Witchfire, a dark fantasy roguelite FPS, is out on its Early Access version, bringing a twist on the said genre. Read on to find out if the game is worth your time and money.
Witchfire Review and Score Explanation
Witchfire Review Score Explanation
| Overall | The game is a very challenging dark fantasy adventure developed by The Astronauts. This title is a fun, well polished, action-packed roguelite FPS that successfully integrates exciting shooter and spellcasting gameplay with a sinister, witch infested world. Although it doesn't offer an extensive story, Witchfire compensates with its excellent gameplay, well implemented dark fantasy theme, and a hauntingly beautiful soundscape, all at a very reasonable price point. |
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| Story | While Witchfire doesn't emphasize a complex narrative with extensive cutscenes, it manages to convey your role as a “Preyer”, Vatican appointed witch hunters, in a witch-infested world effectively. The storytelling might not be the best at the moment, but it serves its purpose well, explaining the dark world around you and your mission as a Vatican-appointed witch hunter. |
| Gameplay | For a game still in early access, Witchfire feels like a very polished game. Gunplay, movement, and spellcasting are all on point and synergizes well, giving players an outstanding gameplay experience. Although you’ll be visiting the same areas over and over again, it doesn’t feel boring or repetitive since the enemies grow stronger every time you level up. The game is very challenging, to say the least, so prepare to inevitably die a whole bunch of times. Each specific enemy has a distinct moveset that you’ll have to learn to counter, which further gives the game complexity and variety. |
| Visuals | Visually, Witchfire is definitely something to behold. Its dark fantasy world is well-crafted, immersing players in an eerie yet captivating realm. The attention to detail in character design, environments, and atmospheric effects is nothing short of exceptional. Whether you’re at a beach, in a town, a forest, or a cave, you’ll surely be uncomfortable thanks to the game’s spookily excellent design. |
| Audio | The game’s sound design is something you’ll notice right away. The anxiety-inducing soundtrack masterfully enhances the game's suspense and dread, creating an atmosphere that keeps you on edge throughout your adventures. The creepy whispers and ominous sounds that accompany your every step are perfectly synchronized with the dark fantasy theme, enhancing the overall immersion. Sound effects are also excellent. The sounds of gunfire and spellcasting are crisp and clear. |
| Value for Money | Witchfire provides great value for money. Priced at only $39.99, it delivers a AAA-quality gaming experience that can go toe-to-toe with games almost twice its price. Microtransactions are also not present in this game so your $40 for Witchfire will come a long way. Just like how Lies of P was a sleeper hit once it got out of Early Access, Witchfire is poised to enjoy the same kind of success. |
Witchfire Early Access Review
Pros of Witchfire Early Access
| Things Witchfire Got Right So Far |
|---|
 Top-notch Gameplay Immersive Environment Involved and Attentive Developers |
Top-notch Gameplay
Witchfire doesn't just deliver good gameplay; it oozes it. Its story is minimal and does enough to let you know about the game’s witch infested world and your role as a Preyer. Combat is extremely fun in this game because of how well designed the different aspects of combat are. The game incentivizes survival as dying would mean you’ll lose all your Witchfire (currency used to level up) and you’d have to start all over again. However, survival is easier said than done, considering how dangerous the game’s areas are. Soulsbourne players should be no strangers to this concept.
In every run that you do, you are randomly transported to one of the few spawn points on the map. To keep the loot that you earn, you must take a portal to head back to your base without dying. After 5 minutes, the portal you spawned from will disappear and you’ll have to journey to another one, and it’s usually pretty far across the map from where you spawned. As you clear the different danger zones in the map, you’ll have the chance to activate random passive abilities called Arcanas, which buff either your armaments, spells, or your character himself. The more danger zones you clear, the stronger your Preyer will be for that specific run.
What makes this game challenging is a combination of the variety of opponents and their sheer numbers. Although you have the ability to dash to reposition, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when there are swordsmen in your face and musketeers trying to gun you down from afar. Each enemy unit has a different moveset and you’ll have to learn them if you want to survive to keep your Witchfire. Moreover, the game does not get easier as you get stronger. Each time you level up, or Ascend, the maps get more dangerous, adding in stronger enemy units, new enemy types, new traps, or new minibosses.
Character progression is commendable in the game as well. Upgrading your weapons and skills give them unique and game-changing effects that significantly enhance your witch-slaying capabilities. The game lets you “research” or craft weapons, spells, items, and upgrades, as opposed to finding them like how you would in a loot-based game.
Immersive Environment
The aesthetics and audio of this game are truly great at what they do. Combined, they fully immerse you in the game’s nightmarish realm, ensuring that you feel like you are part of the action. The distant and ever-present creepy groaning you hear makes you feel anxious - even if there’s literally nothing near you. The character designs are creepy enough to make you feel uneasy, but thankfully not too scary enough to give you nightmares. The soundtrack keeps things feeling suspenseful as you venture deeper into the eerie landscape. While these things make you feel helpless in a hopeless environment, the sounds and visuals of firing your weapons, casting abilities, and causing explosions inversely make you feel powerful enough to deal with all the horrors around you. Moreover, Witchfire is a single player game, with no multiplayer, companion, or summoning features. You will always be all by yourself, which works to enhance the fear-invoking qualities of the game.
Involved and Attentive Developers
On the day Witchfire was released for Early Access, players complained that the Angelica, an herb used to craft health potions, were so rare and extremely hard to find. This negatively affected the experience of the game, as it was unnecessarily difficult to get health potions, something most can’t do without in these kinds of survival games. Two days following the game’s release, developers The Astronauts quickly rolled out a quality of life update addressing the Angelica concern and other issues. This is very commendable work from the competent and hardworking 12-man team responsible for the game.
Cons of Witchfire
| Things That Witchfire Can Improve |
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Lack of In-Game Content May Be Too Difficult for The Average Gamer |
Lack of In-Game Content
In its current state, the game features only two maps. Although you’re likely to spend quite a good number of hours in one map due to the game’s nature, you can definitely feel that the game is still in its Early Access phase when you look at the current available content. At its current state, there simply aren't enough unlockable weapons, spells, equipment, and power ups. Given its Early Access status, it may be unfair to cite this as a con, but I can only review what I am given.
May Be Too Difficult for The Average Gamer
Witchfire reminds me of Elden Ring in the sense that they’re both very difficult games with minimal guidance, set in a dangerous dark fantasy world where everything is trying to kill you.
After the optional tutorial, you’re left all alone and the game won’t even attempt to hold your hand throughout your playthrough. Dying is inevitable in this game and the frequency in which you do may not appeal to everyone.
To add to that, when you die, you drop all your Witchfire and other unbound items you might have had on you. The game doesn’t allow you to “become OP” since your enemies get stronger whenever you do. There is also no way to make the game easier as there is no setting that adjusts the game difficulty. Those who would feel extremely frustrated from failing a bunch of times might not enjoy themselves.
Who Should Play Witchfire?
Witchfire is Recommended if You Enjoy:
• First Person Shooters
• Dark Fantasy Games
• Roguelike/Roguelite Games
Considering the game’s quality to price ratio, this game is recommended for any gamer looking for a challenging and unique experience. FPS veterans will feel right at home given how good the gunplay and combat is in this game. The well implemented dark fantasy theme will also appeal to fans of the eerie and mysterious. If you enjoy the challenge and unpredictability of roguelike or roguelite games, Witchfire's roguelite FPS gameplay will keep you engaged for hours on end.
Witchfire Trailer
Game8 Reviews
Witchfire Product Information
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| Title | Witchfire |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 20, 2023 |
| Developer | The Astronauts |
| Publisher | The Astronauts |
| Supported Platforms | PC, Playstation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | First Person, Rogue-Lite, Shooter |
| Number of Players | Single Player |
| ESRB Rating | Unrated |
| Official Website | Witchfire Website |
