Initial release date: May 31, 2024
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Powersnake
Genres: Platform game, Adventure game, Fighting game, Adventure
Publisher: Kwalee
Engine: Unity
Voidwrought is deeply rooted on the metroidvania tradition. Powersnake, a Swedish developer, first put players in control of the Simulacrum, a cape-clad character. You’re entrusted with obtaining Ichor, the blood of the gods, from a variety of covetous monsters. Fortunately, this cash is freely available and can be obtained by defeating enemies, performing side tasks, or bashing organic things placed throughout the game’s gloomy fantasy-themed environments.
Staying true to genre standard, the Simulacrum begins with only the most basic powers, with progress unlocking further capabilities. As a result, the walk up to the first employer does not make the ideal first impression. Initially, Voidwrought does not present many truly tough platforming sections to players, thus your tiny leap suffices. However, attacking with your claws feels underpowered due to their limited reach and power. I ended up putting on turbo-fire so I wouldn’t have to keep pressing the same button to defeat basic opponents.
A mundane moveset.
It is expected that you will not always feel so weak. Soon, you’ll come across an item called the Dormant Salt Receptacle, which improves your ability to recover health on the spot. Later on, you may discover Shards that enhance the size of your hit point pool, as well as Souls that provide you with numerous passive benefits. Relics can boost the Simulacrum’s abilities, but they are limited by your Void Charge capacity. If you’ve played metroidvanias before, you’ll recognize the progressive sense of progression. The only difference is that Voidwrought provides you more freedom to create a Simulacrum that suits your play style.
You will ultimately gain the ability to charge-attack, run across trenches, double-jump, and wall climb, all of which are lamentably conformist. As a result, the majority of Voidwrought’s 15 to 20-hour gameplay can feel predictable. The game’s one unique feature is a shire-building component for your home base, where you may employ accumulated objects and materials. It’s not particularly deep, but any added incentive is appreciated in a game like this.
Purple Prose is optional.
The genre frequently makes battling subordinates easy and bosses extremely difficult. This is mostly true for Voidwrought as well. Sure, there are 70+ distinct basic opponents, each with their own attack style. However, you can generally defeat legions of them without losing a single point from your health meter. Even if you receive an occasional hit, a plethora of save rooms will replenish your health and healing abilities. Unfortunately, balancing makes the game noticeably easier as you progress, reducing late-game bosses to pushovers. Also, when it comes to breakable walls that conceal secrets, Voidwrought does not always provide obvious hints.
The game’s main fault, however, is its storytelling. Powersnake uses text-based storytelling that is so flowery that gamers may not understand what’s going on. Finding lore stones reveals much of the game’s context. Even after discovering a large number of expositional fragments, I didn’t feel any greater urgency for the Simulacrum.
Due to a lack of urgency and a formulaic approach, Voidwrought is competent but rarely fascinating. Sure, the game’s dark mood is appealing, and it offers the foundations required of an action-adventure. But I remained with it until the end out of obligation rather than eagerness.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 81%
Controls: 79%
Aesthetics: 89%
Content: 83%
Accessibility: 78%
Value: 82%
Overall: 82%
DARKLY INTRIGUING!
Summary:
“Voidwrought” is a very atmospheric trip into a weird, bizarre realm. The gameplay mixes exploration and puzzle-solving aspects to immerse players in a strange, surreal world. The controls are smooth, yet they might feel slightly challenging during more sophisticated passages, adding to the suspense of the encounter. The game’s aesthetic is eerily gorgeous, with gloomy images and a melancholy music that immerse players in its otherworldly setting. Content-wise, “Voidwrought” engages players with thought-provoking ideas and layered storytelling, making it a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of atmospheric and narrative-driven games.