Achilles: Survivor combines swords & sandals with bullet-heaven gameplay | Hands-on preview

Achilles: Survivor combines swords & sandals with bullet-heaven gameplay | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of action RPGs and Survivor games alike. Achilles: Survivor, the latest spin-off from Dark Point Games, is a curious blend that, while not groundbreaking, holds a glimmer of promise for the genre.


The upcoming adaptation of “Achilles: Legends Untold,” developed by Dark Point Games, is now titled “Achilles: Survivor.” Originally an action RPG released last year, this new version transforms the protagonist (essentially the character model) into a survivor in a high-intensity shooter game. It offers some intriguing concepts to explore.

I must admit, I’m not entirely clear on why this game is based on Legends Untold instead of its larger counterpart, as it lacks the dynamic attack animations that the latter possesses. Interestingly, Achilles can strike enemies without moving his arms in any way. In terms of combat for a Survivor-style game, it’s relatively simple compared to others. You defeat enemies to earn Experience Points (XP), and accumulating XP allows you to acquire new skills. It follows the typical pattern.

Achilles: Survivor combines swords & sandals with bullet-heaven gameplay | Hands-on preview

As you reach specific Experience Point (XP) milestones, you’ll acquire a fresh attack technique, while occasionally boosting your base attributes such as movement speed – a feature that you aim to enhance significantly. The system is easy to grasp and follows familiar patterns, but there’s one unique aspect that sets it apart:

Once you’ve earned sufficient Experience Points (XP), you gain the ability to construct defensive structures at specific locations on the map. These defenses can be used to guide your opponents into strategic traps, enhancing your combat effectiveness. However, their placement is limited, which somewhat restricts their tactical value. Yet, this feature is less prevalent in Survivor games, making it a unique and refreshing aspect of Achilles: Survivor.

Achilles: Survivor combines swords & sandals with bullet-heaven gameplay | Hands-on preview

The demo gives a glimpse of what’s to come, but there are additional characters to unlock that could significantly increase the game’s diversity, similar to Halls of Torment. Combining this feature with the defense-building mechanic might make Achilles: Survivor a noteworthy title within the genre. Generally, survivor games, much like Soulslikes, adhere to a basic structure. However, the unique elements and styles introduced by different creators and franchises are what set them apart in the marketplace.

Currently, Achilles: Survivor seems to be a mostly functional take on its concept, but it’s noticeably slower and less smooth compared to many games I’ve encountered. It could greatly benefit from some character animation to make the player characters feel more distinct. The ability to build defenses is an interesting feature, but its strict application hinders any strategic use of it. If the extra characters turn out to be more than just cosmetic changes, they might help boost Achilles: Survivor to a higher tier when combined with building mechanics.

Achilles: Survivor is “coming soon” to PC via Steam.

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2024-10-14 11:16