Final weekend, I spent far much less time than I would have appreciated testing cool indie video games at Guadalindie 2024, somewhat however hard-hitting occasion in Malaga, Spain, which I wholeheartedly advocate if extra editions are occurring sooner or later. Popping out of this celebration of indie video games and devs, Prelude Darkish Ache was by far the best, most spectacular title I may play.
At first look, Seville-based Quickfire Video games‘ debut might appear to be an easy tackle Darkest Dungeon and its sequel, and they’re greater than prepared to confess that affect, but the entire packs extra concepts and sticks nearer to traditional tactical RPGs equivalent to Closing Fantasy Ways. Past that playable core additionally lies a extra formidable construction tying all of it collectively.
The preview construct I used to be capable of play featured two completely different missions, one designed to be a tutorial of types and one other quest which was wave-based and occurred on high of two transferring carriages drawn by armored tusked beasts. Prelude is aware of the best way to make a primary impression, that is for positive; the artwork fashion is acquainted, but in addition packs quite a lot of graphical peculiarities that mesh nicely with the isometric view and general design of the degrees I used to be capable of conquer.
The very fact it is a darkish fantasy sport via and thru does not imply it is miserable to take a look at both. Very like in Darkest Dungeon, Prelude Darkish Ache is full saturated colours and onerous strains. A typical mistake amongst indie video games going for a grim aesthetic is popping the entire display into a gray or brown sludge with few sparks of visible pleasure, however that is not the case right here. Personally, I used to be additionally interested by how the visuals featured within the demo translated to the bigger, non-linear open-world that serves because the overarching construction of Prelude, however I wasn’t capable of expertise that layer of the sport.
Chatting with Nacho Requena — lead author, designer, and mission supervisor on the sport, and in addition a video games media veteran — in regards to the sport earlier than I performed via the demo, Quickfire’s ambitions had been crystal clear: The studio is not aiming to reinvent the wheel of the tactical RPG style, as a substitute opting to pay tribute to all-timers, however that does not imply they do not wish to give it a novel voice. The bread and butter of all of it, tactical combats, did not disappoint me and dealt with advantageous on a controller. I additionally appreciated the actual fact it was straightforward to choose up and play, very like FF Ways. Whereas there are some superior tactical parts to the system, Prelude appears to be extra targeted on onboarding new gamers and reminding veterans of easier occasions… however on a bigger scale.
In accordance with the sport’s Steam web page, “30 playable heroes” shall be included within the sport, “every with two expertise branches and 24 selectable abilities.” Furthermore, the characters will not be restricted to player-controlled squads, as they have to even be despatched out on errands or assigned duties which are not associated to the combats on the heart of the expertise. Within the demo, I used to be capable of discern a tanky character with therapeutic capabilities that appeared fairly helpful in most eventualities plus a rogue able to inflicting heavy injury because of deception and backstabbing and flanking bonuses. On high of these two acquainted archetypes, an archer that would hit a number of enemies in a straight line and a gunslinger that would create an automatic turret and shotgun fools aside added spice to the ensemble. Additionally: No mana system so far as I can see!
What in regards to the story? Within the demo, it was saved beneath wraps, however the official synopsis reads as follows: “In a world destroyed by struggle, stricken by illness and decimated by a actuality tearing aside on the seams, you’ll assume the position of a neighborhood blacksmith named Soren. Getting ready to revolution, you’ll tackle the management of an rebellion in opposition to the Order of the Ash Campaign.” Resolution-making can also be promised within the trailers with an emphasis on non-linear development, one thing that just lately paid off drastically for Unicorn Overlord on this identical house.
All in all, I walked away from the Prelude Darkish Ache sales space fairly impressed, however extra importantly, anxious to study extra in regards to the bigger image and to play a deep preview that solutions the query of whether or not the opposite elements of the sport works in synchrony. There have been quite a lot of graphical glitches and small management annoyances that took some polish off the demo’s putting presentation, nevertheless it in any other case was a strong playable construct that did a very good job of setting the temper and catching most bystanders’ consideration. We’ll keep watch over it.
Prelude Darkish Ache’s launch window has but to be introduced, nevertheless it’s confirmed to be coming to Steam, EGS, GOG, Nintendo Swap, PS4/5, and Xbox consoles.
