ELDERBORN

Elderborn takes every 80s thrash metal band’s power fantasy and turns it into an overwhelmingly satisfying slasher game. Full to the brim with hacking, slashing, clubbing, and all-around violence, this is a game that’s definitely not for the squeamish. It is, however, a game for those players looking for copious amounts of extremely cathartic action.

If you’re looking for a game that blends intense action with satisfying gameplay, then Elderborn might be just the one for you. That said, in a game that seems intent on making you as overpowered as possible in the least amount of time possible, is there any challenge to be had? Let’s find out in our review.

Brutal Action

Elderborn’s gameplay could best be described as a blend of Doom and Dark Souls, set in the world of Conan the Barbarian. Hyperstrange, Elderborn’s developers, describes the game as a “metal AF first-person perspective slasher,” and honestly, that’s an apt description.

The key to survival in this game is to keep moving. Kick, stab, and jump to keep away from your enemies. Here’s where Elderborn feels like the newest Doom games: mobility is an integral part of Elderborn’s gameplay.

All of the game’s action is set to a backdrop of original heavy metal music that will make you feel like you’re living in an 80s power metal video. The blend of brutal action and strident metal makes Elderborn feel more like a Conan the Barbarian game than any other real Conan game out there.

Expect the Unexpected

In a game where every item is a weapon and you control an absurdly buff barbarian, there’s little that can oppose you as you progress through the levels. At least, that’s what Elderborn wants you to think.

While most of the common enemies are based on basic patterns that you can overcome by simply spamming your basic attack, bosses are a whole other story. Getting too comfortable is the best way to get you killed in this game, as the bosses are just as strong as your overpowered character.

Thankfully, character customization is as deep as you’d expect on any RPG, complete with skill trees that considerably augment your barbarian’s lethality. What might seem at first glance like an unbalanced game quickly turns into a match to see who’s the most overpowered in a continuous power creep.

To keep things satisfyingly simple, Elderborn has only three main stats. This tendency towards simplicity is the game’s strongest attribute, as it can be seen as an arcade approach to the Dark Souls formula.

Hellish Landscapes

The world of Elderborn looks positively brutal. Every character looks like one of Doom’s demons and the hellish ambiance, once again, paired with the game’s amazing soundtrack, turns this game into something truly unique.

However, it’s worth mentioning that there’s not much else to the game other than mindlessly killing hordes of enemies. For those players that are looking for a completely cathartic violent experience, Elderborn delivers fast-paced action and almost no sign of those pesky things like “plot” and other fancy gaming terms.

Pros:

• Fun and satisfying combat
• Customizable character stats
• Amazing metal soundtrack

Cons:

• Repetitive gameplay
• Unbalanced difficulty