Star of Providence

good game, loops go crazy

The game originally came out in 2017 (as Monolith), got a massive expansion, some love from Videogamedunkey, a new name, and then a re-release with all the content packed into the base game. The history alone is pretty interesting. That being said, this game is crack. It just hits a certain ridge in my brain with its GBA-era graphics, simplistic yet complex systems, and the fact that there are no overly broken chase guns or synergies. Instead, the game is fiercely focused on its macro-positioning and micro-dodging. Are there some really great upgrades? Yes, but some of the best require you to completely avoid getting hit. It even has a boss practice mode, which is just a lovely touch. Aside from Hades, this might be the only roguelite where I completely get the appeal of throwing myself at the game with zero care for the story. The music is incredibly addicting, and the whole experience is a time-stealing fiasco. The game is not easy by any metric, and you can truly feel a steady progression of player expression and knowledge accumulation. I've beaten some final bosses and started unlocking the seals. I know I’m only at the mid-game/tip of the iceberg, but I feel far enough along to give this a solid review. And yes, I will absolutely keep coming back to this. Oh, game will also let you save on each floor and that is much appreciated for a very short session, or taking a pause. *Tentative review score, but overall, this game is going to be kept in a rotation of games i will keep floating back to.