Knight’s Try

this is the most fun 'jumping puzzle' platformer i've played, and i'm a big fan of this genre.
i was initially a bit reserved in my judgement. the falling blades at the beginning give the impression of a brutal, trolling game meant to vex streamers. i was worried this was 'rage bait'. but it's not like that at all !! it's quite fair and learnable. sections may seem tough at first, but i assure you, despite some tricky jumps here and there, it's all quite achievable. you CAN beat this game with patience and a playful spirit !!
what really sold me is how each section adds something novel and charming to the game .. it's not just a difficulty incline as you progress, there are new mechanics, new types of zones introduced along the way, and a Checkpoint system which allows you to develop in a clean arc on the lower difficulties.
i recommend this game highly. please gift it to your friends or other streamers and see how far they can get !! i've already streamed this game for nearly 20 hours, and i'm sure i'll be streaming it for another 20+ more at this rate. it's too fun to put down !!

The fifth generation of video game consoles from 1993 to 2001 is arguably where many of today's gamers on platforms like Steam here got their introduction into gaming; 3D graphics were starting to become more than just an impractical and wasteful fad compared to the more streamlined and often highly stylized 2D graphics of the time.
Many new and iconic franchises were made during this time, offering some truly incredible and memorable experiences for those who'd grown up with them, immersing them into a world of magic which often felt massive in scale and truly was a work of wonder for the growing technology back then.
Unfortunately this is something you rarely see these days; a shift in focus towards 'hyperrealism' and the big brands means a lot of smaller, more creative franchises never get to see the light of day in today's console gaming market.
It's why it is such a joy then to have charming indies like Knight's Try here, to relive such nostalgic experiences for those who were able to enjoy them back in the good old days, as well as those a generation or two too young to have experienced the PlayStation 1 or the Nintendo 64. Considering that platformers took on a whole new level of dynamic gameplay after making the jump from the 2D worlds of all the older consoles that came before it into the fancy new 3D realm that was becoming the new focus for gaming companies moving forward.
Given that Knight's Try is also a platformer here, with the goal being to reach the end of Castle Trye as a regular knight, it doesn't stray away from the genre's expected gameplay as this indie aims to recapture the platforming days of old rather than to reinvent it like newer games do as the controls are fairly straightforward: you move in any eight directions and jump to cross gaps and avoid obstacles, that's pretty much it!
Though what this game does to separate itself from many of the platformers at the time though is that, unlike the child-friendly mascots (think Mario, Crash Bandicoot and Banjo-Kazooie) in various fantastical and colourful worlds that were welcoming to those who played it, Knight's Try draws a fine balance between doing just that whilst also presenting a foreboding and spooky world to the player.
True to platforming games at the time, there's no excessive gore/blood or even necessarily mature themes that other games known for such intense content wouldn't shy away from, however this indie is true to its word when it describes itself as a "tough platformer". Knight's Try often throws in obstacles/traps that either you can't see until it's too late, throwing in a deviously tough mixture of them that alone would be easy to navigate but, when combined, are notoriously hard to overcome, or just straight-up catch you off-guard with how bizarre a few of them are!
It's why I appreciate that the game has three separate difficulties set in place, each tailored towards a specific kind of player, Squire is for those looking to either be gently eased into the precise platforming gameplay or want an easier time overall, being able to save and resume gameplay at any time. Meanwhile, Knight difficulty requires that you beat the entire game in one sitting and Arch-Knight ups the ante even further, giving each checkpoint a maximum of three uses before no longer being usable.
Having said that though, I do wish these three difficulties had more to distinguish them from one another, as all the Knight difficulty does is prevent you from quitting out as one can simply leave the game running when not playing to resume where they left off (though it is a nice call-back to even older games where save files simply did not exist and one had to beat the whole game in a single sitting) whilst Arch-Knight's sole difference is limited uses between each checkpoint without any further challenge added for veterans.
I strongly feel that removing or simplifying obstacles for those on Squire difficulty whilst adding even harder ones for those taking on the challenging Arch-Knight difficulty would have went miles in making each playthrough of the three feel both unique and distinct from one another; given that this would help to encourage players to take on the harder difficulties with new perils to keep an eye out for whilst also simplifying the game for more casual gamers in a way that it is designed to ease them into Knight Try's arduous gameplay.
On the topic of how 'unfair' some of the traps set for the player can be, since it seems to be intentionally designed based on how some of the more notorious platforming games also had such pitfalls as these, I will say that it is reminiscent of games with poor game design involving pitfalls and the likes. However, given that Knight's Try is aiming to replicate older platformers, I am thankful that these are few and far between alongside checkpoints to ensure that lost progress being kept to a minimum.
I also have respect for the developers as they included meaningful bonuses for completing the game on both Knight and Arch-Knight difficulty, where completing the game on the former will unlock the golden knight (faster speed) and emerald knight (higher jump with slippery movement to compensate) whilst beating the latter difficulty will allow access to the overpowered rainbow shining knight that has both abilities without any slippery controls to adjust to like the emerald knight.
What I quite like about these bonuses is how it allows access to previously inaccessible secrets within the starting area that are given hints at being possible without outright spoiling it to new players whilst also allowing for shortcuts or bypassing obstacles within Castle Trye itself.
In truth, there isn't much wrong with Knight's Try outside of there being few true differences between difficulties and the tight platforming being difficult where you can fall off the side if you veer a little too far off. Although I would have greatly appreciated more content for those who put in the effort via unlockable secret paths, as this would be an alternative to redesigning Castle Trye for both the Squire and Arch-Knight difficulties.
Despite these minor gripes I have with the game's shortcomings and what could have been, I still strongly recommend Knight's Try to anyone who loved the N64 or PS1 days of classic platforming and anyone who is up for a good challenge coupled with the unique retro aesthetics from its 64 bit graphics, where early 3D graphics back then are considered 'low poly' these days but still carries with it a strong sense of nostalgia that can take those back to better days with modern indie titles like these that do an excellent job of recreating such fun experiences!
TLDR Version:
• Great 64-bit platformer that takes inspiration from some of the PS1 and N64 classics in the 90's (+)
• Knight Try offers plenty of challenges that are balanced with reasonable checkpoints and 'unfair' obstacles/pitfalls that were typical for the hard platforming games of the time (+)
• Multiple secrets to be found that add to the charm of the world inhabiting Castle Tyre as you explore it (+)
• Three separate difficulties that offer the same classic platforming experience for players of different skill levels to ensure it is accessible for everyone, with good incentives for more skilled players via bonuses in the form of new characters with extra abilities (+)
• Walking and jumping on tight platforms can prove tricky and potentially irritating for some as your character can fall through ledges if stepping too close away from the centre (-)
• Knight Try's three difficulties are only distinct in how punishing it is for failure via checkpoints and whether you can stop and resume a playthrough as changing the map to reduce or further add challenges would make them stand out better (-)
• No unlockable extra-hard content for veteran players who have completed Arch-Knight, which would help to expand the Land of Trye (-)

Pure video games.

This is really not a "rage game" or "masochist game" or anything like that. For the most part, it's just a challenging and fair platformer. The basic mechanics are simple (in other words, no more complex than they need to be), and new obstacles and set pieces are introduced at a steady pace to keep things interesting. If you're being honest with yourself, you'll have to admit that most of the times you fail in Knight's Try, it was your own fault: impatience, mistiming, or misjudging a jump. When this happens, there is no sense that the game is mocking or trolling you, just inviting you to get back up and Try again.

The presentation is charming and unobtrusive, but still evocative. The visual style obviously appeals to a certain kind of nostalgia, but Knight's Try never relies on nostalgia for anything; it has picturesque monuments and locations of its own creation. I have immense respect for how little the game wastes your time: start the game up and you are literally immediately dropped in, able to read the signposts or jump straight to the main challenge at whatever pace you decide.

Added up, Knight's Try is actually much more of a meditative experience than a rage inducing one. The default soundtrack contributes to this with some calming classical piano pieces (in another feature that more games ought to copy, Knight's Try allows you to import your own MIDI music files, letting you craft your own soundtrack, should Claire de Lune get too repetitive).

A really solid masocore game with an appealing N64 aesthetic, muddy textures and all. It's a bit buggy around the edges (for better or worse) but it's one of those games that gets easier the more you practice. Secret hunters will be able to find characters from Modus Interactive's other games as well.

Every video game should have a MIDI import feature. This one needs to be updated (there are some midi files it won't play) but it works 90% of the time
Platforming is simple but feels right. You are a Knight of Trye, and try you will. But your improvement will be self evident, and your progress gratifying.

Had a great time with Knight’s Try. Lovely style, appreciate the care taken with the presentation.
It is a game about failing over and over to learn the route. That is part of the enjoyment, getting in a meditative state and going through the process. It is a nice escape for the brain.
It also plays very well on Steam Deck.
Thank you for creating this!

Im quite a big enjoyer of these kind of hardcore precision platformers and I have to say this is an amazing one. It's on the easier side for those looking to maybe get into the "genre" of games like Jump King, Only Up, Alt F4 and so. Compared to the other ones it is quite forgiving and really fun. For me there haven't been any huge tilt moments and every difficulty level provides its own set of challenges and experiences. The vibe, the music, the gameplay, all of it ties really well together and I'm a big fan. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys harder precision platformers!