The Eternal Life of Goldman

About The Eternal Life of Goldman

The Eternal Life of Goldman is a hand-drawn platformer with a twist of dark humor and folklore. Developed by Weappy Studio and published by THQ Nordic, it drops you into a large archipelago filled with eccentric characters and cryptic myths. The story follows a mysterious mission to hunt down a Deity no one has seen, only through exploring tragic islands and solving environmental puzzles can you uncover the truth. With roots in fairy tales and a retro animation style, it feels both whimsical and eerie. Launched in 2023, it runs on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Switch. Think of it as a platformer that leans into its quirky personality, blending action with narrative-driven exploration.

Gameplay

You control Goldman, a silent protagonist hopping across islands, battling grotesque enemies, and solving physics-based puzzles. Each level is a hand-illustrated world where you grapple with floating platforms, dodge projectiles, and manipulate objects to progress. Combat is simplistic, button mashing works, but timing matters against bosses. The true challenge lies in exploring hidden areas, collecting golden coins, and piecing together lore from environmental cues. Sessions often involve trial-and-error jumps, then backtracking with new tools. The frame-by-frame animation gives the world a stop-motion feel, but it doesn’t slow down the platforming pace. Expect to replay sections for secrets, as the archipelago is littered with them.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 68% completing the main story and 42% earning all 420 achievements. Average playtime is 13 hours, but 17% log over 20. Community moods are split: 72% wonder and 34% humor, though 22% note it’s “oddly frustrating.” Critics praise the art style and pacing but call the combat “underwhelming.” One review: “Feels like a classic indie with charm to spare, but the difficulty spikes are jarring.” Twitch viewership places it at #37, suggesting a growing but niche audience. Despite its quirks, the game’s completion rate and replayability stats show it sticks with players.

PlayPile's Take

This is a must-play for fans of quirky, story-driven platformers who don’t mind a rough patch. Priced at $29.99, it offers solid value with its 420 achievements and rewatchable levels. The Eternal Life of Goldman isn’t perfect, combat can feel clunky and some puzzles are obtuse, but its charm and artistry make it memorable. If you enjoy worlds steeped in folklore and don’t mind a few stumbles, give it a shot. Just be ready to die a lot before the Deity meets its end.

Storyline

You arrive at the Archipelago on a strange mission: to kill the Deity, a mystical creature that everyone talks about, but no one has seen. To find the Deity, you will have to delve deep into the many secrets these islands keep. You will discover a place marked by tragedy, and filled with eccentric characters and remarkable contrasts.