Hellboy Web of Wyrd Review: Entering the Hellboy Universe

Upon entering the eerie yet enticing realms of Hellboy Web of Wyrd, the grim, comic-book aesthetic reminiscent of Mike Mignola’s dark yet whimsical illustrations immediately draws you in. The developers at Upstream Arcade have evidently poured their admiration for Mignola’s Hellboy into every vein of this title, crafting a world that feels like stepping into an animated comic book replete with engaging dialogues and a cast that carries a history of camaraderie and banter. Yet, as the journey unfolds through the bleak and haunting corridors of Castle Wyrd to the submerged despair in Kalyazin, Russia, a sense of discord begins to creep in. While the game’s heart beats with a genuine affection for the Hellboy legacy, it often finds itself ensnared in the roguelike web it spins, its narrative pulse sometimes lost in the repetitive echoes of its gameplay loops.

Immersive Comic-Esque Narrative

The allure of Hellboy Web of Wyrd lies not only in its homage to Mike Mignola’s iconic Hellboy universe but also in its ability to transport players into a grim, comic-esque realm with a gritty narrative and engaging dialogues. The game’s style is undeniably captivating, replicating the dark, whimsical ambiance of a comic book that comes alive with every action of Hellboy. Through distinct personalities and genuinely humorous exchanges, the game weaves a narrative that feels both nostalgic and fresh. As Hellboy interacts with other characters, their shared history unfolds, creating a sense of depth and continuity that enriches the gaming experience.

Roguelike Roadblocks

However, where the game shines in style, it somewhat falters in substance. The crux of the matter lies in its roguelike format, which, instead of adding a layer of excitement, feels more like a detour from its narrative strengths. This is particularly evident in the gameplay structure, which essentially involves navigating through four main levels. Initially, it’s a process of exploration and engagement with the enemies, but as you conquer each level, a narrative twist unveils, leading to an extended version of the levels. This cycle repeats, culminating in a final boss battle that demands a consecutive completion of all four levels. Despite the availability of upgrades, the game doesn’t provide a sense of progression, as the replay of levels feels more like a rerun than a rewarding challenge.

Graphical Grimness

The graphical elements of Hellboy Web of Wyrd further enhance the comic book aesthetic, especially when the game transitions into a freeze-frame during conversations, creating a visual semblance to a comic book panel. However, this choice comes at a cost as the lower frame rate of Hellboy’s animations, though artistically aligned with the aesthetic, hinders gameplay fluidity. The dichotomy between the visual charm and gameplay fluidity becomes a recurring theme as the game unfolds.

Auditory Atmosphere

When it comes to sound, Hellboy Web of Wyrd manages to encapsulate the eerie, supernatural essence of its narrative. The soundtrack, while not groundbreaking, complements the Hellboy aesthetic adequately. Over an extended playtime, the repetitiveness of the music becomes noticeable, yet it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall ambiance. The audio feedback during melee combat stands out for its solid, impactful resonance, reinforcing the visceral satisfaction derived from the combat system. However, the repetition in voice lines across multiple runs tends to wear on the immersive experience, a minor quirk in an otherwise fitting auditory presentation. A notable aspect is the voice acting of Hellboy by the late Lance Reddick, whose poignant delivery enriches the narrative ambiance of the game. His stellar performance, recorded shortly before his passing, resonates with a mixture of excitement and melancholy among fans, adding a unique emotional depth to Hellboy’s character that aptly complements the eerie, supernatural undertones of the game.

Combat Crunch

Delving into the gameplay of Hellboy Web of Wyrd, it’s clear that the game attempts to meld the tenets of a roguelike with the rugged brawling that defines Hellboy’s confrontations. The combat mechanics are a mixed bag—while the weight behind Hellboy’s punches and the tactile feedback from successful dodges and parries evoke a sense of rugged brawling, inconsistencies in the controls can often shatter this immersion. The dodge mechanism, though rewarding when executed correctly, often feels inconsistent and, at times, unfairly unresponsive. Similarly, while blocking and parrying are satisfying when timed right, a mistimed block can be overly punishing, pushing the player towards a more cautious and less enjoyable playstyle.

Controlled Chaos

The game’s control scheme is decent, with the controller offering the best way to traverse the Hellish landscapes and confront the demonic adversaries. Yet, the camera often becomes a foe itself, getting snagged on environmental geometry or failing to provide a clear view of the action, especially during high-stakes dodges and parries amidst a throng of enemies. These issues extend to the targeting system which can make switching between foes a cumbersome endeavor, diluting the fluidity and responsiveness of combat.

Roguelike Elements: A Mixed Bag

The rogue-like elements, which should theoretically extend the replay value of the game, instead often feel at odds with the narrative and action-oriented gameplay. The randomness inherent in roguelike design clashes with the player’s desire for steady progression, both in story and character capabilities. The game’s upgrade system, while offering a glimmer of progression, often falls flat due to its randomness and the sometimes artificial difficulty spikes, especially concerning health upgrades which are tied to random encounters. The lack of a robust combo system or more nuanced feedback mechanisms within combat makes the gameplay loop feel monotonous over time, with the initial thrill of brawling waning as the game forces the player through the same levels repeatedly.

Narrative Nuances

The game’s attempt to integrate narrative into the roguelike loops through the concept of powerful gods narrating Hellboy’s journey, while intriguing, isn’t explored deeply enough to feel meaningful. This shallow integration exacerbates the disconnect between the game’s narrative aspirations and its roguelike structure. The static nature of in-run upgrades and their lack of incentive for experimentation further contribute to the game’s replayability woes. The necessity to balance rushing through levels and accumulating in-run upgrades to stand a chance against the game’s challenges often leads to a frustrating experience, especially in the latter stages of the game.

Comparing Hellboy Web of Wyrd to genre-defining titles like Hades or Binding of Isaac lays bare its shortcomings. Where those games use the roguelike format to enhance narrative and gameplay, Hellboy Web of Wyrd struggles to justify its roguelike loops, failing to leverage them to enrich the narrative or gameplay experience. In essence, the solid combat and engaging narrative are overshadowed by the game’s insistence on shoehorning roguelike elements that don’t feel integrated or rewarding, but rather repetitive and sometimes exasperating. This dichotomy between its engaging narrative and combat, and its roguelike structure, becomes the crux of the gameplay experience in Hellboy Web of Wyrd.

Engaging Tale, Repetitive Trail

Hellboy Web of Wyrd is a title brimming with promise and love for its source material, reflected in its atmospheric visuals and intriguing narrative elements. It effectively encapsulates the grim allure of the Hellboy universe, offering a visually enthralling journey through its stylized, comic-esque realms. Yet, the game decides to tread the roguelike path that ultimately casts a shadow on its narrative strengths, often turning what could have been an engrossing narrative-driven experience into a slog through repetitively structured levels. The combat, while visceral and initially satisfying, suffers from control inconsistencies and a camera system that often hinders rather than aids the player’s experience. Despite its shortcomings, the game provides a glimpse into a darkly enchanting world that Hellboy aficionados and comic book enthusiasts might find worth exploring, even if it means navigating through its tangled roguelike web.

Final Verdict: 3/5

Available on: PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch; Publisher: Good Shepherd; Developer: Upstream Arcade; Players: 1; Released: October 18, 2023; MSRP: $24.99

Full disclosure: This review is based on a copy of Hellboy Web of Wyrd provided by the publisher.