Constance, an indie Metroidvania, has occupied a special place in my thoughts for almost a year. As the developer joined the excitement surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong, it has bubbled back to the surface of my memory. The recent demo showcased during Steam Next Fest has solidified the promise shown in its trailers: this game is a must-play for November.
Set in a 2D world, Constance invites players to journey through a realm that mirrors the protagonist’s struggles with her mental health. Developer btf delves into themes such as “personal struggles, creativity, work-life balance, and inner purpose.” Thankfully, the game boasts both stunning visuals and captivating audio design. An artistic introspection game with lackluster aesthetics would be rather unfortunate.
While it’s more focused on platforming compared to titles like Hollow Knight or Silksong—drawing comparisons even to Celeste based on some advanced levels shown in trailers—it still includes significant combat and boss encounters. An impressive painterly dodge mechanic feels like it could easily belong in Splatoon. Moreover, the sound design stands out remarkably; I found myself genuinely appreciating the sharp whoosh of the brush weapon slicing through the air and the gratifying bang when it strikes metal surfaces or enemies within the demo environment.
Developer’s Response to Comparisons
This indie Metroidvania, labeled as the “purple Silksong” or “the next game after Silksong,” has faced criticism for leaning heavily on those comparisons. The developer acknowledged this by mentioning, “I’m sorry but this is how the algorithm works,” clarifying that the game has its own unique identity.
Gameplay Mechanics and Progression
The gameplay in Constance feels fantastic right from the start. I navigated under an enemy, splashed into a puddle of paint, and executed high (or low) jumps, followed by a downward paint strike to render foes vulnerable for additional brush assaults. The paint resource powers both special moves and combat actions, and although using it all temporarily puts you at risk, it regenerates swiftly. You’ll be employing paint frequently for not just battles, but also for platforming and puzzle-solving challenges.
Upgrades and Game Depth
Maximizing your paint capacity, in addition to managing your ample health, forms the basis of the Metroidvania-style progression. The demo, enclosed by comical yellow tape to limit player movement, clearly lacks various abilities that will gradually unfold. There are also unique upgrades termed Inspirations that fit into a grid, hinting that higher-level enhancements will occupy more space, thus requiring strategic arrangement—much like Tetris. It’s amusing how that word has evolved into a verb!
Having spent 20 minutes on the Constance demo, I can confirm this isn’t a Steam Next Fest demo I’ll uninstall immediately after completion. I encountered a platforming challenge that ultimately led me to set it aside temporarily to avoid further frustration. Surprisingly, I defeated the final boss—a menacing, aggressive cube—on my first attempt, yet I still have unfinished business with that platforming section.
From the moment I started playing Constance, it felt rewarding, and after just 20 minutes, I was hungry for more. This is likely the best outcome one can hope for from a Steam Next Fest experience. Set for release on November 24, Constance has securely landed in my top three anticipated titles for the month, alongside other notable Metroidvanias like Possessor(s) and Moonlighter 2. Oh, and I just recalled that the tactics RPG Demonschool has been postponed to November, making it my top four picks!