Wrath: Aeon of Ruin Review

Wrath: Aeon of Ruin isn’t reinventing the wheel. It’s a blatant homage, a love letter to the golden age of first-person shooters that dominated the 90s. But for those who yearn for the heady days of strafing circles around cyber demons and dodging rockets in claustrophobic arenas, Wrath offers a potent dose of pure demon-slaying fun. Wrath: Aeon of Ruin throws you headfirst into the decaying husk of a demonic world, overrun by grotesque monstrosities and shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.

The first bite of Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is a visual one, and it’s undeniably retro. Built on a modified Quake engine, the game is defined by the boxy charm and grimy textures that represented its predecessors. This isn’t a bad thing by any means. The environments, from decaying gothic buildings reeking of death to sprawling cemeteries, bathed in an eerie nasty glow, have a wonderfully oppressive atmosphere. Flickering torches cast dancing shadows, and the ominous sounds underscore the ever-present sense of dread. The enemy design is a particular highlight. From the lumbering, pus-spewing Grotes to the suicidal enemies, each foe is grotesque and distinct. Their demise is gloriously messy, exploding into pieces when met with your lead-laced greetings.

The weapon design is another area steeped in nostalgia. You’ll find yourself wielding classics like the pump-action shotgun, and you will hear a symphony of destruction. The weapons are not new but they sure feel wonderfully satisfying in combat. Each weapon feels impactful and brutal, with distinct sounds and visual feedback that give every kill a visceral thrill. As always some have more than just one shooting mode and enemies are more damaged by some specific gun.

The level design in Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is where things get a little more complex. While some areas are masterfully crafted labyrinths filled with secrets and shortcuts that reward exploration, others feel more like generic corridors populated with waves of enemies. The saving grace here is the interconnected nature of the levels, accessible through hub worlds. You’ll often find yourself revisiting older areas with newfound abilities, unlocking previously inaccessible paths, and uncovering hidden stashes of stuff.

For instance, you might initially battle through snowy graveyards and mausoleums filled with standard enemies. But later, with a newfound ability, you might return to uncover a hidden passage leading to a secret chamber containing a powerful new weapon or a vital lore fragment that sheds light on the world’s backstory. However, the story is not interesting at all. This exploration adds a layer of depth that keeps the gameplay loop engaging.

Here’s where Wrath: Aeon of Ruin might separate the nostalgic veterans from the modern gamer crowd. It’s a challenging game, unapologetically so. There are no regenerating health bars and You die often, sometimes due to your tactical blunders, sometimes thanks to the game’s occasionally wonky hit detection. Plus the limited save system, which relies on finding items and checkpoints scattered throughout the levels, adds to the tension. It’s a design choice that harks back to the era when games demanded mastery, but it might frustrate players accustomed to a more forgiving experience.

Imagine yourself rounding a corner, only to be met with a volley of rockets from a strategically placed enemy you didn’t see. One moment you’re feeling like a badass demon slayer, the next you’re back at the last health item you have seen, cursing your overconfidence. This constant threat of death creates a sense of genuine tension, forcing you to be deliberate and strategic in your approach to each combat encounter. However, for newcomers to the genre, the unforgiving difficulty might be a steep learning curve.

Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is a love letter to a bygone era of first-person shooters. It revels in its retro aesthetic, brutal combat, and exploration-driven level design. The enemy variety is impressive, the weapons pack a punch, and the atmosphere is thick with dread. However, the strict difficulty curve and occasionally clunky controls might not be for everyone. If you’re a veteran gamer with fond memories of those classic shooters, then WRATH is a must-play. It’s a nostalgia trip that captures the feel of old-school FPS games.

The review code was provided by the publisher