Recently, we have seen a massive resurgence of the Metroidvania genre. As the genre comes to life, we may have just gotten one that stops players in their tracks with its sheer artistic ambition. Karma Exorcist is a new 2D action platformer from developer Cyclos that has caught the attention of early previewers.
The game draws deep from the well of Chinese folklore and Di Fu, the Chinese equivalent of Hell. Early Karma Exorcist previews show that the game is a hand-drawn epic that could be a must-play indie game.
Karma Exorcist: Exploring the Afterlife
Karma Exorcist Gameplay. Image Credit: Steam
Karma Exorcist casts you as an anonymous demon slayer who wakes up from the petrified finger of a gigantic hand. With no memory except for a deadly soul-slicing sword, you find yourself in a world plagued by evil karma.
Your goal is to purify the world of Ghost Emperors and otherworldly monsters who have transformed the afterlife into a battlefield. With 11 different biomes to explore, from murky caves full of giant slugs to desert ruins and beachfronts surrounded by eerie red spider lilies.
The game focuses on the traditional Metroidvania “loop” in which players come up against barriers they can’t overcome but can revisit once they have gained new powers.
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Karma Excorcist Customization, Tough Bosses, and Top Features
Karma Exorcist Combat. Image Credit: Steam
From early previews, we can say that Karma Exorcist comes stacked with plenty of choices. The game features:
- 20 Distinct Weapons: Light swords, slow-moving axes, and throwing knives.
- 8 Loadouts: Quickly switch weapons on the job to deal with more than 100 enemy types.
- Soul Gems and Talismans: These collectibles can be used to build stronger characters that regenerate stamina or provide temporary stat increases.
These systems you build are put to the test by the bosses. Whether it’s a hungry Ghost King or a lightning-calling, teleporting warrior monk, each battle demands foresight and accuracy.
Death is costly, as with the Shade mechanic. If you die in battle, your health will be topped out until you return to the place of death to recover your soul.
The Soul-Snatching Chain
Navigating the Crimson Afterlife. Image Credit: Steam
A key feature of the game, showcased in the early hands-on previews, is the Soul-Snatching Chain. The hook is different from other movement abilities because it includes slow-motion aiming and precise platforming.
But the hook is even more important in combat. It allows you to zoom in on airborne enemies for airstrikes or swing over demons with shields to land an attack on their unarmored parts. When combined with dodge-rolling and a gourd heal mechanic, combat is fluid, brutal, and very rewarding.
The Road to 2027
Early previews show that the game could be a classic indie standout in the Metroidvania genre. Teaser previews show that a few menus and map interfaces are still being put together. And the bugs and glitches are proof that the game is still under development.
But with a release date of 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch, Karma Exorcist has time to get better. And, more than its genre, Karma is set to be an indie surprise.
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