ReSetna – The First Croatian Metroidvania

• DEVELOPER: Today’s Games
• PUBLISHER: Today’s Games
• PLATFORMS: PC, Nintendo Switch
• GENRE: Metroidvania
• RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 19,50 €
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

ReSetna is the first Croatian game in the metroidvania genre. Although it doesn't redefine the genre, it sticks to the classic formula, offering a familiar yet enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, I had a mishap related to the game, where my first save file was simply deleted due to a bug before the official release of the game, so I had to go through and play everything again. What I can certainly say is that ReSetna will not disappoint you, just don't expect a title that can compete with the big players.

The story of ReSetna is set in a world dominated by robots, where organic life has gone extinct. You play as a special combat robot, also named ReSetna, whose task is to uncover the source of a corrupting signal that has made other robots go wild. The premise is intriguing, and as you progress, you discover more about the world and your role in it. However, the story is quickly forgotten. Although you can collect special collectible items and hidden artifacts to gain better insight into the lore, the fact that the story doesn't keep you that engaged does not benefit the game itself. The characters you talk to are not particularly interesting, but this is common for games of this genre. The action and gameplay, however, are at the forefront, as well as the exploration of the world.

Exploration is rewarding, but fighting against enemies is not always fun

The world is divided into different biomes, each with its unique design and story. These areas are visually distinct and add variety to exploration. Each biome is interesting, the aesthetics are beautiful and unique, but each also brings its own types of obstacles and traps. For example, the toxic biome had toxic liquid in which you took damage if you entered, while another biome had various electric obstacles and spikes that you could only cross with the help of warps. On the other hand, you can also find various hidden items in them, such as skill chips or resource boxes, so exploration is not boring; rather, the game truly encourages you to explore every nook and cranny.

As mentioned, ReSetna follows the classic metroidvania formula: exploration, backtracking, and unlocking new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. The movement system is fluid, with options like double jumping, dashing, wall jumping, and warping, making navigation through the environment extremely enjoyable. However, the controls can sometimes be awkward, especially during combat or after taking damage.

The biggest problem is that the animations are not always completely fluid. There is that brief moment that disrupts the smooth movement because the animation needs to finish. Additionally, enemies can stun you, which is extremely irritating when you are fighting multiple enemies shooting projectiles at you and those who are battling you on platforms.

The combat is a mix of regular enemies and challenging boss fights. Bosses are definitely the highlight of the game, offering a true test of skill and patience. What definitely works in favor of this game is the fact that it doesn't hold back on the number of enemies, with each biome bringing something new. Although it is quite easy to defeat nearby enemies, as the game rewards any movement around them and evasion, flying enemies are therefore very annoying.

A unique upgrade system reminiscent of Tetris

No, what should be emphasized is that the combat itself is enjoyable. The parrying is very good, the dodging is quite solid as you force the enemy to turn left and right, and you also have several special attacks, such as hacking to deal maximum damage to enemies. Additionally, there are three special weapons and various shops where you can buy different modifications and upgrades. All of this is well connected and solidly executed.

Yes, you can strike upwards and throw your weapon, but there are some enemies that almost never miss, like the Parasite that shoots lasers at you. Although you can quickly destroy them, a larger group of them is extremely irritating. Another great aspect is that the game introduces larger enemies, as well as mini-bosses that are extremely fun. Each of them brings their own attacks and provides a satisfying feeling when you defeat them.

There is also a unique upgrade system where you use Tetris-like blocks to optimize your robot's abilities. This system represents a refreshing twist compared to the usual upgrade mechanics in similar games. A large number of skills are actually useful, so you will always have to choose the ones you need at that moment. There's no need to waste words on bugs; it's quite normal and logical that they will be fixed in time, but generally, they do not affect the gameplay much.

What is definitely felt is that ReSetna suffers from a very strange pace of play. After defeating the first boss, there will be a period where you will spend two hours just unlocking new areas without encountering any other worthy opponent or boss. Since skills are not tied to bosses, but to special structures scattered across the map, this gradually slows down the pace of play as the quests practically force you to move from one part of the map to another.

ReSetna is worth your time

The character models and animations are quite basic, lacking the polish and charm that can be seen in other metroidvania games. The soundtrack is solid, with music that matches the atmosphere, but rarely stands out. The music shines only during boss fights, where the intensity of the music corresponds to the action. ReSetna seems to lack some extra substance, some mechanic that would immediately draw you in. Although there are certain intriguing ideas, it doesn't go that deep and remains superficial.

Backtracking is also quite repetitive in this game, and enemies at times become excessive, making them difficult to avoid. However, teleporting from one part of the biome to another is a very good feature as it saves you a lot of time, and it would be even better if there were more of them. ReSetna may not define the genre with something new, but it is good enough to keep you engaged for 10 hours. Additionally, the game is quite cheap, so you don't have much to lose if you give it a chance.

Although it may not leave a lasting impression, this is a promising start for Today’s Games and shows potential for future projects. ReSet is perhaps not the next Blasphemous, but it is still a solid and enjoyable metroidvania that stands on its own.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.5