Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a dark, tactical, turn-based RPG developed by Unfrozen and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Set in a grim fantasy universe, the game casts players in the role of Iratus, a resurrected necromancer who seeks vengeance and dominion over the living after centuries of imprisonment. Instead of playing a noble hero battling evil, you take on the role of evil itself, guiding legions of undead minions through labyrinthine dungeons in an attempt to reclaim power. With clear influences from titles like Darkest Dungeon, Iratus stands out due to its reverse narrative perspective, deep combat systems, and richly atmospheric world.

The game revolves around assembling and managing a squad of undead creatures—zombies, skeletons, banshees, vampires, and many more—to fight your way through multiple levels of increasingly dangerous enemies. These minions are not merely summoned out of thin air; they are crafted using parts harvested from fallen foes. Each minion type has distinct abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, and the synergies between different classes are central to your success. The combat system is turn-based and heavily reliant on positioning, status effects, and psychological warfare. Some minions specialize in physical damage, others in stress-based attacks that can cause enemies to panic or even die from fear, and some use magical abilities to support or disrupt.

What elevates Iratus beyond its inspirations is the intricate and punishingly tactical nature of its combat. Each battle is a test of planning and adaptation. Players must manage initiative, buffs, debuffs, stress, health, and sanity while considering the order and formation of both friendly and enemy units. Mistakes are not easily forgiven—losing a powerful minion can be devastating, especially given how much effort and rare materials go into crafting and upgrading them. To this end, the game encourages cautious play and meticulous strategy, rewarding those who take the time to understand and master its systems. It can be brutally difficult, especially on higher difficulties, but that challenge is part of what makes each victory so satisfying.

The RPG progression system is equally complex. Both Iratus and his minions level up independently. Iratus has four distinct talent trees—Alchemy, Magic, Ire, and Destruction—each offering various passive and active abilities that significantly alter your approach to combat. Whether you want to bombard enemies with curses, support your minions with buffs, or use alchemical tools to reshape your army, the talent trees offer substantial flexibility. Minions, meanwhile, can be upgraded with better body parts, special items, and skill upgrades that reflect your strategic preferences. The combination of minion customization and Iratus’s abilities makes for a deep and satisfying power curve.

The atmosphere and presentation of Iratus: Lord of the Dead are also worth highlighting. Visually, the game adopts a gothic, hand-painted art style that reinforces its macabre tone. The design of the dungeons, enemies, and especially your undead creations is appropriately grotesque and memorable. The animations are clean and detailed enough to convey impact without being overly flashy. The voice acting, particularly that of Iratus himself—performed with delightfully sinister flair by Stephan Weyte (best known as the voice of Caleb in Blood)—adds a layer of dark humor and villainous charisma to the game. His frequent quips and philosophical musings about death, humanity, and domination give the game an identity that sets it apart from other grimdark RPGs.

The dungeon-crawling structure is organized into multiple levels, each with branching paths, elite enemies, and boss fights. Between battles, you return to your crypt—a central hub where you craft new minions, research upgrades, and manage your resources. The base management portion, while not as expansive as some might expect, adds meaningful depth to the overarching strategy. The pacing is well-balanced, and while some maps can feel lengthy, the variety of encounters, the introduction of new enemy types, and environmental effects keep things engaging throughout. Random events and hidden rooms occasionally pop up, adding risk-reward choices that can dramatically shift your run.

Despite its strengths, Iratus isn’t without flaws. The difficulty, while rewarding for hardcore strategy fans, can be off-putting for casual players or those unfamiliar with unforgiving roguelike mechanics. There is some RNG in enemy behavior, critical hits, and stress effects that can lead to unexpected losses, which may feel frustrating if you’ve heavily invested in a specific build. While the writing and atmosphere are generally strong, the story itself is relatively thin beyond the overarching revenge narrative. Additionally, the game can feel a bit grindy in places, especially if you're trying to maintain a large roster of well-leveled minions.

That said, these shortcomings don’t significantly diminish the overall experience. For fans of tactical RPGs, gothic horror, and methodical planning, Iratus: Lord of the Dead offers a deeply rewarding and challenging alternative to traditional hero-centric games. It’s a title that respects the intelligence of its audience and rewards experimentation, patience, and perseverance. The customization, tactical depth, and presentation combine to create a game that feels both familiar and fresh within its genre.

In conclusion, Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a standout entry in the tactical RPG and roguelike scene, offering a devilishly clever twist on the genre by putting you in the shoes of the villain. With its rich combat systems, robust customization, and darkly charismatic tone, it delivers a complex and rewarding experience for players willing to embrace its strategic demands. Whether you're a fan of Darkest Dungeon or simply looking for a more cerebral and sinister take on dungeon crawling, Iratus is a game that deserves your attention—and your soul.

Rating: 8/10

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