Initially brought back into the spotlight by standout Indie games such as Hollow Knight and Dead Cells, the Metroidvania genre has seen a resurgence, with 2024 being a significant year for the genre with titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ultros, and the latest addition, The Last Case of Benedict Fox - Definitive Edition.

Released in April 2023, The Last Case of Benedict Fox follows the story of an old-time detective delving into a Lovecraftian-inspired mystery within his deceased father's subconscious realms. Despite its ambitious scope, the game's Definitive Edition fails to salvage its shortcomings.

A Disorganized Metroidvania Experience

The game's premise of a detective paired with a mystical entity in a dark investigative journey is intriguing. However, The Last Case of Benedict Fox falters in its execution. The gameplay structure lacks coherence, with essential items randomly scattered, leading to a confusing progression system.

The narrative further hampers the experience with convoluted plotlines and awkward dialogues, exacerbated by subpar voice acting. These issues detract from potential puzzle-solving and quest enjoyment.

Puzzle Potential Hindered by Clunky Mechanics

While The Last Case of Benedict Fox presents challenging puzzles initially, their complexity is overshadowed by cumbersome mechanics. Players encounter obstacles in navigating puzzle menus, particularly during time-sensitive tasks, impeding overall puzzle satisfaction.

Lackluster Combat Dynamics

Despite enhancements in combat mechanisms in the Definitive Edition, combat in The Last Case of Benedict Fox remains lackluster. The weaponry upgrades fail to enhance the combat engagement, with combat encounters relying heavily on unresponsive parrying and repetitive enemy takedowns.

Visuals Stand Out, Audio Falls Short

Visually, The Last Case of Benedict Fox impresses with vibrant aesthetics and detailed environments, though character animations lack depth. Conversely, the audio design is a weak point, with jarring sound effects and a lack of rewarding cues for puzzle accomplishments.

Definitive Edition, Definitively Disappointing

Despite efforts to improve gameplay elements and introduce new features, the Definitive Edition of The Last Case of Benedict Fox falls short in performance, plagued by technical issues even on advanced platforms. The game's ambitious vision is marred by unpolished combat, tedious puzzles, and underwhelming storytelling, failing to stand out in a genre teeming with superior alternatives.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox - Definitive Edition is now accessible on PS5. This review is based on a code provided by the developer.