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(HARDWIRED) - There are so many genres of games out there. From the fast-paced frantic gunplay of a first-person shooter to the methodical arrangement and movement of troops on a battlefield of a tactical role-playing game. Sometimes, though, there are games that are so unique in the way they play or execute gameplay so well that they give rise to a name for a whole genre. Such is the case for the Metroid and Castlevania series. Defined by their sprawling looping maps and numerous upgrades that allow you access to previously inaccessible areas, these games have been loved since their original releases back in 1987 and 1986, respectively. Many games have followed this formula, some successfully and others not so much. Today we’re going to take a look at Ultros. The latest entry to this vast genre from developers Hadoque. Will this be an instant classic or just another drop in the metroidvania sea?

Ultros like many other titles in the genre, starts off with very little equipment and skills. As you wake up in an unknown location you quickly find the local inhabitants are largely hostile. You quickly find a blade and use a unique combo and juggling based combat system to dispatch your foes and collect their pieces for use in healing but also leveling as Ultros sports a unique level up system where what you eat gives you different nutrition and each upgrade requires a different amount of certain nutrients. As you traverse the alien landscape you will find several allies who assist and teach you on your journey as well as several interesting pieces of equipment that allow you more access to various areas. While combat seems to be the obvious approach, due to the aggressive nature of the various wildlife you do have an option to take a more peaceful approach. Sometimes things are not as clear cut as they seem. What will you be hunter or healer? Savior or survivor?

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As the story progresses you will start to come by seeds as well. While these seem to be a bit trivial at first, they quickly become a core part of the gameplay as each seed type grows a plant specific to that seed. These plants can do things as simple as give you a piece of fruit to heal or a platform to get higher up or they can drastically alter locations by opening up previously inaccessible pathways. It is completely up to you where and when to plant each seed so that they are best utilized. Plants naturally take time to grow, or you can use fertilizer to speed up the process. When it comes to time, however, things aren’t the way they originally seem. As you progress towards your goal you find that time has a cyclical nature in this alien craft. When you complete certain objectives, you will shortly wake up to where you started your journey. With no equipment or skills, you must rebuild your repertoire from scratch. While this did become a bit tedious at first. You quickly get a way to lock in skills and get your armaments and equipment back more efficiently.

With an interesting combat and exploration system Hadouqe could have phoned it in for the rest of the title and we would have had a decent game, but they decided to take it one step further and dial it up to 11 for atmosphere. One look at this game and it truly feels like you’ve stepped foot into an alien landscape. While many games try to build a sense of atmosphere with dark corridors and dreary music. Ultros turns that notion on its head. With vivid bright visuals that seem like they are ripped straight from the 80s you find yourself exploring a landscape that is equally beautiful and dangerous. The vibrant landscape is complemented perfectly by the varied musical tracks. Each of the biomes you find yourself exploring has unique music to match. The tunes are generally upbeat and funky while the battle music does a good job of putting you in fight or flight. The music during the story beats does a great job of setting the tone and gives another layer to the overlying story.

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The story is where I had a bit of a fumble. By no means is the story bad but it is a bit… convoluted and heady. The general story unfolds nicely. Break the cycle and escape through whichever means you can. There are many little story pieces to find and hunt down and if you do it may clear it up a bit for you, but I found them to be more confusing than helpful. More than anything I will say it is very easy to get lost backtracking even with the help of the map. I spent a decent amount of time getting Stick backtracking while trying to find the way forward. All credit to the game though as even when I was stuck, I was still having fun taking in the environment and enjoying the combat.

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Despite a partly confusing and lofty story. Ultros takes some great strides in making a game live up to the metroidvania genre. With a combat system that rewards varying your attacks. An exploration system that allows you to truly shape the world by sowing seeds. And an atmosphere that feels like it was truly plucked from an alien world. While I don’t foresee us calling the genre Ultrovania anytime soon. This title is a great entry into the gaming world and if you like games of this type you’ll have a blast dodging and growing your way around this funky alien ship to a great soundtrack. I give Ultros a 7 out of 10. For more gaming news and reviews like and subscribe. For Hardwired I’m Alex Richardson, thanks for watching.