Ember Knights – Review: A Riveting Ride Fueled by Flame

Ember Knights – Review: A Riveting Ride Fueled by Flame

I discovered the roguelike genre via Hades, a recommendation from a friend. The exceptional creativity and unique design hooked me right away. Since then, it seems like every other game is a roguelike. I was losing interest until Ember Knights came along and renewed my passion for this genre.

Ember Knights has quickly become my top pick in the roguelike realm. What sets it apart is its accessibility for newcomers. But first, let’s clarify what ‘roguelike’ means. Games in this genre feature procedurally generated levels, permadeath (starting from scratch if you die), and high difficulty. Often, they offer randomized powerups and gear to boost your stats. This genre originated with the 1980 game Rogue.

The Distinctive Allure of Ember Knights

Ember Knights follow the roguelike blueprint to the letter, but the developers’ ingenious touches set it apart. The game introduces something many roguelikes don’t—a cooperative play mode. It’s still enjoyable solo, but there’s an added layer of strategy when you play with a team. As a group, you must decide who gets buffs, how much healing to share, and more. These choices shape your team’s synergy and power.

And here’s another bonus—Ember Knights lets you get absurdly powerful without grinding for cool skills and relics. There are various builds and preferences, but none feel significantly weaker than others. Regardless of the RNG, the game keeps the fun alive.

A Wide Array of Enemies and Customization

Ember Knights are all about variety. It has around 90 unique enemies spread across five distinct zones. To face these enemies, you’ve got a ton of customization options at your disposal.

Let me share some of my favorite builds in Ember Knights. In one run, I assembled a powerful poison-fire-magic combo. I had a spell for summoning an auto-turret ballista, a relic adding poison damage, and another relic adding fire damage after using a skill. Wielding a mage staff weapon, I could poison enemies with my ballista and set them aflame with a single strike.

In another run, I equipped a sword, a charge-attack skill, and an augment granting armor with perfect charge-up timing. This allowed me to charge into foes, gain damage-absorbing armor, and attack before retreating to do it all over again.

With the viability of each relic and skill, the build possibilities in Ember Knights seem limitless. There’s no need to fret about acquiring “meta” abilities like in other roguelikes. I’ll admit testing new builds often sidetracked me from writing this review!

Ember Knights Vs. Hades

Comparing Ember Knights to Hades, my gateway into the genre, I noticed that character writing in Ember Knights is more understated. Although the characters have distinct personalities, their narratives aren’t as engaging.

However, the main antagonist, Praxis, is a standout. He exudes immense power and creates all the conflict in the game. Each interaction with him is filled with tension, and after numerous hard-fought battles, you long for his recognition. He occasionally pops up to taunt and belittle you, making him a true nemesis.

So, that’s Ember Knights for you. It’s an exhilarating take on the roguelike genre, introducing cooperative play and endless build variations. It’s a refreshing entry in a genre that can feel a bit crowded at times. Get ready to stoke your spirit and jump into this remarkable journey.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is a “roguelike” game?
A: “Roguelike” games are characterized by procedurally generated levels, permadeath, and high difficulty.

Q: What makes Ember Knights unique?
A: Ember Knights offers cooperative play and allows players to become overpowered.

Q: How many enemies are in Ember Knights?
A: Ember Knights has approximately 90 unique enemies spread across five zones.

Q: Are there customization options in Ember Knights?
A: Yes, there are a plethora of customization options in Ember Knights.

Q: How does Ember Knights compare to Hades?
A: The character writing in Ember Knights is more subtle, but the villain Praxis is exceptionally well-written.