Twilight Monk Review

Twilight Monk isn't just a game—it's a labor of love. Born from the vivid pages of Trent Kaniuga's long-running comic series, this game feels like a heartfelt evolution of a world that already had depth, soul, and a dedicated fanbase. Developed by Aquatic Moon Games, it takes that graphic novel DNA and weaves it into an indie side-scrolling action adventure that doesn't just pay homage to its source—it amplifies it.

You can practically feel Kaniuga's dual experience in both game design and storytelling as soon as you start playing. Twilight Monk's attention to detail and personal touch are hallmarks of independent games created by people who actually have a narrative to tell. It obviously borrows elements from classic games like Zelda, Castlevania, and Hollow Knight, but it never feels like a ripoff.

Rather, while maintaining the dark fantasy tone of the original comics, it boldly forges its own identity. There's a lot to like here if you enjoy rich, atmospheric Metroidvanias, regardless of whether you've been a fan for a long time or are just getting started. Unfolding like your usual Metroidvania with a contemporary twist, Twilight Monk is both available on PC and Nintendo Switch. 

The surface outlay is detailed enough to intrigue you to explore every nook and cranny of the world, the controls are smooth, and the universe captivates your heart.  It is difficult, to be sure, but it always feels just and satisfying. Everything is deliberate—from how enemies behave to how rewards are placed—making your victories feel earned and satisfying. 

It's the kind of game where wandering off the main path doesn't just lead to more XP, but often to interesting secrets, lore pieces, or new abilities that completely change how you play. From the very first moments, Twilight Monk makes it clear that you're entering a world crafted with care. It doesn't spend hours guiding you through tutorials or spoon-feeding you information. Rather, it immerses you in a gloomy, enigmatic world and lets you navigate it on your own, which is quite pleasant.

You play as Raziel, the titular Twilight Monk and your unlikely hero, thrust into a mission to recover the three powerful Rings of Triskelion before a corrupted monk named Nox unleashes an ancient terror known as the World Eater. The unfolding story is about a world once in perfect balance, tipping towards the dark. It is set in the mystical land of Speria, a place rich in ancient legends; it was a place where monks upheld peace and calm, until their sacred days turned to utter chaos.

The most unique thing is storytelling. The endless cutscenes or the longest dialogue? We don't do that around here. Twilight Monk trusts its world to do the telling. You discover the lore by noticing details in the environment, chatting with NPCs scattered across, and fighting your way into increasingly dangerous territories. Each dungeon has its aesthetic, and one does not match the other. The bosses aren't just villains; they feel like real parts of the lore. The stakes are clear from the beginning, but the game doesn't force it on you.

At the heart of the gameplay is the Phantom Pillar, a weapon that initially appears to be a sword but becomes much more sentimental and performative as the game progresses. It can also serve as a shield, a platform for jumping, a ranged weapon, or even aid in solving puzzles. 

It's designed to have character development alongside you, starting to mean more than just a weapon, but rather a companion. Becoming more essential and powerful as you progress. Early on, you'll use it mostly for basic attacks and defense, but as you collect talismans and unlock new powers, the Phantom Pillar becomes the cornerstone of how you interact with the world.

The game very cleverly blends a top-down overworld for traversing between various biomes and cities with side-scrolling dungeon crawling.  It keeps things interesting by contrasting more serene exploring and side questing with bursts of frenetic action. 

You'll also have access to mystic arts, fueled by a magical resource called Ember, and over two dozen talismans to discover—each of which brings its flair, like extending invincibility frames or amplifying your magical abilities. Progress in Twilight Monk feels very gradual and satisfying. Every upgrade makes you more powerful and unlocks new prospects, sometimes even unlocking entirely new areas of the map or ways to connect with the game world. 

Combat is compact and reactive, creating a perfect balance between being tough and fun in an interactive manner. The bosses aren't just there to be fought with; they each behave a certain way, respectively, so you're constantly learning how you fight. You'll be going a tooth for a tooth against skeleton warriors, elemental creatures, shadowy spirits, and even cursed monks. A single second of not paying attention can easily catch you off guard.

The boss battles are definitely in the limelight. Some are huge, filling up your screen type of beasts, while the others don't look intimidating, but they'll surprise you when it counts. They push your reflexes and your skills to recognize patterns between them.

Regardless of everything, the challenge never feels unfair. It sure is tough, but always beatable if you're calculative enough. Smartly placed save points prevent you from losing too much progress, and most bosses become manageable once you understand their rhythm and attack tells.

Meanwhile, puzzles offer a nice break from combat, often using the Phantom Pillar in creative ways. You might use it to hold down switches, activate magical pathways, or bounce projectiles through tricky angles. It's never overly complicated, but always just engaging enough to keep you thinking.

In terms of Twilight Monk's simplicity, you'll definitely see a certain elegance attached to it. While many modern games bloat their combat with endless mechanics, this one keeps things streamlined but deep. The Phantom Pillar makes fights feel tactical, without bogging you down with unnecessary complexity.

However, certain features may be too much for you if you're used to more contemporary conveniences.  There is no auto-saving feature and no mid-dungeon healing.  At shrines, you will have to manually save, which might be harsh if you're not careful.  However, it appears that these choices were deliberate, evoking the complexity of the classic Metroid or Soulslike games. Fortunately, the experience system helps soften these edges.

Twilight Monk doesn't award experience points for just slashing through enemies, but for more than that. Exploration, completing townside challenges, and hunting specific monsters all feed into your growth. It's a system that quietly nudges you to engage with all aspects of the game world.

Leveling up boosts your damage and, more importantly, restores your health fully. This makes for a subtle yet strategic mechanic—you might find yourself pushing through a tough section just to hit that next level and get a clutch health refill. Grinding is optional but rewarding, and smart players can plan their fights and exploration routes to take full advantage of this system.

If Twilight Monk had nothing else going for it, which isn't the case, its art alone would be worth the price of admission. Its vivid, expressive linework and dreamy, nearly watercolour colour scheme perfectly capture the shift from comic to screen. From spooky marshes to frightening ruins to tranquil monk monasteries, each area of Speria has its distinct visual character. Subtle movements and well-balanced lighting give each area a sense of life.

The character designs are just as striking. Raziel has a distinct appearance that is both heroic and realistic, while the opponents are all animated to fit the comic book style, ranging from silly to hideous.

The user Interface is also commendable because it is clear, simple to use, and elegant without detracting from the activity. Often overlooked, audio design is used by Twilight Monk to subtly improve the whole experience. Depending on your activity, the music changes from a calm atmosphere to a heart-pounding sense of tension. Spells have gratifying whooshes and impacts, and combat sounds have a heavy impact. From distant cries in the dark to wind whistling over ruins, even the small ambient noises add to the atmosphere.

Though it never steals the show, the soundbite always elevates the mood and shows that it was carefully considered. It's good that Twilight Monk isn't here to create something new. Instead, it provides an intimate, exquisitely written journey that seems very personal. It's clear that the creator of this meant to convey a world, not just create a game. The story is rich, the mechanics are tricky but useful when you get the hang of it, and the representation of the world is very warm and cordial, giving a "home" feel to it.

There are tons of enjoyable aspects, regardless of whether you're a fan of the original comic or are completely new to this world. The lore progression speed is ideal, delving into the universe is fruitful, and the difficulty level is the perfect amount. Despite lacking an AAA budget, it possesses something more valuable: vision, passion, and a genuine regard for its players.