Flintlock is a nerve-wracking battle for beginners
With high difficulty, some video games put the nerves of gamers to the test. Many love "Soulslike" games, but many lose patience and enjoyment quickly. With "Flintlock - The Siege of Dawn," A44 Games could now deliver a title that serves as the perfect introduction to the genre.
Those who feel comfortable in "Soulslike" games know that suffering is part of the deal, making achievements all the sweeter. This video game genre, known for its high difficulty level, merciless gameplay, and epic boss fights, is not for everyone, especially those who get easily frustrated. With "Flintlock - The Siege of Dawn," A44 Games is releasing a title that offers a gentle entry into the genre, with a solid story that is sure to impress, but with divine boss fights to be enchanted by. ntv.de has tested the game.
The game is set in a fantasy world where the gods oppress humanity. The city "Dawn's Light" is fighting to keep hordes of undead at bay through a rift to the Underworld. As Soldier Nor Vanek, players are now tasked with blowing up the rift with barrels of black powder - and that's it. The attempt fails, as the gods intervene. Instead of closing the rift, the explosion paves the way for countless creatures of the Underworld. Nor is thrown into a chasm and wakes up next to a fox-like creature named Enki, who wants to help Nor in her quest for revenge against the gods.
The partnership between Nor and Enki is well-told, but most other characters fade into the background. The story lacks anchor points that such a dynamic adventure needs. Additionally, the tasks are not particularly diverse: Players travel from village to village and clear the area of undead. Here, "Flintlock" could have distinguished itself from many other titles in the genre. The cryptic and layered stories of games like "Dark Souls" and "Elden Ring" are not for everyone.
Sweat Drops on the Forehead
The developers focus more on the gameplay in the half-open world, which is beautifully designed. Exploration does not always have to be repeated, as there are several shortcuts and quick travel options in "Flintlock." The difficulty level of the genre is a matter of course, but in "Flintlock," it can at least be determined in advance. The three levels are "Story mode," "normal," and "particularly hard." "Normal" should already challenge even some gamers with sweat drops on their foreheads. Once Nor uses a time-giving item, they must start from the last checkpoint and collect the accumulated reputation (renown in this game) at the place of death - a classic Soulslike element.
Interestingly, the multiplier option comes into play: The longer the player moves through the world of "Flintlock" without making mistakes, the more the multiplier grows on the renown. With a key press, it can be activated at any time; if the player takes damage from enemies, the multiplier resets.
And damage is unfortunately inevitable. Nor is armed with an ax, musket, and pistol. In close combat, a balance of attack and parry is necessary to defeat normal undead enemies and later challenging bosses. Some enemies have a status bar that must be broken first before dealing damage. Here, Enki is also active, as the flying fox can be summoned to attack zombies and other creatures. Enki also has a special attack that allows multiple enemies to be attacked at once.
The fights are quick and fluid. Attacks seamlessly chain together and you truly feel the effects with each hit from an axe, hammer, rifle, and magical abilities. Against the Gods, there is a perfect balance of Drama and Action. Combined with the high difficulty level, epic battles are born - some of which may even be lost.
Although there is a strong focus on the combat system, looting and crafting take a backseat in "Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn." The few resources that can be found can be used for unique abilities, such as increasing attack range.
Despite a slightly rough starting experience, "Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn" is one of those Souls-like games that improve as you delve deeper and unlock more of its intriguing abilities, allowing you to fully utilize the benefits of attack chains and XP multipliers. However, to get the most out of the game, you must leave the beaten paths to complete side quests and optional battles. These are challenging enough to excite Souls-like fans. The necessary frustration potential comes naturally with the game, but it remains more of a mental battle for beginners.
"Flintlock - The Siege of Dawn" is available for Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Gamers who have completed "Flintlock - The Siege of Dawn" often leave glowing reviews on its combat system, highlighting the seamless chaining of attacks and the impact of each hit. In fact, many technology enthusiasts believe that the game's innovative combat mechanics revolutionize the way video games handle action and drama.
Moreover, enthusiasts of video game reviews have praised "Flintlock - The Siege of Dawn" for its challenging boss fights, which are reminiscent of the epic battles found in popular 'Soulslike' games. Despite its high difficulty level, the game offers multiple levels of difficulty, accommodating both beginners and seasoned gamers who relish the sweat-inducing experience that comes with such games.
