For gameplay, check out my vod below from the stream trying out the first bits of the demo.
Deathbound plunges you into a world teetering on the precipice of oblivion, where the Church of Death offers the dubious promise of salvation through the absorption of fallen warriors’ essences. You become a vessel for these restless souls, inheriting their skills, memories, and even fragments of their personalities. This unique premise sets the stage for an action RPG that’s equal parts exhilarating and introspective, blurring the lines between life and death, hero and villain, in a way that’s both thematically rich and mechanically engaging.
The core gameplay loop revolves around building your party by absorbing the souls of fallen enemies. Each warrior boasts a distinct combat style and skillset, ranging from nimble swordplay to earth-shattering magical explosions. Seamlessly switching between these personalities on the fly allows for dynamic combat encounters, demanding quick thinking and tactical adaptation. Morphstrikes, powerful combinations that blend the abilities of two party members, add another layer of depth, encouraging experimentation and mastery of your spectral ensemble.
But Deathbound isn’t just about flashy combat. The souls you absorb carry the weight of their past lives, their regrets and triumphs echoing through your consciousness. Exploring their memories unveils a world ravaged by religious fanaticism and scientific hubris, where the lines between good and evil are ever-shifting. These introspective moments offer a welcome respite from the brutal action, forcing you to grapple with the ethical implications of your power and the true cost of defying death.
However, Deathbound isn’t without its blemishes. The narrative, while intriguing, can sometimes feel fragmented, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and player interpretation. The world itself, while atmospherically rich, can occasionally feel a bit sparse and repetitive. And while the combat system offers plenty of depth, certain boss encounters can feel frustratingly unbalanced, demanding trial-and-error more than strategic finesse.
Despite these shortcomings, Deathbound remains a compelling experience. Its unique blend of action RPG gameplay with thought-provoking themes and a world dripping with lore makes it a standout in the genre. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you both physically and intellectually, and invites you to ponder the very nature of life and death, then Deathbound is definitely worth a dance with the dead.
I sat here for a while, piecing together the scope of how the game aims itself to be, even in its early format. It has some great promise, even with its rough draft. The developers show so far they have the chops for a outstanding Action-RPG! Stay tuned for more content following up if possible a fully written review.
