Before I Go Overview & Gameplay Guide

Short intro

Before I Go is a punishing, dreamlike Metroidvania that mixes intense platforming with unforgiving action in a haunting dark-fantasy world. You play as the embodiment of an inner child, pushed forward through surreal environments where every challenge feels like a test of will—and every victory is earned the hard way.

Story overview (light spoilers)

At its core, Before I Go is an allegorical journey about existence and the acceptance of death. As you descend deeper into its symbolic world, the game frames progress as a kind of emotional passage—moving through fear, hardship, and reflection toward a final, inevitable end. It’s less about a traditional plot twist and more about the mood, meaning, and what you interpret along the way

Gameplay Mechanics (Before I Go)

Before I Go is a punishing Metroidvania / action-platformer built around precision movement, tense combat, and non-linear exploration. You play as a small child-like protagonist in a dreamlike dark-fantasy world, where progression is less about “stats go up” and more about skill, timing, and learning the map.

Metroidvania Exploration and Ability Gating

The world is designed to loop back on itself. You explore branching routes, discover shortcuts, and return to earlier areas once you unlock new abilities that open previously unreachable paths. The satisfaction comes from gradually turning “dead ends” into new routes.

Precision Platforming as the Main Skill Check

Platforming is a major pillar: tight jumps, timing-heavy sequences, and hazard-filled sections that reward patience and clean execution. Movement challenges aren’t just filler between fights—they’re a core part of the game’s identity.

Combat That Punishes Greed

Encounters emphasize spacing, reaction timing, and commitment. You’ll need to pick safe openings, avoid overextending, and stay alert for enemies that pressure you with aggressive patterns. It’s a game that expects you to respect danger, not face-tank it.

Ability Assimilation and Build-like Progression

As you advance, you gain new abilities that change both combat and traversal—adding more options for mobility, survivability, and offensive play. The progression feels like slowly sharpening a toolkit, not just collecting keys.

Checkpoints, Tension, and Risk Management

Like many tough Metroidvanias, the pacing thrives on tension: pushing deeper into unknown territory, deciding when to retreat, and managing your progress between safer points. The game’s challenge is as much psychological as mechanical—confidence is useful, but it can also be a trap.