In recent years, I’ve indulged in a feast of new entries in the roguelike genre. From deck builders to poker-inspired roguelikes (Seriously, give Balatro a try), and even souls-like variations, the genre has seen a steady influx of innovative titles. Among the latest contenders vying for the title of the next great roguelike is Shadow of the Depth. I’ll be honest this is a game that wasn’t on my radar, but after checking out the trailer it was one that I was curious to play. After quite a lot of time playing the early access I will say that game felt like a playing a mix of Diablo and Hades.
Let’s dive into it.
The Narrative:
In terms of narrative, Shadow of the Depth unfolds a poignant tale. Arthur, the son of a blacksmith, witnesses the tragic demise of his father amidst a harrowing onslaught of creatures besieging their town. Determined to avenge his father’s death, Arthur dons the armor they forged together and embarks on a quest to confront the source of the malevolent invasion, aiming to put an end to it once and for all.
I don’t think that the Narrative or at least what narrative we get after the introduction does the introduction’s cutscene justice. I would have loved to see more focus put into the game’s story because the setup set the tone that this was a game that cared about giving the players
The Gameplay:
In Shadow of the Depth, the combat draws parallels to games like Diablo but presents a simplified yet engaging system. Each character possesses a primary attack that doesn’t consume mana, alongside a secondary attack that comes with a mana cost and cooldown timer. Additionally, a dodge mechanic aids in evading perilous situations, while each character boasts a unique ultimate ability.
The game features a diverse array of enemies, ranging from bats and zombies to trolls and shadow creatures. While facing off against a single foe may seem manageable, combating hordes of creatures presents a significant challenge. Mastering effective combos becomes imperative for survival, as death in Shadow of the Depth means permanent demise, akin to the mechanics found in rogue-like titles such as Hades.
Despite the unforgiving nature of death, players accrue experience with each attempt, unlocking new characters, skills, and runes. These unlocks and upgrades enhance subsequent dungeon runs, increasing survivability and progression potential.
Additional Pros:
Shadow of the Depth boasts captivating hand-drawn visuals and immersive sound design, elevating the overall gaming experience. The teleporting system facilitates smooth traversal, while the game’s unique art style breathes life into its dark world. Despite its relatively short duration, the game delivers a polished and complete experience, with ongoing updates planned during its early access phase.
Cons/Flaws:
While Shadow of the Depth excels in several areas, it falters in others. The narrative depth remains underdeveloped, leaving players yearning for more substance beyond the initial setup. Furthermore, the repetitive nature of enemy behavior and level design may detract from the overall sense of challenge and variety. Despite its polished presentation, the game fails to introduce significant innovations within the roguelike genre, offering little in terms of groundbreaking mechanics.
Overall/Should you Play Shadow of the Depth:
As I said in the beginning of the review the game feels like a playing a mix of Diablo and Hades. It some ways that was a really good thing and in others it felt like it was trying to be both, but not quite hitting the highs of either. Despite its shortcomings, Shadow of the Depth provides an engaging roguelike experience sure to appeal to genre enthusiasts. With its captivating visuals, diverse character roster, and accessible gameplay, it serves as a commendable addition to any player’s library. While it may not revolutionize the genre, its pick-up-and-play nature and ongoing updates make it a solid choice for those seeking an enjoyable dungeon-crawling adventure.
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Reviewed on PC
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