Combat feels more shallow and some strategies seem forced (like tanking with the bone golem) because of the cheap amount of damage late game enemies deal. The biggest difference is the playthrough length, which is way shorter for Iratus since it can be completed in 3-5 hours. Art and sound, while decent, are also inferior to DD. It can keep you entertained for a dozen hours but definitely isn't comparable to the real deal.
Go in with low expectations. Something about the mechanics in this game feels way off, like they are too simplistic to create the tactical challenge that one would seek in a game like this. On the surface it seems like it replicates "darkest dungeon"'s dungeon navigation (which is very bare bones) with an xcom like combat but with 1/4 of the complexity. Dungeons and battle rooms have simple layouts and are randomly generated. There is no cover system and no chance-to-hit, range being the only limiting factor. There is almost no way to reliably avoid being hit so the game relies heavily on healing items. Enemies look goofy and cartoony contrasting the apparently brooding and dark tone of the game. It looks like there is a pseudo-storyline that I think maybe could be interesting only for diehard 40k fans. I dropped it after 12 hours of gameplay but it had already ceased to be interesting since it failed to add anything different from the 2nd hour of gameplay. OST stands out, check it out on youtube.
For me this game belongs in the same tier as subnautica and return of the obra dinn. It's one of those games that makes me wish i was able to wipe my memory to play it again. It's an almost sandbox puzzle-detective game where you have to solve a mistery in a small roman town stuck in a time loop à-la groundhog day. It also delves into philosophical themes. I won't say any more because this needs to be a completely blind experience. I also loved the characters, they are each likable in their own way and make it easy to want to help them out. The OST is spectacular too. Game mechanics are fresh and well thought out and make clever use of the time loop. The most important aspect of the game is that it leaves the player complete freedom to play around with them and experiment without handholding, which is rare in today's market. Recommended at full price, don't miss out on this.
