Permadeath doesn't really work for me. The game is a true roguelike and each death results in having to play from the beginning. Apart from database entries and some crafting options there is no gain from beating all those stages. Time invested in each run is wasted. Procedural generation doesn't really add anything to that as basic functions of items won't change. I suppose that in this case it adds some horror value to each fight. But I don't actually dread the monsters but the fact that I will play even more if I fail. Playing more is a punishment for dying. It's literally Hell. I recognize that it isn't really fair to judge the game based on the stupid limitations of the genre. So it's otherwise fine I guess - made at least competently. Artstyle is consistent and mechanics seem to be working well. I add one star for the production values (and because GOG automatically adds one). Otherwise the rating would be zero as I'm completely unable to enjoy games like that. Permadeath being an OPTION would made this game unimaginably more fun. Purists could still feel rewarded by separate set of achievements for people playing with permadeath on.
