Do you like isometric Action RPGs? Your Diablos, Torchlights, Victor Vrans? There’s fun to be had in the genre, but they can feel same-y thanks to how entrenched the formula can get. It’s why the games that shake things up a bit are such a breath of fresh air. This can definitely be said about The Scholastics: a small dev team creating Wigmund: The Return of the Hidden Knights. An action RPG for the gamers that care about skill-based gameplay, Wigmund is out in Early Access. If you’re unsure if it might be for you during its Early Access build, here are five reasons why Wigmund might scratch that dungeon crawling itch.
Unique Combat
Starting Wigmund will feel a little odd even if you’re an accomplished Action RPG fan. That’s one of its greatest strengths. Rather than the button mashers that you’d expect, you are able to gesture with the mouse to do varied attacks. The closest approximation is Mount and Blade’s distinct combat, but imagine that in an old school action RPG. Once you overcome that hurdle, you’re left with something easy to get lost in. If you’re someone who falls for Wigmund, that’s why you’ll be drawn to its interesting approach to dungeon crawling.
Difficulty
Wigmund is a tricky game, there’s no way around it. If you aren’t prepared, you can get absolutely butchered by a regular spider. This isn’t a game for the noobs out there, and that’s what makes its combat exciting. The idea of having to dodge and roll in an isometric dungeon makes everything tenser. It’s possible to dodge attacks, but it’s not easy. This makes healing items a godsend and much more valuable than in other games. Even if this is a game you can quicksave and quickload, you’re going to die a lot. That’s how Wigmund feels as rewarding as it does.
Big Bosses
Wigmund’s bosses are pretty neat, thanks in part to their colossal size or unique qualities. Usually, they’re huge beasts that can knock you out cold if you don’t jump out of the way. But sometimes they’ve got a puzzle connected to them. One of the most notable bosses is an invisible boss who you can’t attack. How do you face them? Trapping them in a net so you can stab the crap out of them. Bosses like that add a novelty to the genre, and I can’t wait to see more bosses like that in the full release.
Atmosphere
European fantasy might be considered old hat, but Wigmund reminds us why we love making games in that style. The Celtic inspiration is clear, and it gives players the sort of old school fantasy that’s fun to dive into. The game stresses its inspiration from both Anglo-Saxton and Celtic history, and it gets you in the proper adventurous mood. If you’re fond of medieval games full of magic and might, Wigmund might scratch that itch.
Huge Areas
Even though Wigmund’s Early Access only has two locations to start with, there’s a real sense of scope to them. This huge scope allows you also to pick your battles carefully. In wide open rooms, monsters and foes can patrol or stand guard. This means it’s possible to get overwhelmed if you’re not careful and it allows Wigmund to be a thinking man’s dungeon crawler. With The Scholastics promising an open world alongside these dungeons, it makes Wigmund a game to keep an eye on while it adds more to the build.
If all of this sounds fun, Wigmund: The Return of the Hidden Knights is now available to purchase for $15.99. If you buy the game before March 4th, it’ll be 10% off for $14.39!
The following is a sponsored article for Wigmund: The Return of the Hidden Knights, developed and published by The Scholastics.
