Too many tentacles
Source Of Madnessis a side-scrolling roguelite set in a Lovecraftian setting populated by twisted Bamzooki.
And it’s a world where everything been procedurally generated with the help of machine learning.
Two days later it whispers, “Procedural generation?
No way that’s what you’re doing.”
The game goes BIG on procedural generation, if you hadn’t guessed.
Its levels and enemies are all powered by a combination of proc-gen and AI machine learning.
This means won’t find the same octopus with cleavers for suckers twice, oh no.
THAT’S HEAVY DUTY".
chipping away at it over many generations.
You get the drill.
And if the drill is done well, likeRogue Legacy 2orDead Cells, then you get The Itch.
Having played lots of roguelites over the years, I’ve learned to trust The Itch.
Unfortunately, Source Of Madness doesn’t tingle any pores or give me a rash.
Even if you do find a powerful item, it rarely excites.
Cor, it sounded so cool!
Other spells are a bit better, like a bamboo blast that fires spikes in a big circle.
There’s also a basic slash that cleaves at enemies with a squish and a squelch.
But it’s a long, grueling road for a roguelite that’s too wobbly.
This is where the game’s procedural generation bites it in the arse.
Roguelites shine when they’re refined to a tee; no excuses allowed.
Rogue Legacy 2 is a prime example of a perfectly tuned roguelite loop.
Maps and enemies are clear, coupled with precise movement and attack powers.
And possible excuses aren’t something you’d want from any roguelite, right?
This makes for many tense encounters!
But tension also stems from distrust in the game itself.
Where the procedural generation really shines is in the world and its gloomy, aesthetic.
And over multiple runs the game hits you with more and more random events.
Hidden rooms give way to mega-zooki and golden chests, if you’re able to survive.
I tried my damnedest to like Source Of Madness… but it all comes back to The Itch.
And mess leads to frustration.
And frustration leads to excuses.
