Halls of Torment review

Halls of Torment review

As someone who’s been around the gaming block a few times, I must say Halls of Torment has become my new go-to Survivor-like game. It’s like stepping into a time machine back to 1996 Diablo, and I couldn’t resist that nostalgic charm.


For some time, I held off on the allure of games resembling Survivor. This was mainly because observing the genre didn’t fully capture its charm. It wasn’t until I dived into Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors that I realized there was a lot more to these games than just dodging damage. Games like God of Weapons also held my interest for quite some time. However, my focus has mostly shifted towards Halls of Torment from Chasing Carrots lately. This is a Survivor-like game set in a fantasy world, and it bears a striking resemblance to Diablo in terms of aesthetics.

We’re not referring to the latest Diablo game; instead, we’re going back to 1996 and a title that mimics Blizzard’s classic dungeon-crawler. You can let your characters auto-attack or play with a controller, but I found myself clicking furiously on swarms of rickety skeletons to be the most nostalgic experience. When not using the Steam Deck, this became my preferred method of gameplay.

Halls of Torment review

In Halls of Torment, there’s a hidden layer of complexity. Every playthrough is essentially a 30-minute stamina challenge where you navigate through progressively challenging terrains, battling enemies and gathering gems to upgrade your character. As the game progresses, you’ll start to notice that you’re getting stronger and faster. Additionally, you’ll randomly acquire up to two new abilities, which automatically activate on a short timer, expanding your skill set.

In this game, you accumulate equipment similar to Diablo, which is kept in a central vault. This lets you pick from among the 11 characters you’ve unlocked and equip them with gear that influences their build traits such as critical hit chance or durability. Starting each new run with your character already geared up and armed with a few strategic advantages significantly increases your survival, especially during challenging boss fights. These encounters can be quite intense, resembling bullet hell at times, but by the time you reach them, you’re usually tough enough that they become endurance tests, where neither side gives much ground until the final blow is dealt.

Halls of Torment review

In due time, you’ll gain access to Agony Mode, which seems like the authentic gameplay experience. This mode is more challenging and doesn’t have a time limit, allowing you to collect more loot and upgrades to handle the heightened risk and enemy density. Furthermore, as you advance, there are numerous character traits to discover, totaling approximately 1000 if you include all the various upgrade levels.

In a more conversational style: Chasing Carrots has truly outdone themselves by crafting Halls of Torment into a game that leaves you craving for more. The animation flows seamlessly and swiftly, while the environments are rich with an eerie ambiance. Each of the eleven characters embodies a typical role, although some have slight variations in their skills and gameplay.

If you’ve never been drawn to Survivor-style games, Halls of Torment might not convert you, but if you have a slight curiosity, I’d recommend giving it a try (it’s around five dollars). It works great on the Steam Deck and is perfect for filling short gaps in your day. With plenty of replay value and minimal hassle, it’s also engaging enough to keep you hooked for every minute you play.

Read More

2024-09-30 11:16