With AAA studios largely stepping back from producing action games characterized by intricate combat systems and visually striking gameplay, indie developers are swiftly filling the void. Among these emerging titles, Morbid Metal, developed by SCREEN JUICE, truly exemplifies the innovative spirit that fans of the genre seek.
Recently, I had the opportunity to experience an early access build of Morbid Metal, and while it indeed shows promise, there are elements that could benefit from further refinement.
Dynamic Character Switching Mechanics
This roguelite hack-and-slash title draws inspiration from well-known games like Hades, presenting a familiar gameplay loop where players navigate through combat arenas, earn rewards, and gather currency for permanent upgrades across playthroughs. While this established formula works, Morbid Metal distinguishes itself with its unique mechanics that go beyond chance and progression.
Each character is crafted with deep mechanics, turnings roguelite bonuses into enhancements that supplement an already exciting combat experience. A standout feature of Morbid Metal is the ability to switch characters seamlessly during gameplay—whether in combat or traversal—which allows players to creatively extend combos. This real-time switching enhances the combat dynamics significantly.
For example, the character Ekku can initiate a launcher attack, while Flux has a unique ability to blink towards enemies. This allows players to launch foes, switch, land strikes with Flux, use a special move, and then switch back to Ekku for a finishing move. This fluidity in character switching makes the combat experience feel fresh and vibrant.
While focusing on one character might yield higher damage with a concentrated build, the true excitement lies in experimenting with combinations to discover stylish and effective combat strategies.
Movement throughout the game’s environments is rapid due to the absence of a stamina penalty, enhancing the sense of agility. Although players can navigate biomes swiftly, a mini-map feature would be advantageous to help orient oneself, given that some areas can appear quite similar, thereby hindering upgrade identification during exploration. Implementing a system akin to Returnal‘s HUD map could greatly enhance navigation.
The control scheme remains straightforward, eschewing directional attacks or complex inputs, which makes it accessible for players of varying skill levels.
Balancing Style with Combat Friction
However, there are certain combat mechanics that may require re-evaluation. In many successful action games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, enemies are unable to attack from off-screen, allowing for carefully constructed challenges that do not feel overly punishing. In contrast, while Morbid Metal generally maintains fairness, the presence of off-screen projectile attacks can indeed lead to frustrating moments, reminiscent of enemy mechanics found in the recent God of War titles, which may detract from the overall experience.
Moreover, the current cooldown system for special attacks could hinder the fluidity of combo chaining. Traditionally, cooldowns are reserved for ultimate abilities, so having them applied to standard attacks may disrupt gameplay flow. Conversely, the indicators for perfect dodges are rather generous, indicating a potential area for improvement in combat engagement by tightening the timing windows.
Nevertheless, these observations highlight areas for enhancement as the game continues to evolve during early access. Despite these concerns, Morbid Metal is on track to become a compelling action title that is inviting to new players, rich in combo potential, and a joy to experience.
Morbid Metal is set to enter early access on April 8, 2026. Interested players can add it to their Steam wishlist now.
Related Articles:
Complete Guide to Ghost Station Test Answers in Neverness to Everness
19:31
Ultimate Resource Guide for Heroes of Might and Magic: The Olden Era
21:41
Ultimate Controls Guide for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era – Essential Hotkeys to Remember
21:39
Leave a Reply