Shroom and Gloom is a Rougelike Deckbuilding game from the minds at Team Lazerbeam with publishing house Devolver Digital. A game that’s quite quirky with its design and mechanics that has you deckbuilding for yourself in and out of battle. With the fact that you have to walk a straight path with no way of going back, there are perks. However, you’ll have to sort your deck and survive as best as you can while reading the review.
I don’t know how to feel with being told “Sweeten Well” every time I die!
Gameplay
The game starts with us being the paper boy holding a sticking note saying “w”. As in the keyboard button telling you to move forward. Which is the only direction we’re able to walk. However, walking is the least of your worries. Because you’ll need to synergize your deck and load up your shelters.
Yet, I want to say this now in case no one knows this fact or not. Bloom and Gloom is in Early Access, so its full potential has not yet been shown. From the look of things, there is more to the story than meets the eye. For example, our run goes down 3 different paths. The middle is the present for the three victims being the Paperboy, a Lunch lady and a Concern parent dealing with the beast. The left path is the past which we experience through the eyes of the Janitor and an Analyst.
Luckily, the maps never change the moment you’ve crossed or experienced them before in a previous playthrough. So, planning your route before reaching the boss is possible, just remember you can be hurt by certain environments. The developers are kind and give you literal signs letting you know what that path will have when entering.
Only future versions and 1.0 for the game will tell us. Now, I will give you one piece of advice when dealing with the rooms you come across before choosing your next branching path. Take your time. Focus and see if you’ll get hurt if you rest in that room. With each rest, new things appear and you’ll recharge your energy and get new cards.
Graphics and Audio
Now, when it comes to the art direction found in this game, I actually like it. Everything is hand-drawn and on a flat 2-D panel on layers to give it the 3-d look. You can see the details of the walls and items around you when you walk by it. Luckily, Ben and the team execute the illusion perfectly and the animation for everything you interact with looks lively.
With the music and sound effects that surround our journey being beautifully creepy however satisfying as well. Listening to the combos I unleash on these creatures, and cooking them has an effect on certain people. Eventually we’ll discover the source of all the stabbing, gushing, squealing and squishing noises from Team Lazerbeam.
Longevity
I spent about a good 12 hours working with the Paperboy trying to beat the game to see what happens next. You’ll unlock the Janitor and the second tunnel from the past with new enemies and cards. I’m currently just enjoying all the characters that sinks into my synergy and playstyle. Hopefully with the next update or 1.0 to unlock the 3rd tunnel.
Final Thoughts
Shroom and Bloom is weirdly addictive and has a somewhat feel like Slay the Spire with critical thinking when building a deck. With your life on the line mind you. I was playing during work, during my lunch break and then continued playing after work just because it’s that much fun. Hopefully we get an update every few months and get a roadmap for it. It’s even better that you can even play one handed with a mouse and the scroll wheel.
It’s out now and you should all play it if you’re okay with playing in Early Access.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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