RecommendedSteam player
Big review incoming, so I will highlight the main information at the top. Is it worth it? Yes Is it hard? Absolutely unforgiving Is it fun? Completely. I spent more time than I should have just on the demo Is it perfect? No, a few bugs, needs balancing and other gameplay improvements Is it dark and hard to see? Yes, and that is a GOOD thing. I think it's one of the game's core elements. It's hard to see because that's exactly how it should feel in a dungeon with no windows and no sense of direction. Without a lantern, you can only see a faint spark in the middle of pure darkness. Is it worth following its development? Yes — if you want to wait before buying, I'd recommend keeping an eye on it to see how it evolves. Why did I buy it? It gave me a genuinely fun experience, and I see enormous potential here if the developers continue putting effort and love into it. Important note: This is an early access game from a small team. There's no way to know how long it will take to reach a full release or when the next update is planned. I didn't look into those details, this is purely my personal experience, coming from someone who is extremely reluctant to buy early access games. Full review below. When you enter the game for the first time, you die. And fast. The hardcore experience is completely genuine. It's frustrating and addicting, which I loved. As you keep progressing, you realize that monsters are not your only problem — your own greed and curiosity can also be your enemies. Venturing into a new area or grabbing more items can be rewarding, it can end your entire run, or it can simply be a waste of precious resources. Combat is still a bit rough around the edges. Once you learn monster patterns, which are limited and fairly easy to read when you pay attention, things become more manageable. Your attack options remain the same throughout: swing once, swing twice, block, shoot, throw, and counter (warrior only). After many runs, it starts to feel repetitive. That said, learning the timing and discovering small tricks to handle the relentless enemy encounters is genuinely satisfying. The main area for improvement here is adding new variations and possibilities for both the player and the monsters. Loot and items are another significant area that needs work. There are few weapons, and they don't differ much from one another beyond some special status effects like bleeding, reduced constitution, strength debuffs, and similar bonuses alongside the usual damage, block, and defense stats. For example, you might pick up a new, visually impressive sword that deals more damage, but it uses the exact same attack animation you've seen a thousand times. Armor follows the same pattern: just find the best defense you can carry and move on. Exploration is where the game truly shines. The map layout is always the same, with some randomization in secret passages, but the oppressive atmosphere keeps things tense. Enemies lurk in corners waiting to ambush you the moment you walk past, or close in when you're distracted looting a chest, only for something horrifying to emerge from the shadows. It's absolutely thrilling. The darkness is real darkness: without a lantern or a strong memory, you will die to something eventually. The resource management system is also a standout feature. Moving while over-encumbered makes combat a painful struggle, forcing you to find a safe spot to drop items or leave things behind and mentally note where they are for later. For me, this tension is the heart of the game, and it does it remarkably well. Bugs are present and worth mentioning. There are movement bugs, sometimes mid-fight you'll suddenly start flying across the room like a super hero. You can also get stuck in animations: aiming the crossbow, raising your shield, drinking a potion, or clipping into an enemy and spinning uncontrollably. This game is far from bug-free, and those bugs will kill you at the worst possible moments. Class balance needs significant attention. Playing as a Warrior makes the game noticeably easier, while the Hunter feels like a drug addict on bolt drops, you're constantly scrambling just to use your main weapon. The Thief rarely gets to lean into stealth mechanics because fighting enemies head-on is almost always the better option. Each class already has a clear and interesting identity, but they lack the resources, skill synergies, and tools needed to make each playstyle feel equally effective. The Warrior may simply be overtuned. The Blacksmith, essentially a Warrior who prefers a crowbar, suffers less from class design and more from the overall lack of item and combat variety in the game. That's my review. I genuinely hope this game reaches its full potential.Show moreShow less
6.7 hours at review65 people found this helpful
Written during Early Access