Haunted Lands is one of those games that quickly shows who it is intended for. At first glance, it seems like just another retro action platformer, but after just a few minutes, it becomes clear that this is not aimed at light nostalgia, but rather a rather merciless return to an era when games demanded patience, precision, and a lot of repetition from players.
The game takes us into dark tombs, abandoned places, and spaces filled with cultists, demons, and various grotesque creatures. The atmosphere is very good, especially if you enjoy old-school horror in a pixelated format. The visual style draws from early PC platformers, with a limited color palette, plenty of blood, and a lot of charm. Everything looks intentionally raw, but readable enough to leave the impression of an authentic retro project.
The most interesting part of the game is the character selection. Haunted Lands offers multiple different approaches to combat, allowing you to play more safely from a distance or dive into closer contact with enemies. With artifacts that change abilities, the game gains an additional layer of experimentation. However, it should be said right away that this is not a game for everyone. Checkpoints are rare, enemies are often dangerously placed, and every mistake can mean repeating a large part of the level.
Controls can sometimes feel stiff, especially when aiming and dodging attacks, but this is clearly part of the design that aims to evoke the spirit of old, tough platformers. When everything clicks, Haunted Lands can be very satisfying. When it doesn't, it can easily become frustrating.
After a brief trial, the impression is clear: Haunted Lands is a bloody, tough, and stubborn retro platformer with excellent atmosphere, but also gameplay solutions that will quickly turn off part of the audience.
A copy of the PC version of the game was provided for the review by the publisher Alawar
