As Hades 2 early entry rolls on, we’re seeing a number of different studios put their very own spin on its explicit model of top-down roguelike motion. Studio Fizbin, beforehand identified for video games with easy, satisfying gameplay and socially related narratives – I notably loved the fulfilling Say No Extra – has introduced that design ethos to bear alongside a deeper gameplay focus within the ‘medievalpunk’ world of Reignbreaker. I sat all the way down to strive it at Gamescom 2024, and got here away able to play extra.
Studio Fizbin describes Reignbreaker as an “anarchist power fantasy” led by its rebellious protagonist, Clef. A former baby soldier, Clef has rebelled in opposition to the system and now fights to infiltrate the Queen’s Bastion, a stronghold guarded by a machine military the place locks management all the things, so as to reclaim the ability held by its nefarious ruler. To take action, you’ll wield Javelins, a mix of weapon and lockpick that holds the important thing to unlocking the Bastion’s secrets and techniques – and lays the idea for the roguelike‘s fight.
Every Javelin brings a unique set of abilities to the battlefield, and also you’ll take two of them with you that you may swap between on the fly. The ultimate quantity isn’t but set in stone, though Fizbin is aiming for “at least ten.” For my run, I choose up the Gatling Javelin and the Laser Javelin. Clef makes use of her fists for the fundamental assault combo, however then you may use the Javelins’ distinctive abilities for extra highly effective maneuvers. Every of them has an overheat meter that fills as you assault – it’ll always drop again down over time, however if you happen to cap it out you’ll be unable to make use of the Javelin till it cools utterly.
Every Javelin has a typical talent, a positioned talent, and may be thrown. The Laser Javelin has a pleasant round spin assault on it, or you may stick it within the floor and it’ll ship constant pulses of harm in an space round it (helpfully, utilizing this doesn’t stop you from persevering with to assault usually). The Gatling Javelin, in the meantime, fires off a spherical of pictures with its regular assault or sends out longer-ranged, turret-style bursts when positioned down.
Every additionally has a novel impact after you hurl it at a goal, and these varied abilities are after all amplified as you unlock further modifiers. From the design of the realm I’m exploring, I can inform it’s the territory of a selected warden often known as the Spearmaster. The rewards for succeeding in opposition to her are usually attuned to throwing your Javelin – I take an improve that provides me a bonus for completely timed throws, however might as a substitute have snagged one which gave me an invincible sprint throughout the toss.
That information may also help you form your construct as you progress. As soon as I’m conscious that I’ve throwing-based upgrades in my future, maybe I’ll decide to take bonuses that profit this talent particularly. In fact, you may as well count on to develop acquainted with the Queen’s wardens and loyalists far more carefully as you progress – whereas some can be agency foes, others would possibly soften to you over time, and maybe you’ll even sneak in slightly friendship or flirtation.
Whereas I solely acquired a quick hands-on, fight feels sturdy and the power to hold two weapons directly is a pleasant trick that means that you can actually think about the best way to finest deal with every state of affairs. There’s an excellent number of enemies at play right here, and a few can pose explicit issues – for instance, a collection of bell-shaped foes with locks of their our bodies will solely keep down if you happen to run as much as them after dealing sufficient injury and use your Javelin to pop the lock. You’ll additionally encounter loads of traps, each throughout the area fights and whereas exploring facet areas in the hunt for upgrades, new Javelin unlocks, and retailers promoting non permanent buffs that final for a sure variety of fight encounters.
With an growing variety of video games leaping into the motion roguelike area, particularly ones that undertake the core tenets of Hades, we’ll have to attend for the complete launch of Reignbreaker to see whether or not it does sufficient to face out from the pack. With that mentioned, I’m at all times open to new contenders, and my brief time with Reignbreaker actually left me desirous to see extra. For now, you may wishlist it on Steam so that you’re notified when it arrives.
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