Project Warlock

Seems the hype train reviews has hit this game hard. It's a decent FPS but nowhere near a masterpiece or the second coming of Doom/Wolfenstein in any way. Game controls very well but something is off with the framerate. It feels choppy like 30fps. Perhaps something that can be fixed in a future patch? Music is hit and miss, some good tracks and some dreadful ones that sound like they were created in techno creator. None of the music tracks loop seamlessly, instead they just awkwardly stop and repeat. Level design is very wolfenstein 3d labyrinth like and it might sometimes be frustrating to find where to go next. The RPG element is interesting and works well enough. All in all, it's an ok game but nothing spectacular.

Project Warlock has some very nice looking locations, they have nailed the aesthetic of the game -- the oldstyle billboarding combined with the modern post-processing and lighting effects really makes this game standout. The weapons are fun and satisfying to use, the upgrade system for them is a great addition , allowing the player to customise their weapons to a degree. However, beyond that the game begins to lack some depth -- the game has a stat system which is uninspired. Increase health, melee damage, mana total or how much ammo you can carry. And the perks are just uninteresting at all levels; increase movement speed, when you pick up ammo, pick up more of it, etc. The level designs are lacking; each one involves grabbing keys, opening doors, and get to the exit. The last level of a location being a boss fight. This could work, but the game lacks anything to break up the levels -- you get one tileset for a level, and it doesn't deviate from that theme; there are no standout areas within a singular level. Be it open and spacious or tight and corridors. The enemies have a great design to them, and some transition to a secondary form, which is amazing. But you generally get two types of enemies; cannon fodder or cheap. Many of the enemies die easily, and do little damage. Whilst others use cheap designs to be effective; such as enemies that fire instantly-hitting lasers that cannot be strafed and deal good damage (with no telegraph) or the enemies that fire missiles like a machinegun, splashing damage all over the tight corridors you fight them in, dealing significant damage even on splash damage. Ulitmately, this is a pretty game; it looks good, sounds good, and your weapons feel great. But the game is lacking -- I'm at the end of the third location (Egypt) and the game is already struggling to get me to finish it for the first time... Just rinse & repeat with the same things.

The total absence of save system made me regret this purchase. Restarting over and over again the same levels is not just boring, or frustrating, it's an awful waste of time

This game is devoid of any AI. It is just a bunch of trip wires. You walk into a room to a point where it will set it off and everything comes running at you at once. You run out, stay to the side of the door, and just pick them off as they come running out one by one. Some rooms are larger with a second trip wire, I got bored with it and started fooling around ... like how close can I get to the rocket launching mummy standing directly in front of me before he gets activated. I got to the 3rd world or whatever you want to call it and just got bored with it. I paid full price for this title and regret it, I wouldn't even buy it on sale. Sadly this is a grave mistake by Dev's nowadays. They feel they have to put loads of content in, killer graphics and sound. And to hell with any AI or playability (ya know the stuff that really matters). This is one of those games that could have been a keeper, but the Dev messed that up. Playability people!! Frustratingly hard because the enemy is actively engaging me!! Took me almost a year or more to beat it!! That's what makes a REAL classic, which this in it's current state is not. Sprites are very basic to the point even the enemies always face you (no 8 directional billboard sprites here) , old school Doom and Wolf 3D are still more advanced than this with the illusion of 3D. If I was the Dev I would put it back into early access, fix it up properly, and re-release it. RECODE. Something a retro title couldn't do back in the day. Show ownership! It might be shameful at first but you will get more respect later for it. Hey Dev, play Wolf 3D spear of destiny floor 2. Every time you play they engage you different. The longer you run the game the smarter they get, even loading from a save state. Listening to doors open and close as they position themselves to get you. Constantly checking your 6 so one doesn't' come up behind you and shoot you in the back of the head. It's frustrating...and that's the point, that's a classic.

Project Warlock is a homage to Wolfenstein 3D, Hexen and other old-school shooters. The gameplay is simple, but fun. The levels are kinda short, but there are 60 of them, spread into 5 worlds with different themes. After each chapter (2-3 levels) the game is saved in the workshop, where you can upgrade your arsenal, buy spells and distribute your stats. Yes, there is no quicksave feature, but the game is not difficult (except for a few bosses), and the levels are a few minutes long, so it didn't bother me. The weapons are great, and each has two variants, which turns them into completely different weapons (for example you can upgrade your energy weapon into a railgun OR a rapid fire energy weapon). All looks and feels very cool. The graphics - as expected - is pixelated, but very stylish. The spritework is simply amazing! Only good can be said about the sound effects too - the weapons sound great, and all has that "punch" to them. The music is cool too, and what is more respectable, that every single level has a unique track! That's a lot of music! (The soundtrack is included with the game). The game is not long (I finished it under 6 hours on hard difficulty), but it has great replay value with all the different guns and builds. Personally I didn't use much of the spells, only 3 of them, but it's possible to make a mage build, where you can utilize them, or go melee if you want. I preferred to go guns blazin', so spent the upgrade points on the weapons. The levels are flat, Wolf3D like mazes, but not very complex, so it's hard to get lost. The maps are filled with secret rooms and easter eggs (paying homage to Blood, Duke Nukem, Doom and more). Project Warlock is a fast and fun shooter with stylist visuals and good replay value. Not expensive either, so definitely recommended for any shooter fan.