Skelly Selest (PS4)

Skelly Selest is an interesting indie of imaginative inspiration. It takes old horror movie tropes, and combines them with indie game ideas already done to create perhaps one of the more interesting mixtures of modern day gaming genres. The game's story alone is a bold reminder of a certain line quoted from a more well known zombie film franchise. The one going on about an overcrowded hell, and the damned walking the Earth. So forth, and so on. George A. Romero would be proud. While that quote sets the foundation of the game's given plot the developer takes that very premise a step further by adding that the damned are basically trying to knock down heaven's gate in true Diablo fashion, and bring heaven down upon it's metaphorical knees. That, and the key fact that heaven's guardians aren't themselves the angelic beings you'd think they would be, but are instead skeletal vessels wielding heavenly weapons.

As a skeletal warrior of God you basically take up arms much like the hunter from Bloodborne with a gun in one hand, and an axe in the other. Ultimately facing off against endless hordes of the damned across multiple modes in a neverending fashion similar to the torment of hell itself. You'll fight in hunts for Arch Lichemancers, do some dungeon crawling in a similar fashion to "The Binding of Isaac", face endless waves of increasingly difficult to defeat denizens in a coliseum, and even play against the damned in a single player versus CPU card/tile game that utilizes diamond shaped character cards with four numerical values placed at each corner. In an attempt to go up against similar cards that have lesser or greater values themselves. The goal of the latter being to flip as many cards in your favor as possible by either having greater numbers that beat the opponents play by single or double digits. Double digits basically flipping multiple opponents cards that are connected by adjacent placing on a playing field of diamond slots with a random centerpiece value set before the coin is flipped, and the first turn taken. Kind of like Tic-Tac-Toe, but not. Needless to say there's plenty to play, and get into if you are a brave enough soul to face the insurmountable odds.

Initially when getting into Skelly Selest you will be able to access the tutorial, and learn the basics of the game's core modes of play. As a chosen skeletal warrior, or vessel you have at your disposal a melee weapon, and a gun with limited ammo. By attacking swarming enemies of the damned with your melee weapon you will refill ammo. In attacking enemies your main goal is to clear them all out, and either move through a portal to the next area, or open the doors in the dungeon depending on the mode of choice. In keeping up the killing you will build upon a score multiplier. This allows for competitive point scoring which will be tallied up upon a Game Over, and will place you in a local leaderboard competition against yourself.

In addition to the combo count scoring, and the earned points therein you will be collecting certain power-ups that enhance your basic attacks as well as other character related things much like it's done in "The Binding of Isaac". In the "Lichemancer Hunt" mode, in particular, you'll get between stage intermissions where you'll be able to choose from bonus power-ups to help you as you continue onward. In the "Dungeon Pilgrimage" you'll find it plays out very much like "The Binding of Isaac", but with the end goal of rescuing a damned soul in distress. The Dungeon Pilgrimage mode comes complete with rooms that lock when enemies are there, and doors that require keys for entry. There are also special rooms geared towards offering bonus power-ups, and other NPC based interactions. Much like the previously mentioned game. The point of Dungeon Pilgrimage is to pretty much clear all floors, and defeat all the bosses. When it comes to the Necrotic Coliseum mode it is a static stage of forever swarming waves of the damned that are a mixture of lesser, and greater enemy types. Some taking more hits to kill than others, and a carefully applied usage of your weapons in accordance to enemy weakness/strengths.  It's much like the name of the mode suggests, an all out fight for survival, and that high score. As you complete waves you'll earn chests with power-ups, and lone power-ups of random nature meant to help you face the increasing threat coming from four gated entrances.

Along with the mode selection comes some collectibles that you can collect through Lichemancer Hunt mode's gameplay. These collectibles include cosmetics for your vessel including different vessels and hats. All of which can be equipped at the main menu for added visual appeal. You'll also find in your playthrough that you'll be collecting cards for the card game mode that I mentioned at the beginning of this review. In the card game your hand is a random assortment of the cards you've collected. They are diamond shaped cards with creature art in the center, and four numbers (one at each corner). The point of the numbers is to have the highest number among the played cards, and place it adjacent to an already played card's matching number position with a lesser number value. Ultimately flipping the opposing card to your player color, and your possession. The higher the number, and the more connected opposing cards when your card is played the more cards that will be flipped in your favor. Keep in mind it is a very strategic game. Much like Tic-Tac-Toe, but with the number values at play. In the way of settings You can tweak Skelly Selest's Card Clash game with a couple different NPC opponent options, a local opponent option, tile traps, and whether or not cards are hidden. It allows for different ways to experience this particular side mode.

Also for the gamers' benefit is a compendium of in-game features, and gameplay stats. You'll find a bestiary containing images of all the damned creatures for each of the game's hellish stages. That, and an item guide filled with item images, and descriptions pertaining to their power-up benefits. In accordance with the Bestiary there's also a demon collection catalog showcasing the bigger, and badder bosses you have defeated along the way. Should you be able to topple the baddies, and bosses enough within the modes you can unlock a couple other secret modes of play within the main menu listing.

For those of you looking to add in some horror themed visual effects you'll be surprised to know the developer went the extra mile. Not only did they add CRTV scanlines, and sizing, but they also included an additional indie filter, and a white noise filter. That as well as a seasonal on/off switch for Halloween themed confetti. Each option ranges from including no effects all the way up to a heavy presentation of said visual enhancements. This of course allows you to enjoy the game in a variety of different visual ways.

The Verdict ...

I have to say I like the nods to the horror genre, and the nods to some of the greatest indie games of our time. That along with the unique hellish pixelated art style, and underlying themes really made this game something to behold. The fact that they included multiple modes of play that are each fairly much standalone experiences really extends replay value. My only complaints is that there is no global leaderboard. Overall, it gets my fiery seal of approval. If you like your games super challenging, and if you like "The Binding of Isaac" I believe you'll enjoy this indie. Do give it a try!