Ultros Review – A Psychedelic Metroidvania Adventure Worth Exploring?
- Steve Zimmerman
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
Written by Steve Zimmerman
ThunderStash Gaming
Available on PS5/PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Introduction – What is Ultros?
Have you ever wished somebody would make a crazy, psychedelic Metroidvania? Neither have I, but someone did, and if Ultros isn't on your list of games to play yet, it should be by the end of this review. This is a gaming experience you won't want to miss. Ultros is coined as a psychedelic Metroidvania where you wake up stranded on a mysterious spaceship acting as the host for the birth of an ancient demonic being named Altros. And of course, none of this sounds particularly good for the rest of the universe.
Now, without diving too deep into the story, the game delves into topics of mental health, life, death, and karmic cycles through deep lore and environmental storytelling. Everything about this game is unique, and you’ll see why as we dive deeper into the review.
Story/Concept: A Journey Through Life and Death
Ultros kicks off with a classic Metroidvania setup, but with a unique twist. You’re stranded on a mysterious spaceship, and as you begin to explore, you find a short sword that becomes your main weapon. Along the way, you'll meet characters who provide insight into the story and explain how the combat abilities, skill tree, and time loop function.
The game fuses Metroidvania exploration with some light roguelite mechanics. Your goal is to explore the map, defeat bosses, and sever the connection to a sleeping monk who is connected to Altros, thus stopping the birthing process. After each boss defeat, you’re sucked into a space-time vortex, awakening back at your starting point. But here’s the twist: your map exploration is saved, and you can retain some of your unlocked skills. To lock in these skills, you need to find mycelium scattered across the map. Over 20 skills are available, and by the end of my playthrough, I had locked in 15 of them. The progression system here keeps things fresh, rewarding you as you discover more.
Gameplay/Controls: Exploring the Psychedelic World
The game’s combat revolves around a dodge system that leaves enemies open for precise attacks. Standard enemy combat is fairly easy, while boss fights provide more of a challenge, but not to an overwhelming degree. What’s interesting is the system in which enemies drop body parts when defeated. These body parts are crucial for healing and filling up your nutrient levels, which help you activate new skills in the skill tree. However, there’s a twist: the quality of these drops depends on how efficiently you defeat enemies. If you spam attacks or use poison, the body parts won’t provide as much nutritional value. So, mastering combat becomes essential for progressing smoothly through the skill tree.
Graphics/Performance/Art Style: A Kaleidoscope of Colors
Ultros features the most colorful and vibrant Metroidvania I’ve ever played. The game adopts a bold, kaleidoscope-inspired art direction. Every psychedelic area you visit is filled with stunning, evocative character designs that leave a lasting impression. It’s a visual treat from start to finish, and the unique art style is one of the standout aspects of the game.
Sound: An Emotional and Immersive Soundtrack
The soundtrack in Ultros is incredibly chill, with vibes that reminded me of Donkey Kong Country’s aquatic ambiance track. Composer Oscar Ridelius has crafted a soundtrack that blends nature sounds, classical instruments, and tools from Peru and the Amazon. According to Ridelius, the soundtrack encapsulates six years of soul, exploration, love, and death. It’s a deeply emotional and evocative score that enriches the entire experience of the game.
Audience - Who's This Game For?
This game is for Metroidvania fans, no doubt. It also has a unique blend of roguelite mechanics that fans of that genre will appreciate. But even beyond that, Ultros will appeal to those who love unique, innovative takes on established genres. This is a game that takes familiar elements but weaves them into a fresh, new experience.
Content: What Does Ultros Offer?
The game took me around 15 hours to complete. While I didn’t focus on trophy hunting, I did check out the trophy list, and I’d wager getting the platinum would take a few playthroughs. The game delivers the traditional Metroidvania tropes you’re familiar with, like acquiring new abilities to unlock previously unreachable areas. There’s also a gardening mechanic, where you collect seeds to plant unique plants that help you clear blocked paths or access new areas. It’s a fascinating addition that makes Ultros stand out from other Metroidvania games.
Difficulty/Grind/Pacing: Balancing Challenge and Exploration
The difficulty of Ultros strikes a good balance. There’s no grind, and the game doesn’t overstay its welcome. The puzzles provide a fair challenge, especially a sequence where you must connect the ship's umbilical cord to flowers scattered across the map. This puzzle reminded me of connecting electrical wires to poles—it’s a tight challenge that requires precision, and I loved the feeling of figuring it out.
Emotion/Charm: The Heart of Ultros
What makes Ultros special is the way it drips with style. The graphics, the music, and even the unique gameplay elements all contribute to an experience that feels fresh and new. After gaming for decades, it’s rare to find something truly unique that hits all the right notes, but Ultros does exactly that. It’s not just trying to be different for the sake of it—it’s genuinely unique, and it works.
Fun Factor: Hard to put down
The unpredictable nature of the game’s time loop, combined with the vibrant art and chill soundtrack, creates a compelling gameplay experience. The unique blend of Metroidvania exploration and roguelite mechanics keeps things exciting. Every loop feels fresh and offers new surprises, and it never felt like the game overstayed its welcome.
Gametime: How Long Does It Take to Beat?
Ultros took me around 15 hours to complete, and I didn’t feel like I was rushing or grinding. The game has a nice pace, with new abilities and items being introduced at a comfortable rate. There’s enough content to keep you engaged without ever feeling overwhelmed by too much new stuff all at once.
Legacy: Will Ultros Be Remembered?
Ultros is developer Hadoke’s first game, and I have to say, it’s incredibly impressive for a debut. The level of polish, the unique mechanics, and the overall experience show a great deal of craftsmanship. It’s rare to see such a smooth, bug-free experience, especially for a first game, and Hadoke and publisher Kepler Interactive deserve props for delivering such a polished product.
My Final Thoughts: Should You Play Ultros?
Ultros is unlike any Metroidvania I’ve played before, and I’ve been gaming since the late '80s. The game stands out because it isn’t just trying to be different for the sake of it—it succeeds in being uniquely different in a way that feels fresh. The vibrant art style, the chill soundtrack, the time loop mechanics, and the overall experience come together to make something that I truly enjoyed. It’s a game that surprised me, and it kept me engaged from start to finish. If Hadoke decides to make a sequel, I’ll be there day one. And even if they don’t, I’m excited to see what they create next. For a first game, Ultros is an absolute triumph. Highly recommended.
You can check out my full review below or by visiting my channel, ThunderStash Gaming, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thunderstashgaming.
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