Morkull Ragast’s Rage is an intriguing entry from the combined efforts of Selecta Play, Astrolabe Games, and Disaster Games. This 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania switches things up by putting you in the antagonist’s shoes. As you dive into this world, you’ll find yourself controlling the villain who is keenly aware that he exists within a video game, fully conscious of your command and the developers behind his creation. It’s a familiar twist with a unique spin. Your mission? Aid Morkull in his escape from Ragast so he can achieve his dark ambition of world domination. This game nods to Metroidvania classics while tipping its hat to newer staples like Hollow Knight.
The gameplay has you guiding Morkull using the left analog stick or the D-Pad to navigate, jumping with the B button, and interacting with A. Attacks are divided between basic (Y button) and heavy (X button) strikes. Defending yourself comes through a bone shield, triggered by the R button, which cleverly doubles as a tool to deflect incoming projectiles if timed to perfection.
Should you need a health boost, potions are your go-to with the L button. The ZR button introduces a dash move, handy for dodging attacks or bridging those tricky gaps your jumps can’t handle. Keep an eye on your surroundings with the right analog stick to safely scope out hazardous jumps. And, as expected in a Metroidvania, managing your map with the – button is indispensable for navigation.
With battles come Anima, which you can trade at save points to enhance your abilities, offering access to new combos and even the quirky ‘Power of Friendship,’ courtesy of a developer’s whim. This one-time favor grants invincibility at critical health. The system also allows for UI enhancements to monitor enemy health, additional potion uses, and more.
Throughout the game, you’ll unlock skills giving you access to new areas, displayed by a purple bar under the health meter. Skills like the aptly named Noob Crusher break open new paths and lead you to boss encounters, relying on a combination of button presses for execution.
Despite its promising premise, Morkull Ragast’s Rage stumbles in a few critical areas. The map system feels inadequate, often misplacing position markers and failing to highlight areas ripe for exploration with new skills. Frustrations are exacerbated by stiff controls and repetitive combat, with enemies lacking diversity. The level design can feel tedious, riddled with switches and keys that drag the pace. Unfortunately, graphical glitches also tarnish the experience, such as flickering floors and unexpected invisible barriers that momentarily trap your character.
For those curious about this unusual Metroidvania, Morkull Ragast’s Rage is now available on Nintendo Switch, priced at $17.99. However, while it offers an intriguing setup and aesthetic, it falls short of realizing its full potential.
Disclosure: A Nintendo Switch copy of Morkull Ragast’s Rage was provided by Selecta Play for this review.
