In spite of being somewhat marred by inconsistent hit-detection, finicky edges, attack cancels, state-changes and animation for either player character and monsters - resulting in frequent and extremely punishing unrecoverable mistakes from pixel-wide miscalculations. Where in the end the game sometimes only lets you succeed by tiring out the game's attempts to murder you, rather than by careful use of the dodging, flying and calculated attack mechanics. In spite of that, Way of Red has a very good approach to a puzzle-like level-design, in the sense that you navigate freely between battles and climbing as you wish. Many of the most difficult fights are for example set up so they are probably not possible to win without taking damage - but you could dodge the attacks, jump past and proceed through the level unscathed. Making the challenge often to choose when to attack, and when to dive, take cover, and simply move on. And this is what makes this game refreshing, in spite of it's torturous difficulty, That there's simply a flow to the game that, for all it's frequent stumbling, makes it both entertaining as well as thoughtful. Which, as it happens, also could be said about the game's narrative and writing. Score: Make more games, lone developer guy!
He went alone and traveled far to find out where the monsters are turning every single stone and sifting every grain of sand for he's a very meticulous man a meticulous man is Victor Vran. He'll scoff at any demon brat they cannot match his classic hat he will never take it off even if it reeks like damn for he is a very lonely man a lonely man is Victor Vran He'll drink you underneath the table his tolerance is that of a fable Fill the seidel to the brink and keep it going till you drown all your problems like a man he has some problems, Victor Vran But wobbly Victor strides ahead to fight just like the visions said and vomits hard but very nobly only like a princeling can for he is a very noble man a noble man is Victor Vran. To face your demons can be hard when playing fate with a lousy card so roll instead for a relic'ed mace until all of your gold has ran and you've become a damned poor man A damned poor man is Victor Vran. But resolve is what of Victor's rich stumbling groaning from a ditch with a death-defying scowl to carry out his daring plan for Victor is a gambling man A gambling man, is Victor Vran. Beware: all of the demon horde here comes your hunter demon lord he'll kick you like a foaling mare and grind you to a pulpish bran for he's a very vicious man A vicious man is Victor Vran. A toast to hunter Vicky's name a name gives no one any shame neither does a drunken boast or being kicked down on your fan for he is a proud and daring man Proud and daring is Victor Vran.
In the way that the World of Darkness table-top game rules has a certain appeal to role-playing gamers who don't really like role-playing games, Redemption is a game that perhaps appeals most to gamers who don't particularly like video-games. Although the game itself is good enough, with it's pausable rpg-mechanics mingled with action-style gameplay, presented quite well with Nihilistic's NOD engine - the appeal of Redemption essentially lies in the story-telling. From the introduction in the manual when it comes to the main protagonist's fanatical personal faith and quest for salvation under the Church in the war against the heathens. That then flows into where the game starts in Prague, and the lead up to Christoph's fall from Grace. And on throughout the ages to the promised redemption (if the player so chooses to seek it). It is all such an artful introduction to the politics and the vampiric clans of the World of Darkness, that Redemption actually stands as perhaps the most interesting entry-point into the World of Darkness that was ever written. Whether it is from the perspective of introducing the fairly modest background of one of the second generation vampires, that would eventually become a supremely powerful being (that is, originally young love-sick Christoph, fallen holy warrior). Or if it is from easing the reader/player into the philosophy that guides the different vampire clans, Redemption is written with a kind of care for it's potential audience that White Wolf never had. Meanwhile, even if the overall story-line is quite linear, it is also worth noting that Nihilistic used the opportunities for interactive story-telling in this game quite well. As there are certain choices you can make throughout the game that essentially is a way to test poor Christoph's sense of morality without the Holy Church's guidance binding him. Overall, a memorable game that every gamer should play. And that every designer of videogames could learn much from.
