OUTBUDDIES is a fantastic homage to Super Metroid, with a few new twists thrown in.

Inspired by Super Metroid, Outbuddies is a classic metroidvania based on the exploration of an ancient submerged fortress. The game offers good progression and level design, even if the control system and the UI are sometimes frustrating.

Outbuddies is a competent old school metroidvania that captures pretty much everything that made games like Super Metroid good, but forgets to add interesting things to the formula, other than a couple of mechanics that don't really quite deliver.

There are some really great ideas here, but weighed down by simple problems. As it is, it freezes, the menu hangs, and the absolute precision needed for nearly every move (and an oddly complex control scheme) makes the game get in the way of itself far more than it ever should. Far too often a string of precise moves is screwed up because of a wrong button or missing a ledge by minuscule amounts. There is clear heart and effort in here, and those with a high tolerance for difficulty will enjoy it immensely, but the average player will be put off by what is required of them. A revamp on the control system and some a bit more focus on the plot could easily launch OUTBUDDIES' points higher.

I’ve had a very splendid time with this, and have much splendid time left with it. A proper fine achievement, and a game worthy of measuring against the mighty Metroid.