The Waste Land by Fledermaus is a retro inspired Metroidvania style game. Of course, that phrase gets thrown around a lot these days, but in the case of The Waste Land I find it to be a bit more fitting. Fledermaus has managed to craft a loving tribute to the long ago days of 16 bit platformers, but one that isn’t without some problems of its own.

The Waste Land is inspired by the poem of the same name, written by T.S. Elliot in 1922. After a short tutorial teaching you the basics of movement and combat, you are placed into the shoes of a king who spends his days in luxury, or on long hunting trips. Its one such hunting trip that introduces you to the world of The Waste Land. Setting out, you encounter a mysterious beast in the woods. Slaying it causes the earth to shake. As you return to camp, you find it destroyed and see a strange man floating nearby. This sage tells you that you have destroyed the balance of the world and that you must restore it. Its here that you first get a taste of the King’s character. And he’s a jerk. Rarely have I come across a more unlikable character in fiction, but the King pretty much takes the cake. Shallow, petty and concerned only with his own gain its totally impossible to love him. The King does grow across the course of the game as you venture to the seven continents in the world battling twisted bosses and trying to put right your wrongs.

Fortuantely, the gameplay is another matter. To save the land from evil, you must venture to several temples, obtaining new and better weapons as you go. Combat feels fluid even on keyboard, thanks to some smart controls. Sword and bow and arrow will be your primary weapon, and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A bow allows you to stay at a safe distance, but can take longer to down foes while the sword dishes out the punishment but also puts you within arms reach of the monsters. Choosing how to fight is an important part of the game. As is learning to read it’s map. There is almost no direction in the game, save cryptic hints from the sage when you encounter him about the world. The Waste Land is truly a game that wants you to explore, and only walls you off from areas until you have the gear needed to access them. An early example is the double jump, which allowed me to reach ledges barring my way into the next area.Fire arrows allow you to kill enemies from afar with ease, explosive arrows let you demolish obstacles in your path and access new areas. The bosses in the game are twisted, huge and challenging, ranging from a whale….thing, to a gigantic hornet.

All in all, The Waste Land feels like a smart tribute to old school Metroid and Castlevania games. Fledermaus has done a great job placing you into a world that feels alive and in true peril. Even if the main character is a jerk. Aside from a few issues finding my way early on, I enjoyed my time playing through this game. If you’re a fan of old school adventure and hack and slash exploration, pick it up on Steam.

The Waste Land gets a 7.5 out of 10.

The Waste Land is available for purchase on Steam

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