The Messenger for Switch - Is It THAT Good?! | RGT 85

The Messenger recently came out for the Nintendo Switch eShop and has been getting tons of 10/10 review scores. This Ninja Gaiden-inspired retro game for the Switch packs a ton of content, but is it THAT good? Let's find out!
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[@RGT85]

MONSTER HUNTER GIVEAWAY! ENTER HERE! gleam.io/DPyag/monster-hunter-generations-ultimate-switch-giveaway

[@brandondiggins7090]

Ill enter... But u should just throw me a copy lol.... Just had to get rid of my game room.... Haveing kids is not fun for a collector

[@bboym80irskdtsholex15]

I'm getting my switch pretty soon I hope I could get this

[@josegaribay9550]

I've never really played a MH game before . . . But still getting that copy would be the coolest thing to happen :)

[@ag3nt0r4nge4]

count me in

[@milesjad8996]

Pro tip : watch series on flixzone. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies recently.

[@MrBrockarock]

The answer is yes. I'm playing through now and the game just opened up. I'm loving the humor, gameplay and almost every aspect of this game. A must own for any switch owner.

[@OnlyGamingClips]

RGT85, you persuaded me to buy the Messenger, amd im glad I took ypur advice. Its a great game. Anyways, keep up the good work on your channel. My brother passed in 2017, and watching your channel and getting back into gaming has helped me tremendously. It keeps me grounded. Well, thanks for making an awesome show. Chad

[@AmazingFrenchman]

No the whole game should not be like the "endgame" the game is built to represent the evolution through retro gaming. You go from linear 8bit and 16bit to the open map of the PS1 era of titles like Castlevania SotN. If The messenger was only the first linear part it'd still be kickass. Playing it and getting tonthe open part is like OMG! The whole idea and the reaction it gives is part of the entertainment you get out of it. It's a crucial part ofnthe concept.

[@juanjfm]

Thank you

[@Codoloco1]

This game is so awesome, this is the first time seeing that switch to 16bit from 8bit.. Absolutely creative

[@styxxhs8048]

PerlerNostalgia yeah especially with how it switches from 8 to 16 bit.. Wonder Boy & the dragons trap lets you switch between both versions, but you could switch the style yourself at anytime, and continue playing, but there arent any game mechanics built around it.. mainly just a preference thing.. so this takes that to the next level!

[@sauhamm3821]

check out evoland...

[@Leeberte]

I think as a retro plateformer game, the story, music, dynamic, control, entertainment... it deserve min a 9.5 on a 10. Personally, I really enjoyed the progression from the 8 bits to the 16 bits story and the metroidvania for the 2nd part: it is something I never saw before and it is actually a really good idea. To make your way through stages and to explore after is really a good experience.

[@QueenGraves]

Pretty much any game that reminds me of Ninja Gaiden, I will buy it

[@Marvel_vs_Capcom84]

This game looks like crap..lol Check Aragami!

[@itschar8872]

@@Marvel_vs_Capcom84 you should try it, the second part can feel a bit slow especially if you go for all power seals but it definitely is an amazing game will check out what this Aragami is

[@Marvel_vs_Capcom84]

@@itschar8872 trust me it's a great game get it on the eshop and thank me later when you play it, it's a stealthy assassin ninjas game.. let me know what you think

[@mezmermaster1347]

@@Marvel_vs_Capcom84 how is it crap just curious

[@Marvel_vs_Capcom84]

@@mezmermaster1347 Because that's my opinion, you can easily watch gameplay on it just like anyother game and formulate you're own opinion..

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I really like how it looks and how it plays once I saw Mike Matei from Cinemasscre play the game. it's too bad it's not a Switch exclusive but I am thinking about purchasing the game from its store.

[@alanfastguitar]

Why not being exclusive is bad?

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I am more of a collector of exclusives. Think about it, Alan, what's two of the best consoles of all time???? SNES and NES, right?? That's why I like to collect exclusives like The Last of Us 1 and 2 or the Mario series.

[@Stew91]

It's for PC too.

[@TheShogunassassin23]

It's great. I'm obsessed with everything about it and I hope they give us a physical release too.

[@viciomantuamigoyvecino]

Jesse Capps me too man, I really hope so. I haven’t seen any notice about it ;(

[@Yoretro727]

Special Request Games said they are gunna drop this as a 1st switch game possibly

[@fryyourass28]

I hope so too I’ll double down on this game for sure!

[@TheShogunassassin23]

Stuck on the Demon boss it's Very frustrating.

[@viciomantuamigoyvecino]

Let’s keep the hope. Good luck Jesse Capps ;)

[@HammyDownConsole]

Big fan of the hidden locations that reveal more of the story and promise for a sequel or prequel. An interesting character appears after a certain off limit thing is no longer off limits

[@ag3nt0r4nge4]

I have heard /seen positive and negative critiques of the Messenger and it's design. People that say negative things about it tend to focus on the switching from an action platformer in the initial phase of the game to a metroidvania for the later half. Some say they wish it had stayed a platformer for the whole game, some say it should have been entirely metroidvania.... Personally, i love what Sab. Studios did with this game. The pure platforming was great, and i loved the switch to more of a metroidvania style. I also think that the way they did the transition was very well done. Its almost like getting two games for the price of one, and i love both. As many have pointed out, the game also has great humor throughout, and the story, imo, is also very enjoyable. I think that The Messenger is pure genious from start to finish and would recommend it to any gamer that likes retro style games. Has all the nostalgia factors, along with great gameplay/controls, good humor, decent story, and an amazing time switch mechanic that lends to a ton of good puzzling. The bosses are also worthy of mention. You wondered aloud in your vid if this game was as impactful as Shovel Knight, which is interesting because that is exactly the game that came to my mind when i got halfway through the messenger, was loving it, and trying to articulate to friends just how good it was. It brings some new ideas to the table and it does them well. It also redoes things from previously successful games, and it also does those well. We cant slam game devs for trying something new just because it isnt perfect for every single gamer. It might not be for everyone, but those who it is for are going to love it. Jmo.

[@Keenangraz]

I just finished it yesterday and yeah it’s a must play. However I don’t know if I’m really good at it or something cause I beat it in 4:45

[@cloverraven]

I’m totally loving the 8 bit part. Your analysis is the opposite of what I read. That most people wished the whole game was the first half instead. That tells me the whole thing is great. Pumped.

[@ag3nt0r4nge4]

Also, the music is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

[@ramonmateo4385]

Is the monster hunter giveaway still going on by the time I'm watching this?

[@mchuffin22]

Looks like a great game. Think I'll give it a download on payday.

[@MHilstrom]

Definitely worthy

[@EastSide_LB]

Worth a buy bro

[@NESADDICT]

I'm working on the power seals now!

[@frankiemartinez1755]

Do you play this game with mouse and keyboard? Looks like it's best on controller

[@shawng746]

At $20 this may be a must pick up for me. Of course I still have a half dozen games to work through for now. Maybe I'll do the smart consumer thing and wait until then, and possibly save myself $5? Who knows. I'll definitely be picking it up at some point though. Thanks for the review Shawn. Very well done.

[@OnlyGamingClips]

RGT85, you persuaded me to buy The Messenger, and I love it. Its a lot of fun. If you liked The Messenger, you would also like "Shadowblade" Reload". Its just as good as The Messenger in my opinion. I gotta buy Katana Zero too though next.

[@ProNerdy]

Should I buy The Messenger or Hollow Knight first

[@gaming_guy8325]

I just starting playing this about two hours ago, so far pretty fun.

[@johnodaz1273]

Really cool let's play RGT 85. The Messenger is a solid looking game and a really good game but I would say it's a very good 8.5/10. I personally don't think any game should be a 10/10 but the closest too it for me is probably Zelda A Link to the Past that really is a masterpiece.

[@MartellThaCool]

I'm thinking of getting this game very soon for my Nintendo Switch

[@MartellThaCool]

@@Treyson I got a 15% discount on this game somehow 👍😎👍

[@MartellThaCool]

@@Treyson will get this game next week

[@KWKBOX]

All this 8 and 16 bit stuff. Where are the N64 graphic style games being recreated?

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

Xbox.

[@davetheimpaler204]

I see 8 and 16-bit as a distinctive art style. N64/PSX graphics are mostly just a rudimentary SD version of the same 3D graphics we have today. Many indie games have lower-polygon 3D graphics but they're in HD, anti-aliased, modern-textured, 60 fps framerate, etc. so they don't really resemble 3D graphics from that era.

[@Mycarisloose]

Horizon chase turbo....

[@SotNist]

Could have used a broader color pallet and some parallax in the backgrounds to spice it up, like a lot of retro hi-bit games do.

[@renofheavens2]

Dude I wish you talked like this on most of your videos. You're usually too loud and whiny sounding. Good content either though

[@eligantz8050]

Thank you! That's exactly how I feel about this channel. The content is helpful that's why I keep clicking but the shouting and squeeling is almost unbearable

[@jlh8830]

Which should I buy first blood-stained curse of the Moon or this game

[@Marvel_vs_Capcom84]

Aragami shadow, This game is over hyped rubbish

[@EternalDarknessAboveTheBlueSky]

It's like going from Ghosts and Goblins to Ghouls and Ghosts.

[@mrswolls]

With games like this Do you all actually play through and complete them or just play for some hours and put it to the side uncompleted?

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

Complete them. Or at least I do. They aren't that long unless you're going for every little thing. Modern retro games are a bit easier than actual retro games.

[@LoneStarCarper]

Came back to watch this after the Nintendo indie event today

[@frankiemartinez1755]

This game is free on epic games for pc....my question is, is this game better played on keyboard and mouse or controller?

[@jmart0031]

Have not beat it yet but pretty far in, the deeper you go it just gets better and better to play not matter how frustrating parts might be at times. Truly an amazing game and music I would give it a 9/10 easily. A better Celeste w/ action and less super meat boy platforming feature

[@flightgravity7483]

Doesn’t matter if it’s a 10/10 or 8/10, just talk about what you like and don’t like. Numerical ratings are arbitrary.

[@pineapplegee7958]

Will this come out physically ? I’ll only buy if it has an actual copy

[@millsjordan30]

Is that a commander Keen thing going on here :D those yellow tear drops look similar to commander keen

[@dilley_esq]

currently on sale on switch for 5 bucks. sounds like it'll be well worth it.

[@ryanfoy1905]

Kicked around getting it for a while, I'm glad I did, great game

[@HighLanderPonyYT]

Yup, I was blown away. Absolute staple.

[@frankie9882]

Lol at the "secret area". RGT is such a tease!

[@ihatestairs9034]

The game is good but it’s really weird how the game just shifts into a metroidvania game for the second half for some reason. I preferred the linear levels of the first half personally

[@anthonybeoh5614]

Is the Nintendo switch the only console you play

[@Stevaside]

Sure some ppl in the comments are bound to get salty from me saying this, but it's been getting pretty tiring TBH. I play modern games too, & will probably get a Switch some day, but wasn't this channel originally focused more on retrogaming ??

[@collinsmcrae]

Stevaside It’s kinda tough to grow a channel if you focus on retro. There are a few exceptions of course, like Metal Jesus, but it’s just easier to cover the new news, and there’s a broader audience for it. As far as modern gaming goes, XB1 and PS4 are kind of old hat at this point, and the news around those consoles just isn’t as fresh or exciting, generally. The only thing to cover on PS4 is that Spider-Man is coming, and all there is to talk about on XB1 is game pass. I own all 3 consoles, but I just couldn’t imagine listening to a show that focused on PS4 or XB1 at this point.

[@Stevaside]

Collin McRae who says it needs to be focused on any one console exclusively tho?? Call me crazy but 126,000 subscribers doesn’t exactly scream struggling YT channel to me. Ive been here for years, and I’m sure I speak for quite a few others by saying I wish there was at least more of a balance. Its like it went from a retrogaming channel w some modern to 99% Switch, Switch,Switch,Switch, Switch

[@collinsmcrae]

Stevaside When I started following this channel it was around 50k subscriber, and that wasn’t too long ago. He was heavier on the retro content at the time. When the Switch came out that did seem to take over a lot of the focus, but the channel continued to grow exponentially. Obviously, this is working for him, so why would he change anything at the moment? I’m into the retro scene myself, and I think that’s how I found this channel, so I get it. I watch a lot of retro game content. But, as a Switch owner I’m not too disappointed with the change in direction from this channel in particular, but I can see how someone might be who doesn’t have one yet, or is primarily interested in retro games.

[@Stevaside]

Collin McRae He’s going to alienate alot of the original subscribers if it stays this way...But if it’s all about views & subs nowadays than hey, keep being The Switch Channel I guess if that’s “whats working”

[@jmccain22090]

Jesus, I thought I was bad at this game.

[@Sage-God]

I haven't seen any reviews giving this a perfect score. It's "good but not great" from what I've been hearing. Gonna check it out for myself after I clear up some of my backlog.

[@Kemiccaaaa]

Ninja gaden ❤️

[@Chicano11ash]

Great game, just pick it up on sale today 👌

[@santiagorain6918]

Do you recommend this one over dead cells? Celeste is the same price but IDK people say its too hard.

[@Chicano11ash]

yeas definitely, but celeste is also a great game. i have both they worth every penny

[@Chicano11ash]

i don’t have dead cells, but thats my next pick up

[@santiagorain6918]

@@Chicano11ash thank you gonna grab The Messenger probabbly gonna wait on deadcells.

[@ZeroHayabusa]

Interesting that you kept saying The Messenger was being given a whole bunch of 10/10 's when pretty much every review I've seen has it in the 8 to 8.5 range ( Easy Allies, IGN, Gamespot, Game Informer) Maybe I just missed the reviews you were talking about but it feels like most big reviewers were not THAT impressed by it. I personally loved it though. Other than that small gripe I thought this was good review man! Just found your channel and I'm digging it!

[@XristoferLee]

So far I like it. Stuck on the chick with the whip. Bout got her timing down though.

[@HarmonicWave]

I'm trying to decide between this game and Dead Cells, both of which are on sale this week. After watching a Dead Cells review the Messenger looks kinda boring now, I don't know.

[@friedpork_owl]

I think you got younger in the last 3 years. Cheers!

[@thomasmegamitenseigear4116]

I love it been playing it 2 days non stop 🔥🔥

[@styxxhs8048]

Wait.. you didnt think breath of the wild was a 10/10? Ow! Your breaking my heart Shawn... how could you?! 🤪

[@CHURCHISAWESUM]

My favorite Switch game at the moment. I like it better than Zelda and Mario.. I don't know why Tbh. Everything about it just feels right.

[@EverSupreme]

If you like Ninja Gaiden, I don't see how you could not like this game. 8/10

[@danielmuller1103]

Similar to the old ninja gaiden gm ,but way better. I’m trying to buy this game for my son.

[@nenno6748]

this game is alright, i like it better than shovel knight, but it is certainly no hollow knight.

[@zackmoore1351]

Stuck between this and aragami shadow edition. Aarrggh help!

[@1970scout800]

I hope so.

[@davistobia1425]

Looks good but I think the market is getting saturated with the 8/16 bit style platformers. Need to be more innovative or maybe a bit more nostalgic (sonic mania or gianna sisters) for me.

[@leecroft1983]

Agree. Indie game development really needs a time out, seriously.

[@midnightshade32]

@@leecroft1983 nah, never have enough good games to play. Why would you want less games? Just don't buy them if you don't want them.

[@v31003]

Played this for about 7 hours and I am just finding out about the 16 bit 2nd half of the game. Kinda spoiled it for me...but I am enjoying the heck out of it.

[@HarmonicWave]

The eShop page literally shows both the 8-bit and the 16-bit visuals, not sure how this is a spoiler. What I didn't know until this video was that it starts out linear and then becomes more open like a Metroidvania.

[@alisadiq7595]

Awesome game and music and player 👏

[@yuurou7927]

The game plays good, but I have 2 problems with it. 1, Not as fast as Ninja Gaiden, and mostly still metroidvania. I was hoping for a fast stage system with no or minor searching. It's too Shovel Knight. 2, The music sounds...weirdly out of place.

[@rage2387]

At first I thought it was a messenger for the switch but ehh... Good game tho

[@Yusei255]

I'd give it a 8.2 at most

[@zensai-gaming]

Awesome game in every way. Same quality as shovel knight and blasphemous. Need more indie games of this quality.

[@victorsosa8025]

For me this is GOTY

[@TheShogunassassin23]

How many tries did it take you to beat the demon General? I'm still stuck on it and it's pissing me off

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

I fucking LOVE this game. But as indies and retro-style games go, at this point, they might as well name a game Metroidvania. I'm kind of tired of Metroidvanias. I feel like NESComplex would like this game. He's the only guy I know who likes the 2D Ninja Gaidens more than I do.

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

Anyone else getting a Strider vibe?

[@juliansalazar7097]

I’m playing Dead Cells, I just beat Guacamelee 2 and just started Dragon Quest XI.. This game looks sick but Spider-Man and Tomb Raider are next and then Broketober is coming.. I love 2D games but I need a break and there’s just too much coming out

[@KungPowShrimp]

Shaq Fu 10/10

[@rexl.6323]

Monster Hunter came out on my birthday!

[@patrickkapoun468]

Yes, it’s THAT good.

[@inkpoison8395]

It really is an excellent game

[@bora6668]

Basiclly

[@ThePanred]

Looks like bloodstained in a way..and i LOVE that game!!!

[@sleevelessace7920]

Did u come from the Stein or Stain universe? Neither In my universe it’s Bloodstain…. (Any avgn fans?) hahahahahaha

[@DestroWOD]

I think it look realy cool. If it ever come out to Xbox One ill probably pick it up. I don't play on Switch so no can buy if it stay there.

[@alanfastguitar]

It will come to xbox one in a few days.

[@JBird401]

Shovel knight was a 10 out of 10. I'm hopinf this game is almost just as good

[@KeijiMaeda86]

J Bird It's better than Shovel Knight imo

[@Euruk1]

Yes. Yes it is.

[@Matter_Of_Fact]

No game is Shovel Knight

[@Seekarr]

I find the vast majority of Metroidvania and Metroidvania-like games to be fairly boring compared to traditional Castlevania style. It was fun with SotN and CotM, but then it got old fast. I prefer Zelda 2-like games, such as Shovel Knight; Hollow Knight is the only Metroidvania-like game I have enjoyed, and it took decades to get there.

[@Seekarr]

Super Metroid is a Metroid game, not Metroidvania.

[@Seekarr]

It's a Metroid game. Metroidvanias began as Castlevania games. It wasn't considered a genre until much later. Metroidvania was the nickname given to the Castlevania games in the style Metroid, especially Symphony of the Night and Circle of the Moon. This was to differentiate them from the earlier history of the franchise which included games like Super Castlevania, Rondo of Blood, and Dracula's Curse.

[@brandinsaurusrex]

Call me crazy but I prefer the 8 bit style

[@HarmonicWave]

I do prefer the 8-bit Ninja character look rather than the one with a hat.

[@wesmyone9562]

I've been playing it, and I don't know, it doesn't entertain as much as Hollow Knight did🤔

[@HarmonicWave]

That's a high standard to compare to.

[@wesmyone9562]

@@HarmonicWave I guess, it's just that before Hollow Knight, I couldn't care less about Metroidvanias, and since I beat it, which a couple of months ago, I've been looking for games like it🤷‍♂️

[@leecroft1983]

Another 8bit style indie game, never seen that before...

[@Dewabarasunderan]

Basically

[@maximillionroivas3893]

Awesome game

[@EternalDarknessAboveTheBlueSky]

16-bit still looks 8-bit

[@MartymarMcFly]

It’s dope

[@alienanxiety]

The music sounds unbelievably annoying.

[@nbttl1975]

I was looking at this over the weekend but didn't dl it. I felt like it would be Master System Ninja Gaiden.

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

It's not.

[@thenightowls2804]

I think a 10/10 is nearly perfect. If I were a review channel, I would only give a 10/10 to one game, which is Xenoblade Chronicles 2 which is my favorite game. Review channels give out multiple 10/10's a year. That's way too much.

[@dave10097]

game garbage godmode bosses on switch it then 2 bosses a 1000 times

[@dave10097]

dont buy broken on switch

[@demeye578]

It’s okay ...i like more dead cells

[@XristoferLee]

Dead cells is also very good. Love that it can be frustratingly difficult but rewarding.

[@lettu6199]

Numbers

[@tanmanslim]

Second

[@michaelcarrion1120]

Third

[@yogamerbks]

First

[@tamjesse3485]

Enough of these pixel game

[@Yoretro727]

Just spend your money else where then.

[@jazzmaster909]

Enough of those Cinematic Open World 3d games