Pseudoregalia is a magical platforming Metroidvania gem

destructoid.com:

3D platformers have made something of a resurgence in recent years in the indie scene. Titles like A Hat in Time and Frogun show there’s a market for inventive platforming ideas with amazing worlds to explore.

Many of these take inspiration from N64 titles like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie in various factors, echoing a time when 3D platformers were more common while remaining accessible to modern audiences. Pseudoregalia by developer rittzler is no exception to this, but that doesn’t stop it from being excellent.

Pseudoregalia follows a goat-bunny girl named Sybil as she journeys across Castle Sansa to free its prisoners. To achieve her goals, Sybil must explore its secrets, becoming more powerful along the way.

In other words, Pseudoregalia is an open-ended 3D platformer structured as a Metroidvania, and it encompasses the best of both genres. Without question, this is one of the best controlling platformers I’ve played in years. It’s also one of this year’s most underrated games as traction for it remains relatively slow.

It’s hard to nail down one specific element that makes Pseudoregalia as special as it is. The excellent gameplay is certainly a factor, but its general aesthetic and atmosphere deserve praise too.

Pseudoregalia has a low-poly look that’s more N64 than PS1, but differs itself by keeping environments largely foreboding. Castle Sansa feels far larger and more intimidating than it really is, with many dimly lit interiors and a thick fog surrounding its exterior. It’s never scary, but even with music, it’s isolating.

If it were to come out in the ’90s, Pseudoregalia would still be considered a mascot platformer with its cute protagonist, but one with a bit of a darker edge. However its reception