Hellboy: Web of Wyrd manages to encapsulate the essence of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics masterfully. The game’s unique gameplay mechanics alongside its stunning comic art-style rendition make it a treat for the fans. The rogue-like gameplay structure presents fresh challenges with each playthrough, embodying the adventurous spirit of Hellboy’s infernal escapades.
Story
Starting with a peculiar narrative entry, the game throws players into a quest to save a fellow BPRD agent, unfolding a mysterious narrative within the realms of the Wyrd and the enigmatic Butterfly House. This narrative style, while unconventional, adds to the enigma and allure of Hellboy’s universe.
Gameplay
The gameplay shines with its unique combat system. Hellboy’s infernal fist makes battling foes a visceral delight. Unlike typical rogue-likes, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd encourages players to face the larger foes head-on, creating a cinematic combat experience as players learn to dodge, block, and counterattack. The enemy design keeps encounters engaging, with each realm of the Wyrd offering new foes to clobber.
However, the game does stumble in a few areas. The buff and boon system can feel limited initially, restraining the randomization aspect that makes rogue-likes thrilling. Furthermore, a notable bug disrupts the lock-on mechanism during combat, occasionally shifting focus between enemies without player input, which can be a source of frustration.
Voice Acting
The voice acting, spearheaded by the late Lance Reddick, brings a different but engaging tone to Hellboy, contrasting the gruff demeanor often seen in movie adaptations. While it might take a moment for players accustomed to Ron Perlman or David Harbour’s portrayals to adjust, Reddick’s performance adds a fresh nuance to Hellboy’s character.
Visuals
Visually, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd is a feast for the eyes. The 3D environments brilliantly mimic a hand-drawn comic book aesthetic, paying a faithful homage to the original comics. While some areas may not hold up as well visually, the overall presentation is nothing short of impressive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, despite a few hiccups, stands as a love letter to the Hellboy comics. The developers’ passion shines through every hell-bent punch, making it a must-play for fans and a decent adventure for newcomers to the franchise. With a bit of polish to iron out the bugs and expand the roguelike mechanics, this game could transcend from the depths of the underworld to mainstream acclaim
Overall we still loved playing through this beautiful game and with Lance Reddick in tow, its even more enjoyable.
85/100
