Developer: Passtech Games
Publisher: Nacon
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: PC, PS5
Ravenswatch – Review
Back in 2023, we took a closer look at the Early Access version of Ravenswatch, a title developed by Passtech Games and published by Nacon. Even though the content was very limited at that time, this co-op-oriented roguelike game managed to impress us. In the months that followed, we occasionally booted up the game to check what was new and to simply play it with friends. Ravenswatch was fully released for PC, and the console ports soon followed suit. We were curious to see what the full game would bring to the table, and we were lucky enough to give the PS5 version an early spin.
Story
There is no real story to speak of in Ravenswatch. You pick one of the available characters, and you are thrown into the game to battle a corrupted entity of sorts. It’s all about the gameplay here. That being said, all characters are based on famous fairytales or come from mythology, so you can think of your own backstory or how these characters ended up together. We don’t think a fleshed-out narrative would have added a lot of value in this scenario.
Graphics
Graphically, Ravenswatch looks great. The game oozes the same vibes as a Diablo-like title, albeit with cel-shaded visuals. As stated in our preview, it heavily reminded us of Battle Chasers: Nightwar. The different characters have nicely animated special skills, and character movement in general looks very fluid in the game. The environments are perhaps the least interesting, as you’ll see a lot of the same assets being reused over and over again during your different runs. Even so, there is not that much time to focus on your environment, as you’ll be busy fending off loads of enemies.
Sound
All in all, the sound design isn’t too bad. The music will fade into the background as you constantly focus on the enemies trying to whittle your health until you meet your untimely demise. The sound effects are decent, but they’re nothing to write home about. Everything feels fairly basic, but that’s perfectly fine.
Gameplay
Ravenswatch is a roguelike title in which you choose a character that has its origin in mythology or fairytales, be it solo or with other players online. The offset is quite simple, as you’ll have to survive a fixed time per chapter to eventually also try to beat the boss at the end of each chapter. While the timer slowly ticks away, you can explore your surroundings to gain experience, find items, collect resources, and so on. You can of course challenge the boss monster earlier if you wish to do so. It’s all very straightforward, but the general gameplay loop is quite entertaining and rewarding. Compared to the initial Early Access release, two full chapters have been added, as well as an epilogue level. This does make runs significantly longer.
Combat works differently for all characters, as some are more melee-based while others prefer fighting from a distance. Some enemies have a low learning curve, while others take a while to just get the hang of. This does create some replay value, as you slowly unlock new characters as you beat chapters with the ones you’ve already unlocked. We were highly incentivized to try out new characters, as beating Chapter 1 with them unlocked the next character in line. As you play more with characters, you’ll also level them up, allowing you to unlock new skills during your actual runs. When you perish during your run and run out of additional lives, you’ll have to start from scratch, of course.
As stated above, the game does have a multiplayer focus. While Ravenswatch is perfectly enjoyable, playable, and beatable on your own, the game does become a lot more fun when you can play through it with friends. You, and up to three other players, can face the horrors the game throws at you. When doing so, your additional lives become shared, so it’s still best to pick a party that works for you. Everyone can explore the area at their own leisure, meaning you don’t have to stick together. Splitting up can actually be a winning strategy, as other players can clear certain zones and objectives, unlocking more rewards in a shorter timeframe.
Conclusion
Ravenswatch is a very enjoyable and straightforward roguelike experience. The game’s accessibility and the simple-but-fun mechanics are its key selling points, together with its likable and varied cast of characters to choose from. While this is one of those titles that is probably best enjoyed in bite-sized sessions or together with friends, we have returned to the grim atmosphere of Ravenswatch quite a few times during its Early Access period. And now, we will do so again with the PlayStation 5’s full release. If you’re looking for a great roguelike title, Passtech Games has you covered.
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