Get Ready for the Ultimate Fight: A New Action Roguelike Is Here to Take Down Hades

Though I love slower narrative-focused games, sometimes, I want something to just fight me. The roguelike genre has given me that big-fight feeling on more occasions than I can count. However, today, I was utterly enchanted by Sworn, an action roguelike that could stand aside Hades as an all-time great! Now, that’s a loaded statement, and I know that fans of Supergiant Games’ masterpiece are probably already sharpening their pitchforks and preparing to take me down. But let me tell you, Sworn is something special, and I think it has the potential to join the ranks of the best action roguelikes out there.

The first thing that drew me to Sworn was its unique art style. It’s a bit darker and grittier than Hades, with more muted colors and a focus on atmospheric lighting. This creates a haunting and foreboding atmosphere that perfectly complements the game’s fast-paced action. The sound design is also top-notch, with satisfying sound effects and a pulsating soundtrack that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But what really sets Sworn apart from its competitors is its co-op mode. Yes, you read that right - this action roguelike has a fully-fledged co-op mode that allows you to team up with friends and take on the game’s toughest challenges together. This adds a whole new layer of depth to the game, as you and your teammates will need to work together to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. It’s an absolute blast, and I found myself laughing and shouting with my friends as we navigated the game’s treacherous levels.

Of course, no action roguelike would be complete without a wide variety of unlockables and progression systems. Sworn delivers on this front, with a multitude of characters, weapons, and abilities to unlock as you progress through the game. Each character has their own unique playstyle and strengths, which adds a ton of replayability to the game. You’ll want to play through the game multiple times to try out each character and see which one suits you best.

One of the things that impressed me most about Sworn was its level design. The game’s levels are procedurally generated, which means that each time you play through the game, you’ll encounter a completely new set of levels and challenges. This keeps the game feeling fresh and exciting, even after multiple playthroughs. The levels are also incredibly well-designed, with a perfect balance of combat, platforming, and exploration.

So, is Sworn a worthy challenger to Hades’ throne? In my opinion, absolutely. While it may not have the same level of polish or narrative depth as Supergiant Games’ masterpiece, Sworn makes up for it with its unique art style, addictive co-op mode, and incredibly well-designed levels. If you’re a fan of action roguelikes, or just looking for a new game to sink your teeth into, Sworn is definitely worth checking out. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.