Rebel Transmute (2024)

Even without innovating or impressing, Rebel Transmute executes its inspiration in Metroid very well. The adventure on an inhospitable planet is enriched with reasonable narrative doses, competent setting, challenging difficulty and exploration of secrets. The almost non-existent direction can be a hindrance and a source of frustrating repetitions, but it will certainly be worth it for those who enjoy metroidvanias, especially in the science fiction aspect.

Rebel Transmute is a good action adventure, but it’s not for everyone, including myself. The difficulty of this game is pretty harsh in the first half of this game, with fiddly platforming and touch-as-nails boss fights requiring quick reactions and patience to succeed. It’s a barrier of stress that won’t work for everyone. If you can make it through, there is plenty to like. Customizing your build with various augmentations provides flexibility to the gameplay, and once you have a huge map to explore, you will have multiple secrets to uncover. So, if you find most adventure games too easy, then consider this your next gaming project.

Rebel Transmute is probably the best Metroidvania you've never heard of. Though its visuals are just okay, its skillful blend of high difficulty, obscure narrative, and rewarding exploration all make for a thoroughly great entry that no genre fan should miss out on. New Metroidvanias are certainly a dime a dozen, but releases like Rebel Transmute demonstrate that there's always room for one more good one. We'd recommend you pick this game up if you're a big fan of the genre, particularly if you want something that scratches that Hollow Knight itch-Rebel Transmute has got it where it counts and is certainly worth your time and attention.

Rebel Transmute may be my new favourite Metroid-inspired game as it emulates what made the original special in a wonderful way.