FairPlay Studios, in collaboration with Dear Villagers, has released The Land Beneath Us, an immersive rogue-lite dungeon crawler game for multiple systems including the PlayStation 5 that blends storytelling with dynamic gameplay mechanics. Set in an underground world, the game invites players to explore a civilization that thrives beneath the Earth’s surface, offering a unique twist on traditional adventure narratives that’s based on Welsh mythology.
The premise of The Land Beneath Us is immediately engaging, drawing players into a rich narrative filled with mystery and exploration. The story revolves around uncovering the secrets of an ancient underground society, with players assuming the role of a protagonist driven by both curiosity and necessity. The narrative is well-paced, gradually revealing the lore and history of this subterranean world through well-written dialogues and intriguing environmental storytelling.
Gameplay mechanics in The Land Beneath Us are a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. The exploration aspect is particularly well-executed, with a vast network of interconnected caverns and ruins to traverse. The puzzles are cleverly integrated into the environment, requiring players to pay close attention to their surroundings and think critically to progress. Turn-based combat, while somewhat surprisingly not the central focus, adds a layer of excitement and challenge, with a variety of enemies that require different strategies.
The controls on the PlayStation 5 are smooth and intuitive, contributing to an overall satisfying gameplay experience. The DualSense controller’s features are utilized effectively, with subtle haptic feedback enhancing the tactile sensation of exploration and combat.
Visually, The Land Beneath Us is striking and the screenshots don’t do it justice. The game’s art style effectively captures the eerie yet enchanting atmosphere of the underground world, and the animations and effects make it come alive. Detailed textures, dynamic lighting, and impressive environmental design come together to create a visually cohesive and appealing game. The PlayStation 5’s hardware capabilities aren’t taxed too much, but what you get are crisp, high-resolution graphics that bring the land beneath us to life.
The audio design complements the visual elements well, with ambient sounds of water, echoes, and creatures rumbling in the distance all enhancing the immersive experience. It made us feel like we were truly exploring the depths of the Earth, and the music underscores the game’s mysterious and adventurous tone without becoming intrusive.
However, The Land Beneath Us is not without its rougher edges. Some players may find the pacing to be slower than expected for a game in this genre, especially during the initial stages of the game where the focus is more on exploration and less on action. Additionally, while the puzzles are generally well-designed, a few of them can feel repetitive or overly complex, potentially leading to moments of frustration.
Despite these minor issues, The Land Beneath Us stands out as a compelling addition to the rogue-lite dungeon crawler genre. Its blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative depth, combined with impressive visual and audio design, make it a memorable journey beneath the Earth’s surface. FairPlay Studios has crafted a game that not only entertains but also intrigues, inviting players to lose themselves in the mysteries of the land beneath us.
Score: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 