Chronicles of The Wolf
Release Date: Jun 19, 2025
Developer: Migami Games
Publisher: PQube, PixelHeart
Platforms: Playstation 5, Steam, and Nintendo Switch (reviewed for PS5 and Switch)
*Special thanks to PQube for the Review keys*
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this product from https://www.keymailer.co
Intro:
In Chronicles of the Wolf, you take on the role of Mateo Lombardo, the last apprentice of the Rose Cross Order, driven by the real-world legend of the Beast of Gévaudan, a wolf-like terror that plagued southern France between 1764 and 1767. The game sets itself against a backdrop of folklore, mysticism, and gothic horror. From the outset, the game’s visual design impresses: richly detailed pixel art, fluid character animations, and atmospheric lighting heighten the sense of dread as you traverse mist-laden forests, dilapidated castles, and cursed villages. The world animates into a mournful symphony of fading grandeur and quiet terror. This mood is amplified by a haunting soundtrack from Jeffrey Montoya, with a stirring guest track by Óscar Araujo, plus narration by Robert Belgrade, whose voice deepens the game’s connection to gothic heritage.
While the story draws heavily on folklore, its emotional impact is nuanced. NPCs and illustrated cutscenes provide atmosphere and context, but the character moments tend to be brief, offering flavor over depth. Still, the lore-rich setting and mythic underpinnings, such as the Rose Cross and Gévaudan legends, imbue the world with a captivating sense of history turning to nightmare.
Gameplay:
Gameplay unfolds with a cautious, methodical rhythm. Mateo’s movements feel weighty: jumps, attacks, and dodges carry real heft, evoking classic Metroidvania traditions. This deliberate pacing translates into combat that rewards timing and positioning. Weapons like axes, swords, daggers, rifles, and ghostly powers add tactical variety. However, movement is restricted while attacking, making crowd control essential and sometimes slow, occasionally hindering fluidity in action-packed sequences.
Exploration shines as the game’s strongest element. The interconnected map encourages backtracking and discovery, with hidden passages, puzzles, and optional relics imbued with Rose Cross lore. A dynamic day-night cycle alters enemy placements and strengthens the atmosphere, making even familiar areas feel fresh upon return. Boss battles serve as climactic tests of your growing skills. They demand observation, patience, and mastery of Mateo’s moveset, with the villain Bloodless offering a dramatic, cinematic encounter. These showdowns reinforce the game’s thematic ties to gothic lore and narrative progression.
Audio and Visual:
Graphically and audio-wise, the Nintendo Switch transitions between peaceful and menacing environments are seamless, supported by compelling voice work and an evocative, cinematic score. Performance on PS5 remains smooth thanks to DualSense haptics and stable frame rates, while the Switch version excels at bringing pixel drama to a portable format, though hardware limitations may result in occasional dips during intense sequences.
Wrap-up/Conclusion:
In essence, Chronicles of the Wolf is a carefully crafted homage to classic Metroidvania design, offering moody visuals, strategic combat, and puzzle-laden exploration. It appeals most to those who appreciate deliberate pacing and atmospheric storytelling. Combat can feel restrained when you’re contending with faster enemies or densely packed areas, and the story doesn’t always reach emotional peaks, but the world itself is rich with gothic mystery, historical tension, and folklore-infused charm.
Chronicles of the Wolf is a thoughtful, lovingly crafted homage to classic Metroidvanias. It’s not a revolution in design, but it excels at creating mood, exploration, and moments of quiet dread. For those who find satisfaction in deliberate pacing and dark folklore, it will feel like slipping into a familiar, haunting dream. If you’re craving fast-paced combat or swift movement, this might test your patience in places, but the world it builds is worth the slow, measured walk.
Score – 9/10 If you’re drawn to thoughtful, lore-heavy exploration and you don’t mind slowing down to soak in every shadow, this adventure will resonate. If you’re craving relentless action or high-speed combat, it may test your patience, but it rewards with a dark, immersive tale worth savoring. I highly recommend Chronicles of the Wolf.
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this product from https://www.keymailer.co