Build Your Own Path
Platformers and roguelites. It could be argued these two are the definitive genre for any successful indie game, with a consistent trend of platforming giants such as Hollow Knight and Celeste seemingly striking the sweet spot of mastering mechanics. Then there are the replayable roguelites like Hades keeping players sinking hundreds of hours into them.
It comes as no surprise then that a merging of these two design philosophies would emerge in the indie space sooner rather than later, and one game to emphasise this point is Cryptical Path.
A cold opening sees an entity simply known as The Doppelgänger, an identical silhouette to yourself, brewing mayhem within the Hexium; this is a prison of your design, yet the Doppelgänger’s malicious intentions leave you stuck in this labyrinthian Tartarus with one hope of escaping… your imagination.
Designing Your Own Route
This is where plot merges with gameplay, as Cryptical Path’s central mechanic revolves around your role as protagonist The Architect, as you uncover destiny and fate. This destiny will be one filled with death, error, and chaos however, as you’re the poor soul guiding it. This intriguing narrative crux is achieved through a distinct system befitting an indie roguelite. The map is presented through a bird’s eye layout akin to a classic 2D Zelda entry, formed by various rooms which each contain challenges, collectibles, or comfort; this could be an arena room which forces dozens of foes at the player at once, or a healing chamber for swift respite, yet this decision will be on you. Simply put, you design the route forwards.
Your overarching goal is identical to most other roguelites, taking the trial-and-error approach synonymous with the genre, to encourage dozens of replays whilst diversifying your route; death means back to the beginning with new upgrades for another attempt. Sadly, this is where the problems arise. To maintain that dopamine and drive crucial in creating engagement during various attempts at playthroughs, a roguelite will often take one of two approaches. The first is ensuring such a vast diversity within the mechanics, maps, and every other crucial aspect, that two sessions will rarely feel identical. The other option would be to ensure the core gameplay loop and concept are so refreshing and satisfying to engage with, that the familiarity between runs isn’t an issue. Cryptical Path achieves neither.
It may seem as though I’m presenting Cryptical Path with the intention of slandering it, but this is not the case. The concept of being your destiny’s architect, placing the juxtaposing comfort and challenges as you want them is a spectacular idea, just dull in execution. The combat certainly has potential too, with a double jump, spells, and a basic attack which can all be chained together. Yet, this potential is squandered too, through a lack of variety and reason to use alternate abilities, leaves the combat an afterthought for most runs.
A Talent System That Doesn’t Quite Embrace Player Freedom
The talent system aids in extending the replay value of Cryptical Path. It presents a diverse array of permanent upgrades the player can obtain through an in-game currency awarded for achievements and challenges, bound to ease the difficulty of any given run. In genre adjacent titles, these systems are moulded to either need such a large degree of corresponding currency that a decision on which upgrade opted for first will lock you out of the others, or are fully open to begin with yet limiting the player to choose. Again, Cryptical Path opts for neither. The talent system is displayed through an ascending line of hexagons which occasionally branch off, leaving the next upgrade less of a choice, and more of whatever is available. In turn, this leaves what should be the most open and freedom filled genre of all, a linear progression through perk trees.
Throw in the typical connections of the genre – shops, singular run perks, and the like – and Cryptical Path does a great job at meeting the minimum the genre requires, yet despite the strong concept, can never seem to reach the distinct and unique level required for a fantastic outing.
Stage Design Turns Freedom Into Repetition
Each of these criticisms extend into what should be Cryptical Path’s strongest element, stage design. With the concept lending itself to the key aspects of architecture and player freedom, one would think in execution level design would be a no brainer as a highlight and excelling element. Unfortunately you would be mistaken. Those familiar with the Link’s Awakening remake dungeon design (or any interconnected room design system in gaming) will be aware of the limited functionality these systems often end up providing. The combination of limited room variety, and most maps only providing a quadrilateral outline, leaves a series of identical rooms following one another with little to differentiate what they contain inside.
Eventually, the system becomes mind numbing as you stumble through, near enough, the same rooms you’ve experienced hundreds of times before. In an odd turn of events, the concept of giving players freedom to craft their route, leaves Cryptical Path feeling much more repetitive than many of the adjacent titles.
Cryptical Path Falls Short Of Its Own Potential
This mediocre gameplay and design is somewhat redeemed through Cryptical Path’s great presentation. Everything is sleek, visuals are a satisfying adaptation of the modernly used 2.5D style (using 3D models and graphics whilst only allowing 2D movement) and the ambient soundtrack keeps you on your toes between rooms.
Cryptical Path’s biggest blunder might not be the mediocrity rampantly strewn across each core element it attempts, or even the lack of diversity between runs. Not living up to the standards set through the gripping concept and pristine presentation, leaves Cryptical Path victim to one of gaming’s most cardinal sins… disappointment.
Important Links
Cryptical Path Lets You Build Your Own Dungeon – https://www.thexboxhub.com/cryptical-path-lets-you-build-your-own-dungeon/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/Cryptical-Path/9P3RGKTVFWCL
