Silksong, the depths of Hell, and some parkour

Hello folks! I must admit, I was pretty tempted to just fire off a newsletter this week that just had the Hollow Knight: Silksong trailer in it, because let’s face it - that is what 98% of the internet is talking about right now. It is still pretty wild to me that this small game from Adelaide has not only garnered an incredibly devoted fanbase that has broken into the mainstream, but that they have managed to bring Steam, Xbox, PSN, and the Nintendo eShop to a grinding halt on their launch day. It’s so wonderful to see, and to celebrate the release this week, I decided to actually play the original Hollow Knight, a game that I have avoided since it’s 2017 release, despite also being curious as to what exactly caused such a rabid following.

I don’t like search action games. In fact, I can’t name a single Search Action game that I have enjoyed, let alone played to completion. In the continuing quest to broaden my gaming palette, I decided to really give Super Metroid a real go last year. I put in a few hours but I just could not connect in the way that so many people do. I hate backtracking in games. I also really hate being lost and not knowing where to go in real life, and I hate it doubly so in video games. Those two things are major pillars of the genre, so I guess my own anxieties are the reason why I can’t seem to gel with these types of games.

That was until Hollow Knight. 8 hours in after just beating the Mantis Lords, I can finally say I get it. I think the main reason is simply the fact that the game doesn’t present you with a functional map at first. You have to find the cartographer in the word to get your bearings, and then via your own exploration, you complete the map yourself. During those first 30 or so minutes when I had no map at all, I quickly learned to just let go, and fall down the endless maze of bug holes to explore the Forgotten Crossroads. By the time I had the map, I was no longer compelled to use it as a “where am I” tool, but rather a “where are there gaps?” tool as a propellent to fuel my need for exploration.

I am hooked. I understand why you folks love Hollow Knight now. Now I guess I am going to be jumping on that Silksong train when I roll credits on the original, and I may even branch out and try a few more of this elusive genre that everyone seems to hold near and dear to their hearts.

Anyways, enough about what I am playing. Let’s take a look at what you should be playing this week.

And what came out this week?

Hell Is Us

Developer: Rogue Factor
Steam rating: Very Positive
Store page

If you like the idea of exploring a world that has no quest markers, no compass, and no hand holding, then Hell is Us is definitely something you should be checking out. It is a third-person action game that definitely looks like it is taking inspiration from Dark Souls in terms of its combat, but it is this weird world where a calamity has happened, the dregs of humanity have entered a civil war, and weird supernatural beings have arisen who are impervious to modern weaponry. Honestly, it seems kinda cool.

I do think there is going to be some division on this one. I am sure some will REALLY love the exploration element, how the world really feels like something that you have stumbled across, rather than a linear experience. I am sure that others will absolutely dread the idea of being dropped in the thick of things with no clear direction. I would be in that camp, but perhaps my recent revelations playing Hollow Knight means I am ready for this challenge.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Developer: Team Cherry
Steam rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
Store page

The most wishlisted game on Steam has finally been released. Eight years after the launch of the original that grew into a fan favorite, the long memed Silksong has been unleashed on the world. Despite the hefty claims from the most diehard fans, it seems to be “more Hollow Knight”, but much more refined and filled to the brim with exciting things to uncover.

This time around you play as the lethal hunter Hornet, who has been captured and taken to the fallen kingdom of Pharloom. You will have an entirely new collection of combat options, including the ability to craft tools and traps, which sounds like it will really up the ante when it comes to the challenging combat that the series is known for. Not to mention there are more than 40 bosses for you to encounter throughout the adventure.

I am sure most of you are picking this one up. I am excited to be right there with you… when I finally finish the first game of course.

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel

Developer: Games Farm/ARTillery
Steam rating: Very Positive
Store page

Look. I am not a big fan of “it’s like X game but it does THIS”. That happens a lot, and more often than not, it seems to be the minimal effort versions of these games that make a splash. Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is like Vampire Survivors, but it is set in a Viking world, and it has an interesting set of roguelike mechanics.

Unlike the standard survivors formula, your runs will have quests and objectives to complete, and there’s a whole meta-progression element that will have you unlocking persistent buffs and upgrades that will allow you to get further next time. Make it far enough, you’ll even have to face down some rather brutal bosses in order to earn the divine blessings of the gods.

Not my kind of joint, but it does look very well made and has a pretty glowing set of Steam reviews. It had a bit of an Early Access period, and it’s v1.0 seems to be pretty strong.

JETRUNNER

Developer: Riddlebit Software
Steam rating: Positive
Store page

The Steam description of this one made me take a second look. “Trackmania meets Titanfall”. That is the dream that JETRUNNER is selling, and I am here ready for it.

JETRUNNER serves up 60+ unique arenas for you to jump, slide, wall run, and grapple hook through to be the best that ever ran. There’s a campaign mode, but the real exciting part for me would be the challenge mode, and chasing your friends on the leaderboard.

This one is probably for those sickos out there who played Neon White for months on end, holding me back as I struggled to keep up with them.

Mortal Sin

Developer: Nikola Todorovic
Steam rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
Store page

Mortal Sin is a boomer looter? OK. I don’t have a good term. But it’s chasing that dragon that the boomer shooters have been pulling off successfully, but this time in a fantasy melee combat, laced with plenty of gore. It’s all about chaining your slashes and kicks to set up gib-tastic finishers.

There are over a dozen classes, each with their own unique weapons and abilities, and a fully procedural world filled with enemies that react and try to counter your furious violent sprees. This is a solo dev project that has been getting a lot of good press during it’s Early Access period, and has finally hit that coveted 1.0

Oh, did you see our Dice Gambit review?

The extremely talented hosomeowa spent some time with Dice Gambit a few weeks ago, and was really happy with the glittering style of the tactical dice roller.

One of the biggest compliments I can pay a video game these days is that it’s coherent. It looks and moves as a whole, not like a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey come to life. Nothing about Gambit’s choices feels tacked-on or random. Everything coheres. And it was probably the highlight of my BitSummit, even if I didn't get to trap any souls.

Please go ahead and read the full review here.

That’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading as always. If you enjoyed the newsletter, please share it with a friend. If you really enjoyed it, please consider dropping a few dollars in our Ko-FI cup.

See you next week with some new reviews, and another Indie Release Dispatch.