✅ Prednosti
- Interesting combination of Soulslike combat and Roguelike structure
- Clear introduction to the game and training
- Great gameplay on controller and mouse
- Visually appealing world and design
- Interesting classes and unlockable options
❌ Nedostaci
- Some locations feel empty
- Certain classes and builds need balancing
- Progression between runs isn't always clear
- The game has bugs
- The world could be livelier
Serpent's Gaze is an interesting combination of Soulslike combat and Roguelike structure, with a strong focus on co-op gameplay. Upon entering the game, I wasn't sure what to expect because, when testing games, I don't like to explore too much about them; I prefer to let the game make an impression on me. It was the same this time, but I must admit that I briefly glanced at the Steam page for this game just to see what it was about.
The first thing I liked was the introduction to the game, or rather the training. It's clear enough to familiarize the player with the basics, while not lasting too long. At the beginning, the game introduces you to the mechanics, controls, and powers. I mostly tried the game on a controller since Steam recommends it for this title, and I can confirm that it plays excellently on it. However, I had no issues playing with a mouse and keyboard either.
Visually, the game looks very good considering its style. The world feels mysterious and ancient, the design of characters, enemies, and weapons looks excellent and unique, and I particularly liked the lighting. Fire and light sources add a special charm and further emphasize the atmosphere. The music also deserves praise as it is not repetitive and is well-timed with what is happening in the world around you. However, although the game looks visually great, some locations feel a bit empty and could benefit from more detail.
As for the gameplay, Serpent's Gaze clearly draws inspiration from the Dark Souls series. Some of the elements that these two games share are: challenging gameplay that is strictly focused on combat and strategic movement, RPG-inspired character building, third-person viewpoint, almost identical death screen, and a very similar emote system. On the other hand, the game also brings some refreshing elements like the Roguelike structure where the game resets upon death, the ability to choose curses at the beginning of each run, and the ability to ping locations, which is especially useful during online co-op.
The game has very interesting classes and the ability to unlock new ones during gameplay, and since the game has a roguelike structure, you can try a new class with each run and find the one that suits you best. The power-ups and blessings you collect during gameplay are also interesting, although the progression system for them wasn't completely clear to me at first. After finishing the training, I found the camp interesting, which also contains a special area for PvP. Although the focus is clearly on PvE and co-op content, it's nice to see that there is an additional activity for players who want to test their builds against others.
Some of the things I think the game needs to improve are: certain classes and builds still need balancing, progression between runs isn't always clear enough, the game still has bugs, and the world could feel livelier and richer in content in some places. Despite this, I believe the game has very solid foundations and great potential for development. If you are a fan of Soulslike games, Roguelike structure, and are looking for a new game for you and your friends, I would definitely recommend it. The game is currently in Early Access, and you can purchase it on Steam for €15.99.
A copy of the PC version for review purposes was provided by the developer Feeble Minds
