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Voidwrought is an action, adventure, metroidvania that was developed by Powersnake and published by Kwalee. This game is Powersnake’s first project and which was previously announced back in 2021. You can follow their development progression on their twitter profile. Seeing from where they started to how they improved and finished the game is impressive in my eyes. With the success of Voidwrought, I hope they continue to improve and make another game. Because honestly, I do want to see another game from this studio. Honestly, if this is what being in a cult is like, then it’ll have me leaning on a fence.
So, grab your faux goats and sacrificial daggers because we’re going to drink the kool-aid into this game.
Picture this, you were sealed in a cocoon that’s located inside a pyramid. When out of nowhere someone ripped the blanket off your cozy sleep and are now awake. You’ve now become what we call, the Problem. Make it theirs for waking you up!
Gameplay
You play as the Simulacrum, but I’ve chosen to call them Ibris. The reason I chose Ibris as their name is because I thought of the IBRIS Project from Jurassic Park. And since I feel like our MC is like a raptor with their slack attack, I utter “Clever Thing” when a new ability appears. You’re awakened when the coming of the Red Star brings in the new age, and it gives you the itch to start hoarding. Traversing an almost bottomless world that breaks all meaning of logic with its multidimensional locations.
From thinking outside the box to having to headbutt that brick wall until it breaks, is how some of these fights feel and go. I do love the feeling of my creativity when I try to get from one place to another with the limited resources I have. There are side quests and events you come across that are very much worth doing. Examples are such as having followers dig out and repair parts of the shrine. There’s even a nice NPC that appears in some areas for beginners to teach them the ins and outs of how to play the game if they’re stuck.
I also want to point out the boss fights themselves when I locate and confront them. There are times when I start the fight, I don’t know what in heck I’m doing and learning their pattern. It honestly rewards you for learning mid-battle and adapting to the environment they’ve placed you in. However, I’ve gotten so used to getting a new ability right when I finish the boss. Not walk through a few rooms to finally collect my prize. That’s left for key items or button mechanisms that unlock a path you’ve been trying to get through.
Shrine like a star
I won’t lie that putting together the statues themselves was both satisfying and cool to do. When I first finished Namun’s statue, I was struck with how amazing she looked with all her arms. There’s even the shrine I had excavated with the followers I kept finding when I was traveling. Yet, I’m amazed they survived being in a petrified state for so long and still walk and talk like it was nothing.
My final thoughts on the gameplay would have to be our opinions when it comes to ranged weapons/artefacts. Don’t get me wrong, I love the array of artefacts with their multiple different abilities. There are some that I would like to spam in almost every hallway I come across, while others require precise aim to hit their mark. However, I have to say that the lasers that cover the hallway are by far my favourite ones.
Graphics & Audio
I loved the grim dark palettes chosen for the Ibris design, with the various array of colours. These elements, are present at every level, from the surface where the Red Star is prominently displayed to the caverns where we encounter enemies armed with real guns.
Some people might know that I love the sounds when an attack makes contact. There is no exception with how they properly use the sound effects and the OST since it goes hard on certain boss fights.
There are times when even if a boss did hand me my butt, the music motivated me to focus and learn from my mistakes. I didn’t experience any frame rate issues, glitches, or anything that might have taken me out of the game. Which is amazing for a first attempt at a game for any developer.
Longevity
Though it took about 10 hours to beat with the many times I either fumbled or was exploring, it’s well worth it. I enjoyed exploring the different places the game took me to and the variety of enemies and bosses I came across. I also loved the abilities I was able to unlock and unleash on enemies when I revisit certain locations. Especially those jerks with their guns, they had it completely coming and then some.
Final Thoughts
Voidwrought was an excellent experience that felt like I got a good dose of something to keep me coming back for more. My only gripe with the game is that I wish it was longer or had more bosses. It was honestly a great distraction from the pain of waiting for Silksong. So, if you like game designs close to Darkest Dungeon, but want it in a Metroidvania build, Voidwrought is the game for you.
I award Voidwrought the Thumb Culture Gold Award
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
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