Headlander

Headlander is a retro style sci-fi metroidvania, with a very interesting concept, game play mechanics and atmosphere.
I would like to firstly point out again, that this is a metroidvania and as such, it might not be a good choice for pure platformer fans. Why is that? - At some point you might find it repetitive, as you would have to go back to some areas and if you did not pay attention to the area objects and surroundings previously, you might find yourself a little bored or disappointed, having to have to go back to old areas or trying to overcome some obstacles (such as finding the correct body), as this is not a straightforward, as if it would be with pure platformers.
So.... In Headlander you wake up in the ''near'' future in a retro-sci-fi environment, having no idea who you are or what had happened. Also you have only your head and no body. Upon ''waking'' up you are briefly instructed by your artificial companion's voice, informing you that everything went to sh*t and now you are the last hope for humanity (or at least the body part of humanity, that is intact).
Your core ability is to switch bodies with other robots, by removing their heads.
The story is not the strong part of the game and you may even miss out on it, if you don't pay attention to the monologue of your artificial companion's voice.
Overall, I had real fun (for the most part - metroidvanias/platformers are not my main genre, but I really appreciaed everything the game had to offer) - game mechanic and concept hooked me up for the game and I wasn't disappointed. Clever and interesting puzzles, hidden areas and easter eggs kept me going.
My journey so far - I decapitated a robotic snowman and violated its body's rights, became a robotic puppy and jumped around, used a giant smartphone's body to update my map area, became a duster from time to time and I danced a lot in different type of bodies - you can't do that in real life.
My conclusion: Headlander is a great (but not a typical) metroidvania, so give the game a chance and don't come to it with certain expectations, because of its genre.
For metroidvania fans, who like sci-fi retro themed games with good and interesting puzzles and concept - this game might be a great choice to put on your wishlist for the next Steam sale.

Headlander is a good metroidvania, it offers a blend of platforming,puzzles and power ups. There isn't nearly any backtracking which in this case I really liked. It keeps the pace of the game fresh and sometimes is difficult to put the controller down because you want to keep moving forward.
In addition, the OST is great, there are some excellent compositions. The atmosphere of the game really benefits from it, with its retro vibes.
All in all, Double Fine delivers a fine experience for fans of the genre. Recommended.

If you've been looking for a fun side scrolling game where you play as a disembodied/decapitated/re-animated head then this is just the game for you!
Playing as the mysterious head in question, you find yourself floating around a giant futuristic space station with a very cool 70's vibe. Here, you attach yourself to various robotic bodies to help you navigate your way around the expansive corridors and hallways. There are several distinct maps to explore.
There's some light puzzle work to enjoy as well: Lasers bouncing off of mirrors and utilising different robot colours to open differently coloured doors, but nothing too tricky.
There's a little bit of back tracking as you progress throughout the game. On the plus side, there's a generous number of upgrades to collect and side quests to complete. Finally, a perfect synth score adds to the unique funky atmosphere as you explore the brightly coloured locations.
Lots of fun and highly recommended!

The Metroidvania Review
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How Metroidvania is it? Medium Fit. Headlander's progression is fairly linear with little reason to go back to previous areas if you're diligent in finding all of the secrets the first time through
Curator Review
Headlander is a fun puzzle platformer novelty that sets itself apart from the competition with Double Fine's usual bizarre world building.
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When your missions are accomplished, but you actually don't feel to leave the (sci-fi) world yet, you know a developer's mission is accomplished as well.
Not much to complain about when facing a creative production like this — and without checking it's Double Fine Productions, you will sense 'Raz was here' — but let me at least be helpful:
- Enemies (logically) respawn, but it's sometimes too much of a laser party when just exploring. On the other hand, the (ex:pired) icing on the cake is, that you sometimes need to reload your save for enemies to respawn; knowing that certain bodies (you headland in) with a certain colour are required to open coloured/secured doors! There's definitely inconsistency here, and this caused me to get stuck a few times during the first few hours, eventually solving it with a reload;
- It was very satisfying to explore the maps, uncover secret locations for (helmet) upgrades & energy (for abilities), but the latter makes the protagonist overpowered in no time; having unlocked all abilities, you will feel you don't need half of them. Fun to experiment with, but that's about it;
- Unskippable cutscenes are never likeable.
9e10/1e11 — I wonder what their marketing budget was/hidden gem ...

This Is Not a Review!
This is just to remind myself - Headlander is by faaaaaar the best Platform'Vania I have ever played. And there is no jumping ( ^◡^) <--- Headscratcher.
A Gem that shines so bright - It's sad. I want to discover it again!
I want to break it into tiny little Master-Pieces, and put them in my chest-pocket. Close to the heart.
This Is Now a Review?

A fun little Metrovania where you can detach your head and attach it to enemy bodies (and other things). Great 70s funk / psychedelic art style, and a bunch of characters voiced by the great and powerful Richard Horvitz! Hooray!