0 
0 We Who Are About To Die is a roguelite gladiator simulator with a heavy focus on physics-based combat. It is currently in Early Access and under solo development by Jordy Lakiere. The game recently hit its two years in Early Access mark by celebrating with content patch v0.7, adding a significant amount of content. You can check it out now on Steam.
The Best Game I’ve Sucked at Since Elden Ring
Looking at videos of We Who Are About To Die, you kind of get a glimpse that the combat isn’t exactly the usual kind. Actually playing it is a completely different experience all together. I don’t feel there have been a lot of games over the years that have struck me in such a way as this one has. Have you ever found a game to not quite play as you’d expect? Check out my thoughts on this early access build below to learn more.
Gameplay
We Who Are About To Die is a roguelite combat simulator in a gladiatorial setting. You begin each run as a gladiator with a unique background, traits, and starting equipment. Your run consists of weekly matches of various possible types – from 1 V 1 combat to 1 v many and team battles. Certain weeks also bring the chance at special tournaments and drafts for more of an army vs army feel. With each victory brings further fame, money, and advancement. Death in the arena means death for that character. Fortunately being a roguelite, there are different mechanics that help carry forward money and influence for future characters.
The fighting and combat in We Who Are About To Die is unlike any other I’ve encountered, that I can recall anyway. Being physics based, movement and motions made with your controller/mouse have a direct impact on the direction and strength of your strikes. You can even use character momentum to amplify those strikes. I mistakenly thought I could use a controller but found that mouse and keyboard provides much better accuracy. With the controller I felt like I was just flailing about half the time and not making contact as much as I would try to. Though I’m still not completely comfortable with it, I can definitely feel the difference between starting to play and now as I write this review. I even managed to finally throw a spear and hit someone for a final strike!
In-Depth Character Management
For a solo developer and a roguelite game, We Who Are About To Die brings a plethora of content. There’s so much content in fact that I can’t even begin to try and explain it all. Between matches there are several different ways to boost your character in addition to just buying better gear. There’s also the opportunity for training, repairing equipment, and using influence gains from the arena to further your characters prowess. I was caught off guard with how many intricate details have gone into this game. And I’m honestly really impressed by it. It’s hard to go over even just a few particular things as I’m still trying to learn the game as well. The most visible intricacy is probably in the favour earnings with your different hosts.
New Player Accessibility
One adjustment with those intricate systems would be to make them a little more obvious to a new player. It was a few matches into We Who Are About To Die before I noticed that after a match, your character equipment menu is actually the second of three menus. Paying to heal your character is on the first page of the first menu.
After discovering this my gladiators did last a bit longer but I still suck. The first menu is also where you can set up repairs, influence, and training in addition to reviewing your character’s backstory and win condition. For example, my current character is of a former soldier background and the win condition is to save up 100,000 gold to retire from the arena. I don’t recall what week I’m into now but I’m level 10 and barely have 20k, so I probably won’t win this time around.
Graphics & Audio
We Who Are About To Die has some top notch graphics as well. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy myself a pixel art style roguelite just as much as the next person. But this game has 3D modelling full of detail from characters to gear pieces to the various fighting environments. I don’t know if ragdoll physics count as graphics, but those are present as well. And they make for some hilarious moments let me tell you. The UI is also nice and clean and easy to navigate (once you notice where to navigate that is). I didn’t really see much for visual glitches with the exception of some odd things getting stuck on the environment in peculiar ways, such as body parts or weapons. Nothing that was game-breaking or really had influence on the game itself though.
The audio in We Who Are About To Die is about what you would expect. Being a gladiatorial combat simulator, a lot of arena-style fanfare, exertion noises (mostly grunting), and clashing and clattering of weapons and equipment. It all fits perfectly well though. Especially the dreadful heartbeat sound as you reach ever closer to death.
Longevity
We Who Are About To Die is still in Early Access. That being said, you could pick up the game today and probably spend way more than your money’s worth in it. Learning all the intricacies alone will take time. Winning with all the different backstories and improving my ability to actually play the game well will also take a significant amount of time. All that to say that the longevity of the game is looking pretty high in my humble opinion.
Final Thoughts
For a roguelite game in Early Access, We Who Are About To Die is a delight to play. There’s already so much content and the unique combat style really stands out. This is one that I am definitely going to be playing for a while. If nothing else just to prove to myself that I can at least win once or twice! I’m looking forward to see what modifications and enhancements are brought to the game in full release.
If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this preview.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord | Podcast
About Author
