Survivors games have been going into a bit of a rut, so Chasing Carrots evoking the old-school classic Diablo style gameplay is very welcome. When I say old-school I mean it, as the game calls back to the original Diablo, and while you can choose to have auto attack on, like with other Survivors style games, using a mouse or controller and clicking repeatedly evokes a classic feeling of nostalgia that is hard to match and an ideal treat. While this is still a 30 Minute endurance run game, the feel is different because of the hybrid nature.
What I mean by that is that while you will still run around various maps and attack enemies to get stronger, there is a lot more to the game. There are skill trees to handle and far more traditional action RPG elements than in a normal Survivors inspired game, and gear collecting is a key component of the gameplay. In fact, gear collecting is handled in an interesting way, as all gear is stored in a chest at the hub and you need to gain more on your journeys.
You are able to select any of the characters that are available for unlocking and equip them as you want, and this will let you create your ideal build for a playthrough. Obviously this is very different from other Bullet Heaven games ( yes I keep using this term and Survivors like interchangeably, but that is because they are the same term essentially), and as such, you will need to adjust your entire approach to the genre in order to keep yourself going. There is still the basic leveling up and unlocking new abilities, two random ones in this case which will auto cast with cooldowns, but the overall approach is unique.
In addition, there are other modes in the game such as Agony Mode, which completely changes the experience. In Agony Mode, there is no time limit, but the challenge is increased and there will be more danger and enemies to fight. The good ting is that you will unlock more loot and upgrades and there are a lot of abilities and character traits to master and unlock. In many ways, Agony Mode is a more fleshed out experience and feels closer to the game Chasing Carrots wanted to make in the first place, with an incredible amount of depth unheard of in a bullet heaven game before.
There is nothing to say other than Halls of Torment is a fantastic game and Chasing Carrots did an incredible job here. There is detailed and smooth animation, excellent sound design and music and the environments all look great. The eleven different characters to choose from all represent different classes, and while there is some overlap in ability and gameplay, this is the only real fault I could find with the game.
Halls of Torment is different from any other Bullet Heaven/Survivors-like and that is a good thing. Chasing Carrots has proven that there is so much that can still be done with the idea and the games do not need to all follow the same basic tropes. With innovation and experimentation, amazing things can be done with these types of games and Halls of Torment is one of the best. This is highly recommended to fans of Bullet Hell/Survivors-likes and ARPG fans both.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided.
