The Black Pool

Mechanics and gameplay are so fun, but the aesthetics remind me of someone over-modding their car with RGB, paint, custom wrap, accessories, fancy lights, ALL CHROMED UP. (like you respect it, but it's much to its detriment and even performance because of how over-accessorized it was.) Few quotes from the friend i was playing with (I can't help but somewhat agree.): "Unironically the most single A studio feeling game I've played in my life." "This game feels sauceless aesthetically." "What kind of blend of shader hell is this? the game feels unoptimized" "All the songs feel royalty free..."

The Black Pool, developed and published by Smug Marmot Studios, is a kinetic and cooperative-focused action roguelike that builds its identity around speed, synergy, and the unpredictability of each run. It places players in a strange, otherworldly setting tied together by the mysterious titular pool, using that premise as a springboard for a loop centered on repeated attempts, gradual mastery, and evolving character builds. While the setup is familiar within the genre, the execution leans heavily into momentum and teamwork, giving the experience a distinct rhythm that separates it from more methodical roguelikes. Combat is the backbone of the game, and it is designed to be fast, reactive, and constantly demanding. Encounters unfold in rapid bursts, requiring players to stay mobile, read enemy patterns quickly, and make split-second decisions. There is little room for hesitation, as the game rewards aggressive play balanced with awareness of positioning and timing. This creates a sense of flow that can feel exhilarating once mastered, with each successful encounter reinforcing the player’s ability to maintain control amid chaos. The emphasis on movement and responsiveness gives the gameplay a sharp, energetic feel that keeps each run engaging. A key element that drives replayability is the game’s flexible ability system. Throughout each run, players acquire and upgrade powers that can be combined in a variety of ways, leading to builds that can differ dramatically from one session to the next. Rather than pushing players toward a single optimal strategy, the game encourages adaptation, asking players to work with what they are given and discover effective combinations on the fly. This constant variation adds depth to the experience, as understanding how abilities interact becomes just as important as mechanical skill. Over time, players develop a stronger sense of how to shape their builds, turning early uncertainty into deliberate experimentation. The cooperative aspect is where The Black Pool truly finds its strongest identity. Designed with multiplayer at its core, the game supports groups working together through each run, and many of its systems are built to reward coordination. Abilities can interact in ways that amplify their effectiveness when used in tandem, creating opportunities for teamwork that feel both intentional and impactful. This focus on synergy transforms the gameplay from an individual challenge into a shared experience, where communication and collaboration become central to success. While the game remains playable solo, it is clear that its full potential is realized when played with others. Progression follows a familiar roguelite structure, blending temporary, run-based upgrades with longer-term unlocks that persist between attempts. Each run contributes to a broader sense of growth, gradually expanding the player’s capabilities and options. This system helps maintain motivation even in failure, as progress is rarely lost entirely. At the same time, the balance between randomness and persistence ensures that no two runs feel exactly the same, preserving the sense of unpredictability that defines the genre. Visually, the game presents a vibrant and stylized world that supports its fast-paced design. The environments are varied and visually distinct, offering a sense of progression as players move through different areas. Effects are clear and readable, an essential quality given the intensity of combat, allowing players to track enemies and abilities without becoming overwhelmed. The presentation works in service of the gameplay, enhancing clarity and immersion without distracting from the action. However, the game does face some challenges that are common within the roguelike genre. The procedural structure, while providing variety, can also lead to moments of repetition, particularly during extended play sessions. Additionally, the lack of a robust onboarding experience may make the early stages feel somewhat opaque, as players are left to piece together systems and mechanics through trial and error. For solo players, the difficulty curve can feel steeper, as the game’s systems are clearly tuned with cooperative play in mind. Despite these limitations, The Black Pool succeeds in delivering a focused and engaging experience that thrives on its strengths. It captures the excitement of fast-paced combat while layering in meaningful build variety and cooperative interaction, creating a gameplay loop that feels both dynamic and rewarding. Its design encourages players to improve not just individually but as part of a team, reinforcing the importance of coordination and adaptability. In the end, The Black Pool stands out as a confident and energetic entry in the action roguelike space, offering a compelling mix of speed, strategy, and collaboration. While it may not completely avoid the repetition inherent to the genre, it provides enough depth and variety to keep players invested, particularly when shared with others. Rating: 8/10

It's an okay game overall, but I couldn't help but constantly compare it to Risk of Rain 2. I know that's probably unfair, but honestly, it just feels inferior in almost every aspect. Save your money and go for RoR2 if you haven't already. Given its current state, this game really shouldn’t be priced above $10.

I already put it on my curator page, but this game is just criminally underknown. Could do with some optimization, naturally, but all in all a very fun title with some beautiful sights and plenty of replayability.

This is a real hidden gem of a roguelike. Its a little rough around the edges but overall is a really, really good game. The basics are of a roguelike shooter - you choose an element to fill ability slots - so a light element basic attack might be a channeled hitscan beam, while the void basic attack shoots a projectile that homes. The levels are unique in visuals and terrain and are extremely pretty. The enemies have a good variety - they may look similar but they have radically different and interesting attack patterns, much more so than 90% of games in this genre, and they pretty much all feel fair and dodgeable. The elemental combos are excellent - do you use void to boost the power of fire, have one person slapping the big guys with corrosive for a generic damage amp while another keeps it frozen down or do you keep an enemy still with channeled lightning so your big damage stationary spell can tear it apart? Overall this is a really fun play, and I have some serious hype that its going to do nothing but get better with time.

This game is incredible. The combination of the different powers you can get make each build strong in their own way, and there is a serious amount of variety here. The enemies are challenging and the bosses are awesome as well. The uniqueness of each run has me coming back for more consistently. The soundtrack is killer as well. 9/10 easily. One of the most underrated games I have played in a long time.

I'm having a blast playing this. A great rogue-like shooter with various element combinations and upgrades as you progress. The game reminds me of "Risk of Rain 2" but with an odd "80's sci-fi" theme with the plot revolving around a few kids finding an odd pool of liquid in the forest and getting teleported to an unknown universe and now have to find their way back home. That concept combined with the synth wave really brings it all together. This is a great game to boot up and vibe to while blasting through robotic enemies that provide a stead and challenging progression of difficulty. This is definitely a game I'll be coming back to, especially with friends.

Great game, worth the money for you and a friend group to pick up and binge over the weekend.

banger of a game - love it

Fun