In today’s roundup of recent indie releases, we take a look at Forrader Hero, Ratyrinth and Lords of Exile. Check out our reviews below.
Forrader Hero review (PS4)
Forrader Hero, from VidyGames and Ratalaika Games, delivers a fresh take on turn-based tactics with its blend of roguelike elements. Set in the unforgiving ‘Forgotten Proto.World,’ players must navigate forward relentlessly, battling through waves of monsters and undead to safeguard their soul.
The game’s premise, where retreat is not an option, injects a unique kind of tension into every decision, elevating the strategic depth of each encounter. With a variety of heroes to play with, each offering distinct playstyles and abilities, players are encouraged to experiment and adapt their tactics to overcome the challenges in the campaign.
Despite its simple graphics, Forrader Hero manages to engage with an addictive gameplay loop, drawing you in with its strategic complexity. There’s a potential for repetitive gameplay due to multiple playthroughs involved with the roguelike mechanics, but the intuitive controls on the PlayStation version ensure that players can focus on the tactical intricacies without much hindrance. With its affordable price point and engaging mechanics, Forrader Hero stands as a promising addition to the turn-based tactics roguelike genre, offering hours of challenging entertainment for fans.
Ratyrinth review (PS4)
Ratyrinth, a collaboration between Solluco and Eastasiasoft for the game’s console release, emerges as a nice indie fusion of retro charm and challenging precision platforming. Set in a mysterious forest fraught with peril, players assume the role of a rat separated from its family, navigating labyrinthine levels in a quest for reunion.
While the narrative takes a backseat to the gameplay, the endearing simplicity of Ratyrinth’s presentation proves to be a defining feature. Sporting a nostalgic 1-bit aesthetic reminiscent of classic 80s home computer titles, the game exudes a sense of charm despite its perilous setting and challenging gameplay. Accompanied by a fittingly catchy soundtrack, Ratyrinth’s visual and auditory elements contribute to its overall appeal for retro enthusiasts.
Gameplay revolves around mastering precise jumps and traversal mechanics to overcome obstacles and avoid a variety of foes. While the level design showcases creativity and variety, we did run into a few collision detection issues and slightly awkward controls when climbing, briefly breaking the immersion.
Despite its minor flaws, Ratyrinth shines as a compact budget platformer offering plenty of content for its price point. With a multitude of levels to conquer and achievements to unlock, the game presents a compelling challenge for players seeking nostalgic platforming fun.
Lords of Exile review (PS4)
Lords of Exile is a nostalgic homage to classic 8-bit action-platformers like Castlevania, developed by Squidbit Works and published by Plug In Digital. Set in the ancient lands of Exilia, players assume the role of Gabriel, a cursed knight seeking vengeance against the malevolent lord Galagar. With pixel art cutscenes reminiscent of retro gaming intros, the game evokes plenty of memories of the 1980s while delivering an experience that also features a few modern touches of its own.
Across eight linear levels, players navigate challenging platforming sections and engage in intense combat encounters against a variety of enemies and bosses. The game’s mechanics offer a blend of familiar elements, from throwing weapons to melee combat and double-jumps, providing players with a range of tools to overcome obstacles. Each defeated boss grants new abilities and upgrades, enhancing the game’s lasting appeal through character progression.
While Lords of Exile excels in capturing the essence of classic action-platformers, it’s not without its challenges. Some players may find frustration in the unforgiving nature of certain platforming sections, reminiscent of the unfair-seeming deaths found in NES-era games. Additionally, the lack of a save feature means that progress must be made in a single play session, which may deter casual players even though there’s a retro appeal to this aspect as well. Despite these drawbacks, Lords of Exile offers a nostalgic journey filled with retro charm and solid gameplay, making it a worthy addition to any retro gaming enthusiast’s library. If you’re a fan of the classic Castlevania games, then you can’t go wrong with this one.
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