Death of a Wish
- March 11, 2024
- melessthanthree
In "Death of a Wish," players control Christian as he battles the cult that raised him, joined by new allies. The Randomizer Update introduces a new mode with randomized enemy and item placements, as well as a "True Randomizer" mode for increased difficulty. This action-RPG emphasizes style and requires mastery of different combat styles and strategic encounters.
Reviews
- The combat system is fast-paced, fluid, and allows for a high degree of customization, making it engaging and satisfying.
- The story is more coherent and accessible than its predecessor, with strong emotional themes that resonate with players, particularly those with personal experiences related to faith and identity.
- The art style and music are unique and evocative, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience of the game.
- The combo system can be unclear, making it difficult for players to fully understand their movesets and control during combat.
- Achieving 100% completion can be frustrating due to the changing availability of items and merchants as the story progresses, potentially locking players out of achievements.
- Some players may find the game's intense visual style overwhelming, which could detract from the experience.
- story69 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Death of a Wish" is praised for its emotional depth and improved clarity compared to its predecessor, "Lucah: Born of a Dream." Players appreciate the engaging narrative that is easier to follow, with well-developed characters and a world that invites exploration, though some elements may require knowledge of the first game for full context. Overall, the storytelling is described as impactful and beautifully intertwined with the game's art and mechanics, making it a standout experience.
“The story is difficult and heartbreaking but beautiful.”
“The story is much easier to follow and parse than the first game, which both makes Death of a Wish more accessible and less 'raw' than Born of a Dream.”
“What I wasn't expecting was the deeply heartfelt story.”
“In Lucah, the story was hard to follow, to put it simply.”
“The entire thing was so obviously couched in metaphor that any simple textual reading felt fundamentally off, and on top of that, it was a difficult puzzle just to fit together the various pieces of the story the game gives you.”
“The story is probably the least strong part of the game (definitely not weak though) and the rest of the game stands tall even without it if you don't want to jump through those extra hoops.”
- gameplay36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Death of a Wish" is widely praised for its depth, smooth mechanics, and engaging combat, which encourages an aggressive playstyle and offers significant player expression through new systems and customization options. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to ease players into its mechanics while maintaining a challenging experience, enhanced by a unique corruption system and innovative features like rewinds and combat scoring. Overall, the gameplay is considered a substantial improvement over its predecessor, "Lucah: Born of a Dream," making it a highly recommended title for both its mechanics and captivating story.
“The gameplay is smooth and fun, the story is well written, and exploration is satisfying.”
“The combat is rewardingly deep and challenging, with rewinds and combat scoring providing a very memorable and innovative take on 2D souls-like mechanics.”
“Incredible game, distinct style, and gameplay that really goes so damn hard.”
“A lot of the opportunity for strategy or exciting dynamic gameplay I could've gotten was thrown out of the window pretty quickly though.”
“I am now playing with a difficulty setting that reduces corruption - this basically keeps corruption at zero and means I do not lose progress, but kind of removes that mechanic from the game.”
“The gameplay alone is enough to recommend this game, but I have a few criticisms.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Death of a Wish" are characterized by a bold and distinctive art style that many players find striking and evocative, though it may take some getting used to due to its sketchy and chaotic nature. While some critics view the visuals as a detractor, most reviews highlight the unique aesthetic as a major draw, enhancing the game's emotional depth and overall experience. The combination of vibrant visuals and compelling music contributes to a captivating atmosphere that resonates with players, making it a standout title in its genre.
“Fun, fast-paced combat and a beautifully unique and evocative art style.”
“The art style, for me, was one of the things that pulled me to the game, both unique and beautiful, though you'll know your own opinion on the style by just watching the trailers.”
“The music is great, the art style is unforgettable, the gameplay is somehow even more rewarding to master than 'Born of a Dream's already stellar combat, and the story is a fantastic resolution for the hazy world of Paradiso.”
“The graphics, for one, are basically the same.”
“I've seen some consider the art style a detractor from the game's quality, saying it's too sketchy, messy, or just plain bad-looking, though I'd beg to differ.”
“First things first, if the art style hurts your eyes, then proceed with caution.”
- music21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the overall experience, setting the mood for various encounters and environments. Composed by Nicolo Telesca, the soundtrack is described as "incredible" and "god tier," with standout tracks that energize gameplay and evoke strong emotions. Overall, the music is considered a vital component of the game's success, seamlessly integrating with its art style and combat mechanics.
“The music is astonishing and does an excellent job of getting you amped up for any encounter, or sets the mood for the environment you travel through.”
“Composed again by Nicolo Telesca, the soundtrack truly heightens the experience.”
“The soundtrack really grabs you, and the first boss fight was really hype!”
“It's a damn shame that the OST hasn't released yet, as I keep wishing I could listen through it again.”
“(So hey, when are you gonna let me buy the soundtrack? I need it lol)”
“Also, the music went hard, especially that one breakcore boss music that plays occasionally.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its difficult and heartbreaking narrative, which resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings and even tears. While some details may be overlooked, the main emotional core is powerful and impactful, contributing to a heartfelt experience that surpasses expectations.
“The story is difficult and heartbreaking but beautiful.”
“Made me cry like the first game did.”
“What I wasn't expecting was the deeply heartfelt story.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable, as it encourages self-reflection and personal growth, allowing them to confront their fears in different ways with each playthrough.
“You will see yourself and all your fears, but ultimately I think you as a person will emerge stronger, making this a very replayable video game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly in relation to the healing system, which they feel necessitates repetitive gameplay to gather resources. Some acknowledge that their own skill level may contribute to this perception.
“Though this may be my bias (I didn't like Bloodborne's healing system either since it led to grinding for it if you ran out), maybe I just needed to play a bit better.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, focusing on the player's experience and character journey rather than a straightforward narrative or lore. While there are some references to previous content, the overall ambiance is what stands out most to players.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making you feel like a part of the story.”
“The game's ambiance is hauntingly beautiful, creating a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you on edge.”
“Every detail contributes to the atmosphere, from the sound design to the visuals, making each moment feel significant.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth that would draw players into the world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere fails to engage, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
“The game tries to create a mood, but it ultimately falls short, resulting in an experience that feels hollow.”