I've just completed what I think is the vast majority of the postgame, and I have to say this game truly is EXCELLENT

It's a visually minimalistic metroidvania with a huge metroid feel (though it quickly fades away to become it's own thing) that keeps building-up and getting better the more you play.

The controls are great and pretty unique thanks to an early upgrade (that I won't spoil). They are smooth, I never felt like I failed something because of some clunkiness.

The exploration feels very lacking at first. You get upgrades, try to explore some alternate paths and soon realize that you simply can't and have to follow the linear path the game showed you earlier. But the more you play the more it opens up, and the sheer amount of content and exploration the post game offers you makes up for it.

The bossfights are great, with fun, varied and fair patterns. There is also a pretty good amount of it for the length of the game (I've played for 19 hours, and even though I'm mostly done, I still think I have some secrets to find). They are not too easy but not that difficult either

The areas are pleasant to explore, the minimalistic visuals are ultimately full of details, and the soundtrack is also pretty good.

Now on to the best part of the game : the post game. Don't let the name fool you : it's not some funny secrets that you can simply skip if you don't feel like searching for it. It's as important a part of the experience as the main game. Stopping just before it is the same, in my opinion, as stopping in the middle of any other game (I easily spent more time finishing the post game that I did finishing the main game). Though I have to say, it might not be for everyone.

It's a very cryptic, and is puzzle-based. You won't be able to solve everything without going through the map over and over again, and having to think for sometimes and hour to finally make some progress. But the puzzles are incredibly well-crafted. It very much ressembles La Mulana (though much easier, doing it without any guide isn't that difficult if you're ready to take all the time it needs), and those who played and liked it will also like ESA. But those that did not might be taken aback and resort to using guides without really trying to solve it. But I would advice to not give in and try as hard as you can, as the feeling you get when you finally manage to progress isn't like anything else. You're also rewarded for solving those puzzles with new areas and fun bossfights.

I feel like this game doesn't get the recognition it deserves, and though I understand it's not a game everyone can enjoy, I still felt like I had to make a post about it in case some people here haven't tried it yet, because you really should !