Bellwright: A Fresh Take on Medieval Management
An early-access gem that mixes gritty survival with bucolic management, challenging combats, and a dash of humor from the AI villagers.
Early Access Review
last updated Apr 26, 2024
Bellwright's co-op play introduces another layer to its already hearty offering, promising a shared adventure through its expansive world.
A Medieval Tapestry
Embarking on a journey through the world of Bellwright is akin to stepping into a meticulously crafted medieval tapestry. The game captivates with its promise of building, battling, and strategizing, inserted within a vibrant, open-world setting thick with plots and rebellion. The lure of expanding settlements, aiding villagers, and assembling a formidable team to champion your cause feels both ambitious and grounding. However, like a sword awaiting its polish, Bellwright brandishes rough edges in combat and AI pathing that at times detracts from its sheen. Yet, it's this very rawness that evokes the essence of early access - a game with potential waiting to be fully realized.
Combat: Between A Swing And A Hard Place
Bellwright's combat system emerges as a double-edged sword. On one side, it's praised for its weighty and methodical approach, making each clash feel consequential. You can almost feel the heft of your armor and the resistance of the wind as you swing your two-handed axe, not unlike a medieval titan. On the flip side, complaints about clunky movement and a lack of fluidity in battles, especially when pitted against groups, are hard to ignore. Still, there's a sense of satisfaction when strategizing with companions to overcome these obstacles, turning what could be a point of frustration into a testament of perseverance and tactical acumen.
What A View! Peasants at Work
The aspect of village management and expansion stands out as Bellwright's crowning achievement. Watching your settlement evolve from a collection of humble shacks to a bustling village is nothing short of satisfying. The depth of the building mechanics - where construction demands time and effort rather than magically appearing structures - enriches the experience. Yet, the villagers' AI could use some attention. Reports of settlers obsessing over mushroom roasting instead of diversified sustenance, and a few instances of pathfinding oddities, bring a dose of unintended humor to the feudal grind. Despite these quirks, managing your slice of medieval life is more pleasurable than not.
A Visual and Auditory Medieval Feast
Graphically, Bellwright is a feast for the eyes, provided your rig can handle its demands. From stunning vistas reminiscent of the most epic scenes in fantasy literature to weather patterns that affect the gameplay in real-time, the attention to detail cannot be overstated. However, it's not without its performance costs, with reports of optimization issues, though improvements are being made steadily by the developers. The sound design, with its AI-generated voices, brings a unique charm to the villagers, adding a layer of immersion despite some emotional flatness. It's an ambitious auditory experiment that mostly pays off, entertaining and annoying in equal measure.
Taming the Wilderness with Friends
Bellwright's co-op play introduces another layer to its already hearty offering. The experience of building and battling alongside friends amplifies what the game does best, making the journey through its expansive world a shared adventure. However, it's not without hiccups; issues such as co-op building restrictions and desyncs hint at a work-in-progress feature that, when polished, could significantly elevate the overall experience. Despite these challenges, the potential for hours of engaging gameplay with comrades keeps the spirit of adventure alive and well.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Donkey Crew
Publisher
Snail Games USA, Donkey Crew
Early Accesss Release Date
April 23, 2024
The Final Verdict
Bellwright, while not without its flaws, is a promising venture into a genre that demands as much patience as it does strategy. Its combination of demanding combat, deep settlement management, and a vibrant open world full of possibilities makes it a noteworthy entry. The charm of its visuals, the depth of its gameplay, and the dedication of its developers to improvement indicate a bright future. This is a game that's worth braving the early-access wilderness for, particularly if you're a fan of medieval settings and the joys of building an empire from the ground up.