Developer: Migami Games Publisher: PQube/Pixelheart Release: 06/19/25 Genre: Action Also on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Simon’s Quest is a game I want to love but I just cannot. As Konami’s first attempt at a metroidvania (unofficially) the game has massive flaws that are hard to overlook. Of course we still played it. When you are child with few new games you will play any piece of garbage for hours. Just saying. Despite its myriad problems many look back on the game fondly. Some of the fans that grew up with the game are now creating titles in its image. The upcoming The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest is one example. Chronicles of the Wolf is a tribute to the 8-bit games of yore and nails its atmosphere and setting. But is also a little too much of a throwback that ignores the genre’s many quality of life improvements. While enjoyable it will get on your nerves.
In the year 1767 the Gevaudan region of France suffers heavy casualties from a large wolf like beast. The deaths become so much that the people are afraid to leave the house. The Rose Cross Order sends a contingent of Knights to deal with this situation. Unfortunately only one survives. As the last surviving member Mateo Lombarde, the order’s newest apprentice, must hunt the beast, both to complete his mission and for revenge.
Chronicles of the Wolf and its similarity to Castlevania, particularly Simon’s Quest and the titles that follow the Metroidvania format is no coincidence. The developer Migami Games cut their teeth with fan games such as Castlevania: the Lecarde Chronicles before creating their own original project in Wallachia: Reign of Dracula. Chronicles of the Wolf is a continuation of that work and a solid action platformer in spite of its occasionally janky design.
Chronicles of the Wolf wears its inspiration on its sleeve. As you explore the French countryside you will visit many towns, speak to villagers and undertake quests, and fight many bosses. The game absolutely nails its aesthetic; from its character designs to its environments Chronicles of the Wolf is the 16-bit Simon’s quest we never received. Even the protagonist Mateo slightly resembles Simon. You might even say it veers a little too closely to that game. The game has just as many obtuse hints and clues that are frustrating to decipher. At least now we have the internet if you are truly clueless.
In other respects it borrows from Symphony of the Night with its extensive weapons and relic system. Just as in that game weapons come in all shapes and sizes. Daggers are quick with short reach. Spiked hammers pack a punch and have extended range to make up for their slowness. And there are even ranged weapons like rifles and guns. There are an army of relics to obtain. Some are generic items like keys and backpacks that increase your item limit. The more interesting relics grant new abilities. There are a ton of these that expand Mateo’s move set significantly. From double jumps to shockwaves and air dashes, the game does an excellent job pacing them out. They introduce new abilities and relics up until its conclusion and then some.
Chronicles of the Wolf has the makings of a classic adventure but there are problems. The game gives little direction which to some extent is the nature of the beast in this genre. But most metroidvania’s at least offer some guidance. You receive vague and obtuse hints and must backtrack extensively. This grows tiresome quickly and is especially bad in the second half of the game. More fast travel options opening up quicker would relieve some of this tedium. Navigation is also tricky as foreground and background elements you can interact with feature little delineation. Outside of the Beast most of the boss battles are laughably bad with simplistic and repetitive patterns. Many of these flaws were present in the developer’s prior works so it is disappointing they did not learn from them.
The flaws I outlined become more pronounced due to the game’s structure. The first third of the game is pretty expansive as you explore the countryside. But the latter half takes place in a castle that rivals Symphony of the Night in size and scope. My aimless wandering intensified here and I often questioned if I was wasting my time. You also must leave to find key items and the sparse fast travel options lead to massive backtracking. Once you finally do open up more locations it is bearable. But that comes toward the end. It is a damn shame the game is annoying as there are multiple endings that require extensive exploration to unlock. There is a lot of post-game content too. But the game remains solid in spite of these flaws but I can see some being turned away.
The game is also old school in its difficulty. Leveling up is slow and resources are few. You have a strict item limit that requires hours of exploration to increase. Until then you will have to make do with little resources in a game rife with cheap hits. Mateo is a sluggish protagonist making weapons like daggers a risky prospect. There is a massive spike in the second half.as enemies hit hard and your armor cannot keep up. Death can and will come suddenly but at least there are a lot of save points. I do not like the many “puzzles” that lead to instant death however. These feel incredibly cheap and unnecessary rather than riveting. The game already has enough vague puzzles, it does not need this nonsense.
In Closing
Chronicles of the Wolf delivers a nostalgia-rich experience that is steeped in atmosphere. It is a blatant homage that shines brightest for genre veterans and Castlevania fans. Just prepare to embrace its old-school quirks and occasional rough edges. I can appreciate their dedication to the games that inspired it. But that does mean it is not the most accessible and does not reach its full potential..
