We Who Are About To Die

About

We Who Are About To Die is a single player tactical hack and slash game with a historical theme. It was developed by Jordy Lakiere and was released on November 14, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

"We Who Are About To Die" is a unique combat game that features physics-based directional attacks and complex inputs. You'll need to slow down and carefully strategize your movements to hit weak spots and defeat your opponents. There are no pre-determined animations, giving you full control over your gladiator at all times. Mastering the combat system will take practice and patience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,485 reviews

gameplay323 positive mentions

stability126 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay with a unique physics-based combat system.
Variety of character backgrounds and traits adds depth and replayability.
Active developer who consistently updates the game and listens to community feedback.

Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating experiences.
The game lacks meaningful permanent progression, making it feel repetitive over time.
AI behavior can be inconsistent, leading to unbalanced fights and frustrating encounters.

gameplay
874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of "We Who Are About to Die" is characterized by its physics-based combat mechanics, which offer a steep learning curve but become rewarding as players master them. The game features a compelling roguelite structure with a satisfying progression system, allowing for varied character builds and strategies, though some players find the mechanics janky and the combat occasionally frustrating. Overall, the gameplay loop is addictive, with a mix of challenging battles and management elements, but it could benefit from further refinement and additional content to enhance replayability.
- “The gameplay is extremely fun, with the mouse mechanics adding a unique touch to the combat experience.”
- “The physics-based mechanics mean that timing, positioning, and momentum are crucial, making each fight feel fluid and responsive.”
- “The gameplay loop is addictive and makes me want to do just another run, and another one…”
- “The gameplay lacks replayability, which is a big problem for a roguelite.”
- “The combat mechanics are terrible and take some time to get used to; apart from this, the game is amazing.”
- “The gameplay loop gets repetitive quickly, but the nuts and bolts of a very fun game are there.”
graphics
175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the charming art style and aesthetic appeal, particularly in relation to the gladiatorial theme. However, many also note issues such as graphical glitches, a clunky UI, and performance strains, especially on lower-end hardware. Overall, while the visuals are considered decent and fitting for the game's concept, there is a consensus that improvements are needed for a more polished experience.
- “The graphics are aesthetically pleasing, but what really sells it is the risk/reward system built into every week's matches.”
- “The art style is gorgeous, and I really enjoy the many different items you can equip to create unique gladiators with their own distinct combat style.”
- “The graphics are well done - there are some downright beautiful effects happening in some places.”
- “The graphics put a big strain on the Steam Deck even though it's a small arena fighting game.”
- “Clunky controls, terrible camera, and tons of graphical glitches; not polished enough for a game that's been out for almost two years now.”
- “Not very nice graphics combined with the fact that the game runs from 30 to 130 fps makes it unplayable for me.”
story
157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
79%
4%
The game's story aspect is largely centered around the individual backstories of each gladiator, which provide unique traits and win conditions, enhancing replayability. However, many players feel that the overall narrative is minimal, lacking depth and cohesion, with some describing it as merely flavor text rather than a substantial storyline. While the emergent storytelling from player experiences is appreciated, there is a strong desire for more structured narrative elements and a campaign mode to enrich the gameplay experience.
- “Each character from your runs will have a specific backstory which in turn will determine the victory outcome, aka how to win the game.”
- “Finally, there are a ton of different character backstories that all come with their own set of positive and negative perks, and each backstory has a different win condition which makes for a ton of replayability.”
- “Whether you rise as a champion or fall in the sand, every moment is an epic story worth telling.”
- “There is no story in the game, and so with each death, there is less and less motivation to even continue playing.”
- “Not much lore, generic ChatGPT-level soulless backstory.”
- “Long-term progression is completely non-existent; there is no overarching story, plot, or anything closely related to a skill, prestige, or lineage feature which could interest you to keep going for more runs.”
stability
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
1%
92%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly during combat, which can lead to frustrating experiences such as freezing and unpredictable physics. While some users find the game enjoyable despite its jankiness, others express that the frequent issues detract from the overall experience, especially in a permadeath context. Overall, the game is still in early access, and while it shows potential, it requires further polishing to address its numerous stability concerns.
- “Overall it's very polished, bug free so far... and is generally fun.”
- “Its a game by 1 guy, relatively bug free and complete game experience.”
- “The combat is intuitive and the game runs great!”
- “But when you literally cannot finish a fight because of NPC glitches and you must abandon your character (end your run completely), it's really hard to overlook that.”
- “Game freezes entire computer during combat randomly.”
- “Overall game needs fixing but until then it's a negative review as the game is too buggy to play.”
replayability
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse character backgrounds, randomized elements, and various challenges that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. Many players appreciate the depth of customization and the addictive gameplay, although some note that replay value may diminish after completing all available content. Despite minor criticisms, the consensus is that the game offers substantial replayability, making it a compelling choice for players seeking varied experiences.
- “Each run feels different, and there's loads of replayability thanks to the randomized characters, builds, and story events.”
- “The diverse skill tree and equipment offer immense build customization, fostering endless replayability.”
- “The character rerolls and the stories the different archetypes bring to the experience give it replay value way beyond the norm.”
- “There isn't much replayability, because the only real variables are what type of weapons you use, but fundamentally everything else stays the same with each playthrough.”
- “However, currently it lacks a bit on the replayability front - after you won with all the backstories (6 or so currently), there isn't anything else to unlock.”
- “To keep this short, the game does lose its replay value fairly fast, that is if you are a cretin.”
humor
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is primarily derived from its janky physics and ragdoll mechanics, which lead to unexpected and often hilarious moments during combat. Players find the chaotic interactions and absurd scenarios amusing, although some note that the novelty can wear off, leading to repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining experience, filled with laugh-out-loud moments that enhance the enjoyment of its gladiatorial combat.
- “We who are about to die is a janky masterpiece—equal parts tactical bloodsport and hilarious physics slapstick.”
- “The physics system can be hilarious, whether that's intended or not; but I legit clubbed a dude's head nearly out of the stadium once, another time I sliced a dude in half so hard he flew into outer space.”
- “The game simply feels great out of the gate, wonky physics are both amazingly funny and good to play with and combat actually has decent depth in it.”
optimization
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
77%
14%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly during intense combat scenarios and with larger character groups. While some updates have improved stability and frame rates, others still report unplayable conditions on lower-end systems and occasional bugs. Overall, players express hope for further optimization, especially given the game's potential and enjoyable combat mechanics.
- “The game runs smoothly and the controller support is almost perfect besides some clunky menu navigation at times.”
- “Moments where I have tons of fame, unlock a ton of auxiliary slots and simultaneously use all of them to repair my armor while going in a fight that lets me borrow the faction armor is a level of optimization that fires my monkey neurons.”
- “Performance has largely been improved as well.”
- “The shadows destroy performance.”
- “The game is a fun game and definitely satisfies my inner Russell Crowe, but I was having terrible performance issues at first.”
- “To top it off, the game is not optimized at all; the load screens load so fast I can't read the messages, then the game stutters horribly in fights with a lot of people, meanwhile I can run games like Elden Ring fine.”
grinding
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
2%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and frustrating. While some appreciate the casual grind and the satisfaction of character progression, others criticize the inflated item prices, repetitive tasks, and time-consuming animations that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the grind can feel unbalanced and lacking in reward, leading to a sense of exhaustion rather than enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “In Souls, you can generally consistently level your gear up to take on the ever-increasing challenge, but there's no grinding to be had here.”
- “It's grindy and frustrating.”
- “The prices for good items feel overly inflated, making progression more tedious than it needs to be.”
- “This game does not respect your time; every match has a run-in to the arena and some sort of gate-opening animation. The only thing this adds to the game is nothing; this wastes your time and gets tedious after many hours of gameplay.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its fitting ambiance and immersive sound design that enhances the overall experience. While some find the soundtrack enjoyable and well-suited to the game's atmosphere, others note that it can become repetitive and lacks energy during combat. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's charm, though there are calls for a more dynamic and memorable score.
- “From the unique gameplay to awesome music and easy to navigate game flow, it's crazy one dude made this!”
- “The art style, music, and writing is charming.”
- “Music and sound design is clean and enjoyable.”
- “I'm honestly not a lover of music in games.”
- “In particular, mid-combat music only starts after a few minutes of straight fighting and isn't very noticeable.”
- “Sound/music - 7/10 found music getting repetitive after a while.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed recreation of ancient gladiatorial combat, enhanced by well-crafted environments, varied textures, and a fitting soundtrack. Players appreciate the dynamic elements, such as day and night cycles and the mood of the spectators, which contribute to an engaging and addictive experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere effectively draws players in, making each battle feel intense and impactful.
- “What's particularly remarkable is the attention to detail in recreating the atmosphere and tactics of ancient gladiatorial combat.”
- “Models and textures are detailed and varied; the day and night changes add their own atmosphere to the arenas, and the mood of the spectators comes across well and motivates the player during the fights.”
- “It is extremely rare for me to think about the dev teams for many of the games I play, because much of the time they are faceless people who you could not really talk to, let alone feel as if you were in an atmosphere that felt less like a true office.”
- “The world is kind of immersive, and the atmosphere and threat of dying certainly impact your way of scheming, fighting, and choosing skill options all along.”
- “Models and textures are detailed and varied; the day and night changes add their own atmosphere to the arenas, the mood of the spectators comes across well and motivates the player during the fights.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting the heartbreak of losing well-developed characters after investing significant time in them. The thrill of high-stakes gameplay, coupled with the joy of starting anew, creates a compelling emotional rollercoaster. While some players appreciate the wholesome nature of the game, they note a lack of recurring characters or systems that could deepen emotional attachments, leading to mixed feelings about the overall emotional depth.
- “The multiple backgrounds and their win conditions give the game a lot of replayability, but losing a character you've sunk hours into will always be heartbreaking.”
- “The risk of your character dying and barely making it is a rush and heartbreaking when you die.”
- “God, this game is fun... makes me want to cry sometimes, tear out my remaining hair, despair at my clumsy fingers... probably 100 lives in, I have yet to win a single origin (came real close once though)... but it is such addictive fun.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
8%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and battle passes, which contrasts with the mobile game advertisements that initially attracted them. However, some users feel misled by the game's promotional materials, suggesting that the actual gameplay does not match the hype created by its advertisements. Overall, while the lack of monetization schemes is a plus, the game's execution leaves some players disappointed.
- “No big corporate interests or monetization nonsense.”
- “No battle passes, no microtransactions, just good gaming!”
- “Thank god this game has no microtransactions.”
- “And at first glance, it looks like a mobile game or advertisement for a gladiator-themed slot machine.”
- “Of course, I am happy for the dev and wish him all success, but speaking as a customer, it's just advertisement that reminds me of mobile games.”
- “Unfortunately, the game does not live up to the hype the trailer brings it nor the advertisements that lured me to purchase this game.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Reviewers express a desire for enhanced RPG elements and character development options, such as skill trees, to elevate the gameplay experience. The game is praised for its potential in-depth combat and character progression, appealing to fans of gladiator and hack-and-slash genres. However, some feel that the unique approach to character development may be difficult to fully grasp.
- “If gladiator, Spartacus, 'hack-and-slash' games, or the phrase 'RPG-like character development' make you feel warm and fuzzy, this is the game for you.”
- “As an aspiring solo developer myself, it is truly inspiring to play a game like this; it scratches those itches for in-depth combat and character development.”
- “If they add more RPG elements and character development options like skill trees for weapons and similar stuff that was in Colosseum, it could become my favorite.”
- “It is possible that there are a lot of interesting mechanics and equipment elements in the game, as well as character development, but in my opinion, the author did it in such a 'his own way' that only he understands.”
- “Character development from zero to hero.”