Why Tyrant’s Realm Will Change Your View on Soulslike Games Forever!

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I’m not shy about admitting that I struggle with Soulslike games. The Cleric Beast in Bloodborne, even being the first boss, took me more than 80 attempts to beat, which has earned me plenty of laughs from my friends ever since. Despite finding the ominous settings of these types of games fascinating, I’ve often felt frustrated and let down by my lack of skill and determination. However, Tyrant’s Realm has been a great solution for my shortcomings, softening the blow of typical Soulslike combat with an engaging and immersive roguelite gameplay structure. Death isn’t something to be feared but embraced, as it paves the way for new gear and enhancements that increase the protagonist’s chances of success.

Players assume the role (or lack thereof) of a hapless prisoner charged with overthrowing the powerful Tyrant who seeks dominion over the universe. The world is plunged into gloom and deterioration, and the grimy prison that serves as the game’s starting point foreshadows the dismal environments to follow, such as the fittingly named Torture Pit and the treacherous Royal Hunting Grounds filled with traps.

In “Tyrant’s Realm”, the fusion of genres might be an intriguing twist, yet it’s not just that which makes the game stand out. From the very start, you can feel the nostalgic pull, as if you’re holding a PS1 game from three decades ago. The developers have incorporated a CRT filter and a Box-TV mode to evoke memories of the past for those yearning for the good old days. The atmosphere is spot on, and the gameplay is simple to grasp but hard to perfect.

Tyrant’s Realm is Hard to Put Down

The very first time I fired up “Tyrant’s Realm”, I found myself engrossed for nearly six hours without realizing how quickly the time was passing. I repeatedly told myself, “Just one more round,” intending to take a break afterward and attend to pending tasks. However, my past struggles with Soulslikes, particularly in games like “Lies of P” and “Black Myth: Wukong”, weighed heavily on my mind, undermining my already fragile confidence. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised to find that every second spent with “Tyrant’s Realm” has been enjoyable – even when the Game Over screen flashed up for the 20th, 30th, and 40th times.

The quick and simple tutorial for the game lasts roughly five minutes. In this game, players can attack, defend, and roll, but they need enough energy or stamina to perform these actions effectively. It took me some time getting accustomed to managing my stamina levels, as I often depleted it without noticing and found myself quickly killed as a result, since I lacked the strength to maintain my shield or dodge skillfully when in danger. While focusing on staying alive, I frequently overlooked my stamina gauge. As you progress through the game, you’ll occasionally stumble upon Runes that can increase your health, attack power, and defense, making it less challenging to advance to the next level.

In this game, treasure chests and broken barrels scatter across various levels, occasionally yielding gold, loot, or better weapons and armor. Interestingly, I found many powerful weapons hidden inside seemingly ordinary barrels, while chests didn’t always contain valuable upgrades. Desiring to defeat enemies swiftly, stronger weapons are highly beneficial, though I prioritize less on armor durability.

After all, this game, named Tyrant’s Realm, is a Soulslike, and mastering the art of dodging attacks is crucial for success. Standing still invites danger, and while increased resilience can be vital in tough battles, it’s usually more advantageous to keep moving.

Occasionally, blueprints for improved weapons and armor are discovered, providing even stronger options. However, these simply serve as additional benefits. What is truly worth pursuing are items with unique effects, as they can significantly impact the gameplay experience. For instance, poisoning my weapon allowed me to easily defeat the first boss, and a shield that enhances stamina regeneration is always beneficial.

One aspect that makes “Tyrant’s Realm” particularly gratifying is their execution moves, which allow for instant enemy elimination. However, this method is exceptionally perilous since players must fill up their execution meter to the maximum and then precisely time a parry to initiate the move after an incoming attack. The precision required for a successful parry can be quite challenging, and missing it usually results in defeat. Still, with each attempt, I found myself yearning for that perfect timing, witnessing my character skillfully beheading an enemy with a well-timed sword strike, splattering pixelated blood across the screen. The danger was justified–after all, another chance would always come along.

In the game titled “Tyrant’s Realm, each section is divided by a Merchant’s Lounge and a challenging encounter with a boss. Upon entering the Merchant’s Lounge, players are compelled to spend all their accumulated funds before they can access the boss fight, be it on weapons, armor, or enhancements. If you don’t have enough money, the game will still allow you to contribute towards these items, and whenever you reach a safe room, you can continue adding your gold to the item or upgrade of your preference until you own it. This rule applies consistently throughout different playthroughs, so if you meet your demise, your coins remain untouched where you left them. In my initial gameplay, I opted to prioritize upgrades over equipment, with my first significant purchase being an extra health potion. This decision has saved me on numerous occasions, and at 600 gold, it was a bargain.

Tyrant’s Realm Takes Inspiration From Old-School Games

Exploring the diverse landscapes of Tyrant’s Realm, I was astonished by the blend of traditional and contemporary influences at its heart. The game seems to be the offspring of Nightmare Creatures, Evil Dead, and Koudelka, with a dash of Dead Cells’ fast-paced roguelike mechanics for good measure. It stands out in a market flooded with complex and time-consuming story-driven games boasting high-quality graphics and sky-high budgets by offering a more straightforward experience. Tyrant’s Realm has an old-school charm, catering to players regardless of whether they have a few minutes or a whole afternoon to spare, providing either a brief escape or a long gaming session, contingent on the player’s preferences.

As I jumped into Tyrant’s Realm for the first time, the default settings instantly brought back a wave of nostalgia. But Team Tyrant didn’t stop there. Diving into the game’s settings, I found a treasure trove of unique options that made this game truly special.

One such option was a low-resolution retro mode, which took me back to the early days of gaming. There was also a CRT Filter, adding that vintage touch to the graphics. If you wanted to go all out, there was even a Box-TV mode that mimicked the TV in my childhood room.

While I mainly opted for the game’s highest quality setting (Cinematic) and used an ultra-wide monitor for an immersive experience, the ability to occasionally play using more basic and retro visuals kept things exciting and set this game apart from others for all the right reasons.

In essence, I found issues with the game controls, especially when using unconventional weapons such as scythes or spears instead of swords. Occasionally, these weapons failed to connect with the monster or object I was aiming for, even in situations like standing right in front of a barrel with a scythe and needing four attempts to make contact. However, it’s important to note that this wasn’t a consistent problem, as the overall gameplay felt smooth and responsive. The game length and variety of enemies didn’t pose any problems for me, but I was left yearning for more in-depth lore about the game world, Tyrant’s Realm. Although its atmospheric environment piqued my interest, much of its backstory remains a mystery, leaving it up to my imagination.

Tyrant’s Domain appears to be a labor of love crafted by individuals influenced by the PlayStation 1 era and FromSoftware’s masterpiece. Despite my personal dislike for Souls-like games, this title quickly captured my interest. It offers a balance between affordability, style, and challenge that doesn’t overwhelm newcomers. The roguelike aspects function as incentives, encouraging even the most critical players to prepare for “one more attempt.

The game titled “Tyrant’s Reign” is set to launch on January 16, 2025, exclusively for PC platforms. A demonstration version of the game is already accessible. Game Rant received a PC copy of the game for the purpose of this review.

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2025-01-16 02:54