Deathless: Tales of Old Rus beckons players into a captivating world steeped in Slavic mythology, where the line between life and death blurs. This deck-building roguelike challenges players to navigate a perilous landscape, confronting mythical creatures and making crucial choices that shape their hero’s journey. But is true victory found in defying death, or in embracing the cyclical nature of existence?
A World Forged in Myth, Metal and Card
Deathless immerses players in a rich tapestry of Slavic folklore, weaving a narrative around the concept of “Nav,” the realm between life and death. Players assume the role of a legendary hero, tasked with navigating treacherous dungeons and battling mythical beasts. Each run presents a unique challenge, forcing players to adapt and overcome obstacles through strategic deck-building and careful resource management.
The narrative, though presented through evocative flavour text and atmospheric visuals, remains understated, allowing players to focus on the core gameplay loop while subtly hinting at the deeper philosophical themes. Whilst this could be considered a good thing, allowing players to focus on the gameplay itself, it somewhat detracts from the immersion as the card-based mechanics has potential to support the story better still.
The Dance of Life and Steel
At the heart of Deathless lies a dynamic combat system that blends tactical depth with strategic decision-making. Players construct their decks by acquiring cards through exploration, encounters, and strategic choices. Each card represents a unique ability, from powerful attacks and defensive manoeuvres to potent buffs and debilitating curses.
Combat is turn-based, encouraging careful planning and execution, as players must anticipate enemy moves and react accordingly. There are also helpful icons above each enemy’s head which allow players to learn what each enemy intends to do on their turn. As such, players can plan their move according to these hints, with the aim of scuppering the enemies’ plans before they can strike, so to speak.
Every attack, either from the player’s side or the enemy’s side, has an accompanying animation which looks amazing. Bright blasts and beams of fire shoot across the screen, the characters react according to how they’ve been struck, and it’s something of a visual treat each and every time.
The inclusion of various card types, such as artifacts, events, and blessings, adds layers of complexity and encourages experimentation with different playstyles.
A World of Wonder
From the get-go, Deathless looks incredible. Despite being mostly 2D, every intricately-detailed hand-drawn character model and environment is crisp, clean, and vibrant, thus evoking the mystical atmosphere of Slavic folklore.
The soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere, blending traditional folk instruments with haunting melodies and great sound effects to create a soundscape that is both evocative and immersive.
Embracing the Roguelike Spirit
Deathless embraces the core tenets of the roguelike genre, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience. Each run presents a unique set of circumstances, forcing players to adapt and overcome unforeseen challenges. While permanent death adds a layer of risk, it also encourages (careful) experimentation and exploration.
The progression system rewards players for their efforts, unlocking new heroes, cards, and cosmetic items with each successful run.
A Reflection on Life and Loss
Deathless is not merely a game of combat and conquest; it is a reflection on the human condition, exploring themes of mortality, loss, and the cyclical nature of existence. The constant threat of death serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility, while the opportunity for rebirth encourages players to embrace the journey, learn from their mistakes, and strive for self-improvement. In other words, it’s hard not to feel a certain thrill whilst playing Deathless.
Conclusion
Deathless: Tales of Old Rus is a captivating and challenging deck-building roguelike that successfully blends tactical combat, strategic decision-making, and a rich narrative. Its unique blend of Slavic mythology, engaging gameplay, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout entry in the genre. While the learning curve may be steep for some players, and the story can sometimes wane in places, the rewards of mastering its intricate systems are substantial. Deathless offers a compelling and rewarding experience for fans of roguelikes and deck-building games alike.
Pros
- Rich and engaging world steeped in Slavic mythology.
- Deep and strategic gameplay.
- Stunning, clean art style.
- Challenging yet rewarding.
- Replayability.
Cons
- Steep learning curve.
- Limited narrative.