The game has a nice art style and a solid gameplay loop. It is easy to learn (maybe too easy?) but hard to master. Positive aspects of the game: + art style + interesting combat system which requires the player to focus on stamina management to allow strong combos or prevent incoming damage + lots of weapons to allow different builds Negative aspects: - no story - the progression system feels very grindy - resources to unlock weapons and ability drop sparingly. So if the player wants to unlock everything, it could become a very time-consuming experience - the stage selection does not allow the player to push their runs as far as they can - the rooms become very repetitive very fast - bosses feel very easy and can often be beaten first try - only one 5th curse Neutral aspects: +/- the light system is interesting but becomes more of an inconvenience +/- the soundtrack is ok but not really memorable +/- the curse management, which is supposed to be the game's core mechanic, is very forgettable. Very often, the curses are more of a benefit rather than a hindrance making the runs more challenging _______________ On my first run, I beat the first stage and boss easily and had good gear, but I was forced to return to the temple's main chamber and farm enough blood crystals to unlock the second stage. After unlocking the second stage, the player can start a run to clear it but has to beat the previous stage (and boss) again. While this is the gameplay loop, this forced end, followed by the level repetition, feels like an artificial extension of the game time and becomes more problematic considering the levels are repetitive and the first stages must be beaten at least three times. After 5 hours of game time and having the third stage unlocked my motivation to replay these earlier stages once more is at a low point. I have to replay these stages not because I died (which would be ok). It is because the game makes me do it. (If possible I give the game 2.5 stars)
