Mini Review: Recompile (PS5) - Digital Metroidvania Has Style But Little Substance

Recompile is one of those games that shows extremely well, but the reality is an experience that doesn't quite stick the landing. Playing as a virus with the intent of infiltrating and fixing The Mainframe, a computer system that's gone awry, this is a 3D action game that looks great, but doesn't quite have enough to back it up.

The presentation is very slick indeed, with the UI and environments all tied into that digitised world look. The only trouble with the art style is that, while the contrast between all the darkness and vivid lights is striking, it can mean you literally can't see where you need to go next. This isn't always a problem, but there's a lot of pitch black space that's almost impossible to traverse without some trial and error. Turning up the brightness might actually be a necessity.

Manoeuvring through the various levels does at least feel really satisfying. Once you've unlocked multiple jumps, air dashes, and more, you'll be darting through the open environments quickly, and it's fun figuring out how to reach those tougher areas. You're interrupted by enemies and bosses, though, and combat is another weak spot. You slowly obtain various weapons but they're all a bit disappointing; fighting the bosses especially can be a headache with guns that feel weak.

Puzzles which consist of navigating logic gates by pushing buttons are fine, but not particularly taxing. The hacking mechanic has its uses, though, and a surprisingly engaging story will pull you through the game despite its flaws. It's a shame that some of the gameplay doesn't measure up, because there are some good ideas here. Sadly, there's an inconsistent level of quality that makes Recompile hard to recommend.