot, especially since her whip swing mechanic was so much fun, but overall the stages were really well designed. The laboratory, where your only option is to upgrade Grit's health, felt a bit trivial though.

Thank you, Tribute Games, for bringing this to life. Proving once again, that it's not wrong to long for the good old days.

I know. It seems like just another 'retro style indie'. It actually takes a lot (A LOT) from the Mega Man games.

But Panzer Paladin is more than just another "love letter" to the NES games. It has a really great weapon system that seems simple, but it really adds an strategic layer to the gameplay.

Also, the pixel art and chiptune music are amazing.

You can read my review in spanish on GamerFocus.

Also, did you know that you can design you own weapons and those will appear to other players?

I created Kylo Ren's saber

And GamerFocus' logo

And I found amazing weapons created with pixel art by other players.

Edit: While writing this, my cat Lara pressed the reset button on my PC. When I got back, I didn't lost a single written word. Thanks Peter!