Death’s Door: Review

Death’s Door very different from Titan Souls , previous game from the same developers. The character now dies more than with one blow, instead of the “pixel” visual style – three-dimensional graphics, numerous characters have appeared reading short monologues. But the atmosphere of the projects is similar, although in the new game it feels much better. Team Acid Nerve has taken a big step forward over the past six years and created another quality adventure.

The door is there

Like Titan Souls , the new product surprises with how skillfully it combines many elements – from location exploration to the combat system, from graphics to soundtrack. This is a very professional job (especially considering that most of it was done by only two people), and it is difficult to tear yourself away from the game. What it can be reproached for is the lack of original ideas – others are successfully mixed (here the old “Zelda” comes to mind, and analogues like Hob ), but there aren’t really any of our own.

The camera, taking an isometric angle, hangs at such a distance that not once during the entire game would you want to move it away or bring it closer. The beauty of the locations amazes, in particular with how unusually bright and dull colors they combine. It seems that the atmosphere is not the most cheerful, but the environment does not seem gloomy either, except for the “noir” central location, from which teleports open to all plot areas.

Thanks to the beautiful picture and excellent style, you want to explore the locations, and Death’s Door constantly teases the player with hints. Either the camera will randomly pass by a platform hidden at the top with a collectible item, or you will run across a bridge under which a new weapon is shining, but you will not be able to jump there. Abilities that allow you to collect everything at once are given out later – you don’t have to try to blow up fences or jump over a chasm if you haven’t received the corresponding skills yet. As a result, all these “gatherers” are not very necessary (except for rare altars that increase health and energy), but it’s still fun to hunt for them.

While exploring, you regularly https://noverificationcasinos.co.uk/review/madcasino/ come across opponents. They are varied enough so that the battles don’t get boring. Death’s Door does not overwhelm the player with a dozen enemies at a time, but prefers to pit four or five against him, but completely different ones – for example, two fight in close combat, and two more shoot from a bow. Or here – one archer, one knight in thick armor and two teleporting wizards. When you are locked in a small arena and opponents begin to appear, you make a split-second decision about who to attack first; Most likely, tactics will vary between players.

Able Raven

The combat system is very simple – regular hits and rolls. There is also a bow (and magic that is revealed later), but it is more often used for solving puzzles than in battles. What is of no use at all is charged blows and attacks after rolls – I only remembered them periodically. You can go through the entire game without any problems, bludgeoning your opponents with a standard attack. It’s a shame, because the enemy designs and charming animations would have made for a little richer combat.

Another flaw is related to the pumping system – it is absolutely uninteresting. By collecting the souls of killed enemies and finding deposits of currency in secret areas, you can buy upgrades in the central location, including increasing damage dealt, increasing attack speed, etc. But these improvements are not particularly noticeable, so there is no desire to run to the teleporter for them, and you don’t have to agonize over the choice. It seems as if this element was added at the last moment – its impact on the game is so minimal. But there are several types of weapons, although you are unlikely to switch between them often – it’s too inconvenient.

All this does not allow me to put Death’s Door the highest rating, even if the rest is amazing. Particularly interesting is the ability to take a shortcut in case of death. When a character dies, he is transported to the nearest door. While you are exploring a location, you often interact with buttons and levers – and in some cases they create platforms or lower stairs that allow you to quickly get to this or that place. It seems like nothing special, but every time this mechanic pleases with its high-quality implementation.

The story is also good. We play as a reaper raven who arrives at the headquarters of the Reaper Commission and is tasked with taking the soul of a giant. In the process, we have to do other things – look for three creatures and take their souls in order to use them to open the gates of death and get to the goal. Get ready to meet strange creatures, including a poor fellow with a saucepan for a head and a bard who writes a song about your adventures.

Best moments Death’s Door related to bosses – thanks to the fun gameplay mechanics and the way fights are woven into the narrative. After the death of the boss, a short funeral service begins – we are told about his motivation and why he became a scoundrel. The idea is brilliant, and the attitude towards death in this game is quite poetic – so much so that not a single “achievement” is associated with murder. There is also plenty of humor here, and the combination of so many different moods, especially with such a luxurious soundtrack, makes the atmosphere of the game special.

After passing Death’s Door additional content opens and the player is asked to continue hunting for secrets in updated locations in order to reach the real ending. It’s definitely worth seeing, and you’re unlikely to be forced to play further – the gameplay of the new product is almost amazing, and you’ll want to spend more time in it. Not all components received due attention, but for two developers this is in any case an impressive achievement – they managed to create atmospheric, memorable and very high-quality entertainment for a couple of evenings.

Pros: wonderful atmosphere and wonderful level design; interesting locations with a lot of secrets that you want to explore; excellent fights with bosses and ordinary opponents; very good soundtrack; there is something to do after completing.

Cons: simple combat system; boring pumping; lack of original ideas.