Valfaris

It's like Slain, only it didn't make me want to refund it after 30 minutes.
It is also not a metroidvania. It's a stage-based run and gunner, Contra style.

Valfaris is a truly fantastic and exhilarating fast-paced 2D platformer that seamlessly combines metal themes with gripping immersive gameplay.
From the moment you start playing, the game immerses you in its intense world, filled with heavy metal soundtracks and stunning pixel art.
Works great on steam deck too:
One of the standout features of Valfaris is its blistering pace. The action is non-stop, with tight controls and precise platforming that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The metal theme woven throughout the game is a treat for fans of the genre. From the aggressive soundtrack that perfectly complements the action to the dark and gritty visuals, Valfaris embraces the spirit of heavy metal in every aspect. It creates an immersive atmosphere that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
Moreover, the level design in Valfaris is expertly crafted. Each stage feels unique, offering a mix of vertical and horizontal challenges. Exploration is rewarded with secrets, upgrades, and collectibles, adding replay value and keeping you engaged.
In summary, Valfaris is a must-play for fans of fast-paced 2D platformers and metal enthusiasts alike. Its seamless fusion of thrilling gameplay, intense metal vibes, and captivating visuals makes it an absolute gem in the gaming world. Prepare to headbang your way through this exceptional adventure!

No One Can Destroy The Metal
OK, before I spend 1000 words gushing about how amazing Valfaris is, I just want to say that Steel Mantis is the perfect name for its developer. That’s a name that could easily be used by a Swedish death metal band opening for Mastadon.
Valfaris is the second heavy metal-inspired 2D action-platformer from Steel mantis. Their first was Slain! in 2016 and I guess they’ve decided that this style is gonna be their thing, but if they’re all as good as Valfaris, then let the metal gods bless them and allow them to create until they are enshrined in Valhalla.
In Valfaris, players take control of Therion, the son of… ahh who gives a crap. The story is weird and silly, but basically Therion needs to kill some stuff to find his dad, so grab a gun and let’s dance.
From the start it’s clear that Valfaris has absolutely zero tolerance for BS. After one minute the tutorials are over and players are equipped to go on a cybergoth murder spree for the ages. This isn’t a Metroidvania (thank god) so there’s no backtracking or any need to earn a double jump — just move right, occasionally go up or down, and make sure the bad guys don’t know what hit them.
Valfaris has an absolutely huge arsenal with twenty different weapons, all of which are awesome and have totally killer names like Envoy Of Destruction and Hellhammer (which is now a top-three-of-all-time videogame shotgun).
Therion can roll with up to three different types of weapons, each assigned to its own face button — a main weapon, a melee weapon, and a “Destroyer” weapon that relies upon an energy meter that refills with successful melee attacks. Adding even more depth, players can find ‘Blood Metals’ (man, all the names in this game are righteous) to power up his weapons, adding additional firing modes and increased damage.
There are many, many different ways to approach each encounter by leveraging several different loadout combinations, and the result is a game that is surprisingly replayable given that the average player will finish it with at least ten weapons they didn’t use often.
Another trick that makes Valfaris special is the use of “Resurrection Tokens”. Players must collect them to activate respawn points, and they can hold multiple at a time. Each token they carry gives a slight bonus to their overall health and energy, so if one feels emboldened, they can forego activating a checkpoint in favor of holding on to their tokens and keeping themselves buffed. There are also altars where players can trade tokens in for extra blood metals to enhance their weaponry. The balance of risk/reward here is outstanding.
Furthermore, the production values are exceptional — Valfaris looks absolutely disgusting, and I mean that in the best way possible. The pixelated art would make the artists of Heavy Metal magazine weep with pride, especially the litany of supremely well-designed and challenging boss encounters that include firebreathing cybersnakes, mummies with sniper rifles, giant eyeballs, and over a dozen more.
While some might expect Valfaris to look dark and dreary given the themes, it’s actually quite the opposite– this neon technicolor dreamcoat of mayhem and destruction might be the most colorful game I’ve played since Katamari Damacy, and it’s also supremely animated with neat little touches like torsos walking around after a successful evisceration, or the way Therion starts headbanging every time he gets a new weapon.
Speaking of headbanging, the highlight of the entire package is the absolutely mental soundtrack by ex-Celtic Frost guitarist Curt Victor Bryant. It thumps, it slaps, and Bryant may have set the record for most double kicks ever put into a videogame soundtrack. It can be somber when it needs to, but it’s always there with a rollicking DUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDU when things are about to get hectic.
It should take an average player around 6 (or so) hours to complete Valfaris, and while this may sound short, when one considers its genre and that absolutely none of the content is repeated, it’s actually a huge title.
I can’t stress how much I adored the entirety of Valfaris, and finding a title so brimming with such confidence in itself is rare. This game knows it’s awesome, and as the bosses got harder and harder, I was never once frustrated because I knew I had the tools I needed to conquer its mountain, leading to one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences I’ve had in years. Valfaris is a supremely designed action-platformer made by incredibly talented people, and it headbanged straight into my heart. Play it immediately.

Valfaris is often described as 'Contra meets Doom', or something along those lines. And, while I think that's a fairly accurate description of the game, I don't like like explaining games by just combining the two most similar games that come to mind. It gives a surface level idea of what the game offers, without really discussing the more in-depth aspects the game offers (it's also usually just a blend of game genre and art style).
Valfaris is a side-scrolling shoot em' up with an ultra-violent vibe that takes place on the alien planet of Valfaris. The game sees the playable character Therion return to his home planet in pursuit of his father, who is wanted after he's committed some grave wrongdoing. Although the game is only about 5 hours long, it's quite jam-packed with plenty of weapons, bosses, and biomes containing unique obstacles to explore. The game honestly could have gone on a bit longer than it was considering all the ideas it has. It felt like you moved on to the next thing before the previous idea was fully explored.
Once you beat the game, you do unlock 'Full Metal Mode', which is essentially New Game+ on a harder difficulty. Enemies deal more damage, have more health, attack faster (I think?), and more enemies will spawn. It's honestly not the best and uses somewhat lame tactics to make the game more difficult. Some bosses and areas were a cake walk and others were a huge difficulty spike, but these things require redesigns of the level design itself, not just basic stat increases.
The game, overall, does feel great though. It's simple yet enjoyable, so there isn't much to comment on; blasting and slashing aliens with a sword is just fun. Not much else to it.
There are a few small gripes I have with the game though. While the game controls quite well for the most part, I often found it awkward to clip through floors. This would result in the occasional death since I would jump instead of going down.
The game also needs a bit more visual clarity, as it could often be difficult to tell apart the foreground from the background.
But yeah. Simple, fun side-scrolling indie game about killing aliens. 4 out of 5 stars!

Wow! This game is like playing Metal Album Covers! Hardcore!

If Dethklok and Contra had a baby it would be Valfaris.

Valfaris' unique visual style continues in a slick shoot 'em up package. This is the perfect Steam Deck game, BTW. The wild color scheme REALLY pops on the new OLED screen!