The world of Slavic Mythology is fairly untapped when it comes to video games, not to mention the world at large for the most part.

So Catmaze has a fairly unique setting; it feels like a fairy tale, which is a breath of fresh air for a Metroidvania-style experience.

Teen witch Alesta is searching for a cure for her mother’s illness – and when events take a dark, more mystical turn, it’s up to Alesta to save the day.

After a fairly slow start, Catmaze becomes a big, sprawling adventure crawling with enemies, new abilities to unlock and plenty of bosses to defeat.

Though the large game world can sometimes be a bit of a pain to navigate – and there could definitely be a bit more assistance given in that respect by the map screen – it’s absolutely worth persevering through Catmaze, as it has an excellent story with some great side missions.

If you are a fan of Metroidvania games, Catmaze is definitely one that feels unique, even in the ever-growing pantheon of indie games that are in the same genre. It’s not a game for those who like their hands held over the entirety of a game, but it’s a rewarding experience for those gamers who don’t shy away from a bit of a challenge.

Catmaze is out now on Switch (version played), PS4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. Many thanks to PR Hound for providing me with a code for review purposes.