Recommended for: Players looking for a mixture of fast paced, action packed, souls-like game with linear storyline

Not Recommended for: Players hoping to try out their souls-like experience or looking for a similar souls-like experience

Deathbound is a mixture of souls-like with a fusion of character switching action packed combat, allowing for brisk experience with a linear gameplay. It combines elements from souls-like games having to manage your stamina with attacks being executed before queuing another action and switching in order to fully utilize combat and survival.

This makes it more invigorating albeit daunting at times due to how unbalanced the structure of the levels are designed, enemies count on areas, model clipping and character staggering on both ends. It's and somewhat fast paced, but the intro for the game makes it incredibly misleading as just a BASE souls-like game.

Characters are called essences which you can switch to but entirely they are the Character Classes of the game, you have at least 7 of them (I missed one) but they are missable and will often come later. They range from your Typical Knight Class, Assassin/Rogue, Tank, Mage, Amazon (Spear) and Brawler that does Capoeira (pretty cool and awesome if you ask me). Unfortunately you cannot customize these characters Aesthetics or gear in any way shape or form.

You also have a restricted character leveling system which means you cannot focus on specific stats such as stamina or vigor (crucial stats for any souls-like game) they are sort of skill trees that interconnect with one another and have their own "nodes" for essences that give their abilities a boost. However, these don't really give you a lot as an individual essence in the field, but once you've gotten the rhythm of adjusting to the combat, then you'll see its effects.

Syncing is a mechanic that allows your character to gain with active and off field in order initiate a power attack while switching. Filling up this bar is essential in order to deal massive damage against tank types or multiple enemies in the field. It can be obtained by simply attacking the enemies, performing staggers and perfect dashing (rolling in terms of this game).

Dashing is replaced instead of rolling which is bad and inconvenient as some essence have their own unique form of it (brawler does a back flip instead) and it makes it more difficult to apply in situations and understanding the hitboxes of enemies more complicated, however, switching characters midway (specially when attacking) allows for brief invincibility which is encouraged.

You can restore your HP in so many ways with multiple downsides to it, being able to heal by attacking enemies, you mostly heal off field character/s instead of the active one forcing you to constantly switch strategies on the fly.

Using an Essence Enhancer (Flasks) also heals your Active character but drains off field characters instead. There's also Essence Crystals that yields a risk reward mechanic which gives you x amount of Crystals for XP/Upgrades in exchange for x amount of HP. This meant that you'll have the XP in your set up as you fight enemies, which can also drop if you die.

Later on as you gather many essence (your character class as a bundle) you're able to fully understand and optimize your strategy, being able to evolve from slowly awaiting attacks to bum rushing and switching like a dual pistol. The level design is atmospheric but lacks depth and is completely dark most of the time. Empty even, as it fails to give world building a chance.

Attacks do have weight on them and feels just right, but enemies feel like sponges or rock even being able to withstand almost all attacks with minimal exception from others that can be staggered from normal attacks. Your character/s however are almost always vulnerable, even with poise, it feels like you're denied the combo you wish to perform.

Inventory and UI system is dull and unintuitive, with you only being able to use or access your ACTUAL items by putting them in your belt. As well as only being able to equip TWO rings and ONE artefact besides having a lot. The terminology also confuses me and descriptions for some skills and uses are incredibly vague with having a lore description instead of actually telling you what it does.

Overall I'd give this game a 6/10 and my verdict is that this is a fun experience with mixing souls-like game with a variety of mechanics, It does fail to execute it to a polished and proper degree as the level design in most places are not only dark, narrow and constricted but also is filled with enemies that can overwhelm you early on.

The most awful part for the game was the unnecessary Chase sequence with you rotating around the area, facing hordes of enemies and some of them sniping you, looking for key items to unlock a door just leads back to the same place and the "nemesis" having to chase you even in safe areas.

I'd like to thank GamingCypher for gifting this game for me! it's been a treat playing through! please check out their website!

amazing game!!!

The game simple felt like ♥♥♥♥ ,map design isnt great either and movement is clunky