Venture to the Vile

Venture to the Vile is a spooky 2.5D Metroidvania that takes place in the unusual town of Rainybrook, which has been overrun by a mysterious entity known as the Vile. The town feels lived in, with unique and peculiar townsfolk to meet who each have their own side stories to uncover.

The game does a great job at world-building and drawing you into its unsettling story similar to other beloved Metroidvania titles like Blasphemous and Hollow Knight. However, the game also takes some notes from Little Nightmares to create its unsettling look and fascinating characters.

Exploring a Dynamic Interactive World

The 2.5D environments are crafted with care and intricacy, filled with hidden paths, loot, and puzzles to solve throughout the stages. Players can experience how dynamic weather and day/night cycles impact the world in various ways, such as encountering different monsters at night or certain items only appearing under certain conditions.

This level of interactivity keeps the world feeling fresh with new discoveries to make even after multiple playthroughs, akin to the surprises Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night threw at players.

Mastering New Abilities

As the protagonist gains new abilities like wall jumps or double jumps, huge portions of the map open up and allow access to new depths of Rainybrook. Mastering these skills to overcome platforming challenges is very satisfying, especially when taking down bosses that may have seemed impossible without certain upgrade.

Similar to Castlevania, gaining new powers gradually opens up more of the game's nonlinear map. That is, until you come face to face with a boss. Every boss fight shakes things up with new mechanics to learn for victory.

From battling a Kraken on the ghost ship to being chased through the hospital tunnels by a giant hare, each boss utilizes the arena in clever ways and will mercilessly punish those unprepared. Like in Blasphemous, learning attack patterns and using the environment and abilities creatively is key.

Dynamic Outfits

Venture to the Vile also includes unlockable outfits that change the difficulty or loot acquisition, adapting the experience. Wearing outfits that boost difficulty but reward better drops creates new incentive for replayability.

While other Metroidvania titles offer new game plus modes, this offering of outfit-based modifiers is a creative touch not seen elsewhere. Will you overcome the Vile in every risky outfit? The variety of outfits promises dynamic gameplay opportunities.

Rating: 10/10

The game's memorable cast of unique bosses and clever level design will challenge even veteran players of the genre. While it may not reinvent the wheel, Venture to the Vile is a very solid entry that Metroidvania fans will find plenty to love.

Pros:

• Engrossing story and worldbuilding
• Satisfying abilities-based progression and platforming
• Memorable boss fights

Cons:

• The map can feel confusing at times
• Shorter than other Metroidvanias