33 Immortals

Thunder Lotus Games steps into uncharted territory with their ambitious multiplayer roguelike "33 Immortals," transforming Dante's Divine Comedy into a chaotic symphony of cooperative mayhem. This daring venture marks a significant departure from their previous success with Spiritfarer, proving that the studio isn't afraid to push boundaries and challenge conventional gaming formulas.

Heavenly Chaos: Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, 33 Immortals delivers an exhilarating 33-player cooperative experience that feels like a refreshing fusion of Risk of Rain 2's roguelike elements and World of Warcraft's raid mechanics. The 25-minute sessions strike an impressive balance between accessibility and depth, allowing players to dive into quick matches while maintaining strategic complexity. The top-down perspective expertly manages the potential chaos of 33 simultaneous players, while the four distinct character archetypes encourage thoughtful team composition and tactical play.

The game's weapon system, built around the seven deadly sins and heavenly virtues, adds a clever thematic layer to combat. Players will find themselves experimenting with 14 different weapons, each offering unique playstyles and strategic possibilities. The cooperative moves system particularly shines here, creating memorable moments when players synchronize their abilities to devastating effect. The revival system adds another layer of strategy, forcing teams to make split-second decisions about when to risk saving fallen comrades.

Through Hell and Back: Content and Progression

The Dark Forest hub serves as an atmospheric staging ground where players prepare for their revolutionary ascent through the afterlife. Here, the game's social aspects come to life as players gather to customize their characters, compare builds, and form alliances before venturing into the challenges ahead. The procedurally generated Torture Chambers provide a steady stream of challenges and rewards, while the Ascension Battles offer climactic encounters that test both individual skill and team coordination.

The roguelike elements ensure that each run feels fresh, though some players might find the randomization occasionally leads to uneven difficulty spikes. The Relic system provides a compelling progression mechanic, with Legendary Relics serving as powerful rewards that can dramatically alter gameplay strategies. The cosmetic customization options allow players to create unique identities within the game's dark fantasy aesthetic, adding a personal touch to the epic-scale battles.

What truly sets 33 Immortals apart is its masterful integration of classic literature with modern gaming sensibilities. The reimagined versions of Dante, Beatrice, Virgil, and Charon feel authentic to their literary origins while resonating with contemporary audiences. Each boss fight becomes a memorable encounter that blends narrative significance with mechanical challenge, creating moments that feel both epic in scale and personally meaningful.

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

33 Immortals delivers an innovative multiplayer experience that successfully marries its ambitious concept with solid gameplay mechanics. While it may not convert players who shy away from cooperative experiences, it offers a unique and rewarding adventure for those willing to embrace its collaborative nature.

Pros:

• Unprecedented 33-player cooperative gameplay that actually works
• Clever weapon system based on sins and virtues
• Well-balanced 25-minute session length
• Engaging roguelike elements that maintain freshness
• Stunning visual interpretation of Dante's afterlife
• Thoughtful character archetype system

Cons:

• Requires significant player coordination for optimal experience
• Random generation can sometimes create difficulty spikes
• May prove challenging to maintain consistent 33-player matches
• Learning curve might be steep for casual players
• Hub area could benefit from more interactive elements