I’ve previously joked about Metroidvania games being like buses, but at the moment, they’re more like cars on the M1!
Yet another one has joined the ever-growing pile of games in this genre available on Xbox, and this time it’s called MindSeize.
Developed by Kamina Dimension and Sometimes You, I was hoping for something new, a spark to ignite the game and make it memorable. Am I destined to be disappointed, or can MindSeize deliver the goods? Well, the only way to find out is to read on, isn’t it?
MindSeize’s presentation is on the retro end of the spectrum. You have no idea how many times I’ve typed that particular phrase – it’s practically muscle memory at this point!
The design of the world and its enemies are fairly generic. The world is a 2D side-scrolling platforming environment, and while there’s nothing groundbreaking, it does a decent job of depicting different biomes. One minute you’re in a jungle, the next in a cave, and so on. The enemies are also pretty generic, ranging from small crawling creatures to jumping critters, hornets, and larger foes. It means that the design is reasonable, but nothing to get overly excited about.
The sound design is a bit more impressive, with satisfying combat effects, explosions, and gunfire. The music is also quite good. Overall, the presentation is decent.
A good story is crucial, and luckily, MindSeize has one.
We play as M.C. Fox, a private investigator looking into a criminal organisation called The Ascended. These nefarious individuals have the ability to steal people’s minds! It’s not explicitly stated what happens to the victims, but after an altercation with the leader of The Ascended, we are not only injured and left in a wheelchair, but our daughter’s mind is stolen. So, as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. We download our consciousness into a MAG, which stands for Mind Action Gear – essentially a robotic body that we can control. The MAG can be upgraded with new weapons and abilities, and this is where the Metroidvania aspect of the game comes into play.
So, what can we expect when we land on one of the four unexplored planets? A lot of running, jumping, shooting, and fighting, much like other Metroidvania games. Apart from the sci-fi setting, there isn’t much to differentiate MindSeize from the rest of the pack. Combat is frequently an annoyance, which is a significant issue. Many enemies simply walk toward you while you fire at them. Stronger enemies can often reach you before dying and then proceed to walk into your character. This not only causes damage but also prevents you from shooting them because they are inside your weapon’s effective range. Trying to escape when cornered can be incredibly frustrating, and I died many times due to this.
Checkpoints are also too infrequent, and having to backtrack for several minutes after dying is a real pain. This wouldn’t be as bothersome in a Castlevania game, but here the save points feel unfairly sparse. My main issue with MindSeize is that it feels like countless other Metroidvanias I’ve played before; déjà vu sets in very quickly.
There are positives, mainly the new weapons and abilities you acquire. Customising your MAG to suit your playstyle is enjoyable, and the story is compelling, keeping you invested and wanting to see what happens next. There’s also a wealth of lore to uncover.
Ultimately, though, MindSeize is just another Metroidvania, and you may well be left wanting more.
Metroidvania Meets Mind Control: MindSeize Delivers a Thrilling Sci-Fi Adventure – https://www.thexboxhub.com/metroidvania-meets-mind-control-mindseize-delivers-a-thrilling-sci-fi-adventure/
Buy MindSeize on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/mindseize-xbox-series-xs/9P40GP55MKQ6
