Summary

Release Year: 2016
Genres: Adventure, Arcade, Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Indie, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developers: AHEARTFULOFGAMES
Publishers: Badland Publishing

Heart&Slash (2016): A Hardcore Roguelike Brawler with a Heart

Heart&Slash is a 3D brawler set in a post-apocalyptic world where machines are all that remain of human civilization. You play as Heart, an innocent robot fighting to escape the clutches of the evil and all-seeing machine QuAsSy (Quality Assurance Systems).

But make no mistake, Heart&Slash is a hard game. Every death is permanent, and it means a new randomly generated level for you to start over with a different set of weapons and items you can use, new enemies to fight, and secrets to explore.

This roguelike element adds a lot of replayability to Heart&Slash, as you’ll never quite know what you’re going to get when you start a new run. The levels are procedurally generated, so they’re always different, and the enemies are randomly selected from a pool of over 100 different types.

This variety keeps the game feeling fresh, even after multiple playthroughs. And with the permanent death mechanic, there’s always a sense of risk and excitement as you explore each new level.

Of course, no brawler would be complete without a satisfying combat system, and Heart&Slash delivers in this department as well. The combat is fast-paced and visceral, with a variety of weapons and attacks at your disposal. You can punch, kick, slash, and shoot your way through enemies, and there’s even a grappling hook that you can use to pull yourself towards enemies or objects.

The combat is challenging but fair, and it feels great to land a perfectly timed combo on an enemy. The game also features a number of boss fights, each of which requires a different strategy to defeat.

In addition to the main story mode, Heart&Slash also features a number of other modes, including a survival mode, a challenge mode, and a co-op mode. The survival mode is a great way to test your skills, as you try to survive for as long as possible against waves of enemies. The challenge mode offers a variety of different challenges to complete, such as defeating a certain number of enemies with a specific weapon or completing a level without taking any damage. And the co-op mode allows you to team up with a friend to take on the game’s challenges together.

Overall, Heart&Slash is a great roguelike brawler that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The randomly generated levels, the variety of enemies, and the satisfying combat system keep the game feeling fresh and exciting, even after multiple playthroughs. If you’re a fan of brawlers or roguelikes, then you should definitely check out Heart&Slash.

Tips for Playing Heart&Slash

Here are a few tips to help you survive and thrive in Heart&Slash:

Learn the enemy patterns. Each enemy type has its own unique attack patterns. Once you learn these patterns, you can start to anticipate their attacks and dodge them more easily.
Use the environment to your advantage. The levels in Heart&Slash are filled with objects that you can use to your advantage. You can use cover to avoid enemy attacks, or you can use objects to block enemy projectiles.
Experiment with different weapons and items. There are a variety of different weapons and items available in Heart&Slash. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
Don’t be afraid to die. Death is a part of the roguelike experience. Every time you die, you’ll learn something new and you’ll be better prepared for the next time.

Conclusion

Heart&Slash is a challenging but rewarding roguelike brawler that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. With its randomly generated levels, variety of enemies, and satisfying combat system, Heart&Slash is a game that will keep you coming back for more.