While out fighting for the glory of their kingdom, you and your fellow soldiers are whisked away to Terragaya, a mystical land on the fringes of the afterlife. Your task is to locate the Guardian and move on to the next world. The hitch? You and your compatriots never actually died. Battle your way to the heart of the mystery: Outwit cunning enemies, solve nefarious puzzles, upgrade your character, and explore every corner of a dazzling, intricate 16-bit world. Souldiers is a handcrafted retro epic for the ages...

Souldiers is a punishing 16-bit dungeon crawler

16-bit dungeon crawlers seem to be back in vogue at the moment. We've already reviewed Loot River and Cathedral and we're only half way through the year. It feels weird playing a 16-bit game on the latest console, but you can't beat a good, old skool dungeon crawler.

Souldiers starts off at a pleasant enough pace... but it doesn't take you long to realise this is a truly punishing game, with large gaps between the save points and some very frustrating (in a good way) levels to plough through.

At the start of the game you get to choose your class: Unleash the fury of your sword with the Scout, summon the wrath of elements with the Caster, or rain down arrows on your foes with the Archer.

As you progress you'll unlock hidden abilities and special moves and mastering these is integral to moving forward through the game. Yes, the difficulty is punishing (enough that you'll be tempted to rage quit frequently) but once you get past a challenging area the feeling of accomplishment is incredibly rewarding... Although, don't get too smug as another grueling segment is always just around the corner.

Welcome to Terragaya, a mystical land on the fringes of the afterlife

It's also worth looking out for hidden areas as there's plenty of treasure to unearth. Sometimes a rogue creature wandering around will give you a hint that there's a hidden area nearby and other times you'll stumble on it by accident.

Coins, which can be found around the dungeon, can be used for a variety of things, including upgrading your weapons and buying potions. Getting the balancing act between dodging, blocking and attacking right is crucial in order to get through the levels without screaming at the TV screen.

A fun slice of retro gaming.

8

Nick Smithson