I kind of stumbled upon this, and it’s too good not to share, even if I might be a bit all over the place here. So, Migami Games — ever heard of them? If you’re into Metroidvania stuff, you probably have. They’re this French studio, known for fan-made Castlevania games, which, by the way, fans rave about like they’re some sort of hidden treasures. Anyway, they went legit with their own thing called “Wallachia: Reign of Dracula” (2019? 2020? Time’s a blur) and then BAM! They dropped “Chronicles of the Wolf,” which is honestly like sipping on nostalgia with a twist.
This game drips with old-school Metroidvania vibes. You’ve got your typical clunky and janky bits — a kind of charming awkwardness, though, if you’re weird like me. It’s got that “Igavania” feel, you know, because of Koji Igarashi — don’t worry if you have no clue who that is. Basically, it’s Symphony of the Night and its descendants kind of thing.
But here’s a twist that threw me: the game’s sprinkled with some gnarly bits from old-school stuff, like Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest. That was, what, in the 80s? Ancient, right? Chronicles of the Wolf nails that style where it’s like, “What? Why is this so hard?” but also, “Why do I love this crap?”
The game’s sprawling map is all over the place but in a cool way. There are moments you’re scratching your head thinking, “Where do I even go now?” — a dream come true for us who grew up on this genre. But for new peeps? They might be like, “Uh, no thanks.”
All this Castlevania talk, but let’s not ignore the game’s story. It’s got this gothic flair, based on some real-world mystery about this “Wolf of Gevaudan” thing in France, which is wicked cool, and let me tell ya, it’s well done for a game that’s not exactly about storytelling.
Then there’s the combat and exploration. Think Symphony of the Night with a nostalgic cherry on top. You start off a bit weak, unlocking abilities as you go, which is satisfying if you ask me. There’s a bunch of weapons and upgrades, and some quirky abilities like sliding around like a maniac — kind of ruins the immersion but whatever, it’s fun.
Now, not everything’s roses. The movement? Sometimes it feels like wearing socks on a polished floor. Stiff is the word. Combat can be this epic duel or a slapstick comedy depending on how the controls react. And the quests? It’s like you’re on a wild goose chase half the time because the game’s as cryptic as a lost poem or something.
It’s a love letter to the past — rough edges and all. Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment, but despite the hiccups, this game’s got me in its weird, nostalgic grip. I spent a ridiculous amount of time racing towards every ending it offered, and honestly? Totally worth it.
Long story short, Chronicles of the Wolf isn’t for everyone. If you can handle its jarring throwbacks and embrace its unique clunkiness, you might just find yourself having the time of your life — or banging your head against the wall. Either way, it’s a trip.
