[Preview] Terralysia

• DEVELOPER: Tiny Game Dev
• PUBLISHER: Tiny Game Dev
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Rougelite
• RELEASE DATE: TBD
• STARTING PRICE: TBD

Terralysia is a third-person action roguelite with bullet hell elements developed by Tiny Game Dev, set to release in Early Access in 2024. Some really good aspects of this game are its vibrant world, challenging gameplay, and the experience of its developer, Flavius Alecu, known for his work on AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Fans of the genre will also appreciate that the game draws inspiration from the popular Risk of Rain 2, meaning you’re in for a proper gameplay experience.

What really stood out to me about this game is its fast-paced, action-packed experience set in beautifully crafted dystopian landscapes. I was pleasantly surprised by the impressive graphics and the detailed enemies. Even in the demo version, there are plenty of missions to complete. Being a roguelike game, each run feels new and unpredictable, with new challenges and opportunities emerging as you progress. You can unlock additional skills and, as the developer noted, new characters by collecting augments. These augments are randomly dropped, providing you new skills as you play.

The combat in Terralysia is both fluid and chaotic, requiring you to master a variety of spells. While you’re not directly using the spells, you need to learn how to combine them and identify which ones are the most powerful and useful. In fact, the synergy between different spells and items creates a highly personalized combat experience. This system encourages experimentation and strategic thinking, as finding the right combinations can greatly enhance your chances of survival. This is particularly important when completing missions like finding the stranger or sacrificing the pylons, all while constantly moving to avoid getting killed.

Of course, this game isn’t perfect. The progression can feel a bit stale at times, and it can become quite difficult if you don’t get the right build from the start. However, things get more interesting as you upgrade your skills. For example, lightning strikes more frequently, fireballs shoot all over the place, and despite all this action, the FPS remains stable. It only drops when there are a lot of enemies nearby, but otherwise, the game is well-optimized and crafted. Additionally, the developer is constantly taking feedback, which is a big plus in my book.

The demo already offers a lot to explore, and the Early Access version will feature two unique characters and two maps, each with their own objectives and end bosses. The developer plans to add more content, including new characters, maps, spells, items, and bosses, based on player feedback. This continuous improvement cycle promises to keep the game evolving and interesting throughout its Early Access phase.

In conclusion, players who enjoy fast-paced and strategic combat will find Terralysia’s gameplay highly engaging. The fluid combat mechanics require quick thinking and adaptability, offering a constant adrenaline rush as you navigate through waves of enemies and challenging bosses. Now, who knows, we might even see a multiplayer feature added in the future?