Elden Pixels has constructed a robust fame for itself with its Alwa video games, each providing an amazing tackle the normal Metroidvania system, however its newest launch tries to do one thing fairly a bit completely different. A Void Hope definitely carries on a few of the stage design and exploration components central to the studio’s earlier releases, however right here there’s far more deal with environment, story, and horror. It doesn’t solely stick the touchdown, however that is in the end a worthwhile little challenge that we’d encourage you to think about.
A Void Hope follows the story of Keegan and Glinda, a pair in a rocky patch of their relationship who discover themselves coping with the fallout of a worldwide pandemic. Individuals throughout have gotten contaminated and dropping their recollections, ultimately devolving into zombie-like creatures that generally rework into one thing decidedly much less human.
Regardless of the deal with narrative right here, particulars are comparatively sparse, which works each for and towards the sport. On one hand, the vagueness actually helps you are feeling as helpless and confused because the characters, which provides lots to the environment. On the opposite, the emotional plot beats don’t hit almost as arduous as meant, as there’s often not plenty of setup main to those payoffs.
Gameplay may very well be greatest described as a strolling simulator with some mild Metroidvania components. Every of the eleven ranges has a sequence of targets to meet, similar to discovering an object or activating a pc terminal, and also you’re anticipated to resolve primary environmental puzzles alongside the best way. There’s nothing right here overly difficult, however rigidity is all the time excessive as any of the folks on display screen can flip right into a zombie at any second and begin chasing you.
As you progress, you’ll come throughout gadgets to unlock new routes ahead or to backtrack and discover new areas in earlier ranges, similar to through the use of a crowbar to take away planks from blocked doorways. There aren’t actually any upgrades or powerups to search out alongside the best way, nevertheless it’s nonetheless enjoyable to revisit previous areas and discover new exits and different hidden goodies.
If there’s one factor A Void Hope excels at, it’s presentation. Each minute of its 5 – 6 hours is dripping with environment, plenty of which is offered by the great pixel artwork. The shadowy, considerably decrepit environments show spectacular quantities of element within the spritework, whereas each character has you on edge and able to run in the event that they all of the sudden flip. In the meantime, the lumbering darkwave soundtrack by Waveshaper offers all of it a menacing and eerie tinge with marching drums and deep synths. That is the form of sport that fully pulls you into its world by means of its artwork and environment. It’s very fascinating from begin to end.
A Void Hope isn’t Elden Pixel’s best challenge but, however it’s definitely its most attention-grabbing one. Even when its gameplay and story really feel shallow, it does an amazing job of immersing you in its creepy and darkish world—that is the form of sport that you just’ll in all probability by no means play once more after you end it, however you’ll all the time bear in mind it. It is price choosing up for those who’re in any respect a fan of this studio’s earlier work or for those who’re interested by attempting one thing that deviates from the norm a bit.