Hellclock is an exciting entry in the ARPG genre with Brazilian history and a refreshing twist on the already growing sector of gaming, already out on Steam as of 22nd July. Developed by Rogue Snail and published by Mad Mushroom, the team aims to take what we already know and love from the ARPG landscape, drawing inspiration from beloved titles like Hades and Diablo. They seek to combine the best elements of these classics while adding their own unique flavour with added Brazilian culture and history. While it’s still too early to tell if this will be a powerful combination, it certainly adds a fun little twist and a faster paced starting experience than we have learned to expect from its predecessors. Join me as we dive into another abyss that is Hellclock.
Simplicity at its finest
When we load up for the first time, a small array of your standard settings for the genre, Softcore and Hardcore, presents itself, along with the added twist of a relaxed mode and pause. At first, not understanding what these entailed, it became plain that they would allow you to pause the game. Unless chosen, they would pit you against the hell clock with a short timer. The only way to beat the timer is to kill enemies swiftly, which I can see as a welcome addition for many speed runners I know who will likely be pitting themselves against the game.
The game strips things back to basics, with no classes and no character customisation, you dive straight in, immediately presented with the game has to offer.
You awaken as the main character Pejeú, and after a few brief interactions with a few of the locals, you set off on your quest to save his mentor, the counselor and battle the hordes of undead in your path to reach him.
New look with a hint of nostalgic familiarity.
One thing I noticed immediately when I loaded in for the first time was how much the game visuals reminded me of Hades, a game I’ve spent countless hours in, following the live-die-repeat cycle many games now embrace. Every year, countless competitors enter the market to try and take a slice, but only a select few remain memorable. Visually, it evokes a sense of familiarity, while the game itself presents something entirely new, although similar to its predecessors.
What makes it stand out compared to its competition is its different approach. As you push through the floors, you collect temporary blessings called trinkets which provide various boosts from damage boosts, attack speed and increased mana to aid you as you push through the endless hordes until you die in which they will reset, and endless gold which can be later spent on other temporary buffs at a statue to boost your stats similar to talismans before continuing on. Over the course of your playthroughs, you will also collect equipment, relics, and even soul stones, a vital currency which can be spent on an array of upgrades, skills and contribute towards your constellation and ascension.
An interesting attempt to rewrite the rules.
The game takes an interesting approach when it comes to death, from the moment you succumb for the first time, a short cutscene plays and the clock rewinds, providing a second chance to try again and rewrite history. This is a slightly more unique selling point from the developers, that along with setting the narrative in 19th century Brazil is a different twist compared to its predecessors, refreshing almost. Whilst I was at first dubious at the thought of a history lesson alongside my gameplay, it has been executed well by the developers.
As you progress, you will find yourself quickly wanting to go back to the starting area every time the difficulty starts to increase, so much so that the game even prompts you to start again just to get some of those necessary buffs and equipment upgrades to not only survive but to push further each time, with some form of new mini boss or main boss every few floors, there is always a new challenge lurking around every corner.
New skill dynamics with a touch of class.
The game’s skill tree introduces a new twist to character development that enhances gameplay. As you embark on your adventures, you earn skill points passively based on the amount of soul currency you accumulate during each run. This currency serves as a reward for defeating foes and making progress, allowing you to unlock a variety of crucial passive buffs. These buffs can range from a small increase in your damage output to unlocking additional slots for powerful relics within your build. This flexibility can ultimately determine whether your setup is merely effective or a truly formidable force on the battlefield.
Although there are restrictions on the number of skills you can carry forward, skills that you unlock through the various acts of the game. The synergy between passive buffs, active skills, and relics can create some really overpowered builds, and this element of strategy alone will encourage players to experiment and discover the combinations that work best for their play style.
Equally impressive is the relic system, which takes me back to the classic gameplay of old school Diablo. As you navigate through the game world, you’ll encounter a diverse array of relics, each offering unique buffs that enhance your character’s stats. These relics can also modify the effects of your abilities, transforming how they function in combat. Such alterations can significantly shift the dynamics of your gameplay, making every run a fresh experience. This revitalisation of a traditional mechanic breathes new life into the game, inviting players to collect and combine relics to forge their ultimate strategy.
Dark but vibrant Canudos
The developers have successfully created a world design that is both dark and vibrant, showcasing ever changing appearances across various floors and acts. The environment is characterised by a mix of dark and captivating elements. Each new enemy introduces distinct visuals, movement, and fighting skills, highlighting the impressive attention to detail.
The audio, complemented by some limited Brazilian voice acting, adds a charming touch yet, it can sometimes feel a bit tranquil. I would have preferred a faster or darker soundtrack as you progress through the floors, especially in contrast to the music in town. This aspect may have been an oversight or something that could be improved in future updates.
A promising addition to the genre.
Overall, this game is a solid entry into the ARPG genre, paying homage to its predecessors while also introducing its own unique twists and redefining certain aspects. The gameplay is enjoyable, and despite a few minor criticisms, it stands out as an impressive offering. It’s fast-paced and fun, making it worth checking out. The game is available on Steam for £19.99, and at the time of writing, there is a free demo you can try.