Ultros review: "A drop-dead gorgeous head trip of a Metroidvania game set in a cosmic uterus sarcophagus"

GamesRadar+ VerdictUltros takes the tried and tested Metroidvania formula, flips it on its head, bathes it in neon paint, switches dimensions, adds gardening mechanics and sends it to an outer-space uterus housing an ancient demon – and it all, somehow, worksPros+Stunning visuals, animations and artstyle+Impeccable balance of fast-paced and chilled out+Tone and vibes like nothing else in the genreCons-Narrative is (unashamedly) secondary-Environments are occasionally difficult to parse GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Ultros takes the tried and tested Metroidvania formula, flips it on its head, bathes it in neon paint, switches dimensions, adds gardening mechanics and sends it to an outer-space uterus housing an ancient demon – and it all, somehow, works Ultros takes the tried and tested Metroidvania formula, flips it on its head, bathes it in neon paint, switches dimensions, adds gardening mechanics and sends it to an outer-space uterus housing an ancient demon – and it all, somehow, works Pros+Stunning visuals, animations and artstyle+Impeccable balance of fast-paced and chilled out+Tone and vibes like nothing else in the genre Stunning visuals, animations and artstyle Impeccable balance of fast-paced and chilled out Tone and vibes like nothing else in the genre Cons-Narrative is (unashamedly) secondary-Environments are occasionally difficult to parse Narrative is (unashamedly) secondary Environments are occasionally difficult to parse Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. FAST FACTSRelease date:February 13, 2024Platform(s):PC, PS5, PS4Developer:HadoquePublisher:Kepler Interactive FAST FACTS Release date:February 13, 2024Platform(s):PC, PS5, PS4Developer:HadoquePublisher:Kepler Interactive Release date:February 13, 2024Platform(s):PC, PS5, PS4Developer:HadoquePublisher:Kepler Interactive Coming in hot (Image credit: Kepler) Ultros is such a vibe. If you take one thing away from this review, let it be that. I can’t remember the last time I played a game that so perfectly understands what it is, while simultaneously appearing to not care about how it’s perceived. Hotline Miami is one classic that springs to mind to this end, and not just because Ultros' striking visuals are the work of Niklas Åkerblad, a.k.a. El Huervo, who created the cover art for Dennaton’s brutal top-down shooter series. Ultros and Hotline couldn’t be more different in genre and conceptual terms, granted, but they both show unwavering commitment to their core gameplay loops from start to finish; they drop players into their worlds with predetermined rules, give them the tools to succeed, and then step back and watch everything unfold. Ultros is a Metroidvania game in that its interlinked map is gated at specific junctures, where incrementally-accrued abilities let you reach once inaccessible areas. Bosses, like the one mentioned above, protect the rulers of this world, who’re named Shaman. Boss battles, on the other hand, are rhythmic affairs that involve deciphering attack patterns that often lean on these abilities; while deft platforming links each Shaman-guarding boss fight in turn. But where Ultros stands apart from other genre similars is in its finer details. It does all the good stuff right – its abilities are neat, it has tight controls, solid level design, and rewarding combat – but there’s an ebb and flow to everything that’s as satisfying as it is wondrous. The psychedelic aesthetic and fantastical surroundings help perpetuate this, but there’s an ease to Ultros that’s more atmospheric, moodier, and, where my job becomes a bit more difficult, a little harder to put into words. Ultrosfeelsgood, even in its most frustrating and frantic moments, which is something I’ve rarely felt in any video game, and have certainly never felt in the Metroidvania space. Consuming enemy body parts is the primary means of health replenishment in Ultros, but doing so also extends to the game’s skill tree. Accessed via its pod-shaped ‘Cortex’ save points, new abilities can be unlocked against your nutrition levels. Different organs boost different levels, making finesse in combat even more important as you shape and grow Ouji’s character. Once an ability is unlocked, a new one appears on Cortex’s spider diagram-like display. Early doors, simple abilities like Sneaking can be activated, while maneuvers like Drop Kicks, Wall Jumps, Air Tesseracts, and many more can be uncovered over time. Garden angel (Image credit: Kepler Interactive) “Just when you thought Ultros couldn’t get any more outlandish, it has its own gardening system.” “Just when you thought Ultros couldn’t get any more outlandish, it has its own gardening system.” Just when you thought Ultros couldn’t get any more outlandish, it has its own gardening system. Early on in your quest, you cross paths with a pleasant and originally-named chap called Gärdner, who teaches Ouji the values of cosmic uterus-based horticulture. Gardens are scattered around The Sarcophagus, and, using seeds that are also dotted around the map, you can grow special fruits that provide a variety of nutritional boosts. The deeper you wade into the game, the more savvy you’ll become about which seeds grow which fruits, in turn informing the quickest and most efficient ways to gain nutrition and then gain the best abilities from the Cortex. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve read and re-read that last sentence myself several times and can’t quite believe it applies to everything else above – but that’s another example of Ultros' irregular twist on the Metroidvania formula. Disclaimer More info More CATEGORIESPC GamingPS5PlatformsPlayStation CATEGORIES More about ultrosTwo of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their storiesThis impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so farLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► More about ultrosTwo of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their storiesThis impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so farLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► More about ultrosTwo of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their storiesThis impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so far More about ultros Two of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their storiesThis impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so far Two of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their stories Two of my all-time favorite Metroidvania games launched in the last year – and I’ve hardly understood a word of their stories This impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so far This impossibly colorful Metroidvania is an early frontrunner for best art of the year, and my favorite Steam Next Fest find so far Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► Latest “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet See more latest► Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that 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small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”