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Review: Lords of Exile

Updated: Feb 20


Enter a journey of relentless quest for revenge in Lords of Exile, a game clearly inspired by classics like Castlevania.



Developed by Squidbit is a new independent video game brand, focused on the mission of creating high quality arcade and action games and distributed by PID Games.



The game is available for: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Mac OS.


STORY


Obviously with Castlevania extremely clear in our vision, replacing Dracula's servants with a variety of adversaries including ghosts, demons, samurai and Japanese ninjas. Gabriel, the protagonist, seeks revenge after the evil sorcerer devastates the land and murders his wife. In this journey of eight challenging stages, he faces the sorcerer's companions in epic confrontations in his search for justice and redemption.


It is important to highlight that the game does not have subtitles in Brazilian Portuguese. Furthermore, due to the absence of narration, subtitles play a crucial role in conveying information and dialogue. However, it was noted that the subtitles had a somewhat accelerated scrolling speed, which occasionally made it difficult to follow conversations and important details.


GAMEPLAY

Lords of Exile's gameplay is unforgiving and brutal, to say the least. The game constantly challenges players, especially during boss battles, where the intensity reaches extraordinary levels. Even for experienced players who are used to completing multiple titles, Lords of Exile can represent a true test of perseverance. In many moments, I found myself on the verge of extreme frustration, with a fervent desire to abandon everything in anger.


One sticking point to consider is the feeling that Lords of Exile's controls feel dated and the jumping movements are notably imprecise, especially when compared to the standards set by other games in the genre.


ACHIEVEMENTS



It is inevitable to address this issue impartially, especially considering that it is one of the pillars on which our analysis portal is based.


When I first came across the Lords of Exile achievement list, I was genuinely surprised by the apparent lack of judgment that seemed to have gone into its creation. Some of the proposed achievements were so absurdly challenging and disconnected from the reality of the game that I couldn't help but wonder if they were designed by someone with a true understanding of the target audience. These bad decisions as I would dare to describe it, can not only alienate a considerable portion of this game's potential audience, but also raise doubts about the discernment of those responsible for its conception.


The approach adopted by the game can be described as challenging, reaching the point of discouraging even the most experienced players with its achievements focused on speed-runs and insane challenges, such as the demand to face bosses without taking any damage, almost half of which are based on this specific challenge.


TRAILER OFFICIAL


RESUME

In fact, Lords of Exile could have been an intriguing title if it had been released around 40 years ago. However, we are in 2024, an era in which technological evolution in the gaming genre is remarkable, and we can observe exponents in similar games that embrace the latest trends and innovations. In this context, it becomes difficult to ignore the aspects that Lords of Exile seems to neglect, making it seem extremely dated since its release, especially when compared to contemporary titles like The Messenger.


The speed with which the gaming industry has evolved in recent years is impressive, and gamers are increasingly demanding in terms of quality, game mechanics and immersion. In this sense, Lords of Exile seems to fall short of expectations, leaving a feeling of nostalgia for a time when its approach could have been more relevant. Comparison with modern titles like The Messenger further highlights the game's shortcomings, highlighting how much it feels stuck in the past in terms of gameplay, narrative, and visual presentation.


While it's laudable to recognize Lords of Exile's attempts to pay homage to the classics of the past, it's difficult to ignore the fact that today's market demands more than generating inorganic nostalgia. Players seek innovative, challenging and engaging experiences that transport them to new worlds and captivate them in ways that the game unfortunately was unable to achieve. Thus, Lords of Exile faces an uphill battle to find its place amid an increasingly dynamic gaming landscape.



Review by Gamertag: Scoulz


SCORE: 60/100



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