Undivine Review
Undivine is a minimalist, dark fantasy Metroidvania.
Undivine. Wendeoo / Brainium Games
Undivine from Wendeoo and Brainium Games offers an interconnected world filled with relics, side quests, and more. It’s a low-res, pixel art Metroidvania with RPG elements that undermines its promise with lackluster combat.
As “the traveler,” you visit a remote village where people live in fear of a giant chasm at its center. No warriors who descended have returned. You decide to explore the abyss. The premise is intriguing, but the execution of the narrative falls flat. Dialogue with NPCs isn’t particularly compelling. If you’re looking for a story, there’s little to sink your teeth into. The reason to play this game is the stripped-down Metroidvania experience.
Undivine follows classic metroidvania design—start with basic jump and sword moves, unlock relic abilities from bosses to gain access to new areas. It also has some RPG flavor with its inventory system and talents. That part is solid, but the feel of the gameplay is where I found issue. Close-quarters combat is frustrating in part because of its simplicity. Battles end up being about alternating hitting and jumping, becoming tedious. Boss fights are better, but not by much. Unlike a lot of Metroidvanias, Undivine is non-linear. You can explore as you like and find the map’s hidden secrets. Not all items, abilities, and talents are required to finish the game, but they definitely help.
Undivine. Wendeoo / Brainium Games
Undivine leans into a stripped-down, lo-fi pixel style. The game's environmental design is simple, limited by the art style’s constraints. Sparse detail limited my immersion, which wouldn’t have been an issue if the gameplay had felt better.
Undivine is a great choice if you’re looking for a minimal take on a Metroidvania at a budget price. However, by the time I finished, I found myself wishing that I had spent the time on one that was a little more robust.
Undivine is available now on Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Overall Score: 5/10
Played on: PS5
