Crypt Stalker Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

by Jim Smale · Published March 20, 2024 · Updated March 19, 2024

Crypt Stalker Review is an 8-bit retro-styled arcade game. Take on the role of Gladys, one of the descendants of the world’s defenders, and stop the demons before they unleash hell on the planet. Explore and defend diverse locations such as pyramids, a lake of fire, or overgrown ruins from unearthly creatures.

Crypt Stalker Review Pros:

Decent 8 Bit graphics.
137MB Download size.
Own in-game achievements.
Challenges mode has set missions with major game-changing rewards.
Flickering – on/off.
Unlimited lives – on/off.
Two ways to play – console (NES looking from the palette to graphics) or handheld (Gameboy-looking border and green screen graphics).
Console mode has three game types – original, casual, and the Lost sequel.
You have two weapons equipped, a whip and a ranged weapon, and can hotswap between them.
2D action gameplay.
Health bar system.
The Hud and menus look a lot like the ones used in the earlier Castlevania games.
Levels are timed.
Breakable objects with random loot dropping.
Chiptune soundtrack.
The game plays out on a screen-by-screen basis.
Hooks appear in levels and hitting them with a whip has you swinging around.
Has wall meat! (hidden Breakable wall parts for health items and is usually meat).
Big end of the chapter boss battles and you see their health bar.
Pick up new ranged weapons and whip types in the game.
The game does try new things and adds variety.
Clever platform tricks and mechanics.
Pick up ammo for your ranged weapons.
In casual mode, the game saves after clearing a chapter.
A lot of fun to play.
Both the console and handheld versions of the game feel different.
Fast loading times.
Has a retro feel and play style but enough mod cons to keep it current and fresh.
Can shoot and destroy enemy projectiles.

Crypt Stalker Review Cons:

No tutorials.
Doesn’t offer any game control screen.
Cannot rebind controls.
Can be hard at times to know what is the world and what is the background in the console version of the games.
Timing and aiming the whip attacks and hook usage is a real pain.
You have to learn and remember what the drops mean and do which is not fun at the start.
No checkpoints or ways to save in the game.
The music can sound repetitive.
Uses the dreaded damage knockback mechanic.
On the scroller levels, it’s very hard to see where you need to go in time, and is frustrating.