Death Must Die: Roguelite Rampage at Its Finest
A thrilling descent into the nether with a twist on the roguelite blueprint.
Early Access Review
last updated Jan 03, 2024
When gameplay is king, 'Death Must Die' sits proudly on the throne with a diamond-encrusted crown.
Unleash Thy Divine Wrath
When gameplay is king, 'Death Must Die' sits proudly on the throne with a diamond-encrusted crown. It takes the familiar 'kill or be killed' vitality of the roguelite genre and pumps it full of potent game-steroids. Battling through hordes with God-given powers feels as exhilarating as downing an energy drink while base-jumping. The assortment of blessings and gear allows you to engineer nightmarish levels of destruction upon the droves of lost souls foolish enough to cross your path. If you've got the itch for a caffeinated hack and slash experience that respects your time, grab a blade and let's party in purgatory.
Resonance of the Undead
Plug in your headsets and prepare for some aural necromancy, because 'Death Must Die' delivers an undying beat that consistently raises the dead, and then cues you to drop them once again. The music tracks scream action and urgency, effectively turning your adrenaline up to eleven. Voice acting and sound effects blend into the game like dark chocolate swirls in your coffee - not always necessary, but oh so sweet when it's there. Even while the symphony of chaos builds up, the crisp sound design ensures you can almost hear the skeletal bones rattling in fear.
A Pixelated Danse Macabre
The art of 'Death Must Die' splashes pixelated gothic horror across your screen like a digital Pollock. The animations are fluid and combat feels juicy, giving weight to every holy smite and undead obliteration. Performance-wise, the game is smooth as the proverbial crypt-keeper's skull – though in intense moments, it can occasionally cough up the digital equivalent of a hairball. Graphically, the game doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's a damn fine wheel; think 'vintage Cadillac' but with pixel wheels and it drives through graveyards. Sure, it's a sight to behold, but don't let it steal your gaze for too long, lest you get devoured by the ravenous undead.
Oh, Sweet RNGesus
Every seasoned gamer knows the thrill of RNG is akin to a cosmic gamble with the universe, and 'Death Must Die' plays its hand with both grace and malice. Sometimes you'll feel blessed by the divine with synergies that make you unstoppable, while other times you're scraping by with the divine equivalent of pocket lint. This RNG rollercoaster can be a divine comedy at times, but it's what keeps us mortals coming back for more - because when you hit the jackpot, baby, you can almost taste the ambrosia.
Bachelorette of the Undead
The central narrative mechanic of the game might seem like it's straight from a sappy reality show where Death's morbidly ironic sense of humor shines. Characters take on this immortality quest with sass that could slice a ghost, even if sometimes the dialogue tries too hard to be hip. Think mid-2000s teen sitcom with more swords and less 'woe is me'. And while the early access label might scare off potential suitors quicker than acknowledging you live with your ex, 'Death Must Die' is a catch you won't want to ghost.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer & Publisher
Realm Archive
Early Accesss Release Date
November 14, 2023
The Definitive Verdict
Not since the dark days of choosing between a Dance Dance Revolution marathon and a Diablo II all-nighter has a game meshed genres quite so seductively. With a price tag that laughs in the face of empty wallets worldwide, 'Death Must Die' marries mindless fun with strategic depth. It’s the perfect indulgence for those who covet the frenetic pace of Vampire Survivor concoctions sprinkled with a hearty dose of Hades' flair. Boasting tight gameplay, satisfying audio, stunning pixel graphics, and a delightfully unpredictable RNG system, it's a must-have affair in your game library. Whatever you do, don't sleep on this indie treasure - unless you're dead tired, of course.