I am pretty shocked how much I enjoyed this one. The game has so much Soulsy / Castlevania influence, which is usually not my thing... but I had a blast. Just like Plague of Yamorn, Blasphemous, and Kalinur - it gets added to my small list of Soulsy Metroidvanias I would recommend.

The game is definitely combat focused, has RPG elements (equipables, consumables, and skills) - but they are scaled down to a manageable degree. For example, you only have 3 slots to equip- an outfit/armor slot, an accessory slot, and a sword. The skill tree is meaningful, with each one having a special effect (such as displaying saves on the map, removing fall damage, learning a language). My main complaint with many souls games like Elden Ring and Grime is the constant menu diving, plethora of equipment and spells and items... but when paired down and simplified, it lets the gameplay itself shine.

The game also has some fun platforming, secrets, tons of exploration, tasks, and all the rest. It's just so well designed and balanced to appeal to all sides of the Metroid / Castlevania divide. I think Hollow Knight also bridged this gap, so the influence is worn on its sleeve (even with a Hollow Knight easter egg and shoutout in the credits).

It took me about 5 hours to nearly 100%. It is a game I would recommend to nearly any fan of the genre. It is so polished and the gameplay just feels really good. Definitely up there on my metroidvania GOTY list (with Ender Magnolia, Pipistrello, and Shadow Labyrinth).