The Asterion

Janky combat, bad graphics, nice music on the main screen but music doesn't actually work in game? "dash" is actually a shield. This feels like someone doing a very basic Make Your Own Hades tutorial. Maybe I didn't get deep enough into the game to get to the good parts, but nothing I've seen so far makes me actually want to.

The Asterion is a really charming roguelike adventure that caught my attention because of how it mixes Greek mythology with a shifting dungeon. I play as Theseus, guided by Ariadne, while exploring the Labyrinth of Knossos and searching for a way through its traps, spirits and forgotten secrets. I liked the atmosphere right away because it feels mysterious without losing the playful side of the adventure. The main gameplay revolves around exploring procedurally generated sections of the labyrinth while dealing with enemies and environmental hazards. I never know exactly what the next area is going to look like, which makes each run feel a little different. I enjoyed having to react to the layout instead of simply memorizing a fixed route, especially when traps or enemies suddenly make a previously safe looking path much more dangerous. The combat is straightforward but satisfying enough. I can fight mythological creatures and animated statues while collecting different artifacts that give me stronger abilities. I liked experimenting with these upgrades because they give each run its own direction. Finding something that works especially well with the way I am already playing can make a run suddenly feel much more powerful. The environmental puzzles are another part I enjoyed. They are inspired by the inventions of Daedalus and give me something to think about beyond simply fighting enemies. I also liked the way the story is delivered through voice lines and cutscenes, because it gives the labyrinth a sense of history while I slowly uncover more pieces of the myth. The visual style inspired by ancient frescoes gives the whole game a very distinctive look. My biggest issue is that the game is still in Early Access, so it currently feels more like the foundation of a larger adventure than a completely finished experience. The developers are clearly planning to expand the labyrinth with more enemies, rooms, bosses and secrets, but I could already feel that some areas are lighter on variety than I would prefer. I also think the combat could eventually use more depth to match the potential of the setting. I really like the idea of each run uncovering another piece of the story. The combination of procedural exploration, artifacts, traps and changing encounters gives me a good reason to try again after a failed run. There is also something satisfying about slowly becoming more familiar with how the labyrinth works while still knowing that the actual layout can change. Overall, The Asterion is a promising free roguelike with a strong setting and a lot of personality. I enjoyed exploring the shifting labyrinth, experimenting with mythical artifacts and dealing with the different threats along the way. It still needs more content and polish before it reaches its full potential, but the core experience is already enjoyable, and I am definitely interested in seeing how much further the developers can take it. Rating: 6.6/10