Down to Hell | PC Review
Platforming games and slashers are not my favorite type of game, but they do have their place in gaming. Down to Hell is a side scrolling hack-and-slash from developer Red Dev Studio. It was released onto Steam early access on April 18, 2019. Should you give this game a shot and storm the gates of Hell?
Enter…If You Dare
In Down to Hell, users will play as a knight who is no slouch to killing as he has years of experience. He lives by combat, and his weapon The Enemy of Man, is an extension of his arm. He is tasked with saving a mysterious woman who saved him from death and has now been taken by horrible demons. The player will also face off against some huge bosses that each provide their own challenges.
Hell Has Broken Loose
Gameplay in Down to Hell is a mix of platforming and basic combat that is mixed with a few spells. Experience that is gained in game can be spent on upgrades to the blood power, and there are also upgrades to the different magic spells. The jumping mechanics of the game can prove to be a bit hard to get down. I tried it on both mouse and keyboard, as well as controller, and it can be very unforgiving. Combat consists of jumping from stage to stage while creating barriers and other obstacles. It’s wave-based combat, and different enemies join the fight the farther in the level the player gets.
The music in the game is advertised as having a metal vibe, but only shows up in boss battles. The rest of the background music in the game has a tone that, unfortunately, gets old very quickly.
Sadly, the frustration level while playing this game is at an all-time high. Some of the jumping mechanics simply don’t work and the platforming is often very unforgiving. Be prepared to restart entire sections after missing a single jump. Furthermore, there’s little to no explanation as how to fight airborne enemies. The player will more than likely spend a good amount of time swinging aimlessly and failing often.
Down to Hell Final Verdict
Down to Hell could be a lot of fun for the right gamer. Considering its early access, my hope is that some of the above-mentioned blemishes will improve over time. The graphics, atmosphere, and level of detail on the characters are great.
This review is based on a PC review copy provided by Super Indie Games for coverages purposes, and will be available on Nintendo Switch at a later date yet to be determined.
Down to Hell
$9.99
Pros
- Great Visuals
- Entertaining Commentary By Narrator
- Fluid Combat
- Level Design Matches Setting
Cons
- Jumping Mechanics Need Work
- Music Is Not As Advertised