Metroidvanias have become a core pillar of the PC gaming nucleus in recent years, helped in no small part by the constant innovation thanks to indie developers like Today's Games and its exciting debut release, ReSetna.
ReSetna is an exhilarating action-adventure set in a visually striking post-apocalyptic sci-fi landscape. The name ReSetna comes from the game's titular character, an advanced automaton who has been awakened into this derelict world, void of organic life, to take on the looming threat known as the Signal.
Where the Signal came from is unknown, but it's some rogue code that wants to go ahead and basically wreak total havok—which is pretty evil when most of the world is already pretty ramshackled—by corrupting robots, causing chaos, and sending the world further into disrepair. It was initially dismissed as a glitch, but it's become clear that the Signal is far more dangerous than that.
Thankfully, ReSetna doesn't have to take on this daunting task alone, though. They'll have the drone IXA by their side, acting as a guide but also providing some much-needed support as ReSetna progresses through their journey. IXA can help unlock paths—a huge component of any metroidvania adventure, of course—as well as provide crucial support in the heat of battle, and lead ReSetna to hidden treasures.
I'm sure IXA is going to be a much-needed ally, and I especially appreciate the help our drone friend will provide when trying my hardest to dodge every hit from the multitude of bosses ReSetna will have to face. Defeating each one will put ReSetna that little bit closer to revealing the dark story of a forgotten past, and help put the puzzle pieces together that linger around the mysterious Project Ascendance. Today's Games promises that each tough-as-nails big bad will be a real spectacle, providing that high level of challenge that I (and many other) action-adventure enjoyers crave all wrapped up in an electrifying visual presentation.
ReSetna boasts a slick toolbox of animations and moves to explore the world and defeat enemies, with an assortment of weapons such as dual blades and single blades, which change ReSetna's attack speed and patterns. Movement is hugely important in metroidvanias, and it's something that has been heavily praised among ReSetna's playtesters.
You'll be able to find bosses scattered around ReSetna's seven hauntingly beautiful zones, each bringing something unique to the table. There's Acidia, with a backstory I'm desperate to know more about: A former cutting-edge corporation who dabbled a little too heavily in a synthetic substance which caused unspeakable environmental damage, closing the plant down and turning the area into a toxic wasteland. There's also Polis_13, which promises to be a decayed industrial landscape, and Darkness which takes everything to a cold, blue hue. Every aspect of ReSetna's land is gorgeously hand-created, and completely original.
That bombastic art doesn't stop at its environments, either. Like I mentioned earlier, ReSetna will need to face a multitude of bosses to uncover the past. That storytelling doesn't end with just the narrative provided, though. Each foe has been meticulously crafted by Today's Games, every single one offering a unique design which further drives ReSetna's storytelling through their original visuals. It's one of ReSetna's shining features, one which should have players wanting to face every boss in the game.
It really does look like a stunning world, but I'm particularly excited by the music soundtracking ReSetna's entire adventure, composed by Nikola Jeremic. It's an exciting blend of organic sounds and synthetic backing tracks that really compliments ReSetna's world, helping to tell the story of each foe faced and zone traversed all wrapped up in a delightful synthwave package.
If you're already desperate to get stuck into the world of ReSetna, I've got great news: There's a demo over on Steam you can go and try. Even better yet, you can purchase the game as it's out right now.
