The Messenger
Metacritic
OpenCritic
Mighty
IGDB
OpenCritic Score
Score Distribution
"The Messenger is a rock solid action platformer that balances out its retro stylings with modern touches and brilliantly slick controls. Blasting through the lengthy story is compelling, as new story beats and abilities are thrown into the mix. It perhaps flies a little too close to the sun later on as you hunt down the final few collectibles, but by and large, it's a cloud-stepping joy. Fans of 2D action games should have a blast with this, and that's a message we're happy to pass along."
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About The Messenger
Sabotage released The Messenger in August 2018 through Devolver Digital. This title launches on PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch as a single player adventure. The game starts as an 8-bit action platformer where you control a ninja trying to save his clan from a demon army by delivering a magical scroll. The story twists quickly into a time-travel saga that transforms the gameplay into a 16-bit Metroidvania. You explore cursed lands, fight hordes of enemies, and unlock new abilities to reach previously inaccessible areas. It is a concise run-and-gun experience that respects retro design while adding modern polish and deadpan humor throughout its short but dense campaign.
Gameplay
You move your ninja character through side-scrolling levels with tight controls that demand precision jumps and parries. Early sessions feel like classic NES games with simple objectives and pixelated graphics. Midway through the story, the game shifts to 16-bit visuals and introduces double jumps, grappling hooks, and wall climbs. This change unlocks a large map where you must backtrack using new tools to find secrets and upgrades. Combat involves quick combos, projectile attacks, and dodging patterns that require memorization. You will encounter various enemy types, solve environmental puzzles, and fight bosses that test your skill with the weapons you have collected. The game includes multiple endings based on how thoroughly you explore the world and collect hidden items.
What Players Think
Critics and players alike rate this title highly despite a modest Metacritic score of 61 out of 100. OpenCritic shows 87.50% of critics recommend it with an average score of 86 out of 100. IGDB lists 189 ratings averaging 83.2 points. Destructoid gave a perfect 100, calling it one of the best indie games on Switch. DualShockers awarded 95, praising its love letter to retro styles. Community data suggests players complete the main story in roughly 6 to 8 hours. The average playtime for those who seek 100% completion stretches to about 12 hours or more. Review snippets highlight the game's humor and its unexpected genre shift as major strengths. Many users report high replay value due to hidden collectibles and alternate paths that encourage multiple visits to the same zones.
PlayPile's Take
This game is a solid buy if you enjoy tight platforming mechanics and short campaigns with a clear narrative arc. The price on most digital stores sits around 10 dollars or less depending on sales. You can earn over 20 achievements for finding all secrets and beating the boss rush mode. Do not expect a massive open world or endless grinding sessions. The shift from 8-bit to 16-bit might confuse some players initially but it pays off well in gameplay variety. Finish the story once, then chase the remaining collectibles if you have time left. It is a complete package that delivers its message without dragging on too long.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
83.2
RAWG Rating
3.0
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