Developer: FairPlay Studios Co. Ltd
Publisher: Dear Villagers, Gamera Games
Genre:Strategy, roguelike,
Price: $14.99
Release Date: May 13th, 2024
Where to buy: Steam
The Land Beneath Us is a turn-based rogue-lite that plunges players into the depths of Annwn, the Welsh underworld. Developed by FairPlay Studios, the game blends strategic combat with exploration, all wrapped in a mythological atmosphere.
The narrative centers around the Ultimate Soul Harvester (U.S.H), a creation of The Creator tasked with collecting souls. Now wielding Soul-Tech, the U.S.H embarks on a quest to redeem itself, venturing into Annwn to rescue The Creator and retrieve stolen technology. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a unique adventure steeped in Welsh mythology.
The Land Beneath Us offers a rich turn-based rogue-lite experience with strategic combat at its core. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics that make this descent into Annwn so engaging.
Tactical Movement:
- Directional Attacks: Movement isn’t just about positioning; each direction you move in can be an attack. Mastering this directional combat adds depth to strategy, forcing players to consider enemy placement and attack patterns.
- Environmental Hazards: The underworld isn’t static. Players will encounter environmental hazards like fire pits and falling rocks, adding another layer to consider during movement and combat.
Weapon Mastery:
- Unique Arsenal: The U.S.H. has access to a variety of weapons, each with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities. Experimenting with different weapons and their synergies is key to conquering the depths.
- Weapon Upgrades: Between runs (deaths are inevitable in rogue-lites!), players can use collected souls to upgrade their weapons, unlocking new abilities and enhancing their effectiveness.
Chip System:
- Passive Boosts: Chips are passive modifiers that grant the U.S.H. various benefits like increased health or attack power. Players can equip a limited number of chips, adding another layer of strategic customization.
- Combo Potential: Certain chips have synergy, triggering powerful effects when combined. Discovering and exploiting these combos can turn the tide of battle.
Relics and Secrets:
- Undiscovered Power: Scattered throughout Annwn are relics, powerful items that enhance the U.S.H.’s abilities in unique ways. Discovering and utilizing relics can significantly alter your playstyle.
- Environmental Puzzles: The world isn’t just about combat. Environmental puzzles challenge players to think outside the box, adding variety to the exploration.
Death as a Teacher:
- Persistent Progression: The rogue-lite nature of the game means death is a frequent occurrence. However, souls collected during each run contribute to permanent upgrades, ensuring a sense of progression even after defeat.
- Unlocking New Options: As players progress, they’ll unlock new weapons, chips, and relics, expanding their strategic options and encouraging experimentation on future runs.
The Thrill of the Challenge:
- Procedural Generation: The dungeons of Annwn are procedurally generated, meaning each descent offers a fresh layout and enemy encounters. This keeps the experience dynamic and replayable.
- Enemy Variety: Annwn houses a diverse cast of enemies. Each foe has unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities, requiring players to adapt their strategies for maximum efficiency.
The Land Beneath Us utilizes a turn-based combat system, allowing players ample time to strategize each move. This focus on thoughtful action aligns well with the rogue-lite elements. Each descent into Annwn is a new experience, with procedurally generated dungeons ensuring constant challenge and replayability. Players will encounter a variety of enemies, each demanding specific tactics for optimal results.
Beyond strategic depth, the game boasts stylish and exciting combat. Players can master a variety of skills and weapons, stringing together powerful combos to devastate foes. This blend of tactical thinking and action-oriented combat promises an engaging gameplay experience.
Annwn is more than just a combat arena. The world offers secrets to uncover, encouraging players to delve deeper into its lore. As players explore, they’ll encounter environmental puzzles, narrative tidbits, and undoubtedly face moral choices that may influence their journey.
The Land Beneath Us carves its own niche by merging the strategic elements of turn-based combat with the replayability and challenge of a rogue-lite. This combination, along with its unique mythological setting, has the potential to appeal to fans of various genres.
In Conclusion:
The Land Beneath Us presents a compelling proposition for gamers seeking a strategic and challenging adventure. By weaving together turn-based combat with rogue-lite mechanics, the game offers an experience that is both demanding and rewarding.
The unique blend of directional attacks, environmental hazards, and a diverse weapon arsenal ensures that combat is never a one-size-fits-all affair. The chip system and powerful relics add further layers of strategic customization, allowing players to tailor the U.S.H. to their preferred playstyle.
While death is inevitable in a rogue-lite, The Land Beneath Us mitigates the frustration with persistent progression. Each run contributes to unlocking new options and permanent upgrades, keeping players motivated to delve deeper into Annwn. Procedurally generated dungeons and a bestiary of varied enemies ensure a fresh challenge with every descent.
The Land Beneath Us isn’t just about combat; it’s about exploration and discovery. Environmental puzzles and the world’s rich mythology add depth and intrigue to the adventure. For players seeking a strategic challenge with a unique mythological backdrop, The Land Beneath Us promises a rewarding descent into the depths of Annwn.
