Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times

Usually when people say "this game doesn't hold your hand" they actually mean "this game is difficult" and that's not what that's meant to mean. [i] This [/i] game doesn't hold your hand. This game drops you into a world with a vague gesture in a direction that kinda helps. This game rarely gives you the tools you need to solve problems, and instead gradually drip feeds you the resources and methods to create your own tools. This game does little-to-nothing to tell you if you have what you need to pass a puzzle, because the game has no idea. This games whole world makes you feel lost, and that's the whole point! That's the narrative of the game, and that's what makes it so satisfying when you finally start connecting threads and find a goal. This is an incredible immersive sim with one of my personal favourite kinds of magic systems: magic as a programming language. Not a complex programming language like C++, just combining different properties of magic to get different result. Half the time I was developing spells not to solve a puzzle, but just because it's fun and, as a magic user, I feel like I'm obligated to have my own catalogue of cool and elegant spells. This is legitimately a contender for my favourite game of the year, and deffinitely gets a spot in my top games of all time. (It also has a built in randomizer mode that's really fun to play around in. I've more than doubled my play time with that alone)

Very creative concept, but I feel like a sequel is needed to really refine it and fix the annoying aspects of the game that stop it from being truly great. Annoying music, overly saturated visuals and frequent spelling and grammar mistakes cheapen the experience, so I can imagine that a sequel or remaster would really elevate it. More annoying than that though is, for me, the camera. I find it odd how it works with its fixed perspectives. Maybe there's a good gameplay reason for this (probably how Rhell is animated?) but for me, it just made the gameplay frustrating when I was trying to aim a spell. Overall, I still wanna leave a positive review because this game clearly had a lot of love and passion put into it. It's a fun experience regardless and I do adore the spell system, but I think it's too unrefined to be a true classic. Let's hope for a sequel.

Rhell: Alliterative Appellation is a flawed gem. By no means is it a perfect game, but its core gameplay is so solid and entertaining that it carries the game to a recommendation almost entirely on its own. This game constantly delivers on the fantasy of solving puzzles in ways that make you feel like you're outsmarting the developers (whether or not you actually are). Almost every puzzle has multiple viable solutions to it, and while you're likely to default to a few reliables in the endgame you can go surprisingly far with a few basic or niche spells and some creativity. I personally made it to the second to last puzzle room in the snow area with barely half my spellbook filled. The writing is also generally solid. The characters are consistently entertaining and the world's mysteries are intriguing enough to motivate the player to keep digging and figure them out. The world is very competently designed. After the tutorial dungeon you can do the majority of the game in pretty much any order. The environments feel believable in the context of the world, and the puzzles always feel like they belong in that world and aren't just tacked on. For a game this puzzle focused that's a remarkable achievement. Finally, quality of life features abound. You can instantly teleport to any room you've already visited no matter where it is in the world. There are more of every type of currency in the game than what's needed to buy everything. You can set the spellbook to have a shorter opening animation. You unlock extra spell slots as you explore to help reduce the amount of menu use needed. The spellbook includes a list of premade combos to let you know about some of the more esoteric mechanics without having to stumble on them the hard way, while also including some duds so you don't feel like you're just being handed the answer key. And that's just some of the examples. My criticisms are below. If none of it's a dealbreaker to you and the above sounds interesting, then this game is an easy recommend. [hr][/hr] - This first one isn't exactly criticism, but there are persistent horror elements that make this game unsuitable for children. Nothing super extreme, but the phrases "biblically accurate" and "reduced to atoms" come to mind. - Virtually all of the music in this game is 3 second loops, and that's not even an exaggeration. Usually this makes it forgettable, but some areas like the reef can be grating. - The sandbox can turn into quicksand incredibly fast, since the spells you need to progress mostly tend to be placed in the same sort of way as all the other collectibles. The lack of rails can similarly backfire sometimes, it can be easy to spend several hours crossing many maps without making any visible progress in any of the goals presented to you. - Some runes are actively, deliberately useless, except as filler for certain specific endgame-puzzle-solution spell chains to prevent the player from ever figuring them out on accident. Note that these endgame puzzles don't actually do anything with these spells' actual effects, they just check if you used the rune in row A column B of your spellbook. - Some items are hidden a bit too well and the upgrade to show them on the mini-map doesn't always work. Finding them often isn't actually a puzzle so much as a pixel hunt. Thankfully none of these ultra-hidden ones seem to be needed either to beat the game or get all achievements, they're instead just spare currencies and a number in your journal. - The camera can be a pain to work with, especially since there's no invert axis toggles. Valid viewing angles are limited and I found myself moving it in the wrong direction somewhat frequently. - Spells have some limited aim assist by default even without using the homing rune. Usually this isn't a problem and it's even quite helpful with some of the more finicky puzzles, but sometimes in more prop dense environments your spells will just sort of do whatever they want. - The first and easiest-to-find ending had a special "Are you sure this is the ending you want? Maybe you should keep exploring" screen at the end, and then it ended up being the most satisfying ending anyway. - Some optional puzzles' solutions require the use of utterly unintuitive mechanics even if you try to use hints. Thankfully you can usually avoid having to fully complete these. - The challenge mode stages restrict your moveset, which goes directly against the main game's core philosophy yet doesn't quite make the challenges interesting enough to make up for it. It does at least force you into using runes you'd normally never bother with, but having to figure out the controls in the bonus dungeon is a bit awkward to say the least.

I'M SORRY THERE'S A RUN BUTTON? the music disc dungeon is probably my favourite zelda dungeon of the genre, down to the final puzzle solution i took roy so far off the grid that i dont even know what the disc is for i dont know how to sell people on this and i don't even know if i'm going to enjoy it when i finish it what a truly unique experience though

Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times is a creative puzzle-adventure game developed by SlugGlove and published by Yogscast Games. At first glance, it presents itself as a whimsical fantasy journey, but beneath its colorful exterior lies an ambitious experience built around experimentation, player freedom, and magical problem-solving. The story follows Rhell, a talented but unconventional mage who finds herself investigating a mysterious crisis that has left much of the world strangely deserted. This intriguing setup provides the foundation for an adventure that blends exploration, mystery, humor, and complex puzzle design into a memorable package. The game's strongest feature is undoubtedly its spellcrafting system. Rather than relying on a handful of predefined abilities, players are encouraged to create and customize magical spells by combining different runes and effects. The result is a huge variety of possible magical interactions that can be used to manipulate the environment, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets. This system transforms every challenge into an opportunity for experimentation. Instead of searching for a single intended solution, players are invited to think creatively and discover their own methods for overcoming obstacles. This freedom makes the game feel refreshingly different from many puzzle adventures that depend on strict logic paths. Exploration plays an equally important role throughout the adventure. The world is filled with unusual locations, hidden pathways, environmental mysteries, and optional discoveries that reward curiosity. Every new area introduces opportunities to test newly learned magical combinations, encouraging players to revisit locations and approach situations from different perspectives. The interconnected nature of the world creates a satisfying sense of progression, as abilities gained later often reveal previously inaccessible secrets. This design keeps exploration engaging and ensures that the player's growing magical knowledge feels meaningful. Visually, the game embraces a charming and stylized fantasy aesthetic. Bright colors, imaginative landscapes, and expressive character designs help create a world that feels both inviting and strange. The environments are filled with personality, and the whimsical presentation complements the game's emphasis on magical experimentation. Rather than aiming for realism, the developers focus on creating a distinctive visual identity that enhances the sense of wonder and discovery. The artistic direction succeeds in making each area memorable while supporting the lighthearted tone of the adventure. The narrative is another pleasant surprise. While the mystery surrounding the disappearance of much of the world's population provides a compelling long-term objective, the journey is often driven by Rhell's personality. She is not a traditional fantasy hero and frequently approaches situations with sarcasm, confidence, and humor. Her interactions with the remaining inhabitants add charm to the story and help prevent the mystery from becoming overly serious. The balance between comedic moments and genuine intrigue keeps the narrative engaging without overshadowing the gameplay. One of the most impressive aspects of the game is its willingness to trust the player. Many modern puzzle games carefully guide players toward predetermined solutions, but Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times embraces creativity instead. Players are rewarded for trying unusual ideas, and some of the most satisfying moments come from discovering solutions that feel entirely self-generated. This design philosophy creates a strong sense of ownership over the adventure and significantly increases replay value, as different players may approach the same puzzle in completely different ways. However, the game's ambitious design can occasionally become a double-edged sword. The sheer number of spell combinations and possible interactions may feel overwhelming for newcomers. Some puzzles require extensive experimentation, and players who prefer direct guidance may occasionally become frustrated. Managing and remembering various magical possibilities can also slow the pace during more complex sections. Fortunately, these challenges stem from the game's commitment to freedom rather than poor execution, and players willing to engage with its systems will likely find the complexity rewarding rather than discouraging. Overall, Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times stands out as a highly imaginative adventure that successfully combines puzzle-solving, exploration, and magical creativity. Its deep spellcrafting mechanics, flexible puzzle design, engaging world, and charismatic protagonist help it distinguish itself from other games in the genre. While its open-ended nature may not appeal to every player, those who enjoy experimentation and unconventional problem-solving will discover a remarkably rewarding experience filled with surprises and memorable moments. Rating: 9/10

I got the game for its magic system, but put it down because of its level design and control. The premise of having those runes/spells that you can combine is genuinely inspiring and opens up very interesting gameplay. What kills it for me however is two fold: * The level design is too vast. An inordinate amount of time is spent just walking around from point A to point B. Rooms are too big. Some rooms exist just to... be there. * The controls are too floaty. Aiming spells are a chore. I suspect the game would work better with either a fixed camera (assuming that the game is designed around a fixed camera) for a following camera. As it is, I spend more time trying to implement the solution I have in mind than coming up with solutions. Still, would I recommend it as an experience? Definitely, but play the demo first to see if you can jive with the controls.

one the coolest videogame magic systems I've seen, the amount of spells you can create is amazing

By far my current favorite game at the moment. I've 100% my save file, and just need to finish the challenges and roll to reach that on steam, I really only do this for games I love. The world is vibrant and great to explore, the characters are strange, unique, and lovable (langli <3), the moment I saw the demo and tried it out I kept thinking about it until I beat it in just a couple days. Great for anyone who loves fun puzzles and matching art.

This games main mechanic is creating spells from runes and the creativity and variety is amazing! The most satisfying brain tingling puzzle I've played in decades. Some runes change the state of an item, make it cloud or icy.

A VERY satisfying puzzler! The story is really fun, I adore Rhell, I've always wanted to be a bratty wizard. Really appreciated that I could turn off the hints! Only frustrating thing was accidentally leaving rooms mid-puzzle, which happened a TON. Which is a on me but I choose to have it not be my fault <3