SINNER: Sacrifice for Redemption
Maaaaate, such a great game! 💕💕💕.
Summarised:
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Great combat mechanics;
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Varied and creative bosses (no two bosses are even slightly similar);
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Sooo immersive and pretty 😍;
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Fitting soundtrack and delightful sound design;
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Quite cookie-cutter story (though still well realised);
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Almost inexistent character customisation.
Full:
As I said earlier, this game… Mate, this game is quite a banger Hahaha. The combat feels so responsive with wonderful animations and all the features u would expect from a souls-like (parry, dodge, timed lock, etc etc) and quite material as well, the sound effects - especially of hitting enemies - truly make you feel that your weapons are made of metal and are cutting through the enemies' flesh or their armour. Speaking of which, u can really tell how passionate and familiar with the genre the devs are by just looking at the bosses themselves, each one has a special mechanich or “quirk” so to speak and - supposing u face them in the same order as me, from left to right at the hub - their difficulty progresses quite nicely: First u’ll be facing some more standar “quirks” alla environnemental hazzards or multi-staged bosses but it soon progresses into more troubling ones such as odd attack timing or spawns - I’m intentionally vague this one so to not spoil the surprise for u 😝 -. The game is constantly pushing new ideas before u and every fight feels so exciting.
– Real player with 14.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Horror Hack and Slash Games.
So, let me start by saying I really, really enjoyed this game; I thought it was worth saying this outright because I’m likely to end up saying more in the way of negatives, but that’s purely because the positives can be summed up so neatly.
The game does exactly what it says on the tin, and is exactly what I hoped it would be; a series of Dark Souls style boss fights in which you take on a new debuff before each fight.
It’s challenging in exactly the right way, it has good design for the bosses (which are all unique enough that no two encounters feel the same) and the combat is satisfying.
– Real player with 8.5 hrs in game
Perennial Order
Perennial Order is a 2D plant horror boss rush, set in an atmospheric Dark Age world plagued by nature-infested horrors.
Explore a mysterious world alone or with a friend, uncover a story through unusual NPC’s, and cut down terrifying eldritch bosses, all in a painterly 2D style.
David vs. Goliath Combat
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Uncover a unique boss around every corner that will test you in different ways.
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Intense combat that utilizes twin stick melee controls.
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One-Hit-Death. Respawn directly at the beginning of an encounter to learn quickly from your actions; spend your time fighting rather than walking.
Captivating 2D Style
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A painterly 2D art style with a dark fantasy inspiration.
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Themes and visuals akin to the world designs of titles like Dark Souls and Princess Mononoke.
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Painstakingly crafted by 1 artist and 1 animator. We are developing the visual identity of Perennial Order through realistic, painterly techniques combined with 2D Spine animation.
Plagued by Nature
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Immerse yourself in a dreary land where unspeakable horrors roam.
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Discover Unusual NPCs and unravel more about this mysteriously beautiful world.
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Explore a rich atmosphere through sounds and score, with musical themes distinct to each boss.
Bonded Journey
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Experience the entirety of Perennial Order from start to finish with a friend.
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Start a file with another person, so your playthrough is linked.
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Local and Online Co-Op.
Key Features
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Unique Bosses | Different mechanics to adapt to. Lovecraftian and terrifying battles.
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One-Hit-Death | Every combat choice matters. Yeah
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Limited UI | Nothing to clog up the screen to add to the atmosphere.
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Intriguing NPCs and World | A world worth exploring.
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Weather System | Reactive environment to changing weather.
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Online and Local Co-Op | Bonded Journey mode. 2 player adventure.
We like to describe Perennial Order as Hollow Knight meets Titan Souls.
Where we are capturing the beautifully dark atmosphere mixed with the Boss Rush style gameplay.
Developed by Gardenfiend Games
James Markiewicz | Programming
Vincent Van Hoof | Art
Miguel Félix | Animation
Julian Crowhurst | Music / Audio
Read More: Best Horror Atmospheric Games.
The Guise
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Review by Gaming Masterpieces - The greatest games of all time on Steam.
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Is this game a masterpiece? The Guise is a new Metroidvania from Russia with a little boy who is stuck in the body of a monster as the main character. The whole thing is presented in a visual design that reminds me of kindergarten drawings. Or drawings of inmates from the madhouse. Somehow creepy. Could be interesting.
– Real player with 10.7 hrs in game
Read More: Best Horror Metroidvania Games.
The game freezes a lot. I do not know if this game was rushed in order for this to be released. I am forced to exit the game when it freezes. and one of the quest is on an endless loop wherein you will need to kill all the mice on room in and endless loop. In order for me to recommend this game, I ask for the developer to release a patch to fix all the issues.
– Real player with 9.9 hrs in game
Liquidators
Never in my whole life have I been more terrified within the realms of a video game.
I believe a large portion of that comes from my intense phobia of nuclear power plants, but there’s also a huge variety of aspects this game nails in terms of horror. As someone experienced with music composition and production, the first thing I want to point out is the absolutely stellar sound design. Low, abstract drones bounce off of each wall, and you know it’s coming from… somewhere. But you don’t know where.
– Real player with 18.4 hrs in game
It’s a short but tense 3D exploration and interaction game, it happens in several rooms inside a nuclear plant. The story is based on an important fragment of the actual event Chernobyl Disaster.
- Graphics
Old story in 1986, then not the modern HD style. If you don’t accept pixel things, go to Settings- Video- Filter Strength, turn it Low or None.
- Music
Radiation detector sound and background noise in plant. No intentional extra sfx.
- Gameplay
1. There might be some bugs under fixing, but it doesn’t influence the experience if you like this kind of game. The developers are active in the pinned discussion so just ask.
– Real player with 6.5 hrs in game
Undead Pixel Monks Adventure
Fight dangerous and terrifying enemies, explore a dreamlike world, interact with its strange inhabitants, and uncover the truth. Undead Pixel Monks Adventure is a 2D action-adventure game set in a fantasy world inspired by Japanese mythology and philosophy.
Welcome to Mushin Monastery. Deeply respectable monks once lived here. I expected they would enter Nirvana after their physical deaths, but it does not look like they found peace.
Their bodies still roam this place today. What’s worse, something is stirring in the caves under the mountain. I fear that even the ancient mummified monks have started moving.
These creatures are mostly driven by instinct. But in the case of these monks, they had so much self-discipline in life that their old daily habits are still ingrained now. I believe that’s why they still light the lanterns at night and sit in the meditation posture.
Don’t underestimate them. They’re skilled fighters.
Chernobyl inferno
After the disaster at Chernobyl Atomic Power Station, many locals hid from radiation in underground shelters, canalization, houses basements and other underground units. They had been living underground for several years being afraid to go out. In some years radiation got through the ground, people started to mutate, chaos under the ground had begun. As a result of the mutation, some people became aggressive and started to hunt other people. After 30 years one boy called Jack penetrated Chernobyl territory to film a video and make some photos. When he entered the old house, the floor under his feet collapsed and he fell into the sewers of the very dungeon in which the mutated inhabitants of Chernobyl lived. He managed to send you a message asking for help, after which he never got back in touch. Your main goal is to find your brother, who got lost in the catacombs of Chernobyl.
Malebolgia
Soft sprinklings of piano overwhelmed by the haziness of a roaring snowstorm, a melancholy scene of blurry white as our protagonist sits listening under the dome of an ancient structure. As we enter into this hellish palace however, the player realizes something is different; something ominous and evil.
You awake in a familiar and darkened library of a palace, the demonic statues peering down from before you as the crackling of a fireplace is heard. At first little is known of the surroundings we’ve become enshrouded by other than the need to explore and escape it. As you scour the dark hallways portraits and statues of former inhuman residents sit proudly on shelves and grotesque, surreal paintings line the walls. One thing is being made clear to the player; this palace is not of any realm within human knowledge.
– Real player with 14.5 hrs in game
Excellent Game with a Few Issues
Malebolgia is overall an excellent action adventure. It has a spooky atmosphere with gameplay and style that reminded me of both Dark Souls and the original Alone in the Dark. My review will cover the similarities to Dark Souls, as well as pros and cons.
Similarities to Dark Souls:
Unfortunately, too many games are compared to Dark Souls these days. While Dark Souls has left a lasting legacy on game design, the tag “Souls-Like” does get thrown around a little too often. Malebolgia does its own thing, and is different enough from Dark Souls too not be a copycat, but the inspiration is easy too see.
– Real player with 9.9 hrs in game
The Godbeast
It’s a decent game, but lacks polish. It takes clear inspiration from Dark Souls and the combat is like a simpler, rougher version of Souls', though with its own tricks and flourishes such as some Shadow of Colossus style fights. The game’s greatest strengths are definitely its intense, brooding atmosphere and its striking art style, so if those appeal to you I would recommend it. Despite its flaws (it did crash a few times, but the game saves often enough that it wasn’t a huge issue) I enjoyed the game enough to play it to the end.
– Real player with 7.6 hrs in game
The Godbeast is a unique and rather ambitious action game drenched in atmosphere.
You play as an outcast son of the ex-ruler of the city, come for vengeance to take their place as head of the city. It doesn’t sound all that unique from that, but the modern gothic feel, with this idea of an old family of rulers in this setting struck a chord with me.
The game play is half soulsborne (you can attack and dodge, you have a stamina bar etc…) and half shadow of the colossus (climbing the eponymous Godbeasts and taking them down) and both of these are executed well, though things like animations are a little stiff (which makes sense for a team of this size making a game this way). There are also mini-bosses to find (these and other points of interest are marked on the compass at the top of the screen) for upgrades which make you explore further if you want to take them down.
– Real player with 6.4 hrs in game
INFERNIUM
Very caffeine high while writing this so sorry if it’s rambly:
This is one of the most amazing and unique games I have ever played. If you love Dark Souls, this is a game for you, despite the fact that the actual combat is limited. If you like the nostalgia of old arcade games, this also will probably appeal to your taste. This is such a stream-lined game with minimal controls that just make sense. Instead of focusing on how to fight or do combos, your controls quickly become instinctual so all your focus can go into the puzzles and the beautiful world. It’s also nice having a game that is capable of teaching you gameplay without an actual tutorial. This game is just really well formed to help you learn how to function within it, and find value in things that seem like props at first (maps!). As Carlos has said, this is a slow cooked game, and the longer you play it, the more you can appreciate it.
– Real player with 112.3 hrs in game
This is perhaps the most underrated game of all time. Maybe not the best per se, but it’s well up there on a list of the 10 best games ever created in my opinion. It’s criminal how little attention this game has gotten, especially for it’s quality. Starting off; the graphics are insanely good, not just for indie game standards, but by AAA standards too. (In fact, the entire game is good by AAA standards) The puzzles are fun and engaging, and though they aren’t the hardest, the game balances this out by putting perhaps the best implementation of a timer system ever. (Note: not actual timers) During many of the puzzles, the puzzle isn’t so much the puzzle itself, but kiting around enemies and the environment in order to solve said puzzle. (hence, enemies hunting you down serves as a sort of “timer” where you have to think on your toes or get killed) It’s also surprisingly fair in the ways enemies work, to the point where most of my deaths feel like they were in ways intended to catch me and screw me over, but it was my own stupidity and lack of foresight that got me killed, not unfairness. The world is very well designed as well, one of the few in a game where I actually found myself intrigued with the lore and in awe at one particular area, won’t spoil what it is, but you’ll know what I’m talking about if you find it. It’s beautiful and the developer does an incredible job of jamming pretty much as many different types of areas as possible into the map (which is open world, TECHNICALLY) Back on the lore, I did find myself interested with the lore, which isn’t as rare for myself as being interested with the world (something that I can only point to about 1-3 games prior doing) but is still not that common. The lore is pretty simplistic, you discover it through written messages by “M” with various numbers describing their order. The implementation and writing in this is insanely good as well, with different parts given at different areas (for example, 60 showing up before 30, but 30 giving more information despite coming earlier chronologically than 60 ((this example is not necessarily true by exact numbers, but you get the point))) I found myself interested in the story and there were a few surprises in it/explanations for what was going on, all while keeping me in the dark about the specifics of what it all means. It’s worth noting, I haven’t finished the game, though I am pretty close. I recommend this game fully for anyone who likes a good, well built world, and a well designed, if minimal, story. 10/10, and I mean that fully. It was worth every penny.
– Real player with 32.2 hrs in game
PAGAN: Autogeny
Ever since Amnesia changed the face of horror games, a tedious debate about whether horror games should “have combat” (re: gunplay) or be “noncombat” (re: stealth) has raged in circles to literally no worthwhile conclusion, but amidst this pointless bickering several developers have been electing to eschew the dichotomy altogether, creating games centred around exploring haunting worlds and unfolding narratives. Kitty Horrorshow is perhaps the most prolific example of this, Anatomy is a well beloved cult classic for a reason, though there’s no shortage of other examples, games like Paratopic or September 1999, etc. These games make a pretty convincing case for the reality that horror doesn’t have to be constrained to simple encounter design, something that really shouldn’t even be controversial, but alas games discourse is what it is.
– Real player with 5.9 hrs in game
A game for explorers and fans of metafiction. It takes the form of a haunted MMO (but plays more like an action RPG)
It’s worth noting that this game is part of a trilogy (the other two are available on itch.io) and that there is a little community of YouTubers and folks on reddit trying to piece together the background mythology to these games and their world.
Highly recommended if you like mysteries and ARGs - rewarding and mysterious. Loved it but worried I might now be cursed.
– Real player with 5.5 hrs in game