A Deeply Complex Roguelike Adventure

In recent years, the surge in popularity of roguelikes has brought many new contenders to the stage, some shining bright and others faltering. For enthusiasts of the genre, the list of must-haves in a top-tier roguelike is clear: engaging progression, dynamic gameplay paired with significant permanent upgrades, and that irresistible urge for “just one more run.” Yet, blending these ingredients seamlessly is an art mastered by only a few. Passtech Games succeeded spectacularly with Curse of the Dead Gods, their initial foray into action roguelikes, and now they’re revisiting the genre with Ravenswatch. Despite a few quibbles about its balancing, Ravenswatch stands out as one of the year’s standout roguelikes, having shed its PC exclusivity.

Launched in Early Access for PC in April 2023, Ravenswatch gathered a warm welcome on Steam, leading up to the game’s full release in September of this year. After almost 18 months of refining through updates and fresh character introductions, the game made its official debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, offering what might be its finest version yet. Its cast of unique heroes propels each venture into the dreamlike world of Reverie into a captivating experience. While it might not soar to the heights of its obvious inspiration, Hades—or the upcoming Hades 2—Ravenswatch holds its own as a co-op roguelike set against a fascinating fairy tale backdrop.

One of the strongest features of Ravenswatch is its diverse roster of characters. Similar to the narrative scaffolding seen in distinguished roguelikes, Ravenswatch crafts a compelling story to anchor its gameplay. It transports us to Reverie, a fantastical realm where the world’s legendary fictional personas, akin to the realm of Morpheus from Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed Sandman, exist. Yet, this realm faces the menace of “Nightmares,” Lovecraftian creatures morphing Reverie into a twisted nightmare. In this dire time, the fabled Ravenswatch—esteemed heroes from various fictional worlds—step up as Reverie’s last line of defense.

This intriguing premise grants Passtech Games ample creative freedom in designing heroes and their abilities. The initial roster features four noteworthy heroes—Scarlet, mingling elements of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, Beowulf, the Snow Queen, and the Pied Piper. Each hero offers distinct combat dynamics, requiring players to master their unique skill rhythms and cooldown management. As players advance, five additional heroes join the lineup, expanding the strategic possibilities and encouraging players to experiment with various playstyles.

Each hero is equipped with a core set of abilities involving a standard attack and four key actions: a Defense move, a Special, a Power, and a Trait. These can be enhanced through leveling up or by purchasing upgrades with Dream Shards. Unlike its predecessor, Curse of the Dead Gods, Ravenswatch allows players to retain upgrades throughout a run, letting them face the final act significantly more formidable than when they began.

While the core gameplay revolves around vanquishing foes and enhancing heroes, the distinct abilities of each character ensure exceptional replayability. Certain heroes naturally stand out—Scarlet’s transition into the Big Bad Wolf during nighttime reveals a unique ability set, while Sun Wukong’s Yin and Yang shifts dramatically alter defense and attack potentials. These mechanics not only refresh gameplay dynamics but also keep players coming back for more.

Ravenswatch shines with its myriad reasons for players to dive back into its depths. Even when players think they’ve mastered a character’s kit, other heroes still offer surprises. The option to play solo or with friends in co-op mode expands gameplay possibilities, as players discover synergistic moves between hero abilities.

However, as engaging as Ravenswatch can be, it does hit a snag with its balance and difficulty. By design, roguelikes require repeated attempts for gradual improvement. Yet, Ravenswatch’s cooperative gameplay introduces a twist—Raven Feathers, a mechanic allowing up to six resurrects, which disrupts traditional balance. While this helps players push through tougher stages, it inadvertently necessitates harder foes, especially in co-op where enemy count and health increase. This dynamic can lead to challenging encounters, notably against the Nightmare bosses, where a single mishap can derail progress. Nonetheless, the game’s variety of upgrades buoy players’ growth, incrementally bolstering them against the game’s myriad challenges.

In conclusion, with nine heroes boasting over ten unlockable talents and a vast array of Magical Objects and consumables, Ravenswatch emerges as a highly replayable title. Its blend of combat diversity and narrative intrigue ensures players return for more. While it may not deliver a story as compelling as Hades, the focus on rich combat and vibrant visuals reminiscent of Passtech’s previous work, Curse of the Dead Gods, serves it well. Though it still needs to fine-tune some balance aspects, Ravenswatch is a strong addition to the action roguelike genre, packing plenty of replay value and captivating gameplay for fans old and new.