Recent reviews by TheExistentialNerd

Been waiting on this for a bit now since the NextFest demo. Overall it is a fun experience with the easy difficulty being...well, easy. Normal feels more in line with what you expect most of these style of titles are like, but doable. My next step is figuring out which character is my favorite, and run with them. I do hope there is more to come. This is a fantastic foundation.

I am barely into the game, and I barely care about it. There is no lore or backstory to kick your character off. They have a meaningless intro with some flash points and images that are intended to feel significant, but without any context makes it pointless. Controls are fine. The overall visuals are okay, but boring. If we were presented with some pixel art style to it all, it would help give it all some character. Music is fine. Sound effects are okay. However, not sure if it is my settings or the game, but it all sounds a bit loud. Not a good loud either. I wouldn't label this as a "souls-like", but it definitely has roots in metroidvania mechanics.

IF you are looking for a decent indie metroidvania, and could care less about story, plot, or lore. Then you are going to do well at the price it is at. If you want the story, plot, and lore...look else where.

This is a simple dungeon crawler. However, don't let that deter you. It has this quaint style that gives it that old school play that you would have had on the 8 bit PCs of the 80's. The leveling mechanic is a nice twist where all the members of your party are just basic nomads. Where you put your skill points that you earn during leveling up determines each characters class. Considering that it appears you could maybe take a character in different directions later, it adds some flexibility.

I personally find this as one of those titles in my collection that I can play in spurts. Each spurt feels rewarding, and doesn't feel like I am forced to continue until the level says I can leave.

My ONE critique would having the overall images and UI fill out the screen more. Being that this is a solo developed title, I will not be disappointed that it isn't implemented.

As for the AI content. Meh. At the prices it is, I don't care.

I can not recommend at this time. The price is good, but what holds it back? First, it is slow. The mouse doesn't feel snappy enough regardless of how high you set sensitivity, action is mid, enemies just stand around waiting for you. It is a good looking game with a lot of ideas that are fun. I just am not feeling it click here.

It's...a throwback, as intended. However, it just doesn't hold the same charm that playing Unreal Tournament or Quake 3 Arena have. Overall the controls are simple and intuitive. Deaths and misses are due to skill, and not bad controls or delays. Sounds are fine, if not just generic. Visually it is as I said, throwback to the late 90s to early 00s. Just lacks the charm of nostalgia I suppose. The changing arena is a nice idea, and adds an element of memorizing layouts as you progress. I recommend this on the premises that it plays well, it isn't a bugged mess, and it does exactly as it set out to do.

Action Roguelikes are a popular genre, however it is easy to get lost in the sauce. Meaning that a new entry needs to offer something interesting and different. Heretical does that with how you progress with each run and strengthening your character(s). You run across new characters to add to your list to use on future runs. Your kept skills that you acquire as "prophecies". These fulfilled prophecies will strength you on each and every future run. Visuals have that PSX/Saturn-esque look it, and that just makes it that much more charming. One thing that stands out to me is how this title reminds me of the Gauntlet Legends and Dark Legacy. So there is a little built in nostalgia to the title as a bonus.

Let me return to this review. I was harsh. Should I have been? Perhaps not. As this is an EA title, there is a LOT of room, and time, to improve. Let me change my stance from "Buyer Be...Aware". I am going to attempt to keep up on this one, as I feel it is my responsibility to ensure a fair review later. I still can not recommended at this time do to the issues, but if you feel the desire to help the developer with constructive criticism, that would be a helpful. I am sure.

**Previous, and unfair, review**

DO NOT BUY. Intuitive controls, NO tutorial, No information on building/constuction, annoying radio buddy, Just an overall terrible game that does not do any of the things it sets out to do well at all.

Well, everything after this is true, what changes is I feel cheated as the game barely was around and is already being delisted and no longer supported. DO NOT PURCHASE. It is certain that this game willl no longer function afterit is down. Also, there is no refund for many of us that purchased it for the Dark and Darker alternative that it was.

---original review below---

A tad bit early for a review, but I feel confident in recommending this game. The developers akin it more towards Lethal Company, and other such titles. I would even compare it to Dark and Darker without the PvP. Why? This is LITTERALLY a mode I was wanting to see inside of Dark and Darker. The fact that we have a developer stepping up to give us that experience makes me happy.

So, some things about this game. You are not a glass cannon. You aren't even a cannon. You are glass. Which as a scavenger that comes in AFTER the actual heroes cleared the dungeon...it feels appropriate. Thankfully, you can run away from monsters that want to eat you. The monsters only seem to give chase a short distance making it feel that the dungeon is clearable. You will find weapons, but don't get to brave. They only do so much for you, and that isn't a lot.

Great with others (which I haven't had that experience yet), but doable in Solo mode.

What a step back to nostalgia. The simplicity is deceiving, but it is a rewarding experience. Well worth the trip into the grandfather of the "Roguelike/lite" genre. At $3 US, you aren't investing a lot to experience a little history.

You fish alone. You fish with friends. You fish with strangers. You fish in the sunny weather. You fish in the rain. You fish on a river. You fish on a lake. You fish on a pond. You fish on the ocean. You fish. And best of all, it is so chill. No stress. Just chill fishing.