November 26th 2024.
Ravenswatch is a unique game that takes inspiration from the mythical underworld of Hades. It's a four-player co-op game that brings together a diverse cast of folklore heroes, from the legendary Sun Wukong to the mysterious Pied Piper. The game falls under the genre of roguelikes, which has always been a popular choice for indie developers due to its ability to stretch content and gameplay mechanics to their full potential. With the success of Hades, the enthusiasm for this genre has only grown and it has become the main inspiration for Ravenswatch.
The game features nine different heroes to choose from, each with their own special abilities and skills. However, only four of them are available at the start and the rest can be unlocked by completing the opening chapter with different characters. One of the first things that stands out about the game is the diversity of its characters. For instance, Scarlet, who is based on the popular fairy tale character Little Red Riding Hood, has a unique twist where she transforms into a werewolf during the game's day/night cycle.
Other heroes include Beowulf, who specializes in crowd control, and Sun Wukong, who may have been relatively unknown in the West until the recent game Black Myth: Wukong gave him the spotlight he deserved. However, the most unexpected character is The Pied Piper, who attacks from a distance using notes from his pipe and can also summon rats to aid him in battle.
Each hero has a set of special moves that have a brief cooldown time, as well as one ultimate move that takes longer to recharge. As a player, your goal is to use these moves strategically and take on groups of enemies that await you in the game's procedurally generated levels. The mini-map in the corner of the screen helps you navigate through the levels and uncover points of interest while slowly revealing the fog-covered map.
While the use of procedural generation is a common feature in roguelikes, it does result in levels that are not very memorable. The game's graphics and level design may not be visually stunning, but they do serve their purpose in creating an immersive experience. However, one major issue with the game is its long loading times, which may leave players wondering if the game has crashed.
The game is divided into three chapters, each with its own boss that appears after a set number of in-game days. This means that players are always under a time constraint, forcing them to kill enemies, level up, and gather resources to prepare for the final showdown. However, since levels are randomly generated, some runs may be easier than others.
One of the strengths of Ravenswatch is its unique and diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinct gameplay mechanics. For example, Scarlet's werewolf abilities make her a great choice for solo play, while The Pied Piper's ranged attacks give the game a twin-stick shooter feel. However, not all heroes are equally powerful, with some feeling lackluster in comparison. This issue is further compounded in solo play, where the combat can feel repetitive and lack nuance.
The game also has a co-op mode where players can revive each other and work together to defeat enemies. However, playing solo only gives you access to raven feathers, which can be used for an instant revive, but are limited in supply. This can make the game feel unbalanced and overwhelming at times.
The game's graphics, with its cel-shaded art style, may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, it does give the game a unique look that sets it apart from other action roguelites. The levels do tend to have a muddy, brownish tone to them, with only a few splashes of color here and there. Enemy designs also lack variety, making the game feel repetitive after a while.
In conclusion, Ravenswatch is a decent co-op action roguelite with its fair share of flaws. While it can be enjoyable with friends, playing solo may not provide the same level of satisfaction. The game's combat may feel simplistic and the heroes may not be well-balanced, but it still has its moments of fun. However, with the success of Hades setting a high standard in the genre, Ravenswatch falls short in comparison.
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