Iconoclasts is a title I have had a difficult time thinking of words to describe. It is a metroidvania style game to some extent but the game doesn’t fully fit in that genre. This isn’t surprising though as developer Konjak has a history of making games that defy genre labels. In fact Iconoclasts reminds me somewhat of another recent indie hit, Owlboy, in that regard and I suppose that is a sign of where things are going.
I have encountered very few games like Iconocalsts, part shooter, part puzzle platformer and part narrative focused but all blended in a way that has not really been done before. This is a game where you will be eased into the world and gradually made aware of something more epic. There is more to the game than meets the eye, and learning when to craft items and what is the best movement to make can be fun rather than frustrating. That is for the most part since there are issues.
Iconoclasts features beautiful visuals and music and fun gameplay, but I must mention the bad part sas well as the good parts. The game has a major flaw in that you often do not know where to go or what to do. This lack of hand-holding is welcomed by many, but the simple fact is that in many instances, the game really is unclear on what you need to do.
Now for the good parts. Iconoclasts has a certain serene charm to it that makes you just want to keep going. Even during the confusing parts of the game, there is something that just keeps pulling you in. The controls are easy to learn and the weapons are fun to use, but what makes the game stand out the most to me is its narrative. The game combines its pixel art visuals, with sharp writing to tell a story that, while not the deepest, actually resonates well.
I thought I knew what I was getting into with Iconoclasts but it blew me away more than I could have anticipated. Playing this on Switch was a great experience except for the times where I was confused as to where to go, and the good outweighs the bad. I must highly recommend this game to everyone.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided.