PCGame

The Messenger

Retro 2D ninja platformer that shifts into time-travel exploration

Sabotage · Published by Devolver Digital · Released Aug 30, 2018

ActionIndie

Reviews
Very Positive
92% of 11K
Recent reviews
Very Positive
93% of 65 in 30 days
Players
36
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Verified
Last update on Steam
1 year ago
Oct 3, 2025
Minimum PC
HD 4400
2 GB RAM · 1.2 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 83/100 (critic reviews)

What is The Messenger?

A 2D action platformer about a young ninja carrying a scroll through a cursed world after demons attack his village. You cross platforms, fight enemies and bosses, and gain new abilities. The journey begins with straightforward levels and expands into branching paths and time-travel exploration.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy retro 2D platformers with ninja combat
  • +you like finding hidden routes and unlocking abilities
  • +you prefer games that mix humor with exploration

Not for you if...

  • −you want a platformer that stays linear throughout
  • −you dislike demanding jumps and repeated attempts

What players say

92% of 11,340 reviews are positive · 93% of 65 in the last 30 days

Players praise the responsive movement, soundtrack, and humorous dialogue. The most common complaint is that the later exploration requires tedious backtracking and slows the pace.

Players over time

▼ -41% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 61 players on Oct 18, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202636
Nov 6, 202629
Nov 5, 202624
Nov 4, 202623
Nov 3, 202632
Nov 2, 202636
Nov 1, 202623
Oct 31, 202635
Oct 30, 202630
Oct 29, 202622
Oct 28, 202635
Oct 27, 202639
Oct 26, 202633
Oct 25, 202638
Oct 24, 202649
Oct 23, 202644
Oct 22, 202647
Oct 21, 202642
Oct 20, 202653
Oct 19, 202638
Oct 18, 202661
Oct 17, 202650
Oct 16, 202659
Oct 15, 20260
Oct 14, 202649
Oct 13, 202651
Oct 12, 202642
Oct 11, 202646
Oct 10, 202646
Oct 9, 202647
Oct 8, 202642
Oct 7, 202658
Oct 6, 202646
Oct 5, 202649
Oct 4, 202656
Oct 3, 202642
Oct 2, 202635
Oct 1, 202637
Sep 30, 202630
Sep 29, 202642
Sep 28, 202647
Sep 27, 202642
Sep 26, 202633
Sep 25, 202634
Sep 24, 202630
Sep 23, 202626
Sep 23, 202645
Sep 22, 202635
Sep 21, 202636

How many players finish The Messenger?

30% of Steam players have unlocked «The Fake Ending Was Better», the achievement for finishing the main story.

Share of everyone who owns the game on Steam, including those who barely played it. Updated weekly.

Screenshots and trailer

The Messenger screenshot 1

The Messenger system requirements

Minimum: HD 4400, 2 GB RAM, 1.2 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run The Messenger?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or newer (64 bit)
Processor
Intel core i5-4210 1.7ghz
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 4400
Memory
2 GB RAM
Storage
1200 MB available space

Does The Messenger have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does The Messenger run on Steam Deck?

Verified Yes, Verified by Valve: it works on Steam Deck out of the box.

  • All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
  • Shows Steam Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Full controller support
Platforms
Windows
Achievements
48
Steam features
Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Text only: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian.

Does The Messenger use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 27, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

5 DLC available.

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