Hands-On Preview: VOIN Is DOOM Meets Dark Souls, And It Rips

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As a passionate gamer, let me lay it out: Among all game series, Dark Souls reigns supreme; DOOM tops the FPS chart for me; solo-developed masterpieces offer an unforgettable gaming journey. If you think otherwise, that’s cool. But remember, this is my take, and I’m holding the reins of this keyboard.

Although VOIN was released as early access way back in December 2024, it wasn’t on my gaming radar at all. However, it ticks off all the points mentioned – offering fast-paced, first-person combat reminiscent of DOOM, coupled with a Soulslike environment and rich RPG elements along with plenty of loot to collect. Incredibly, this game has been developed single-handedly by Nikita Sozidar.

In the past, I’ve had conversations with independent developers, such as the one I had with the creator of Bionic Bay (mentioning my interview with them). From these discussions, it’s become clear that this journey can be incredibly tough, and there are instances when self-doubt creeps in, making you question if the project you’re working on is still worthwhile or valuable.

In this communication, allow me to share my perspective: VOIN is impressive, particularly in its early access stage. Having had a sneak peek at this game, I must express my enthusiasm about the reasons that have captured my attention. Let’s delve into the details.

Immaculate Vibes

right from the start, VOIN captivated me with its compelling style. It boasts a mysterious, atmospheric fantasy backdrop tinged with sci-fi elements for a modern twist. The music is fantastic, featuring melancholic and moody piano melodies enhanced by string accompaniments.

As you embark on your journey, you initially find yourself in a relatively ordinary crystal cave adorned with a few waterfalls. However, things rapidly escalate once you gain access to the game’s main hub, enabling you to travel to various locations. I encountered towering cathedrals, eerie crypts, snow-capped mountains, and forges nestled within volcanic interiors. Combine this breathtaking scenery with the game’s pseudo-retro art style, intentionally pixelated yet stunningly beautiful aesthetics, and you’re in for a visual treat.

In a simpler and more conversational style: Every blade I picked up during my session was not only visually stunning but also had captivating effects, making me eager to find and collect even cooler equipment along the way. Put simply, VOIN is both visually and auditorily impressive.

In addition, you can alternate between the game’s somewhat vintage atmosphere with an even older-style graphic option if you prefer. This feature adds a nice touch, but it doesn’t feel too radical because the game already has a nostalgic aesthetic. However, I appreciate having visual options, and both styles look fantastic regardless of your choice.

I found it delightful to delve into the universe of VOIN, mainly to discover where the game would transport me next. I have a soft spot for games that blend contemporary and nostalgic elements, and VOIN is one of the most captivating examples in this category recently, given my affection for the Souls series as well.

VOIN seems incredibly similar to Dark Souls in its first-person perspective, atmosphere, mood, and aesthetics. If you share my curiosity, you might want to explore it further. Fortunately, there are additional reasons to get thrilled about this game, with its engaging combat system and innovative mechanics.

Frantic Hack-And-Slash Gameplay With Lots Of RPG Depth

VOIN fundamentally offers an exhilarating, action-packed experience centered around close combat, with an emphasis on movement. This first-person game delivers a speed and atmosphere that strongly resembles DOOM, yet it prioritizes melee attacks and magic over firearms, explosives, and additional weaponry.

The weapon you selected possesses both a gentle and robust motion, and when fully charged, the heavy swing imparts a remarkably fulfilling sensation as it slices through an undead, necromorph beast-like creature. Furthermore, your recent elimination of a horde of adversaries activates a slow-motion camera, offering you a clear, detailed view of your last victim being flung spectacularly through the air in a gory, violent arc.

What makes this game even more appealing is that it offers unique features such as temporary special abilities on timers, including the ability to create a vortex from your sword for long-range attacks. Additionally, weapons come with skills activated by runes found in the game world, allowing you to tailor your loadout with various superpowers according to your preference.

Although many stages share a common combat pattern of entering a room and eliminating the opponents similar to that found in a DOOM game, it remains far from monotonous. The sensation of swiftly cutting down four enemies simultaneously with a single powerful sword sweep is incredibly satisfying.

…a harmonious blend of gameplay mechanics and abilities that complements the player’s actions, fostering a seamless gaming experience often associated with being ‘in the zone’.

Additionally, throughout the journey, you’ll encounter tough battles with your bosses, each requiring you to master their unique attack patterns to dodge or counter them effectively. As you engage in a rhythmic duel involving timed attacks, skillful dodging, cool-down management, and strategic use of special abilities, you’ll find the experience incredibly engaging and enjoyable.

Additionally, there are other exciting gameplay elements such as not having fall damage, which lets you reach enemy drops and descend upon them from above. Upon landing, you can release a widespread lightning attack that incapacitates everything in the vicinity. This gameplay and skillset coordination harmoniously complements the player’s movement, fostering an immersive flow-state gaming experience.

Besides being satisfactory, there’s also an enticing treasure and equipment system, featuring items such as rings, artifacts, necklaces, and new hearts, in addition to weapons and runic abilities. The thrill of discovering each new item lies in the comparison with your existing gear setup, seeking potential enhancements for your character build.

When deciding on what gear to use, there are numerous statistics, enhancements, and compatibility factors to think about. I personally enjoy this degree of RPG customization and loadout setup. Despite the abundance of choices, it all feels smooth and intuitive as you select new items. I never found myself feeling overwhelmed by the extensive range of options available.

I was consistently impressed with the level of thoughtful, creative, user-friendly design.

The design is filled with many delightful aspects, such as the ability to call upon a teleportation service that returns you to your hub reminiscent of Firelink Shrine, adjustable difficulty settings that enable personalized gameplay experience, and engaging ideas for upgrading gear and deciding travel destinations on the map.

In the initial phases of the reveal, I kept finding myself amazed by the clever, imaginative, and user-friendly design of each new mechanic and concept. What makes this even more astonishing is learning that it all originated from a single developer’s mind.

Why I’m Excited For More

After wrapping up my gaming session with VOIN, I found myself eager for more gameplay. Fortunately, even though it’s still in early access, there seems to be plenty left to discover within the game itself. I can’t wait to dive back in!

In this pre-release version, you’ll find two quite expansive stages to explore. If the points I’ve made previously pique your interest, I believe it’s already a valuable purchase at $19.99 USD.

In a straightforward and conversational style, let me rephrase it: During any game I report on, I always scribble down notes physically. And trust me when I say that the last thing I penned in my notebook for VOIN was in capital letters and said, “MORE GAMES TO COME.

I’m really fond of the ambiance, battles, rhythm, creature aesthetics, loot gathering, and overall layout in this game. There’s a lot of untapped potential here, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of more thrilling encounters once it fully launches. Frankly, I can’t wait to witness the amazing things that this solo developer will create with the final version of the game.

To explore VOIN firsthand and join the excitement, head over to its Steam page and delve into the early access version of the game. If you’d rather wait for the complete release, rest assured, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive review of VOIN once it’s officially launched.

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2025-05-27 20:11