Chronicles of the Wolf, developed by Migami Games and published by PQube, is a gothic action platformer that proudly wears its Castlevania influences on its bloodstained sleeves. From its grim European setting to its intricate map design and precise combat, the game offers a retro-styled metroidvania experience steeped in lore, with enough challenge and personality to satisfy fans of the genre. While it succeeds in crafting a richly atmospheric world and an engaging narrative hook, it doesn’t always manage to refine its mechanics to match its ambitions, but still offers a must-play experience for fans of the genre.
You take on the role of Mateo Lombardo, a warrior monk chasing down the infamous Beast of Gévaudan – a real-world legend now reimagined with supernatural flair. The story unfolds through richly drawn cutscenes and voiced dialogue, including a moody narration by Robert Belgrade that instantly evokes nostalgia for players of classic gothic adventure games. The premise is immediately gripping, blending historical mysticism with dark fantasy tropes, and it’s bolstered by a confident art direction that leans heavily into the late-16-bit aesthetics that we associate with some of the best Castlevania games ever made.
The world design follows classic metroidvania principles, with interconnected regions that slowly open up as new abilities are acquired. Forests, ruins, catacombs and cursed villages all play host to enemies and environmental hazards, and exploration rewards careful players with secrets, lore, and upgrades. However, not all areas are equally balanced. Some late-game sections suffer from an over-reliance on narrow platforms and enemy spam, occasionally making exploration feel more punishing than rewarding.
Combat is fast-paced and weighty, with a solid range of weapons and skills to unlock as the game progresses. There’s a sense of impact in every strike, and special attention has been given to boss fights, which are often screen-filling, intense, and require pattern recognition and timing rather than brute force. That said, the controls – while generally responsive – aren’t always as tight as they need to be. Jumping can feel slightly stiff at times, which can lead to frustration in platform-heavy sections, especially when paired with some aggressive enemy placement.
Visually, Chronicles of the Wolf is a strong throwback, with pixel art that manages to convey both gloom and grandeur. The illustrated cutscenes are particularly impressive, adding a cinematic touch that gives major story beats real weight. The inclusion of Bloodless as a guest character – a clear nod to fans of other gothic action titles – is handled well and adds to the game’s interconnected universe. The soundtrack, with compositions by Jeffrey Montoya and a memorable guest track by Oscar Araujo, further enriches the experience with haunting melodies and orchestral tension.
While it checks many of the right boxes for a metroidvania, the game isn’t without its rough edges. Load times between areas can be noticeably long on the PlayStation 5, which feels out of place in an otherwise brisk experience. There are also occasional bugs, such as visual stutters or NPCs that fail to trigger dialogue properly, though none are game-breaking. The map system also could use more clarity – it lacks helpful markers or fast travel options that would ease backtracking, especially late in the campaign when revisiting old areas becomes necessary.
Ultimately, Chronicles of the Wolf is a well-crafted love letter to gothic metroidvanias that offers a compelling world and satisfying challenge. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, and its occasional difficulty spikes and technical hiccups may put off more casual players. But for those seeking a dark, lore-heavy platformer that rewards persistence and exploration, Mateo’s hunt for the Beast makes for a memorable – if sometimes unforgiving – journey well worth taking.
Score: 8.2/10
Press Play Media 