5/5 ★ – LLCoolRunnings's review of The Messenger.

I've recently replayed this game and I have to amend my previous review. I love this game, so much. It's perfect, and I mean it with my whole heart when I say I think it's the best video game I've ever played. I did not find myself getting nearly as frustrated with it in a replay, which is definitely due to me knowing what I'm in for a little more, but I'm also in a much better headspace in general these days, so I'm sure that helped, too. It's definitely a tough, challenging game, but it never feels unfair. And playing this again after playing through Sea of Stars and it's DLC has given so much more context and meaning to the world building. There's so many little nods and callbacks between both games, I really can't wait to see what Sabotage comes with next. The gameplay is airtight, the characters are delightful, the world is interesting, the music is phenomenal, and it's one of a very VERY few games that attempts humor and is actually funny. Flawless, just absolutely perfect. The DLC, on the other hand... -------------------------------------------------- ORIGINAL REVIEW (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨) Me and this game have a very complicated relationship. The platforming is fluid, the controls feel pretty tight, and when you get in the groove it is an absolute joy to play. But the game also hates me. It’s tough, and unforgiving. It wants me dead. And somehow that makes me love it even more. There were times where we had to separate, sure, but I always came crawling back. I had to hear the stories, I had to meet more characters, I had to learn more about the world. And I’m so glad I did, because it’s quickly become one of my favorites. Yes, sometimes the bosses can be… unremarkable. And yes, traversing through difficult rooms over and over again can get old (especially when you have to go through them from the opposite direction), but that also feels so rewarding as you feel yourself getting better and better at them. The core mechanic of switching between time periods (and thus, graphical styles) is mostly pretty cool, but can sometimes result in weird backtracking that can cause an occasional eyeroll. But there’s so much polish here (the music muffles seamlessly when you go underwater!), the action is PACKED, and the jokes are funny! I’d recommend this game to anyone, just be ready to die. A lot.