REVIEW: ‘ULTROS’ Is A Psychedelic And Thoughtful Adventure (PC)

ULTROS is a new Metroidvania from developers Hadoque and published by Kepler Interactive. This psychedelic space adventure sends players on a journey of reflection and mystery that is sure to leave an impact. There is so much to explore and uncover as the game unfolds.

Things start after the protagonist crashes her ship on The Sarcophagus, a ginormous cosmic uterus containing the titular ULTROS. ULTROS is an ancient demon bent on chaos and destruction. Trapped aboard The Sarcophagus, players must explore and escape the eternal black hole they have been trapped in. Defeating the bosses scattered across the map will stop ULTROS from being released into the world and grant the protagonist her freedom.

There is so much to love about the story of ULTROS. Instead of giving players everything they need to know, ULTROS encourages exploration as a way to discover more about The Sarcophagus and its inhabitants. Amidst the death and chaos is a surreal peace waiting to be found, and the journey to that peace is incredibly rewarding. Every moment in The Sarcophagus reveals more about the world if players are willing to look and listen.

One of the first characters players meet is Wallet. Wallet serves as a guide of sorts, helping players find the “right” direction to go. His creepy design makes him seem like an enemy, but there is more than meets the eye with him. He serves as a great introduction to the fact that no one in ULTROS is as they seem. There is always more to learn and understand if players want to succeed.

There is also Gärdner, a botanist who tells players about the gardening mechanic in ULTROS. Seeds can be planted throughout The Sarcophagus that have different effects on the environment and help unlock all sorts of new paths. They also help slow down the player’s approach. It isn’t just about slicing down foes; sometimes, you just need to take a step back and let life flourish instead of ending it.

Every other character along the way is equally interesting and important. Though there are not many in ULTROS, every character players encounter leaves a lasting impact on both the story and the player. They feed information at an agonizingly slow pace that forces players like me to really slow down and learn from them. It’s impossible to understand what is going on in The Sarcophagus if you don’t take the time to learn from its inhabitants.

The exploration in ULTROS is exactly what players expect from a Metroidvania. Platforms require precise timing to jump to and there are secret paths scattered all across the map. Combat, too, demands players time their attacks and movements just right to escape unharmed. Enemies also drop useful body parts that are used to do things like restore health and upgrade abilities, but attacking too brutally can damage these and make them virtually worthless. It is a fascinating mechanic that promotes thoughtfulness over brute force.

What makes ULTROS unique is that there is a loop system that brings players back to earlier points in time. It has an almost rogue-lite feel to it. Defeating a boss sends players right back to the beginning without any of the earned power-ups, but the uncovered parts of the map do remain uncovered. Each new loop provides new paths to explore as well as new character interactions.

Reflection is a key theme of ULTROS and the loops do a great job of promoting that organically. Starting back at the beginning is jarring at first, but it allows the deeper themes of ULTROS to really resonate. Instead of just jumping around and finding enemies to slash, ULTROS encourages players to study the world around them. Using a loop system brings things back into focus after players might have lost track of what really matters. It’s a perfect aspect that enhances the already excellent movement and combat mechanics.

Environmentally, ULTROS is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, breathtaking might be an understatement. The art team is led by industry icon Niklas “El Huervo” Åkerblad, well-known for his iconic cover art for Hotline Miami and its sequel. His unique artistic approach gives ULTROS its psychedelic vibe. Every single second of ULTROS is literally dripping with color and captivating designs. There is so much detail at the fore and background of each scene. It is really environmental storytelling at its best.

This is all further enhanced by a brilliant score composed by Oscar “Ratvader” Rydelius. Ratvader’s music is inspired by his home country of Sweden, but he also takes ideas from classical Peruvian music. The two styles seem different at first, but he combines them seamlessly. Moments of introspection in the story are buoyed by Ratvader’s musical nuance. The boss battles are even more epic with the resonant themes playing in the background. The soundtrack throughout just makes the experience that much better.

ULTROS is a masterclass in environmental storytelling combined with solid Metroidvania mechanics in a truly excellent package. Go into this one slow and ready to enjoy the journey and it will more than pay off.

ULTROS is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.