Ultros
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Ultros Trailers
Ultros - Himsa Ahimsa Escalation Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Ultros - Narrated Gameplay Preview | PS5 & PS4 Games
Ultros - Release Date Announcement Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Critic Reviews for Ultros
Psychedelic stylings accompany a game of transformation and discovery.
Ultros is easy enough that you rarely have to fully engage with its most interesting mechanics, and its writing struggles to effectively convey its lofty ideals. But the lines still connect together at the end, turning this metroidvania into a beautiful, circular experience of presence and balance. It’s a game that wants you to see the world differently when you finish it, and the way everything is connected. If nothing else, what other game lets you take a stroll through an umbilical cord?
"Just when you thought Ultros couldn't get any more outlandish, it has its own gardening system."
Sometimes visuals are enough to carry a game and they certainly take Ultros far, although mediocre combat and some jankiness slightly undermines the unique vision.
Ultros' experimentation with elements from both roguelites and metroidvanias creates an enthralling combination accentuated by a captivating setting.
Ultros is a true labour of love that has a lot to say about the balance between violence and peace, and exploitation and environmentalism, themes which are incredibly important and too often ignored in games. On the flipside, this theme sometimes feels at odds with the basic game mechanics and can lead to early frustration. The game is quite clear that the first ending is a bad one as it relies on violent encounters but I couldn’t justify the investment of time and energy to continue past this to complete the more acceptable approach. In a way, this feels appropriate to me as it demonstrates why true change is so difficult to achieve in wider environmental terms. So, I guess the gap between the message and the mechanics here is not as wide as I initially thought.
With a gameplay approach that is as psychedelic, disconcerting, and unique as its visual style, Ultros is a constant stimulus for the senses. If you value originality and like different games, don't hesitate to give it a try.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ultros is a kaleidoscope game. It takes a handful of ordinary things, shakes them up and sticks the pieces together, and then spins it all around. It's just a different version of what we've seen dozens of times before, sure. But it feels special, and it sure does look good.
