Death of a Wish

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 164 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Death of a Wish Game Cover
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 164 reviews
story42 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Death of a Wish improves upon its predecessor with refined mechanics, a more coherent story, and a vibrant art style that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The combat system is fast-paced and highly customizable, allowing for aggressive playstyles and rewarding skill expression, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and fans of the original.
  • The game features a deeply engaging narrative that resonates with players, particularly those with personal experiences related to its themes, and offers a unique blend of emotional depth and action.
  • Some players found the story to be less impactful and emotionally charged compared to Lucah, feeling that it lacked the same level of depth and complexity.
  • The game's difficulty spikes, especially in the later sections, may be challenging for some players, and the new mechanics can feel overwhelming without proper guidance.
  • Certain gameplay elements, such as the unclear combo system and the corruption mechanic, have been criticized for being confusing or punishing, potentially detracting from the overall experience.
  • story138 mentions

    The story in "Death of a Wish" is praised for being more coherent and accessible than its predecessor, "Lucah: Born of a Dream," while still maintaining emotional depth and complexity. Players appreciate the engaging narrative that features relatable characters and a well-constructed world, with themes addressing significant social issues. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong improvement, making it a compelling experience for both newcomers and fans of the original game.

    • “Very moving story –– a world and people in it that genuinely makes you (and Chris! Chris oh Chris) want to fight for them. Solid combat (really a thorough improvement from the previous game, especially the degree to which you customize your movesets), bold, distinctive art style as always. Death of a Wish is the best game I've played in a while, a strong contender for personal Game of the Year even.”
    • “The story is difficult and heartbreaking but beautiful. This is a great follow-up to Lucah: Born of a Dream, which I also loved, that builds on the story and themes as well as the mechanics in a great way.”
    • “The story is much easier to follow and parse than the first game, which makes Death of a Wish more accessible and less 'raw' than Born of a Dream.”
    • “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 major themes came across well, and I got the general 'vibe' of it all, but I don't feel comfortable explaining the story to another person, and I'm certain I've missed more than a few details.”
  • gameplay72 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. While some players have mixed feelings about the corruption mechanic, the overall experience is enhanced by a vibrant art style, addictive gameplay, and a well-crafted story that builds on its predecessor. Many reviewers consider it a substantial improvement over the first game, making it a highly recommended title for both its mechanics and narrative.

    • “Addictive gameplay, genius sound design, engaging story that can still be fully experienced without playing the prequel, and probably the most unique and memorable visual style in my 15+ years of gaming.”
    • “The combat is rewardingly deep and challenging, with rewinds and combat scoring providing a very memorable and innovative take on 2D souls-like mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and fun, the story is well written, and exploration is satisfying.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics62 mentions

    The graphics of "Death of a Wish" feature a bold and distinctive art style that is both unique and evocative, drawing comparisons to its predecessor, "Lucah: Born of a Dream." While some players find the art style challenging or overwhelming, many appreciate its ability to convey the game's themes of oppression and tragedy effectively. Overall, the visuals are praised for their beauty and charm, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “Fun, fast-paced combat and a beautifully unique and evocative art style.”
    • “The art style is unlike anything else in such a good way, and they've taken all the right influences from Sekiro and Hyper Light Drifter.”
    • “While this game is as vibrant as it looks, full of striking visuals that take you to the edge of being overwhelmed, Death of a Wish does an excellent job of easing you into the combat mechanics and gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “First things first, if the art style hurts your eyes, then proceed with caution.”
  • music42 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the overall experience and set the mood for various encounters. Composed by Nicolo Telesca, the soundtrack is described as "incredible," "astonishing," and "god tier," with standout tracks that energize gameplay, particularly during boss fights. Overall, the music is considered a vital component of the game's appeal, seamlessly blending with its unique art style and engaging combat.

    • “Composed again by Nicolo Telesca, the soundtrack truly heightens the experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's a damn shame that the OST hasn't released yet, as I keep wishing I could listen through it again.”
    • “Also, the music went hard, especially that one breakcore boss music that plays occasionally.”
    • “The soundtrack really grabs you, and the first boss fight was really hype!”
  • emotional10 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 consistently praised for its beauty and depth, making it a memorable experience akin to its predecessor.

    • “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.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers a high level of replayability, as players can confront their fears and personal challenges, leading to a transformative experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “You will see yourself and all your fears, but ultimately I think you as a person will emerge stronger, and it is a very replayable video game.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly related to the healing system, which they feel necessitates repetitive gameplay to manage resources effectively. Some acknowledge that their personal skill level may contribute to this perception, suggesting that improved gameplay could alleviate the need for grinding.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, focusing on the player's experience and character journey rather than a straightforward narrative. While there are some references to prior lore, the emphasis is on creating a rich, atmospheric environment that enhances the overall gameplay experience.

    • “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 the edge of your seat.”
    • “Every detail contributes to the atmosphere, making each moment feel significant and enhancing the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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