Platforms
- PCAug 30, 20188.6playscore8.88 Critics9.34.84K Players
- PlayStation 4Mar 19, 20198.4playscore8.26 Critics9.52.65K Players
- Xbox OneJun 25, 2020NAplayscoreNA0 Critics9.0405 Players
- Nintendo SwitchAug 30, 20188.4playscore8.831 Critics8.0150 Players
51 critic reviews · 25 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- The Messenger is an enjoyable experience that I had trouble putting down a couple of times, but most of that wanderlust came from the first half of the game and a few key points in the second half. I rode a dragon! For a package like this, though, it is hard not to recommend it fervently, even if I have a few problems with how it stretched out or worry it may not be for some.
Stephen Wilds · Mar 26, 2019 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - The Messenger is a rock solid action platformer that balances out its retro stylings with modern touches and brilliantly slick controls. Blasting through the lengthy story is compelling, as new story beats and abilities are thrown into the mix. It perhaps flies a little too close to the sun later on as you hunt down the final few collectibles, but by and large, it's a cloud-stepping joy. Fans of 2D action games should have a blast with this, and that's a message we're happy to pass along.
Stephen Tailby · Mar 19, 2019 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - If there's any real "downside" to The Messenger, it's that its music and effects can be repetitive, but well... that's nitpicking. At its core, this game is damn-near perfection of the 2D action-platforming genre. Humorous writing, great boss fights, well-thought-out level design, and challenging but not painful execution make The Messenger a must-have for any Switch owner.
William Murphy · Sep 05, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Despite its slower second half, The Messenger is hard to beat. Without a doubt, it’s an absolute must-play for anyone with a love for the classics. From its excellent presentation to its brilliant stage and boss designs, Sabotage Studio has penned an unforgettable love letter to the NES era that any retro gamer worth their salt simply needs in their library. The message is loud and clear. If you’ve been biding your time for the next Shovel knight, your wait is finally over. The Messenger delivers.
Francis DiPersio · Sep 04, 2018 Reviewed on PCRead full review - The Messenger is a horrible name for a game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden. Don’t let the name stop you, though. This is one of the best of its type and is worth checking out. I do wish it was more widely available across consoles, but Switch and PC owners should certainly not miss this one.
Ken McKown · Sep 04, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - This is why games like The Messenger are so important. Here, the style of these classic games lives on with dedicated affection and modern sensibilities. Checkpoints appear at a proper clip, but you don’t save after every room. Lives are never an issue, you just might have to give up some upgrade currency along the way. Games like The Messenger are exceedingly playable, but few can achieve Sabotage’s high level of craft in this pursuit.
Alex Santa Maria · Aug 29, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - The tedium of the second half of the game, and the increasing frustration brought on by its level design, checkpoint system and challenging platforming somewhat sour the experience though. Had The Messenger been two separate games, I’d have waxed lyrical about the first while eliciting a “meh” for the second. Put together, it’s a package that some will adore, while others will simply grow tired of.
Richard Seagrave · Aug 29, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - The Messenger is without a doubt one of the best indies available on the Switch right now. It has a lot of competition with the sudden sea of metroidvania games available, but its stunning look, fantastic soundtrack, and clever writing coupled with the amazing gameplay put it a step above the rest. When I walk away from a game every night only wanting to play more, there's little to complain about.
Rich Meister · Aug 28, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - The Messenger is a prime example of how to study the fundamental rules of a genre that has been replicated a million times before. To then follow these rules, bend them and eventually break them into something of its own calibre of quality is something quite special indeed. In my experience, very few games set with a nostalgic sheen have ever truely captured my childhood quite the same way that The Messenger has. The balance of visuals and sounds drive this feeling further by never seeming like they’re ever overdone or underused.
Darren Palma · Aug 28, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Overall, there is a lot to like about this game. The story gets deep and complex as you progress through the levels without losing the simple pleasure of hacking away at enemies scattered across a 2D world. The Messenger is a finely crafted homage to the kind of game that first introduced many avid gamers to a lifelong hobby.
Kirstie Summers · Aug 28, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review
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Community Reviews
- Reviewed on PC
- Reviewed on PC
- Reviewed on PS4
- Reviewed on PS4
- Rated on Switch
- Rated on Switch
- Rated on Switch
- Rated on PC
- Rated on Switch
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.
Developer: Sabotage