Reviews on Archvale – Classic Live Ammo Action

The humble bullet hell genre doesn’t always get its well-timed attention in the public spotlight. The notoriously tough, screen-spaming challenges like dodging and weaving through countless rounds of bullets are terrifying to anyone. Not to mention, it’s not the most popular genre on the market right now. While I’m not a bullet hell player myself, I can appreciate the anxiety that overwhelms me as I make my way through a minefield filled with glowing bullets. That breathless feeling you feel after conquering a seemingly inevitable wave of rockets is a great feeling, that’s why a bullet hell game is always welcome in my heart . Archvale is a great addition to my library.

It’s an ingenious bullet-avoidance game that acts as a way to introduce newer players into the genre. With cute, classic 16-bit graphics, and a captivating setting, Archvale manages to appeal to both veterans and forerunners of the genre. However, it’s not just the lovely graphics that keep the player steady. You’ll probably hear this everywhere, but Archvale really what you get when you pass The Legend of Zelda with a bullet hell. It is not only a kinetic shooting game but also a perfect role playing game on its own.

It’s a role-playing game!

One of the greatest aspects of any role-playing game is the progression system and watching your character grow stronger as you work your way through various challenges. There’s something inherently satisfying about how simple it is to progress in this game. The map system is uncomplicated, with an easy-to-digest grid map. Exploring the area allows you to find loot, unlock fountains, and earn materials to craft better gear. Explore the world of Archvale is a treat, and its simplicity is captivating in itself. You’ll want to scour every possible nook and cranny.

Not to mention, play around with all the tools in Archvale is extremely interesting. It’s a blast to equip up to ten different weapons and change your gear depending on the situation. The way you unlock different weapons and armor is basic. Mining stones, defeating enemies, and opening chests allow you to expand your inventory. And believe me, there are many different weapons in this game. What makes role-playing games fun is the amount of customization options available to your character and Archvale many. Not to mention, there is a certain liberties in it that allow you to run different build types at the same time.

Ammo isn’t hard?

I know what you might be thinking. Bullets are marked with an almost improbable sequence with thousands of bullets on the screen at once. It does not work, does not forward and is an angry time. But Archvale accessible and not too destructive given its difficulty. I like a good challenge, so I chose the ‘Hardcore’ option, and I never felt the fight was too hard or unfair. The battles in the underworld don’t hurl hundreds of evasive enemies facing you, and the bosses don’t overwhelm with inexplicable patterns. (The damage can feel pretty high, but I probably did that to myself.)

Even so, it is not an easy game. Multiple dungeons took me through several times as enemies piled up and things to dodge got out of hand. As a franchise of the genre, it’s nice to have a good challenge every now and then. If you are not confident in your ability to dodge all of these projectiles, there are also different difficulty settings. I can’t say how well balanced they are, but ‘Hardcore’ provides a good challenge without feeling impossible.

The game itself certainly feels balanced. During your journey, Archvale gives you various abilities at your disposal to help you get through the battles easier. You have lots of dashes to dodge bullets, and throughout the game you’ll unlock attack tools that you can use in battle. The healing potion helps you to refill the hearts you lose in battle, and they will be refilled after each checkpoint.

Speaking of checkpoints, you can teleport between fountains that not only give you more health, but also give you a bonus for unlocking them for the first time. It never feels like there aren’t enough checkpoints to get around. The fountains are intelligently placed between the zones and help with the pacing of the game.

A strange setting

Personally, a big draw to the game is how it looks and feels. NS Legend of Zelda The comparison is appropriate, with a charming, medieval setting and well-designed 8-bit graphics. You get a little nostalgic while playing the game, as something about it feels familiar and engaging. Enemies, NPCs, and bosses are designed to look stale, but the game never feels dated or stale. Even the game’s music reminds me of something like a Pokemon game.

And it’s always great to have a game in your Steam library that feels like it won’t crash your computer or claim all the latest super installments. It has a relaxing, undemanding presentation. Everything about the game is very graceful, from the user interface to the customizable controls. Archvale It fits my Steam library very well, but it’s also like something I can take with me on the go and enjoy all of that. (That’s fitting, since the game is also releasing on the Nintendo Switch. Steam Deck, when?)

Good time to get

Archvale is a well-conceived RPG bullet hell, and overall, a great time. It is truly a time of addiction and a satisfying adventure. It has fun and engaging battles, it runs well, and doesn’t have the hard hair-pulling style you might find in a similar game. There’s still a lot for me to explore, with different weapons, builds, and badges for me to still unlock. I couldn’t ask for more for a game at such an affordable price. Overall, give it a try. It was a cute, addictive, fun time.