A PS2 Throwback with Heart, but Holes
Kicking off The Knightling on my PS5 felt like cracking open a time capsule from 2005—Jak & Daxter vibes, colorful chaos, and a kid-friendly quest in the whimsical land of Clesseia. Dropped on August 28, 2025, by Twirlbound and Saber Interactive, this indie gem puts you in the boots of a young knightling hunting for your mentor, Sir Lionstone, with just a magical shield called Magnustego. I was grinning ear-to-ear, telling my cousin Mia it’s like a lost GameCube classic. But as Nick Rodriguez noted in his Game Rant review, The Knightling’s charm fades when its sloppy combat and half-baked story creep in. It’s a love letter to retro platformers with some serious baggage—let’s unpack it.
The Knightling 2025 Gameplay Review: Surfing Clesseia’s Magic
If The Knightling has a superpower, it’s traversal. Magnustego isn’t just a shield; it’s your all-in-one sled, glider, and ticket to freedom. Picture me sliding down cliffs, chaining jumps, and soaring over Clesseia’s vibrant hills like a medieval Tony Hawk. The shield-based traversal is buttery-smooth, with forgiving controls that let you skate uphill or glide to secret nooks. Twirlbound’s level design is a playground—curved bridges, bouncy flora, and wind gusts beg you to explore. I spent an hour racing Mia through obstacle courses, cackling as we overshot platforms. It’s simple, fast, and pure joy, making every movement challenge a highlight of this 15-20-hour adventure.
Combat Lock-On Flaws: Where the Shield Stumbles
Then you hit combat, and it’s like someone swapped your controller for a brick. Magnustego’s your only weapon, but its attacks feel heavy, like swinging a sledgehammer in quicksand. Enemies zip around, interrupting your slow-motion swings, and the auto-lock-on is a nightmare—half the time, I’m smacking air or the wrong goblin. Mia rage-quit a third-act fight when a mob of beefy foes overwhelmed us, and I can’t blame her. There’s no manual lock-on (c’mon, Twirlbound, borrow from Zelda!) and blocking’s too easy—no stamina, no consequences, just turtle up and whack. Parrying’s a thing, but it’s clunky, and Magnustego’s sassy voice nagging you to block instead of dodge is straight-up annoying. Combat feels tacked-on, dragging down the fun.
Open-World Exploration 2025: A Soundtrack to Save the Day
Clesseia’s world keeps you coming back, even when combat flops. It’s a cartoonish fever dream—think floating islands, glowing collectibles, and puzzle contraptions that scream PS2-era whimsy. I loved gliding to hidden caves, but some side quests, like chasing 50 orbs, felt like busywork. The real MVP? The orchestral soundtrack by Tumult Kollektiv (Pine fame). It’s epic yet cozy, like Super Mario Galaxy meets Kingdom Hearts. I caught Mia humming it while we scoured a ruins puzzle. Bugs—like NPCs freezing mid-step—show Twirlbound’s indie budget, but the world’s charm and music make exploration a blast, even if it’s not Skyrim-level deep.
Story Issues: A Quest That Loses Its Way
The story starts with a banger: you’re a rookie chasing your mentor, bantering with quirky NPCs in a lighthearted romp. But by Act 2, it spirals into a convoluted fantasy mess—think random betrayals and lore dumps that don’t land. I was hyped for Magnustego’s talking gimmick, but it fizzles fast. Mia called the ending “a head-scratcher,” and I nodded; it’s like Twirlbound aimed for Final Fantasy but got lost in the weeds. A tighter, simpler tale would’ve fit this family-friendly vibe better. The story’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a missed shot.
Verdict: The Knightling is a nostalgic indie love letter to PS2 platformers, with stellar traversal and a killer soundtrack that’ll hook you for $30. But clunky combat and a messy story keep it from classic status. If you dig Jak 3 vibes, it’s worth a 15-20-hour spin on PC, PS5, Xbox, or Switch—just brace for some frustration.
Got love for The Knightling’s glide or hate for its combat? Hit the comments and let’s geek out over this indie adventure!
Image Source- store.steampowered.com
