Vagante | PS4 Review

Taking inspiration from the likes of Spelunky, but adding their own Roleplaying fantasy twist Blitworks brings to us the Soulsborne of roguelikes. The game that is "Vagante" is, in fact, an homage to both roguelikes like Spelunky, and hardcore games like the Soulsborne genre offers. It's a game that features randomly generated, and environmentally themed areas where up to four players can join together to loot, and plunder while avoiding the threats to life therein. As a Knight, Rogue, or Mage you'll use your given weapons including melee, projectile, and spells to confront the dungeons' ecosystem of creatures. As you progress through the dungeons you'll find plenty of looting opportunities that will reward equipment, weapons, and potions which can, in turn, be used to delve deeper into the cave you entered at the beginning of your playthrough. Even with a decked out explorer though death comes swiftly as insta-death perils lie in wait with "Surprise MF'er!!!" moments that will end a run quicker than you can say "WTF!?". Alone or with companions borrowed from the online matchmaking option you'll brave the odds or die trying. Death does not come without it's benefits though as backgrounds, or perks with additional RPG stats will help you along in your dangerous journey.

Vagante opens up with you being taken via donkey, and cart to a cave entrance. It is here you'll learn the mechanics through a well crafted, and hands on tutorial stage. After which your entrance into the main cave will begin the true trek for risk and reward. Each given area within the cave system, which is environmentally themed with it's own array of inhabitants, sports a starting and finishing point. The starting point being where you're dropped off, and the end being an open door with a torch. How thoroughly you explore the dungeon areas will depend upon you, but in the end your HP or life meter dictates how far you'll be able to go. Hitting insta-kill traps, and pitfalls will spell GAME OVER immediately whereas damage done by lesser and boss-like creatures will do minimal damage per hit depending upon how powerful they are. 

Within the dungeon areas, which are randomly generated, you'll find breakable crates, and objects that will spill forth obtainable loot. There's even unlocked, and locked treasure chests with equipment and weapons that can be added to your arsenal. At any given time you can equip a melee, ranged, and spell based item to your equipment slots. These come in a variety of forms, some of which are unidentified, but can be identified via vials found on your way out. There's also potions which, in themselves, offer a sort of risk and reward opportunity. Some will help boost RPG stats while others will hurt your stats or even poison you. Looting is a key element to survival in Vagante, but it is not your only way of progressing. There are save spots with campfires you can light to replenish a little health. In Spelunky fashion of you save captured fairies, and carry them to the end door to the save point you will gain extra health refills via that fairy's blessing upon the campfire. Besides that little secret there all sorts of hidden secrets that can be found including breakable walls leading to better loot. For those of you looking for a shopkeeper with wares that too is made available. You can even attack, and kill the shopkeeper to steal said wares. Another nod to Spelunky.

As you play, die, rinse, and repeat the game keeps track of each of the class's deaths, and how they died. At the death, or GAME OVER tally you can sacrifice a piece of equipment or item you looted to level up the Background meter. This in turn unlocks equippable backgrounds which will give bonus stats for your chosen character. Speaking of characters each character has four different sprites, or looks to choose from. This can be done at the initial cave entrance where the wagon dropped you off. Characters, aside from equipment, have your basic Metroidvania mechanics. You can wall jump, slow walk, jump, swim, attack, and interact with the game's many different loot items. Your characters also support an inventory menu that is your carry along bag. It has limited slot space though. In the multiplayer scene you can even bring up an interactive emoji wheel with emojis that can be used to let party members know what you need, or what you aim to do. The game does have online matchmaking for those of you who don't want to go at it alone. The loner option is doable though, and I've made it fairly far on my own.

The Verdict ...

For $15 Vagante is an indie homage that warrants a buy. It's well crafted though there is the obvious copycat inspiration. The roleplaying fantasy twist gives it it's own identity, and the pixel art style further amplifies that unique identity. Mechanically it's easy to control. It is your basic roguelike Metroidvania adventure with only mild inventory elements at play. The Background unlocks simply add perks that will aid in a playthrough, and save sections allow the player to put the game down, and pick up later where they left off. I personally grew fond of every aspect of gameplay, and though death comes easily at times learning to look for the trap, and pitfall setups will allow you to bypass that certain death. Alone or with friends it's a fun time with infinite replay value due to the roguelike, and randomized dungeon features. No one playthrough will be the same making this for the perfect party stream kind of gaming experience. It gets my approval, and I do recommend it to those indie fans who want more bang for their buck!