Death's Gambit: Afterlife

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 47 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Death's Gambit: Afterlife Game Cover
Originally released on PS4 and PC in 2014, developer White Rabbit could have just simply ported Death’s Gambit to Switch and have been done with it.
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"Death's Gambit: Afterlife" is a challenging 2D RPG action platformer, where you play as Death's right hand and battle undying guardians in the realm of Siradon to end their souls. The Afterlife edition includes 10 new levels, 30+ weapons, 5 new bosses, and updated mechanics, with choices impacting the epic conclusion. Explore a vast world, unlock upgrades, and uncover secrets in this Metroidvania-style game.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
  • Beautiful pixel art and a rich, dark world to explore, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Challenging yet rewarding gameplay that combines Metroidvania exploration with Souls-like mechanics.
  • Offers a variety of classes and abilities, allowing for diverse playstyles and replayability.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players reporting completion in 10-15 hours.
  • Certain aspects, like the map clarity and character controls, can feel clunky and lead to frustration.
  • The story may not be as engaging or deep as some players would hope, feeling serviceable at best.
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as a standard metroidvania infused with souls-like mechanics, featuring familiar elements such as dashing, sliding, and double jumping. Players appreciate the challenging yet rewarding combat, expansive maps, and the integration of rogue-lite mechanics, all set within a beautifully crafted world. While the gameplay is generally well-received, some players noted excessive backtracking as a drawback.

    • “Challenging but often rewarding gameplay, well-implemented metroidvania elements, surprisingly personal storyline, gorgeous visuals and sound.”
    • “Gorgeous pixel art, difficult, high-stakes combat, greatly expanded maps, slick revamped mechanics, a grim and enchanting world to explore.”
    • “So much backtracking, rogue-lite mechanics.”
    • “Your standard metroidvania with mechanics from the Souls series.”
    • “All the standard mechanics are here: dash, slide, double jump.”
  • graphics7 mentions

    The graphics are characterized by a pixelated art style that resonates well with fans of indie and old school games, offering a smooth and well-executed visual experience. Reviewers appreciate the gorgeous visuals that complement the gameplay, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the game.

    • “I really love indie and old school games; the art style and gameplay are really well done and very smooth.”
    • “[Challenging but often rewarding gameplay, well-implemented Metroidvania elements, surprisingly personal storyline, gorgeous visuals and sound.]”
    • “Love the art style and gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are pixelated and likely in line with what you expect.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it serviceable yet weaker compared to other aspects of the game, while others appreciate its personal touch and integration with rich music and detailed environments. Overall, the narrative is considered a central element, complemented by engaging gameplay and stunning visuals.

    • “The music, story themes, and environment are very rich and detailed.”
    • “[Challenging but often rewarding gameplay, well-implemented Metroidvania elements, surprisingly personal storyline, gorgeous visuals and sound.]”
    • “[Story is front and center, class system is fun.]”
    • “I feel the story is kind of weaker, but serviceable.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its richness and detail, complementing the story themes and environment effectively. Reviewers highlight the excellent soundtrack as a key element that enhances the dark, charming world, contributing to an immersive experience. Overall, the music is described as solid and well-integrated with the game's design and gameplay elements.

    • “The music, story themes, and environment are very rich and detailed.”
    • “The music, story themes, and environment are very rich and detailed.”
    • “Excellent location and character design, great soundtrack, a dark, charming world to explore.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a unique blend of dark themes interspersed with humor and charming characters, which some players appreciate while others may find it disrupts the overall tone.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a beautifully crafted world that feels alive.”
    • “The combination of haunting soundscapes and stunning visuals creates a truly captivating atmosphere.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with intricate details that enhance the overall mood and atmosphere.”
    • “Surprisingly, there is a lot of humor and cute characters woven into the dark world. I like this, but some players are likely to complain about the break in atmosphere.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game features a notable blend of humor and cute characters set against a dark backdrop, which some players appreciate for its charm, while others may find it disrupts the overall atmosphere.

    • “Surprisingly, there is a lot of humor and cute characters woven into the dark world. I like this, but some players are likely to complain about the break in atmosphere.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in Death's Gambit: Afterlife is praised for its excellent character and level design, offering a diverse range of playable classes, abilities, and weapons. The game's dark yet charming world enhances the experience, complemented by a great soundtrack and the inclusion of alternative endings that enrich character progression.

    • “Death's Gambit's afterlife is a creative 2D platform that features incredible level and character design.”
    • “The game offers an excellent array of playable classes, abilities, and weapons, allowing for deep character development.”
    • “The dark, charming world to explore enhances the character development experience with its immersive storytelling.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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