In nearly every metroidvania that I have played, combat progression is quite linear. You start off with sword, you get bigger sword, you get stronger sword, sword gets more attack speed, so on and so forth. As you progress through the story you don't upgrade your gear as much, maybe like 1 upgrade at most for a few weapons iirc. You moreso get different weapons, each with their own niche when it comes to combat and traversal. It brings it's own challenge and fun whenever you come across a boss that requires you to use all of your weapons to their fullest extent.

There are a handful of rooms that don't have any enemies in them and are just a giant puzzle for you to solve in order to move onto the next room. I don't really have much else to add to this point but I don't see this a lot if at all in other metroidvanias and it's something that I really enjoyed about this game. Utilizing all of your different weapons to maneuver through a room and solving the puzzle

Iconoclasts is a beautifully constructed 2D action-adventure that blends challenging platforming, clever environmental puzzles, imaginative boss battles, and surprisingly mature storytelling. Developed by Joakim Sandberg and published by Bifrost Entertainment, with additional publishing involvement from DANGEN Entertainment and other regional partners, the game stands out through its remarkable pixel artistry and ambitious narrative. While its colorful environments and charming character designs initially suggest a lighthearted adventure, the experience gradually reveals a darker story involving religious oppression, political manipulation, personal sacrifice, and the struggle to preserve individual freedom. Its combination of traditional action-platforming mechanics and emotionally driven storytelling creates an adventure that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly distinctive.

The story centers on Robin, a young mechanic whose desire to help others places her in conflict with the authoritarian organization known as One Concern. In a society where mechanical work is tightly controlled and unauthorized repairs are treated as religious violations, Robin's seemingly innocent actions carry dangerous consequences. Her journey gradually expands from a personal struggle for survival into a larger confrontation involving powerful institutions, mysterious resources, and deeply rooted ideological conflicts. The narrative succeeds by presenting characters with complicated motivations rather than relying entirely on predictable heroes and villains. Personal beliefs, emotional trauma, and conflicting loyalties influence their decisions, giving the story considerable depth. However, the extensive dialogue occasionally interrupts the pacing, particularly when players are eager to return to exploration or combat.

The gameplay revolves around Robin's mechanical abilities, with her versatile wrench serving as an essential tool for both puzzle-solving and combat. Players manipulate machinery, activate switches, navigate environmental hazards, and discover creative ways to overcome obstacles. Additional equipment and abilities gradually expand the possibilities, encouraging experimentation with different mechanical interactions. The puzzles are especially satisfying because they frequently require logical thinking rather than simple trial and error. Each environment introduces fresh challenges that build upon previously learned mechanics, creating a rewarding sense of progression. Although the game incorporates familiar Metroidvania elements, its progression is more structured and story-focused than that of traditional exploration-heavy entries. This approach strengthens narrative consistency but occasionally limits the freedom to investigate the world independently.

Combat provides another major highlight, particularly through its elaborate boss encounters. Rather than relying exclusively on fast reflexes or repeated attacks, many enemies require players to recognize behavioral patterns, identify weaknesses, and apply their equipment creatively. Boss battles often resemble interactive puzzles, combining movement, timing, and environmental awareness into memorable confrontations. The variety of enemy designs keeps these encounters interesting, while the increasingly demanding mechanics provide a satisfying challenge. Nevertheless, certain battles can become frustrating when their solutions are poorly communicated or when experimentation results in repeated failures. Fortunately, the overall combat system remains responsive and enjoyable, rewarding patience and careful observation.

Character progression introduces a collection of customizable tweaks that provide useful gameplay advantages. These modifications allow players to adjust certain abilities according to their preferred approach, adding flexibility without introducing unnecessarily complicated systems. The availability of multiple difficulty settings also makes the adventure approachable for different audiences. Players interested primarily in its characters and story can enjoy a more forgiving experience, while those seeking demanding platforming and combat challenges can pursue greater difficulty. Although the customization options are relatively modest, they complement the game's focused design and provide additional motivation to explore hidden areas and optional challenges.

The visual presentation is among the game's greatest achievements. Its detailed pixel art features expressive character animations, colorful environments, intricate machinery, and impressive enemy designs. Every location possesses a recognizable identity, ranging from peaceful natural landscapes to intimidating industrial complexes. These visual contrasts reinforce the tension between the world's appealing exterior and its oppressive social structure. The soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere with energetic battle themes, mysterious ambient compositions, and emotional melodies that accompany important narrative developments. Together, the graphics and audio establish a cohesive artistic identity that remains memorable long after the adventure concludes.

Steam Deck compatibility is officially Verified, making Iconoclasts an excellent option for handheld play. The game supports controller input, displays appropriate button prompts, features readable interface text, and performs well using the device's default graphics configuration. Its relatively modest hardware requirements further support a smooth portable experience. Steam achievements, cloud saving, and full controller support provide additional convenience. The combination of responsive controls and visually clear environments makes the game particularly suitable for players who enjoy story-driven adventures away from a traditional desktop setup.

Despite its accomplishments, the experience has some noticeable shortcomings. The narrative occasionally becomes excessively wordy, certain character interactions feel unnecessarily prolonged, and some boss mechanics can be difficult to understand without repeated attempts. Exploration also lacks the freedom associated with more open-ended Metroidvania adventures. However, these weaknesses are outweighed by the game's excellent craftsmanship, memorable encounters, and willingness to tackle meaningful themes. Iconoclasts is a compelling adventure that successfully combines engaging mechanics with emotional storytelling, making it highly recommended for fans of thoughtful action-platformers.

An outstanding pixel-art adventure featuring inventive puzzles, spectacular boss battles, expressive characters, and an emotionally powerful narrative.

Rating: 9/10

I really wanted to give this game a positive review. I was excited by the gameplay animation I'd seen of it, and visually its Pixel Art style graphics holds up well. The gaming mechanics though I genuinely found frustrating. Its metroidvania-esque, but some of the puzzles weren't counterintuitive, and I just didn't enjoy the level design.

I also found the language used quite offensive. Harlot in a kids game is just NOT appropriate. I ended up seeking a refund. Your mileage may vary, but know that its not universally positive, and that if you look for a summary of negative reviews they raise good points.