Treasures of the Aegean

Just when you think you've seen it all and know it all, out of nowhere comes a Catalan studio that puts together a combination of genres so finely crafted that it leaves you speechless. Treasures of the Aegean might look like a metroidvania at first glance, but exploration is not tied to upgrades. All that you need is the ability to run as fast as you can and make your brain work just as quickly, because the sea is about the claim the island of Santorini once again.

There’s a lot to take in and comprehend when you first start Treasures of the Aegean. It’s never frustrating or off putting, though. In fact, with every new run (whether it was successful or not), I found myself just wanting to know more about the lore of this mysterious ancient city and what exactly the time loop was all about. For lore buffs, puzzle solvers, and platforming fans, Treasures of the Aegean is right up your alley.

The word ‘masterpiece’ gets rolled out too often, and - thanks to some bugs and navigation issues - Treasures of the Aegean doesn’t quite earn that laurel. But we have no qualms with calling it a series of masterclasses. It has mastered the slick platformer, bringing a Mirror’s Edge flow to the pages of a Tintin comic. It has mastered the Metroidvania, by getting rid of all the obstructions and opting instead for a fifteen-minute time loop.