Wall World shouldn’t be as addictive as it is. This cruel game breaks your soul as you eek closer to the finish line. This slow and methodical gameplay may frustrate some people. Yet, I loved the repetition and the sense of reward. Additionally, there are plenty of surprises to keep you on your toes.
This rogue-lite adventure was developed by Alawar Entertainment and published by UniqueGames Publishing. Furthermore, there are some glorious tower defence elements to get your teeth into. This is a solo experience that has an understated aesthetic. Moreover, it combines virtual climbing with side-scrolling exploration.
Wall World hides plenty of secrets.
This mining title hides its story behind snippets of lore. As you explore the vertical mountains, you’ll discover hidden mines. Additionally, there are remnants of previous residents known as “the others”. This race of people was advanced, and their technology improved your chances. As such, it is best to find every last ounce of this once-thriving society.
Though the story plays a minor part, the action focuses on resource gathering and fighting. The demonic aliens are aggressive and will stop at nothing. As such, you must use your hulking “spider” vessel to defend yourself and thwart every hellish wave. However, this is no mean feat and failure is all but assured.
A game of 2 halves.
Wall World is brilliantly split into 2 distinct game modes. The first revolves around resource gathering and exploring each mine. This is great as your exosuit is utilised to remove waste and gather valuable assets. Furthermore, as you remove dirt, you discover new weapons, tools, and plenty of interesting secrets. Though the waste product may seem pointless, it isn’t. Every clump of dirt and every resource earns you cash. This can be invested in permanent upgrades to your spider and your weapons. Accordingly, this improves your chances of survival.
The second portion of the game is the cruel waves of attack. As the game progresses, an alien attack meter fills. Once it is at the brim, you must defend yourself and your spider. The aliens advance from 3 sides, and the longer you survive, the larger the waves become. Subsequently, you must plan, move, and shoot every weapon you own if you wish to survive.
Upgrades.
The gameplay revolves around temporary and permanent upgrades. The permanent upgrades are unlocked with cash. As mentioned, cash is found during each mining expedition. Consequently, the longer you survive, the more cash you earn. Additionally, the stronger your spider becomes. This is essential as like every other rogue-lite title, you are not going to complete this in one playthrough.
Where things become interesting are the temporary upgrades. Here you may play with different tactical ideas. Furthermore, there is a sense of trial and error as you never know which of “the others” upgrades you’ll find. The ability to test different approaches and upgrade every aspect of your mining rig and exosuit was impressive. However, getting the best of each element was challenging, and gamers will need patience if they wish to progress to the end game.
Wall World is wonderfully pixelated.
If you wish to play a polished title with a modern finish, then look elsewhere. Wall World is gloriously pixelated. Moreover, its colour palette is earthy and this adds a sombre and oppressive edge. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy some basic animation and some simple stage design. Though the visuals aren’t revolutionary, I liked the presentation nonetheless.
The audio is refined but effective. The sci-fi soundtrack adds a sense of danger and the loud sound effects enhance each attack. I loved the crashing of every rocket and the shrill noise of your machine gun. What’s more, the squelching sound of every broken alien body brings a wry smile to your face.
Excellent controls.
Though it took me a few turns to master Wall World, I adore the excellent controls. The basic UI complements the simple button layout. Furthermore, the responsive inputs assist you in annihilating every alien attack. As such, the developer has done a great job with their user-friendly approach.
As no playthrough is the same, and death is a guarantee, this oozes replay value and longevity. Yes, it is frustrating to lose your progress, but each baby step is rewarding. As you improve your gear, and you climb the wall, you discover new creatures and assets. Consequently, every playthrough is unique, and this keeps you coming back for more.
Wall World is challenging and addictive.
Though the gameplay is simple to understand, the action is surprisingly challenging. Wall World does not hold your hand, and every layer pushes you hard. On top of this, your progress is wiped and this makes you focus your attention. Though failure is a tough pill to swallow, I loved the rewarding action. Subsequently, I recommend buying it here! Can you get to the top of the wall? Upgrade your spider, find advanced weapons and tools, and mine everything in sight.
