Haydee

If you can look past Haydee’s shockingly bewitching figure, you’ll find a game that’s not only mechanically impressive but also insanely rewarding. At its core, this is a game that’s an evolution of the classic Metroidvania formula that’s been perfectly adapted to its 3D engine.

Sure, the main character may seem more than just a bit sexualized, but that’s the only part of Haydee’s design that’s easy on the player. Difficult as it is, the game rewards players who are patient enough to learn the basics of this title, and will surely be a diamond in the rough for fans of classic and punishing platforming experiences.

Enticing Robots

Much like Blasphemous, Haydee channels the spirit of classic Metroidvania games and modernizes it for the Dark Souls generation. One thing that separates Haydee from the rest of the games like it, is how heavy its main character feels to control. Perhaps it has something to do with the main character’s “proportions.”

Games like Mark of the Ninja make the player feel agile enough to navigate each stage gracefully. Haydee takes an entirely different approach to this: each jump and platforming section feels carefully planned to make the player feel vulnerable, and that’s a limitation made by design.

As is tradition with Soulslike games, you’ll die very often in Haydee. That said, figuring out the best strategy to succeed where you’ve been failing for the last half hour is just part of the fun of this punishingly addictive game.

Of course, Haydee’s design looks a bit out of place at first glance. Half robot and half supermodel, this android is not like most hypersexualized video game characters out there. For one, Haydee’s design doesn’t really get any more explicit than what it initially seems: other than the robot’s kinky attire, there are no explicit scenarios that would make the game an “Adults Only” title.

The lack of a proper checkpoint system might sound archaic at first, but the developers have been quite clear about keeping it as retro as they can. Save stations are the only way to record your progress in this game: an unforgiving throwback to a time when platformers still had lives.

Explore and Discover

There’s absolutely no hand-holding to be found in Haydee. The player is free to tackle each challenge at their own pace, which can become a valuable thing in a game that’s as heavy in trial and error gameplay as this.

Exploring the game’s world rewards players with additional content and secrets to discover. Haydee also features a basic inventory system that will force players to carefully consider which items are essential, and what is just rubbish.

Even though exploration can be fun, the lack of a regenerating health system also means that hunting down medkits becomes an essential part of the gameplay loop. Despite the apparent repetition of replaying some sections over and over until you get the hang of things, the game’s satisfying controls and rewarding gameplay make it worth the player’s while.

Pros

• Challenging gameplay
• Rewarding exploration
• Excellent soundtrack
• Varied platforming puzzles

Cons

• Haydee’s design is a bit hit or miss
• The lack of checkpoints can be a bit frustrating