Author: Shea Layton
With the desire for first-class nostalgic experiences being at an all-time high when it comes to gaming, we have seen a surge of retro-stylized games in the recent years. All genres are having life breathed into them again. And when it comes to the 2D action platformer that is Flynn, Son of Crimson, it feels as if you re-entered a wonderful epoch of gaming history.
Flynn, Son of Crimson: (Switch [reviewed], PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows)
Developer: Studio Thunderhorse
Publisher: Humble Games
Release Date: September 15, 2021
MSRP: $19.99
Flynn, Son of Crimson is Studio Thunderhorse’s first foray into gaming, after it was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter on October 2017. When you turn the game on, you are immediately greeted by pixel art, evoking a different era in gaming. The colors pop off of the screen, the main character, Flynn, observing a lush and vibrant background.
That familiar feeling carries on when you are introduced to the story and conflict. You are a young boy who is looked after by Dex, a massive dog companion that acts as Flynn’s guardian spirit. An evil called The Scourge is threatening the land of Rosantica. They are tasked with saving Rosantica, but Dex’s powers are stolen by a powerful and mysterious being. It’s a simple story that requires no profundity or deeper meaning - you are a good character fighting against evil.
The mechanics reflect that of a game inspired by generations past: you use jumping, melee, and ranged attacks to vanquish your enemies. You collect in-game currency to spend on power-ups later in the game.
The combat feels fluid, yet not a lot stands out at the beginning. It isn’t until you unlock the third and final weapon in the game, a pair of razor-sharp claws, that the combat starts to really open up. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses, inviting you to tackle the multitude of enemies with different strategies.
There is a decent amount of variety in the enemies, but the game often throws one particular type of enemy with variants throughout.
There are two immediate standouts in the game.
One of them is the boss fights. There have been some incredible boss fights this year, and many of them have been equal parts entertaining and frustrating. But the boss fights in Flynn, Son of Crimson are genuinely exciting and rewarding. Learning the boss moves and sequences don’t feel arduous. Because of their clever designs and move pools, you are eager to crush those that stand before you. The boss, Imbra, towards the end of the game, is the most notable standout, testing what you’ve learned throughout the game while also showcasing the most unique move pool in the entire game.
The other is the incredible work that Jacob Lincke did on the soundtrack. I feel like I have spent the past few years gushing more and more about gaming soundtracks, but what is unique about this soundtrack is that there is no central theme, yet each track is highly entertaining. There are so many influences at play, which allows each song to slide in neatly to what is happening on screen. Flynn is meandering through a town of peaceful beings? The song playing is of hearth and peace. Flynn has wandered into a spooky and new area? Tension is built up through the instrumentation. My personal favorite from the entire soundtrack is Mistral Peak, which totes themes of wanderlust and an evil lurking, intertwining those themes.
Verdict: Flynn, Son of Crimson doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel, but that’s not its mission. It is a love letter to gamers who grew up with the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. The pixel art is luminous, and the boss fights and music are stellar. The story is simplistic, which may not be for those looking for something deeper. It takes a bit of time to get into the game, but if you stick with it, you will find that this short game succeeds in showing you a great time.
Buy it
[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer]