Mortal Rite – Early Access Preview
OUR RATING: 6/10
As a player stepping into the world of Mortal Rite, you’re greeted with the promise of a thrilling action RPG experience that blends the punishing combat style familiar to fans of the Souls series with a cooperative multiplayer twist. Developed by Round Toast Studios, Mortal Rite is currently in Early Access on Steam, showcasing both potential and areas that need refinement. So, how does this game stack up against its genre peers?
Mortal Rite invites players into a dark and immersive universe where they can embody various champions, each with unique abilities and backstories. The narrative revolves around an initiate striving to join an ancient guild of immortal warriors. To achieve this goal, players must conquer the trials set by the Spirit of Blood while ascending a formidable tower filled with challenges.
The game offers a rich tapestry of lore that unfolds gradually as players explore its procedurally generated environments. This design choice not only enhances replayability but also ensures that each playthrough feels distinct and engaging. However, while the premise is intriguing, the execution has its ups and downs, which we will explore in detail.
At its core, Mortal Rite emphasizes a blend of strategic combat and character customization. Players can choose from three distinct heroes—rock, metal, and fire—each offering unique combat styles and abilities. The game’s combat system is reminiscent of traditional Soulslike mechanics, where timing, positioning, and stamina management are crucial for survival.
The combat in Mortal Rite is designed to be methodical rather than chaotic. Players engage in a mix of light and heavy attacks, dodges, and blocks, requiring a keen understanding of enemy patterns to succeed. The finisher move, known as the “Mortal Strike,” adds an exciting layer of brutality, rewarding players for successfully weakening their foes.
However, the combat system has its limitations. Players have reported issues with the responsiveness of controls, particularly when facing multiple enemies. The camera can sometimes become disorienting, making it difficult to track opponents during intense encounters. These factors can lead to frustration, especially for those accustomed to the fluidity of other titles in the genre.
One of the standout features of Mortal Rite is its character customization options. Each hero has their own skill tree, allowing players to invest ability points into new skills and upgrades. This system encourages experimentation and adaptability, as players can tailor their playstyle to suit their preferences. The game also includes a variety of items and equipment that can further enhance character abilities, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
Mortal Rite shines in its cooperative multiplayer mode, enabling up to five players to embark on this journey together. This feature is a significant draw for fans of multiplayer action RPGs, as it allows friends to tackle challenges in unison from the very beginning.
The game intelligently adjusts enemy difficulty and layouts based on the number of players in a session. This dynamic scaling ensures that larger parties face formidable foes, making teamwork essential for overcoming tougher challenges. However, it’s worth noting that this adjustment can sometimes lead to overwhelming encounters, particularly for inexperienced players.
In addition to co-op gameplay, Mortal Rite offers a PvP arena where players can engage in competitive duels. This feature adds an exciting layer of competition, allowing players to test their skills against one another. However, it’s crucial to approach these encounters with caution, as larger groups may attract more enemies, complicating the experience.
While Mortal Rite may not boast cutting-edge graphics, its visual presentation is commendable for an indie title. The environments are richly detailed, showcasing a variety of biomes that enhance the game’s dark fantasy aesthetic. The character designs are unique and visually appealing, contributing to the overall immersion.
The game’s lighting effects deserve special mention. The interplay of shadows and light creates an atmospheric environment that draws players into the world. The shimmering blue spheres representing pickups and the satisfying animation of treasure chests being kicked open add to the visual appeal.
Accompanying the visuals is a well-crafted soundtrack that complements the game’s atmosphere. High-quality sound effects and music immerse players in the action, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The inclusion of 3D audio support further elevates the sensory experience, making battles feel more intense and engaging.
Mortal Rite differentiates itself from many action RPGs by weaving its narrative into the gameplay rather than relying on lengthy cutscenes. Players uncover the lore through exploration, discovering items and clues that gradually reveal the history of the world and its characters.
Each hero in the game comes with a rich backstory that influences their abilities and combat style. This depth adds a layer of personality to the gameplay, making players feel more connected to their chosen champions. However, some players have noted that the overarching narrative can feel somewhat generic, lacking the depth and intrigue found in other titles.
Despite its promising foundation, Mortal Rite is still in Early Access, and several areas require attention. Players have reported performance issues, including frame drops and bugs that disrupt the gameplay experience. Additionally, the inability to pause the game, even in offline mode, can be frustrating for solo players.
The combat system, while engaging, can feel clunky at times. Players have expressed concerns about the timing of attacks and the effectiveness of basic strikes, which can make battles feel drawn out and tedious. The lock-on camera system has also been criticized for its inconsistency, often failing to target the nearest enemy effectively.
Another common complaint pertains to the game’s difficulty spikes. While challenging gameplay is a hallmark of the genre, sudden increases in difficulty can lead to frustration, particularly for players who are still mastering the mechanics. Striking a balance between challenge and accessibility will be crucial for the game’s success.
Since its launch in Early Access, Mortal Rite has received a series of updates aimed at improving player experience. The developers have been responsive to community feedback, addressing bugs and implementing quality-of-life improvements.
As the game continues to evolve, players can expect further enhancements to gameplay mechanics, character balancing, and overall performance. The commitment to refining the game based on player input is a positive sign for its future.
Mortal Rite offers an intriguing blend of strategic combat, cooperative multiplayer, and character customization, making it a noteworthy addition to the action RPG genre. While it may not be perfect, its unique approach to gameplay and storytelling holds promise for the future.
As it stands, Mortal Rite is a game that can appeal to fans of Soulslike mechanics and cooperative play. However, players seeking a polished experience may want to wait for further updates before diving in. With ongoing support from the developers and a passionate community, Mortal Rite has the potential to evolve into a standout title in the gaming landscape.
In my opinion, if you enjoy action RPGs and are open to experiencing a game still in development, Mortal Rite is certainly worth checking out. Just be prepared for some bumps along the way as it continues to grow and refine itself.
