Vaewolf Preview: A New Roguelite Worthy of Attention
Milky Tea's upcoming action game Vaewolf seeks to follow in the footsteps of Hades by delivering a polished roguelite experience. We had the opportunity to test an early build of the isometric title, and our first impressions are largely positive.
What is Vaewolf about?
The game is set in a fantasy world inspired by England, where a band of werewolf Vikings has ravaged an elf village. The protagonist, an elf who survived the massacre, is turned into a part-werewolf. Seeking vengeance, he encounters a vampire elder who grants him additional powers, making him a hybrid of elf, werewolf, and vampire. He can shift between these three forms at any time, which forms the core of the gameplay.
How does the gameplay work?
As a roguelite, players navigate different levels, defeat enemies, and collect upgrades before facing a boss. The elf form excels at ranged combat with a bow. The werewolf form deals massive damage and can break through shields. The vampire form unleashes powerful area-of-effect attacks. The ability to switch between forms seamlessly is what sets Vaewolf apart, as certain enemies are best handled by a specific form.
Each form has a standard attack, a charged attack, and a special attack, with the latter two on long cooldowns. This forces a defensive playstyle when skills are unavailable. Various skills and weapon upgrades, such as hammers for the werewolf and throw-blades for the elf, add further complexity.
What are the core progression systems?
Progression relies on Trinkets and Runes. Trinkets are passive character boons, such as a chance to recover health per kill. Runes alter weapons, like infusing fire into the werewolf's claws. During runs, players collect Coins to spend at vendors on health recovery and additional Trinket slots.
Two other collectibles, Mead and Bloodstones, are not lost upon death. Mead is used for permanent character upgrades, while Bloodstones unlock new weapons and abilities. The hub town of Ravenglass features NPCs who exchange these resources for upgrades, similar to the Mirror of Night in Hades.
What did we think of the demo?
The demo featured one area, Eskdale Forest, with randomized selections between Runes, Trinkets, Mead, and healing areas. The final boss, the Three Witches of Copeland Woods, consists of a berserker, a shaman, and an alchemist fought simultaneously. The encounter was challenging and enjoyable.
If the full game maintains this standard, Vaewolf could become another indie success. The title is scheduled for release in the coming year.