If you’re a fan of action-packed games that blend stylish combat with roguelite elements, then Morbid Metal is definitely on your radar. This upcoming game promises to combine the flash of Devil May Cry with the intricate structure of Hades, allowing players to shapeshift between two unique characters during combat for swift, high-speed action.
Thanks to Ubisoft, I recently got the chance to experience a demo that offers a compelling 30-minute glimpse into what’s to come. If this initial taste is any indication, we might just be on the verge of something remarkable. I finished the demo feeling exhilarated and hungry for more.
A Gorgeous Dystopian World Awaits
Morbid Metal unfolds across various biomes, from barren technological wastelands to lush, overgrown ruins. The game features semi-procedurally generated levels, ensuring that every encounter feels distinct. Even in this demo, which presents just one biome, the visuals are striking, complete with glowing neon accents, moss-covered machines, and relics hinting at a forgotten world.
The vibe is a unique blend of sci-fi and decay, reminiscent of NieR: Automata meeting Returnal. The semi-procedural design keeps each run feeling fresh, with hidden areas and side paths that encourage exploration. There’s a real sense of adventure, and I’m excited to see how this expands with additional biomes upon release.
Combat: Double the Characters, Double the Fun
The heartbeat of Morbid Metal lies in its exhilarating hack-and-slash combat, focusing on two main characters, Ekku and Flux. The ability to swap between these two unique fighters in real-time creates a dynamic, fluid experience where combat truly shines. I spent my time alternating between Ekku’s heavy strikes and Flux’s aerial maneuvers, crafting combos that felt like a one-person fighting game showdown.
The transition between characters is not just speedy; it’s utterly seamless. You can launch an enemy into the air with one fighter and rotate to the other to deliver a spectacular finishing blow. This feature feels almost like a co-op experience where you’re controlling both characters simultaneously, which adds to the excitement.
Being able to swap characters mid-battle is the essence of combat depth in Morbid Metal. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a sophisticated mechanic that elevates gameplay. According to the Steam page, four additional characters will be introduced, promising even more chaos and excitement.
Enemies, Challenges, and the Devil’s Bargain
While the enemy variety in the demo is somewhat limited, it still delivers a satisfying challenge, especially during group encounters. A boss battle would have been a fantastic addition to showcase the game’s potential and ramp up difficulty towards the conclusion of my playthrough.
An intriguing feature of this roguelite is the ‘Deal with the Devil’ statues scattered across the play area. Engaging with these statues can grant powerful buffs but often comes with a drawback. For instance, I once received a significant critical damage boost but at the cost of some health.
This feature creates a thrilling high-risk-high-reward mechanic that encourages strategic choices without overcomplicating gameplay.
Prepare for a challenging experience: dying in Morbid Metal sends you right back to the beginning. The developers opted not to include permanent upgrades in the demo, fostering an environment of experimentation. I appreciated this decision as it urged me to explore various character combinations and discover synergies.
Final Thoughts: The Next Big Hack-and-Slash
While the demo may be brief and the enemy roster limited, Morbid Metal already has an impressive feel. The integration of real-time character swapping, coupled with the engaging hack-and-slash gameplay and roguelite framework, creates a solid foundation. Add to that the stunning visuals and immense replay potential, and it’s clear this game is slated for greatness.
If this is just a sneak peek of what’s in store, then Morbid Metal is definitely worth monitoring. Be sure to wishlist it on Steam—you won’t want to miss out during its full launch.