That was very sweet!
Gameplay was simple, but sometimes simple is better. And it fits the artstyle, as petite as it can be, wich makes Cleo and her snake frienemies very headpatabble <3
I really like the concept of the dark wand, it scratches my love for risky gimmicks, but in execution it felt a little way too tame... Not only the hp cost is extremelly low, but the health pick ups from enemies are way too generous to make it actually feel like it was costing me anything, aside from the final boss where I didn't actually have health pick ups and it actually needed a lot of shots to deal with, there it felt like it was accomplishing it's purpose (Yeah, you let me know on Discord that it's bullets could drop pickups when destroyed, but since that wasn't really a factor on my experience since I didn't end up seeing that happening, I won't take it into account for this review).
However, I think the wand being designed this way did allow for a very fun challenge where I decided to traverse the hot areas without the heatproof upgrade (Wich I didn't know actually existed, but I figured it was safe to assume), and for that I will also praise the level design! It is definitelly a very good metroidvania on that front, with lots of optional stuff and even whole optional upgrades like gliding, wich are never required, and that's what makes it even more metroidvania spirited!
That said, I do not like the existance of upgrades that exist merely as what I call "Key to a door", like the volcanic robes, wich does not add anything to Cleo's arsenal at alll, it's sole purpose is to allow traversing the heat area for another required upgrade.... wich is also essentially another key to a door, since it also only exists to make white barricades breakable by the wands I already have.
Another thing I wish was made differently are the region maps. They are a completely fine, and actually great addition on their own, but I do wish they did not reveal all of the secret areas. Like, I think it's perfectly fine if they reveal the hidden path to something like the Volcanic Robes for example, since they are a "required upgrade" (in theory), but they did not need to show off every other hidden basic stat upgrade, since that defeats their purpose of making you want to actually explore every nook and cranny and be susicious of every slightly different wall.
I did also miss some music honestly... the sounds are cute and fluffy, but being in complete silence on their absence is a little bummer, and I think this also makes the final boss a tad bit anticlimatic since it was also happening over the same silence as the whole rest of the game.
This is a very solid entry overall tho! It felt very simple, but it's also very fun!