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The concept of androids, human-like robots, is a familiar one for fans of Japanese culture and mecha enthusiasts. Alongside giant mecha like Gundam, androids have carved a niche in the Eastern gaming world, with franchises like Nier, Drakengard, and the iconic Megaman. Metallic Child, developed by STUDIO HG, draws inspiration from this rich history, particularly from the Megaman series. But does this “successor” live up to the legacy, or does it crumble under the weight of its predecessors? Let’s delve in.

What You’ll Love About Metallic Child

Rona, the protagonist android, in action

A Vibrant and Engaging Experience

Metallic Child boasts a straightforward and easily understood world. After a brief 20-minute tutorial, players are thrown into the core gameplay loop. The story revolves around saving Rona, a combat android, and assisting her in stopping her “mother,” a disgruntled scientist attempting to crash a massive spaceship into Earth. The truth behind her motives unfolds as you progress.

To confront the scientist, you must battle bosses, advanced androids, in a classic Megaman-esque boss rush style.

Boss selection screen in Metallic ChildYou can choose your boss battles, offering a degree of freedom in your progression.

The game’s anime-inspired aesthetic is complemented by detailed character and environment designs. While some animations, like weapon switching and finishing moves, are simplified, the fast-paced combat keeps the experience dynamic. Although the camera is fixed, the level design avoids feeling claustrophobic, allowing players to focus on the enemies.

An example of the well-designed environments in Metallic ChildThe combat is satisfying, with visually and aurally pleasing effects accompanying every interaction. The fully voiced dialogue adds another layer of polish to this indie title.

Rona interacting with another character

A Roguelite Dungeon Crawler with Progression

Unlike traditional roguelikes where death can mean losing everything, Metallic Child adopts the more forgiving roguelite approach. You retain most of your progress, even after defeat. While this may seem less challenging, Metallic Child offers depth through its fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat.

Combat scenario in Metallic ChildPlayers must master a variety of moves, including jumping, dodging, parrying, standard attacks, charged attacks, and special skills, to survive. Even on normal difficulty, the enemies pose a significant threat, demanding strategic play and skillful execution. Dodging and parrying are crucial for survival, especially against the challenging bosses.

Defeated enemies drop chips and cores, which are used to upgrade Rona’s abilities. These upgrades are randomized, adding a layer of strategy to character progression. Carefully choosing upgrades that synergize with your playstyle is key to maximizing your effectiveness.

Metallic Child combat showcasing enemy varietyThe game features a variety of weapons, categorized into hammers, swords and shields, and gauntlets. Special weapons like armor and grenade launchers can be found within the levels. Each weapon offers unique skills, and new weapons can be unlocked using chips, but be warned – you cannot keep your old weapon (except for single-use items).

The boss battles are a highlight, with each of the nine bosses possessing unique abilities and combat styles. Each encounter presents a memorable challenge, requiring adaptation and strategic thinking. Some bosses even alter the combat environment, adding further variety. Defeating a boss grants you their special ability, providing a tangible reward for your efforts.

What You Might Dislike About Metallic Child

Metallic Child final boss encounter

Limited Replayability

While roguelite/roguelike games often boast high replayability, Metallic Child falls short in this aspect. The linear narrative doesn’t offer the same depth or branching paths found in games like Hades. Once you’ve defeated the final boss and witnessed the ending, there’s little incentive to return.

Metallic Child combat scenario highlighting the fast-paced actionThe fast-paced combat, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive after discovering an effective “winning formula.” Increasing the difficulty primarily affects enemy stats, not their behavior. This lack of evolving challenge diminishes the desire for continued play.

In conclusion, Metallic Child offers a vibrant and engaging roguelite experience with satisfying combat and challenging boss battles. However, its linear narrative and limited replayability hold it back from achieving true roguelite greatness.