Reviews: Crypt Custodian
Spoiler free review of the game Crypt Custodian played on Steam Deck OLED - great intro to metroidvanias
At Margot Plays, I review games that I have played focused on my experience, which is evolving as I play more games. In general the games’ story will have been completed, on easy mode if applicable and unless stated otherwise played on the steam deck OLED.
About the game - Crypt Custodian
Crypt Custodian is a charming metroidvania about cleaning up the afterlife. Play as Pluto - a mischievous cat who has died, and is sentenced to be the afterworld's janitor... FOREVER! Hang out with other doomed ghosts, battle beasts, and explore a vastly expansive landscape.
Margot’s stats
Device: Steam Deck Oled
Difficulty: Easy
Completed: yes - main story
Time: ~8.5 hours
Summary:
This is an even more refined version of Kyle’s games but sticking within the metroidvania genre. It has the most refined combat yet, while staying approachable. I think this is a great game to experience a metroidvania and its charms, without any complicated battles. The exploration is really well done and I have enjoyed gaining the skills which opened up more areas of the map as I went along. It is also flawless on the Steam Deck.
Narrative & Gameplay
In true Kyle fashion this is another metroidvania. You play as a cat that has recently passed away and is given the job of Janitor in the underworld. Unfortunately you were not good enough in your life to go to what is essentially heaven, hence you become the janitor and have to clean. Cleaning actually provides you with currency, so I highly suggest you use your broom on anything and everything you see to avoid grinding later on in the game.
During your mission you meet many quirky NPCs and all may not be as it seems.
Maybe it is that seed being sewn that you might not be in the right place and neither may be the others you meet, that get you exploring, but I found that exploration in general was really refined in Crypt Custodian. I really got into exploring the map and finding the different collectibles and upgrades. And also seeing what each biome is like. The map has 2 detail settings. One where you can roughly see any missing potential links and another setting which gives you a lot more to go on.
While I mostly stayed in the more basic map, I do suggest switching every now and then to make sure you are finding all the collectibles and upgrades as you go.
Kyle has a definite style which is evident in each different area. I enjoyed the art work a lot, especially his backgrounds. There is something to it that I can’t put my finger on but you just know it’s an evolution of his work. And as video games are a bit like art to me I really like this about his games. Some may find it distracting to see shapes they have seen before but I like the hints of where he has come from and how is style has evolved.
The map is well laid out with lots of areas that are initially blocked off and you get to explore later on. I loved that the mechanics with which I would be able to get to the other sides were not always obvious. This meant I actually tricked myself. I kept thinking, surely I’ll get a double jump or similar and then missed that I actually had a different way of getting across some areas much earlier.
But this is the charm of these games. They just are a bit different and quirky in a good way. This is accentuated by the music and writing too. I am no music aficionado but I like the beeps and bobs and melodies in these games a lot.
The combat as such is more refined than the other games but it is pretty basic, and therefore so are the boss fights. They do have different attack patterns and ate each pretty unique but you don’t need to try and beat them for hours. But I think this actually makes it a great intro to metroidvanias and what makes them special to me, which is not the fighting but the exploration and world building, which really works in this game.
So if you want to try the genre in general this may be a good one and if you are a fan already, you may like it for its more chilled approach to the genre.
Have you played any of Kyle Thompson’s games? I am up to date now but can’t wait for the next game!
Crypt Custodian is the only game of his i've played but I definitely need to jump into his earlier work and cant wait for Well Dweller. I loved this game and couldnt put it down when I started it. Great review!
I completely agree with the idea of Kyle being a great entry point for the Metroidvania genre. His games are simple, but with every new release, the art and mechanics improve.