DaRmaZat ReSetna, published by Module16 and developed by Today’s Games—formed by industry veterans who previously worked on SCUM, Serious Sam, and League of Legends—was released on January 31, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and PC. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are expected in the first quarter of 2025. The game blends classic Metroidvania elements with a dystopian, machine-dominated world, offering an atmospheric and combat-driven experience.
A World Ruled by Machines
Set in a future where organic life has vanished, ReSetna presents a world where self-aware machines perceive themselves as the rightful inheritors of existence. Players control ReSetna, an advanced combat robot activated by the enigmatic APEX AI to counteract a corrupting digital frequency known as the Signal. This anomaly disrupts robotic minds, leading to chaos and destruction. With the help of her drone companion, IXA, ReSetna traverses decaying landscapes, uncovers hidden truths, and fights to suppress the Signal’s influence.
The narrative unfolds primarily through environmental storytelling, with history revealed through abandoned facilities, malfunctioning AI logs, and cryptic machine interactions. The world feels rich and immersive, though the lack of direct character interactions beyond brief exchanges with remaining functional machines can make the story feel distant at times.
Combat: Balancing Between Challenge and Exploits
ReSetna follows the classic Metroidvania structure—new abilities gradually unlock access to previously unreachable areas. The movement system is fluid, featuring double jumps, dashes, wall jumps, and warps, making exploration both engaging and rewarding. However, the controls can feel slightly awkward in high-pressure combat situations or when trying to execute precise platforming sequences.
Combat revolves around fluid melee and ranged attacks, punctuated by intense boss battles that require skill and patience. The game constantly introduces new enemy types in each biome, ensuring that encounters remain fresh and challenging. Fighting multiple enemies at once—especially airborne adversaries—can feel overwhelming at times. The dodge mechanic is an area where the balance feels off. Since dodging grants an extended invincibility window, it’s possible to avoid many attacks with minimal effort. While this adds fluidity to movement, it also diminishes the intended challenge, as well-timed dodges can trivialize even the most intense encounters. This is particularly noticeable in boss fights, where dodging repeatedly can sometimes feel more effective than engaging in direct combat.
To counterbalance this, the game also offers a parry system, allowing players to deflect enemy attacks with precise timing. Successfully parrying not only negates damage but can also stagger enemies, opening them up for counterattacks. This mechanic provides an alternative playstyle for those who prefer a more skill-based approach, but the real highlight of the combat system is the chip-upgrade mechanic, which works like a Tetris-style inventory management system. Collecting and arranging variously shaped chips on a grid boosts stats and abilities, adding a layer of strategy to character progression. Meanwhile, IXA, the drone companion, provides healing and tactical support.
Atmospheric Design and Soundscapes
ReSetna excels in atmosphere, presenting seven distinct biomes that range from collapsing industrial ruins to sleek, AI-controlled corridors. The art direction captures the sense of decay and isolation in a machine-ruled world, though some character models and animations lack polish compared to top-tier Metroidvanias.
The beautiful soundtrack, composed by Nikola Jeremic, effectively reinforces the game’s post-apocalyptic aesthetic, combining retro synthwave and ambient soundscapes, with mechanical whirs, distorted transmissions, and melancholic melodies.
Conclusion
ReSetna is a solid addition to the Metroidvania genre, offering a unique setting, engaging exploration, and strategic combat customization. Its atmospheric world-building, soundtrack, and chip-upgrade system stand out as some of its strongest aspects. However, the overpowered dodge mechanic can make combat feel less challenging than intended. Despite these minor drawbacks, ReSetna remains an enjoyable and immersive game that will surely please fans of dystopian sci-fi narratives and fluid exploration.
Additional Information
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Today’s Games
Publisher: Module16
Official Website: https://www.tgdevs.com
Relevant links: ReSetna on STEAM
