K.O.L.M.

I don't know why I like this game so much. It's always been my favorite flash game and, frankly, one of my favorite games ever. This was the first Metroidvania-type game I ever played, so that's probably part of it. In addition to that I was a bit younger when I initially played this and it was somewhat darker than what I was used to at the time. K.O.L.M was an introduction to a darker and more emotive genre of game and I think that's a big part of what made it have such an impact on me at the time. It's been a while since I played it but even now, years later, I remember K.O.L.M.

The gameplay is fun - you have to guide your robot to regain all your lost parts. You do this through platforming and puzzling your way through. The main selling point is the atmosphere, though. It's very subdued and melancholy. It takes the downcast overtones that Super Metroid has and turns them up even higher. This is assisted by the story - which is centered around your character trying to please "Mother" while slowly learning more about the world you've been thrust into. There's aspects of the story and setting that remind me of Portal 2's industrial wasteland, but K.O.L.M is definitely unique. No other game has really scratched that itch for me.

I ended up playing a lot of Antony Lavelle's games throughout the years. A sequel was made, and there was intended to be a third game to conclude the story, but it never happened. The kick starter fell short and Lavelle ended up moving on, it seems. I'd still love to see it happen to this day but I'm afraid it's just not meant to be. If I had the money I'd bankroll development myself.