“Ultros,” a small game released in early March, is perhaps one of the most visually exciting games of the year. The primary selling points of this game are the color palette and art style, which make it feel like a dream. It’s a pleasure to look at, but it’s disappointing to play.

“Ultros” starts off strong. The unnamed player character wakes up on a seemingly abandoned space station overgrown with alien life. Once you get a sword, you fight to the station’s center and face the horror that is about to be born. Then the world resets, and you lose your progress. I don’t have anything against a good time loop mechanic, but starting from square one multiple times in a game that doesn’t always tell you how to play is frustrating, to say the least. I was stuck for over an hour at one point because the game didn’t explain how certain upgrades work.

Unlike other Metroidvania games, “Ultros” doesn’t focus too much on combat. The map is essentially one giant puzzle; the only way to get the “true” ending is to solve it and connect everything together. It’s a fantastic concept, but it takes a lot of time. This game demands a high concentration level and a considerable time commitment relative to the actual length of the game. About halfway into my playthrough, I realized there were multiple endings and what it would take to get the good one. It was a remarkable moment, and it gave me a drive to fully complete the game. Still, then I figured out how meticulously you have to play to achieve the true ending. It would probably be satisfying, but ultimately, unlocking and connecting every part of the map takes a lot of repetitive gameplay and maybe 15-20 time loops when you can get a perfectly fine ending in seven.

I really wanted to like this game. It does enough with its plant-based mechanics and time loops to set itself apart from similar games, but it’s just too repetitive to see through. If you’re a patient gamer or just have a lot of time, give “Ultros” a try.