Ebenezer and the Invisible World review (PS5)

Ebenezer and the Invisible World, developed by Orbit Studio and published by Play On Worlds, offers a unique twist on the classic Charles Dickens’ tale “A Christmas Carol.” Set in a ghost-ridden 17th century version of London, players take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge as he battles against the malevolent plans of Caspar Malthus, a wealthy industrialist. With the assistance of spectral allies, Ebenezer navigates the city, unravels dark secrets, and ultimately confronts the influence of the Dark Spirit. We played through this interesting take on a holiday classic on a PlayStation 5.

The game’s premise diverges from the traditional narrative we’re all familiar with, instead presenting Ebenezer as a champion of the common people, armed with newfound powers granted by the ghosts he assists. The introduction to the game is dense with cutscenes, immersing players in a detailed, albeit ghostly, rendition of Victorian London. The game excels through its hand-drawn visuals, depicting a world teeming with life and Victorian-era charm, complete with unique character designs and ornate environments. Critics might say it strays a bit too far from the source material, but we rather enjoyed this fresh take on a literary classic.

One of the more original features in Ebenezer and the Invisible World is the ghost collection system, with both traversal and combat-focused ghosts. While the concept is intriguing, the execution falls slightly short. Managing a growing roster of ghosts is fun at first but becomes cumbersome over time, and the combat abilities could benefit from clearer explanations. This leads to a tendency to stick with a few reliable options, missing out on the full potential of the ghostly companions you can choose from.

The movement mechanics, unfortunately, feel a bit stiff for a platformer, hindering the overall pacing of the game. Traversal upgrades like dashing and bouncing suffer from slight delays as well, limiting the sense of empowerment that should accompany a growing character with more and more abilities.

Level design, though visually appealing, could have used a bit more variety in order to make the experience more memorable. Backtracking, a staple in Metroidvanias, is facilitated by spirit train stations, but the gigantic levels and lack of platforming diversity make backtracking feel too straightforward. Boss battles, while visually striking, generally lean towards being spongy adversaries with patterns, rather than offer unique gameplay experiences.

The game’s core concept, however, remains its strongest asset. The idea of Scrooge evolving into a spectral guardian of the city refreshing and adds a unique layer to an otherwise overly familiar tale. The art style, with its hand-drawn precision, evokes the spirit of Dickensian London, immersing players in a visually captivating world.

Unfortunately, technical issues mar the experience at launch. Game-breaking bugs, crashes, and unresponsive controls hindered our gameplay sessions, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. The combat, though solid, also suffers a little from these by imprecise controls, which can lead to frustrating encounters.

In conclusion, Ebenezer and the Invisible World presents a compelling concept with visually stunning execution. However, there are places where it falls short in gameplay mechanics and technical polish. With further refinement and patching, it has the potential to be a standout entry in the Metroidvania genre. For now, it’s a novel festive adventure with room for improvement.

Score: 7.0/10