When you start up Alevgor’s Haunted Lands, you get that feeling of those classic NES horror games that pushed your skills to the max. You know which ones I’m talking about, right? Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Monster Party, that sort of thing. At first, it’s a welcome feeling, but then you see the actual hurdles that can get in your way. And that’s the one thing that keeps this bloody platformer from greatness.
There are some cool aspects here, like the six characters you get to choose from (once you unlock them) and the artifacts that can make you a true badass. But that’s if you can get past the game’s heinous difficulty, which comes at you in more ways than one. If the random enemy placement and oddball level design doesn’t get you, the cheap hits likely will.
The 8-bit style effects on display here are cool, and the heavy metal soundtrack is most certainly welcome. But more often than not, we saw little blemishes that blend into the background, which can actually kill you further. This game could’ve used some form of novice mode or, at the very least, a stronger hit bar.
Haunted Lands definitely has inspiration, and those that are up for a hardcore challenge will likely embrace it with their bloody arms. But the game could’ve been so much more with just a bit more balance. Or heavier firepower. Maybe a bit of both.
Haunted Lands Brings the Carnage
The general goal of Haunted Lands is to survive. You enter areas haunted by demons and other monsters, which you must brutally destroy. You start off with three characters with varied abilities, including a shotgun-wielding hero and a hybrid werewolf. As expected, they have different tactics, providing the game plenty of replay value.
But then you’re introduced to the harsh, brutal nature of what Haunted Lands is all about. Remember the dire difficulty that Ghosts ‘n Goblins presented back in the NES days? Yeah, something like that. You’re going to die quickly and often in Haunted Lands at first, before becoming used to the game and hunting down precious artifacts, which can power up your abilities.
There are additional characters to unlock as well, provided you’re good enough to venture through the game to get there. Some of you won’t have that problem, but the game should’ve granted a bit of leniency to rookie players who wanted a better idea of what it’s about. Without that, I’m afraid it’s reserved more for the “hardcore” set. You know who you are.
The blood-spilling gameplay is certainly fun (when you’re not overwhelmed), and some of the bosses are excellent. But Haunted Lands is ultimately weighed down by its dedicated (and damned) difficulty setting. Rookies will likely turn it off after a few plays, and even die-hard players may feel the struggle. It’s an impressive feat, but very few will see it through to the end.
How Does Haunted Lands Handle the Presentation?
The visuals on display in Haunted Lands are a mixed bunch. On the one hand, it’s definitely reminiscent of the classic 8-bit games. I love the animation style and even some of the level designs. Others, however, get confusing. That’s because enemies can blend in almost seamlessly with some backdrops, resulting in surprise hits. What’s worse, the rando enemy placement also gets annoying. Like, give me a chance to breathe, guys.
I do love the soundtrack, however. It’s vintage 8-bit heavy metal through and through, and it rocks with each new area you explore. The sound effects are also pretty good, with lots of “thrash” effects to make you feel the oomph of every kill.
And to think, this is a one person development, handled by Alevgor. He did a good job, but, again, certain things keep the game from greatness.
Visit the Haunted Lands, But Only If You’re Prepared
I liked certain parts of Haunted Lands, namely with its presentation and the effects of some of the characters. (The werewolf is vicious.) But its difficulty serves as a hindrance, even to those that are prepared for it. As a result, you’ll likely lose patience with the game quickly, unless you’re some kind of masochist. In which case, hey, best of luck.
With some kind of balance patch, I feel the game could truly reach out for its intended audience. As it stands, very few will want to venture through these Lands for a lengthy period of time.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Alevgor for providing us with a review code! Haunted Lands is available now for Steam and works great on Steam Deck!
Need more spooky gameplay? Check out our review of Castlevania Dominus Collection!
