Many biz have taken up the cape of the Metroidvania genre , offering players non - linear journeys through various areas that require unique item or abilities to complete . Curse of the Sea Rats , from developer Petoons Studio and publisher PQube , aim on the deed of a " ratoidvania " instead . The gamesets its scenario swiftly , establishing a curse that flex the characters into squealer , a diachronic circumstance on the Irish coast , and a goal of keep open a kidnaped tyke . histrion do so by jump and slashing their way through a diverseness of environments inspired by Ireland ’s geography , brought to life in vivid color and passable detail .

voyage the world ofCurse of the Sea Ratsand defeat its enemy feels familiar togames likeHollow Knight , although the inability to move while perform a received onset makes for crocked fights . Player characters and enemies alike have lively animations , but combat often falls back to locking swords in close quarter and relying on onset speed to come out the superior . Upgrade trees for each of the four switchable type propose more stat boot than transformative gameplay , with interspersed special moves providing infrequent shakeups . A couple of regenerative abilities intemperately incentivize the use of the characters that yield them .

These abilities and general leveling can make players who are n’t race through the plot outpace its trouble curve . Bosses can prove more exciting than steady enemies , but players gunning for anything near 100 % culmination can nonplus many late bosses without playing particularly well . These soaring goals are both enticing and achievable , with systematically engage spacial advance and quests and mystery that shy away from being cryptic . Death can be frequent in stretches , butCurse of the Sea Ratslacks the complication in combat or puzzles thatthe laborious Metroidvaniasoffer . Fans of multiplayer might enjoy not having to worry about punishing difficultness in the game ’s optional cobalt - op experience .

Arthur Morgan, V, and Link over a blurred Elden Ring Background

alas , the game ’s points of frustration arise elsewhere . A thin account that peddles vaguely dated sense of humour and occasional silly stereotypes could be one for some player , although oddball choice like a fictional character parody Dan Brown could influence others . One more ironclad annoyance is the mapping of an unlockable character reference swap button to clicking the left over analog stick on a comptroller , which can contribute to false swap in the heat of boss fight . Various minor germ had minimal negative shock on the experience , but the final section ofCurse of the Sea Ratsaugments its challenge with confuse sticking head .

The crucially problematic stint , at least in a completionist playthrough , go on when a payoff for fighting bosses throughout the biz trigger a terminal boss for players to outgo . At this point , players are locked into the fight , without any power to double back to unlock ability or stock up on more potions ( which , when used in battle , are lost even after a death and respawn ) . This fight prove a greater challenge than most in the game , although pick up its approach pattern should make it doable even for players without supplies . swap character in its last phase , however , can trigger the boss simply leaving the screen , rendering a run useless .

Successfully completing the struggle can create greater problem , direct to a rugged final cutscene in both test of the bug . A half - blank screenland hangs for a fleck before the biz simply moves on . The credits roll without publication , but there the story ends . In the first run of the battle , an achievement triggered for 100 % function closing on a playthrough that had reached 96 % , and the game returned to menu . Reloading the Indian file after both runs put it back before this final hirer with the obstruction preventing backtracking in place . In its current state , the game can close up histrion entirely from play further on an almost - completed file cabinet .

Marvel 1943

The magnetic core ofCurse of the Sea Ratsis a hearty if unexceptional Metroidvania , and that effect makes the bulk of a playthrough pleasurable . At the consequence , however , the plot require a little more time in the oven . Some hemipterous insect and design alternative could utilise ironing out , and completionists are go to have a bad time until the biz ’s finale is hopefully prop up . It ’s easy to swallow certain quirk and minor failings while ticktock the map close to completion , but it ’s hard to recommendCurse of the Sea Ratswhen it has the voltage to guide completely aground .

Curse of the Sea Ratswill departure on April 6 , 2023 for PC , PS4 , PS5 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , and Xbox Series X / S. Screen Rant was provided with a PC download codification for the design of this critique .

Petoons Studio ’s Curse of the Sea Rats is a Metroidvania about pirate who are transformed into rodents by a witch . The action - adventure title of respect boasts hand - draw liveliness and multiple playable character .

Stardew Valley Kitchen

Curse of the Sea Rats image featuring swashbuckling characters from the game facing off, with a disparate crew of heroes on the left and a band of pirates on the right.

Curse of the Sea Rats character Bussa prepares to fight a hulking, red-bearded lighthouse keeper in a decaying lighthouse.

Petoons Studio’s Curse of the Sea Rats is a Metroidvania about pirates who are transformed into rodents by a witch. The action-adventure title boasts hand-drawn animation and multiple playable characters.

Vampire Murat Reis from Curse of the Sea Rats asks a spider-like rat whether garlic is in the soup.

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Petoons Studio’s Curse of the Sea Rats is a Metroidvania about pirates who are transformed into rodents by a witch. The action-adventure title boasts hand-drawn animation and multiple playable characters.

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