The Lost and The Wicked

I didn't expect a heavy narrative in a small twin-stick, surprisingly the immersion is a huge part of this adventure - I think the game does some cool things to create the mood with various interactive cutscenes. It is a bit short, about 2.5 to 3 hours with no replay value, you should consider adding some content support like achievements, more upgrade features in the hub world, and perhaps a new game+ (and if you do, add just a little bit of new content on the second playthrough, to make it worthwhile). It does not have a ton of unlocks, mostly passive upgrades, 3 active abilities, and some weapons that will be added into the random drops. In the defense of the game, it advertises itself as a twin-stick and not a rogue-lite, so it's something I have to keep in mind, sometimes it's okay to make a simple game without complicated decision making. I didn't mind the gameplay, it's kinda meaty, relatively fun, but ultimately a little repetitive. It's not a very difficult game, there are ways to abuse the mechanics like timing the shield well, so in the end, it really depends if the narrative alone is enough to justify the playthrough. Toward the end I started to feel like the game was getting stale, it's not fun when 80% of the level design is a corridor. I think when you are working with simple visuals, you have an advantage because you can create more content with less effort, such as those unique assets you have in the city, so I wish you created more worlds for the player to explore. [h1] Pros: [/h1] (+) Actually decent story and immersion, I like all of the interactive cutscenes you did to complement it. That said, I still feel like it should have been longer, maybe more areas with different color swaps, it's an interesting narrative, but it didn't have enough time to really impact me. (+) I liked the gameplay and the few active skills in terms of their application, the main reason it felt lacking is just that the game didn't have enough stage and unlock variety. [h1] Feedback: [/h1] [u] Content [/u] - one thing I would recommend, in the town area, add another optional shop, and maybe you could purchase character skins or masks with different mods on them, just to add another layer to the game. Not sure if you want to make a New Game+, if you do, I like when the second playthrough adds some new context, even if it's just a small new cutscene in the end - for some people that is enough to play twice. Achievements would help also. [u] Other [/u] - I felt like I needed a sound effect on the reloading when ready, for a long time I didn't even realize anything was happening, but I know it has an animation. I think the last boss could use a second phase or something, he was a bit too easy, I think it's anticlimactic. I didn't particularly like the abrupt ending. [b] Overall Thoughts: 7/10 [/b] I thought the gameplay was okay, but the story really helped to elevate it, it's just a bit too expensive for what it offers, obviously, I didn't buy it, but if I did I would expect a little more skill and stage variety, or at least more replay value around existing content. [code]The key was provided for my group, you can find more strange indie games here : http://store.steampowered.com/curator/31294838-Hidden-Gem-Discovery/ [/code]

Has a decent hotline miami (esque) aesthetic and gameplay loop, but the gameplay is just really subpar. It is a twin stick but you aim with the right stick like its a mouse rather than like any other twin stick game. The screenshake is also extremely annoying, enemies are super simplistic, and the arenas are boring randomly generated corridors.

What stuck out to me was how everything contributed towards the atmosphere of the game itself. From the mechanics, the rough-around-the-edge effects and art style, the HUD display and the in your face gun play. It seemed to represent the character's mind itself. Its a vibe and if you enjoy bullet hell game types, like Isaac or Hotline Miami, you are sure to enjoy this. "The Lost and The Wicked" fits right in there. After the first couple big boss fights and narrative in the open world, it starts to hit its stride.

Fun so far, hidden gem

The graphics, the story line, and the music for this game are great!

I have had the absolute pleasure of completing this game in it's entirety, 100% achievements unlocked, all in one sitting. In just under four and a half hours I've done everything this game has to offer. Hopefully this means that what I have to say next seems credible and legitimate. The Lost and The Wicked, with a mere 14 reviews total, is undeniably one of the greatest hidden gems on Steam, or any platform for that matter. I will go over everything I think is right about the game. [h1]Gameplay[/h1] Starting off strong I'll cover the actually gameplay, the mechanics it provides and such. The twin stick shooter style is very reminiscent of critically acclaimed, and cultly praised, bullet hell rogue-likes such as Nuclear Throne and Blazing Beaks. The gameplay, in of itself, [i]would[/i] be one dimensional if it weren't for the powers, permanent upgrades and limited gun use. The powers are relatively simplistic and that is genuinely a compliment; The Lost and The Wicked presents you with three (3) potential powers you unlock throughout the game. [spoiler] [list] [*]Multi-gun [*]Invincibility [*]Slow Time [/list] [/spoiler] These three options allow the player to approach the game in any manner they so choose and, although a minor addition, greatly increases the variety of potential options when dealing with mobs and / or bosses. Permanent upgrades in a rogue-lite aren't uncommon, if anything they've become the norm, but nevertheless the way it's done in this particular title is simple and this is for the better because, as the cliche goes, "less is more". The limited gun use is an interesting mechanic I initially struggled with (by initially I mean the first 10 minutes) but after a few stages, or deaths, you quickly learn to understand and utilise the tech to it's fullest potential. This keeps the game feeling quite fresh for quite a while. Honestly, by the time you truly understand all the mechanics, particularly the three I've previously mentioned, you've reached the 2nd last and / or last level. Overall the game play, although simple, is effective, engaging and enjoyable. [h1]Soundtrack, Score, and Sound Design[/h1] An on-going theme presented throughout the title is the idea of "less is more" and this is also evident in the soundtrack, score and sound design. This is not to say the audio is simplistic, as that would be greatly unfair to the amount of time it must've taken to compose supporting soundtrack, main soundtrack, gun effects, enemy sounds etc. Instead, this aforementioned "less is more" ideology can be more accurately described, in regards to audio, as subtle. The score isn't overbearing, like a prima donna desperate for spotlight, instead it sits back, softly, and enhances the already engaging environment. It's fair to say that the sound design is [i]that[/i] good that you barely notice it; nothing is too intense or steals your attention away instead allowing the gameplay, and incredible plot, to steal the spotlight. [h1]Plot and World-Building[/h1] Here is where I have my one, and only, complaint and it's not even regarding the plot or world-building specifically but instead the main characters monologues and / or dialogues. They are written with clear angst which can, sometimes, be overbearing but, as the game progresses, you find yourself accustomed to it. Some of the lines, to be fair, are actually extremely poetic and thought-provoking; it's just a shame not all of the dialogue is as Shakespearean in nature. The plot, on the other hand, is absolutely exceptional. 'The Lost and The Wicked' manages to present the audience with an on-going, non-linear plot which answers as many questions as it provides leaving a constant state of ambiguity. This aforementioned 'constant state of ambiguity' keeps the player well-engaged throughout the entire play-through if they are one's for intricate, mysterious stories. Similarly, coinciding with the brilliant story, the world building presents, just like the art-style and score, a subtle, almost realistic, environment greatly juxtaposed by our protagonists constant decaying, borderline schizophrenic, mental state. It's subtly, when contrasted by our "heros" psychological decay, creates an amazing experience. [h1]Boss and Mob Design[/h1] The boss designs are nice, different, and fresh compared to the mob design. I will not focus too greatly on the bosses, as I believe they are to be experienced, but it would be unfair of me to not express the "wild-card" nature of the boss designs; some are crazy, terrifying, and horrific while others seem almost too simple to be considered a boss design. Nevertheless, for the most part, the boss design(s) are solid. [h1]Conclusion + Ratings[/h1] Although the play-time is short, the story is magnificent, the score is expertly crafted, the gameplay is engaging, and this is an underrated gem. This is a game you should pick up. [h3]Rating[/h3] Plot / Story: [spoiler] 8 / 10 [/spoiler] Score / Sound Design: [spoiler] 10 / 10 [/spoiler] Art: [spoiler] 8.5 / 10 [/spoiler] Character Designs: [spoiler] 7 / 10 [/spoiler] Gameplay: [spoiler] 7.5 / 10 [/spoiler] Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10 "A hidden gem if I've ever seen it"

I really enjoyed this game. It is a game where you can have fun with not too much difficulty but it isn't easy either. I think that the layout and main story is very creative, also the music really fits, especially in the boss fights.

What a delight of a game. Refreshing art style and really thought out features. For a first game, this is really impressive. If you are a fan of multi-directional shooters and good music, this game will be for you.

Breath of the Wild, Super Mario 64, Portal 2, The Witcher 3, Grand Theft Auto, Halo, Street Fighter 2, Minecraft, Skyrim, Starcraft, and now The Lost and the Wicked. What do all of these games have in common? I have played all of them. As you can see from my massive collection of games, I know a thing or two about games. And, this is a pretty good game. The music and sound design is really fun and extremely well made. The gameplay is great, it is not too difficult, but if you get cocky you'll get into trouble. Let me just say that floating children are terrifying. I played the demo and had a good time there and i'm glad that it's been improved on since. The story so far is very interesting and is very atmospheric like so much else of the game.

fun gameplay, marred by incredibly distracting/overwrought/boring writing. i wish they'd dialed back the narrative to about 20% of what's included in here, it's just way too heavy-handed.