EXP Parasite Review (Steam)
A retro, hardcore 2D arcade game, where every minute of gameplay is unique. Take control of an experimental parasite that infects different mechanical objects, overcomes countless obstacles and fights powerful bosses to achieve goals set by an unknown puppeteer.
Pros:
- Pixel graphics.
- 85MB Download size.
- Steam achievements.
- Controller support.
- 3 save slots.
- 3 difficulties-easy, normal and hard. Effects on what rewards you can earn.
- An initial tutorial area showing the controls.
- Chiptune soundtrack.
- Supports keyboard.
- Splatformer style gameplay.
- Simple controls–move left and right, interact and flip from the top or bottom.
- A set amount of lives.
- Instant respawn where you died.
- Game over shows a level completion percentage.
- Puzzle elements throughout.
- Big boss fights.
- Earn rewards to get limited power-ups which mix the game up a lot.
Cons:
- No graphic options including fullscreen so you have to alt+enter to go fullscreen.
- No leaderboards.
- Slow starter and is very plain until you start getting power-ups.
- No replay value.
- Lacks checkpoints.
- Quit out the shop sends you back to the main menu.
- Graphics - 7/107/10
- Sound - 6/106/10
- Accessibility - 7/107/10
- Length - 7/107/10
- Fun Factor - 7/107/10
Summary
EXP Parasite is a game that would come under the Splatformer tag as its all about getting through difficult levels quickly whilst avoiding the many many obstacles, puzzles will trickle in and generally involve hitting levers and doing timed sections. It’s a game that for me never introduced itself and instead chucked you in and did it in such a slow and unfun way that it immediately felt like a grind. Sure the challenge was there but it’s a challenge that I have done many times and the main difference here to other games is the payoff isn’t there, boss fights are clever I will give them that but the path to the boss is just not fun. Players of this genre could eek out more playtime than someone like me but they too will feel like this is a small underwhelming game. Overall EXP Parasite feels like a watered-down Splatformer that never pushes you far enough to carry on.
