Posted September 04, 2016
HammerWatch
This game... is hard. Really hard. Without infinite lives you're unlikely to finish it. Not to mention it's filled to the brim with traps, hidden areas, and maps that are way too big and you can't scan or scroll through. Worse most of the time buttons you press that aren't immediately apparent what they do will say something like 'something happened' or 'a passage opened'. You'll be referring to an FAQ, and going through empty hallways you cleared earlier trying to find the elusive spot that opened or just where you are suppose to go next.
HOWEVER, this is also the closest thing I've probably played that's close to a rogue-like without being turn based. It also heavily seems inspired from gauntlet (including a bonus level where you play a gauntlet styled game from the original 8bit arcade/computer games). The game allows various crutches/hindrances you can play the game a little easier. Double damage and x5 mana regen makes it more of an adventure, while 1 life/1hp or shared pool life (for groups) can add up to very difficult play.
Graphics: Pixel art. Timeless. Has a similar feel to the 8x8 sprites used in NES, while I think it's closer to either 12x12 or 16x16, the art is detailed enough yet simple enough at the same time. Everything has enough texture, and atmosphere.
Sound: Perhaps the weakest on the list. The sound is... sufficient. Grunts when you get hit, explosions, shooting lightning from the sorcerer. it sounds... good enough.
Music: Reminiscent of 90's midi files and music, not the early ones but much later, like adlib. Although the expansion has a more orchestral soundtrack mixed with sine and square waves that make it feel like an SNES title.
Story: The original campaign is lackluster. You get separated from your group and... that's it, you try to climb the tower/escape/defeat the bosses.
Mechanics: Basically Gauntlet, except heavily updated. Not quite Twinstick but could be. You can lock yourself in a direction and strafe, or lock yourself in place and spin in place. This is useful a LOT. You start with two abilities, your default and a special. I haven't played all the classes so I don't know what they fully are. However there's 2 additional abilities you can pick up later that you can activate using Mana. Additional abilities includes for Combo (kills within a short period of time), and a single potion you can carry with you to activate.
Annoyances: The mechanics overall is really simple, it's the levels that really stand out. While there are death traps, they are usually clearly marked in the original campaign. In the expansion, well there's plenty of instant death moments.
In Closing. This game isn't about an adventure and having fun. It's about trying your best not to die. The more hardcore and difficult you set it for, the more you have to be super careful, know everything that's everywhere, and take advantage of your strengths and have another player to compensate for your weaknesses. While not quite as salty and stressful as Spelunky, and not nearly as random, this game will still requires patience, and perseverance to get through it.
This game... is hard. Really hard. Without infinite lives you're unlikely to finish it. Not to mention it's filled to the brim with traps, hidden areas, and maps that are way too big and you can't scan or scroll through. Worse most of the time buttons you press that aren't immediately apparent what they do will say something like 'something happened' or 'a passage opened'. You'll be referring to an FAQ, and going through empty hallways you cleared earlier trying to find the elusive spot that opened or just where you are suppose to go next.
HOWEVER, this is also the closest thing I've probably played that's close to a rogue-like without being turn based. It also heavily seems inspired from gauntlet (including a bonus level where you play a gauntlet styled game from the original 8bit arcade/computer games). The game allows various crutches/hindrances you can play the game a little easier. Double damage and x5 mana regen makes it more of an adventure, while 1 life/1hp or shared pool life (for groups) can add up to very difficult play.
Graphics: Pixel art. Timeless. Has a similar feel to the 8x8 sprites used in NES, while I think it's closer to either 12x12 or 16x16, the art is detailed enough yet simple enough at the same time. Everything has enough texture, and atmosphere.
Sound: Perhaps the weakest on the list. The sound is... sufficient. Grunts when you get hit, explosions, shooting lightning from the sorcerer. it sounds... good enough.
Music: Reminiscent of 90's midi files and music, not the early ones but much later, like adlib. Although the expansion has a more orchestral soundtrack mixed with sine and square waves that make it feel like an SNES title.
Story: The original campaign is lackluster. You get separated from your group and... that's it, you try to climb the tower/escape/defeat the bosses.
Mechanics: Basically Gauntlet, except heavily updated. Not quite Twinstick but could be. You can lock yourself in a direction and strafe, or lock yourself in place and spin in place. This is useful a LOT. You start with two abilities, your default and a special. I haven't played all the classes so I don't know what they fully are. However there's 2 additional abilities you can pick up later that you can activate using Mana. Additional abilities includes for Combo (kills within a short period of time), and a single potion you can carry with you to activate.
Annoyances: The mechanics overall is really simple, it's the levels that really stand out. While there are death traps, they are usually clearly marked in the original campaign. In the expansion, well there's plenty of instant death moments.
In Closing. This game isn't about an adventure and having fun. It's about trying your best not to die. The more hardcore and difficult you set it for, the more you have to be super careful, know everything that's everywhere, and take advantage of your strengths and have another player to compensate for your weaknesses. While not quite as salty and stressful as Spelunky, and not nearly as random, this game will still requires patience, and perseverance to get through it.
Post edited September 04, 2016 by rtcvb32