The indie soulslike genre sometimes faces difficulties, because of budget restrictions rather than a lack of creativity. Trialforge Studio’s debut, Deathbound, is an aspiring attempt that does not entirely miss the mark.
While the game brings in some clever twists and the dark narrative, it is held back by several mechanical issues. Still, for those willing to ignore its flaws Deathbound offers a fun, even though imperfect experience.
One of the game’s unique features is its approach to character progression. Instead of modifiable armor or weapons, players can easily change between different “essences” – different characters that can be unlocked and used in battle.
You start with a basic knight but can later add characters like a rogue or a poison wielding wizard, making a team of four to go through the games challenges. The character swapping system adds meaning and strategy, making each encounter feel energetic.
Deadbound’s setting is another divergence from traditional soulslike environments. The game’s post-apocalyptic world is marked by broken-down office structures and city streets, breaking away from the typical dark dungeons and castles.
In spite of some dull textures and occasionally poorly lit areas, the environment feels refreshingly special for the genre. But unlike Dark Souls the game’s levels are not connected, giving it a more linear feel with level-to-level progression.
Fast travel is a late game add on, mainly used to revisit places and collect missed items such as artifacts and rings, which are the only used gear in the game.
Finding new essences is important as each one not only brings new combat styles but also participate to the game’s narrative. Opening a character involves finding their corpse, which then leads to an interactive narrative segment that explodes their backstory.
These characters are more than just combat tools; they have unique personalities and often interact with each other, adding layers to the story. Some can even trigger unique dialogues or interactions with NPCs, making exploration more appealing.
Combat in Deathbound is receptive and satisfying, with a focus on quick counters, elemental effects, and a balance system that keeps fights feeling fast and hostile.
The game’s unique “sync meter” offers players to change characters mid-dash or perform a powerful attack using the selected essence. But the upgraded system leaves much to be desired.
Stat buffs are nominal and confusing, often feeling insignificant. The upgrade path is awkward, and once you reach high levels, there’s little incentive to continue grinding, as no merchants exist to spend excess resources.
Boss fights, sadly, are one of Deathbound’s weaker aspects. Most bosses give small challenge for seasoned soulslike players with limited attack patterns and disappointing mechanics.
A few bosses transform during battles, but these moments are rare, and new game plus does not increase the difficulty in any way.
Enemies are intimidating at the start, quickly become predictable, with basic AI that really shows a significant threat. Even the game’s version of bleed effects feels not balanced, turning many encounters into trivial affairs.
Conclusion
In spite of its flaws Deathbound shines in its worldbuilding and narrative. The story is dark complicated and full of post-apocalyptic themes, with an environment similar to that of religious horrors.
Though the narrative can be ignored, those who have been into it will find a rich tapestry of stories and character development. While it does not fight with genre giants like Elden Ring, Deathbound brings out its niche with its character swapping combat and bold ideas.
For players who want to embrace its peculiarity, Deathbound gives a memorable, if imperfect experience, in the soulslike landscape.
Also read: How to Enter in the House of Hope and Free Hope in Baldur’s Gate 3
