Even though the game is not bad I can't really recommend a metroidvania, which involves a lot of backtracking, where you only unlock fast travel almost at the end of the game (depending on the ending might be the second to last boss) and you might think that it's not so bad because at least it's unlocked and you can use it in NG+ but no, when you start NG+ you lose all map/travel related abilities that you unlocked before so you basically have to do the game all over again just with a few extra levels and difficulty.

I am learning one should really only buy the 3D souls games FROM the source, but I trust in these indie 2D souls-likes. I have found some rough gems among the search action enjoyers, and with Death's Gambit we have another.

The combat depth, mostly the various weapon abilities, were a blast to mess around with in an attempt to create a build. I wish these synergistic options extended into the armor and skill trees more. It kind of looked like other weapons had some support in the trees, but I went spear in my main play through. I mostly found myself spending my talent points in the optional advanced tree, which provide general buffs. The magic was also great with this ability system. You create and combine different elemental orbs together for various effects. I love when a game actually has you put some components together to cast a spell, not just press button to shoot missile.

The optional heroic fights add to the non-linear nature of Death's Gambit, and were also just really fun. The heroic versions of bosses have similar but expanded movesets. Thankfully not just more damage and health. A few of the heroic fights even give you a surprising upgrade after beating them. I wish that was always the case, but all in all this is a unique way to introduce optional challenging fights, and even more so with game changing rewards.

Lastly, a handful of complaints. The map sucks. It's non-gridded and shows you the entire area right when you walk in which makes it hard to know where you haven't been. The game can't seem to run higher than 60fps and is slightly blurry when moving. I got used to it, but it's not ideal, especially when the pixel art is this good. "Ending A" was fun to set up, but not so fun to execute. Running around areas I have already been, watching emotional cutscenes for characters, and answering questions to see if I paid attention to the game are not why I am playing this game so they should not be the bulk of the ending. I am here for the exploration and boss fights. Speaking of boss fights, Ashe's fight is so awkwardly left in the game instead of leading up to Thalamus. Something that was very much needed as the last part of "Ending A" is quite messy in general. The build up to, towering leveling before, and fight with Endless, the normal ending, feels much much better in comparison to the extended ending I chose.

I know I left that off on kind of a negative note, but when I have this much to say about a game it means I love it and I want it to be all that it can be <3

8 / 10