One among my Xmas choice field video games final yr was Withering Rooms, a delightfully frightful haunted home action-RPG that balances mazey Metroidvania stage design with the flexibility to be a witch who can supersize herself and gallop round on fits of magic armour. With a fast look over my shoulder at our pricey pal Sir Eugene Optimisation, I dare to explain it as a bit like Bloodborne, if Bloodborne had been made by a tiny unbiased developer.
Additionally relatively Bloodborney: the not too long ago revealed Withering Realms, a sequel of kinds by which you play a ghost woman clinging to the again of a customisable fight doll. Sir Eugene Optimisation requests I add right here that the doll conceit reminds him of well-received Soulslike Lies Of P. Which is a good statement, I believe, although I might additionally say the doll’s lipless, one-eyed grimace jogs my memory of Mouthwashing. How’s that, Eugene – three for 3? Anyway, right here’s a trailer.
Because the title suggests, the important thing change right here from Withering Rooms is that you simply’re now not confined to a single home and grounds. As a substitute, you’ll get to “discover the mysterious city of Penwyll and the sprawling graveyards, tombs, caves and rotting estates that encompass it”, with fight now unfolding on a full 3D aircraft. The yr is 1926, however not as you might recollect it in the event you occur to be 100 years previous. In Withering Realms, the primary World Conflict was interrupted by an occult occasion which has induced the useless to stroll and spirits to roam. It’s additionally given sure individuals the flexibility to solid spells.
The ghost woman is Clover, who died in the course of the above occult occasion. She’s capable of work together with the world solely via the doll, which may fortunately be outfitted with a spread of bludgeoning, carving or capturing implements, together with a “pivoting greatsword” and a “chain rock”. The doll apart, Clover has an ally in “daring freelance investigator” Althea – one of many few different characters who can see her.
I nonetheless want to complete Withering Rooms however this seems like extra of what I loved about that recreation. There are some involved-sounding overworld mechanics: you may “broaden the world map by defeating large perimeter guardians”, and return to areas at night time “to come across new, horrifying creatures and secrets and techniques”.
Learn extra on Steam. It’s slated to launch in This fall 2025.
