Crypt Custodian Review | Down All Nine Lives

The proverbial Well of Metroidvanias has never exactly run dry; as one of gaming’s most long-lasting genres, we’re introduced to many new entries each year. But a good Metroidvania leaves a lasting impression, and as someone who loves the genre dearly, I couldn’t be happier to experience the resurgence of countless bangers we’ve had in recent years.

That rang especially true after I got my hands on Crypt Custodian, the newest title from seasoned Metroidvania-maker Kyle Thompson, giving us not only a new perspective on the traditionally side-scrolling genre but on life, what comes after it, and leaving your loved ones behind.

A series of posthumous events

Crypt Custodian begins at the end – well, not the end of the game, but of life itself. The story starts with our protagonist, Pluto, a curious cat who falls through an ethereal plane before settling in a whimsical area with lush vegetation, clear water, and stone structures. Immediately greeted by a strange, ghostly companion, we learn we’ve just landed in the animal afterlife. Yup, we’re dead, and the next task consists of meeting with Kendra, the self-appointed Guardian of the Afterlife, who decides if Pluto was a good enough kitty to live eternally with her in The Palace or is sentenced to everlasting janitorial work outside of it.

Through an all-too-convenient excuse, Kendra sentences Pluto to the latter. As you explore the afterlife, cleaning up piles of trash and swatting hostile pests along the way, you soon discover an abundance of other friendly specters sentenced to the same job as you. The afterlife is full of animals of all backgrounds; some once pets, others strays, and the rest once living their lives in the wild, but all share one common wish – a longing desire to see their loved ones in the mortal world one last time, even for a brief moment.

Crypt Custodian is a Metroidvania through and through, but its unique top-down perspective, melancholy atmosphere, and bittersweet story make it one I’ll never forget. Taking me just under 12 hours to 100%, it gave me countless collectibles to search for in its massive, sprawling world. Seriously, the map is impressively large, even by the genre’s standards. Thankfully, the world is littered with fast-travel points, making the usual song and dance of retracing your steps with newly acquired powers and abilities much less tedious.

“…I realized Crypt Custodian was, in fact, a tragic story hellbent on turning its players into sobbing messes.”

Aside from a generous amount of exciting abilities to unlock, my favorite collectibles in Crypt Custodian were, hands down, the photographs scattered around the world. These photographs, usually found relatively close to the new friends you’d meet, would give brief glimpses into your companions’ lives – how they grew up, lived their lives, and ultimately met their untimely demises. Collecting all three photos of any given pal and learning the timeline of their journey to the end is when I realized Crypt Custodian was, in fact, a tragic story hellbent on turning its players into sobbing messes.

Combat in Crypt Custodian is endlessly entertaining. Despite a wooden broom being Pluto’s sole weapon of choice, a plethora of Upgrades and Special Attacks can be discovered to augment the way you approach enemies, making each battle a fast-paced flurry of sweeps, jumps, and dashes. Gauntlets of enemies are often found scattered around each zone, giving you a chance to test your skills wave after wave, but the combat truly shines in Crypt Custodian’s exhilarating boss battles, some of which nearly turn the game into chaotic pits of bullet-hell mayhem.

The world of Crypt Custodian manages to create a compelling atmosphere for what we’d imagine the afterlife to be like. Its unique zones, while blended together, stand in complete contrast with one another. One moment, you’re walking through your standard fantasy forest; the next, you’re jumping through a dream-like maze suspended in outer space.. which just happens to be accessed through one of the residents’ ridiculously-sized basements. There’s (after)life everywhere, and yet loneliness around every corner, a juxtaposition perfectly captured by the game’s haunting score. Its bouncy and cheerful melodies, steeped in dreariness and uncertainty, made me question whether I was feeling hopeful, defeated, neither, or both.

At the end of the tunnel

Upon reaching the credits, Crypt Custodian concluded as an adventure that beautifully captured the essence of life’s transience through the lens of our world’s coinhabitants that we sometimes forget about. Its perfect length was filled with discovery, leaving me with a bittersweet sense of satisfaction and a yearning for more.

It’s another beautiful entry under solo developer Kyle Thompson’s belt and a solid Metroidvania that will leave fans of the genre with a lasting memory.

9

Crypt Custodian

A charming adventure filled with countless collectibles and frantic and exhilarating combat, leaving a lasting urge to hug your pets.

Pros

• Unique and eye-catching art style
• Satisfying combat with diverse enemies to tackle
• Multiple accessibility options
• Impressively large, interconnected world
• Charming, heartwarming story

A copy of this game was provided by the publisher for review. Reviewed on PC.