I adore Pseudoregalia. It is absolutely worth playing.

While there is a bit of plot, it's dressing for the dreamlike level and enemy design. Floating platforms, harmful purple mist, and little egg guys. The gameplay and aesthetics are what this game is about.

Platforming and traversal are very enjoyable. Grabbing ledges helps with ascending and just barely making jumps. The slide you get early gets you through small gaps and helps dodge enemies, but the ability to also do an advanced forward leap with the right inputs is great for sequence breaks and speedrunning. But even casual play will look very stylish with the various upgrades to your moveset from the scattered items.

Pseudoregalia is called a metroidvania by its developer, which I understand. The upgrades and backtracking. Though at the time of this post there is no map in the game. There are upgrades that increase health and attack damage, but there's no RPG system or leveling up. I suppose the generic "action/adventure" description isn't too much better, but it certainly looks more like a Nintendo 64 platformer or collectathon than a Metroid or a Vania.

I say that, but Castlevania 64 is one of the games I'm reminded of. Others of course like Ocarina of Time, due to things like the flat cage textures or the fire sprites. Pseudoregalia has a retro resolution option that blurs the game, making it appear more like an old school game on a CRT. There is also an option to give the main character Sybil pants, if you prefer not to look at her booty all game.

The soundtrack also gives that nostalgic, dreamlike vibe. One or two tracks directly made me think of Symphony of the Night. Even not accounting for nostalgia, I think the songs are great mood setters and great to just listen to.

Wrapping back to exploration, the environments are somewhat varied and fun to go through. I got lost a few times during my playthrough, but I ended up enjoying how quickly I started to traverse familiar rooms. Mastering the movement and getting where I wanted to go... I think. Wait not here, I remember this room.

Just under 7 hours to beat, with nearly all collectibles. A low price point of $6. A great game that's just fun to play. I'll definitely come back for another run or two.

It's a metroidvania because it's got hidden movement techs and sequence breaking innit.

I've still only played the jam version but I was able to get over some of the high jump walls before getting the high jump upgrade through exploiting the air kick.

There are also a number of areas in the game where you are supposed to use the cling ability to progress, but again, it's possible to line it up so you can do multiple air kicks along a single wall.

And in the Empty Bailey where you get the slide upgrade, it's actually possible to traverse some the areas that require the slide with only a neat little trick using the air kick.

I still haven't found anything that really breaks the game yet but I have found things to play with and could be used to experiment with beating the game without all upgrades. I believe this is what the creator means by 3D metroidvania.