Necropolis: Dungeon Souls
Jun. 20, 2016Necropolis: Dungeon Souls
We visited Bandai Namco’s showroom during E3 and had an opportunity to check out the new dungeon delver, Necropolis from developer Harebrained Schemes. We stepped up to the playing station and gave the upcoming procedurally generated game a roll.
Necropolis is a procedurally generated action game, in which players dive into randomized dungeons, destroying enemies and earning new weapons, armor and upgrades. If features drop-in, drop-out online multiplayer for up to 4 players. The perma death element to the game gives it asimilarity to rogue-likes. You get one life and one chance to defeat the waves of enemies the dungeon tosses at you.Players do not level up, instead they improve their effectiveness as they progress through dungeons via loot and upgrades to abilities. Players can craft curatives and items to assist them in their deadly journey.
The demo began in a launched dungeon and we were immediately familiar with the game’s control scheme and combat which feature clear similarities to theSouls seriesof games. You can equip weapons and shields, evade attacks and make use of hot-keyed items. We stepped forward to explore the new map and were met by some skeleton baddies. Combat plays out as expected, with lock on of targets and strategic real time choices of when to block and when to attack.Stamina consumption is vital, and special charge attacks can help equalize the playing field and turn the tide against the waves of enemies you will encounter.
The visuals are in stark contrast to the Souls series however, and feature an animated andlighthearted feelthat matches the dungeoneering theme. As we progressed through the map and descended it’s various levels we encountered several traps, puzzles and more difficult enemies. Obtaining new gear was straightforward, enemies dropped items and we were able to pick them up and equip right away with on encumbrance issues. We harvested resources and gems as we went, and were able to bring up a crafting menu where we were able to create various helpful items such as curatives. In a fun twist, we encountereditems with mysterious attributes, such as a potentially rancid meat.
Upon dying, thedungeons are relaunched anew, adding an unpredictable element. Death will come, as the game’s hurdles become progressively more challenging as you delve deeper, with enemies becoming stronger and more numerous. We came dangerously close to being the first to complete the demo, as we were down to 3 baddies remaining when a well placed firebomb wiped the entire room!
Overall, Necropolis was a fun dungeon excursion and one that we could easily envision enjoying side by side with friends in late night loot sessions. It’s very easy to pick up and play, and features elements that will be instantly familiar to Souls veterans and fans of rogue-likes. Be on the lookout when it releases next month for PS4, Xbox One and PC.
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Emergence
Editor at Fextralife. I look for the substantial in gaming and I try to connect video games to the emotions and stories they elicit. I love all things culture and history and have an odd fondness for the planet Jupiter. I think my dogs are pretty awesome too.
Devs have said in other interviews it will take 4-6 hours to fully complete.
Usually rogue-like games are not long, most can be finished under 30 minutes. I wonder how many stages or levels this one has.
This Is a game I’m going to get and hoping to enjoy.
