Flintlock: Siege of Dawn blends God of War & Soulslike, with thrilling combat & shortcuts.
Table of Contents
Flintlock: Siege of Dawn Review: A Nimble and Engaging Soulslite Experience
Developer: A44 Games
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Release Date: July 18, 2024
Platform: Windows
Available On: Steam, Epic Games Store, Humble Bundle
Price: £30/€36/$36
Reviewed On: Intel Core i7-12700F, 16GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 3060, Windows 11
Introduction
Flintlock: Siege of Dawn offers a compelling blend of God of War and Soulslike elements, resulting in an exhilarating, if occasionally familiar, experience. Developed by A44 Games, the creators of Ashen, this “Soulslite” game builds on the mechanics and stylings of its predecessor while adding unique elements that set it apart. The game excels in its clever shortcuts and dynamic combat, creating a satisfying and engaging adventure.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Gameplay
In Flintlock, you play as Nor, a skilled sapper from an army battling against the legions of the dead. The game is set in a richly detailed, faux-Napoleonic world where atmospheric strolls between bonfire-equivalents and intense battles are the norms. The primary narrative revolves around Nor and her fellow field engineers who accidentally breach a portal, unleashing an invasion of underworld gods. The rest of the story involves Nor’s journey to seal this portal, rally her scattered friends, and battle the escaped deities.
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Combat System
Nor wields a one-handed melee weapon in her right hand and a pistol in her left, much like in Bloodborne. The pistol is used primarily for defense—interrupting unblockable attacks and setting up counters. However, each new pistol offers unique abilities. For instance, a radioactive treeroot pistol’s projectiles detonate after a delay, spreading a harmful “Prime” effect. Another pistol, a blunderbuss, delivers a wide-area knockdown effect, perfect for controlling hordes of enemies.
The melee weapons in Flintlock vary from hammers that break through armor to incendiary axes that add a strategic layer to combat by applying status effects. Each weapon type allows Nor to refill her pistol’s gunpowder, with the game rewarding a gunpowder charge for every four successful melee hits. This dynamic keeps players engaged, encouraging a blend of melee and ranged combat.
Progression and Customization
Flintlock’s progression system is both flexible and forgiving. Players can customize Nor’s abilities and gear to fit their playstyle, whether focusing on sorcery, butchery, or gunslinging. The game’s upgrades can be reversed at any time, allowing players to recover a portion of the associated XP (or “Reputation”) and reallocate it as needed. This system promotes experimentation, making it easy to adapt to new challenges or try different builds.
Equipment and gear in Flintlock add further depth to the combat. For example, one set of clothing causes explosions whenever Enki, Nor’s companion god, applies four curses in a row. Another piece of gear allows Nor to teleport instead of dodging, adding a layer of strategy to movement and evasion. These equipment synergies encourage players to experiment with different combinations to maximize their effectiveness in battle.
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Companions and Abilities
Enki: The God Companion
Early in the game, Nor befriends Enki, a foxlike god who grants her supernatural powers. Enki functions similarly to Atreus from God of War, providing support in combat through curses and powerful AOE spells. However, Enki’s abilities are more focused, making him less intrusive and more streamlined than Atreus.
Enki’s primary role is to support Nor by cursing enemies, priming them for devastating attacks, and providing energy for powerful spells. This focus makes him easier to manage in combat, allowing players to concentrate on their strategies without being overwhelmed by a plethora of abilities. Despite his limited skill set, Enki adds a significant strategic layer to the game, helping to turn the tide in challenging battles.
World and Story
Setting and Atmosphere
Flintlock’s world is a visual masterpiece, combining faux-Napoleonic elements with fantastical landscapes. The game’s environments range from bustling towns and eerie dungeons to expansive, horizon-swallowing palaces. The attention to detail is evident in the cracked murals, copper ladles, and other small touches that bring the world to life.
The game’s setting is richly atmospheric, with themes of mortality, zealotry, and the clash between gods and mortals woven throughout. The world is populated by a variety of NPCs, each contributing to the game’s lore and offering side quests that provide additional depth and rewards.
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Narrative and Characters
The main narrative follows Nor’s journey to seal the portal and stop the underworld gods’ invasion. Along the way, she gathers a motley crew of companions, each with their own backstory and loyalty quests. These companions serve primarily as upgrade menus, offering new abilities and gear as players progress through their quests.
Nor herself is a compelling protagonist, a gruff do-gooder with a complicated past. Her interactions with Enki provide some of the game’s most memorable moments, as they discuss their different understandings of the cosmos and the nature of their powers. These conversations add emotional depth to the game, exploring themes of loss, remembrance, and the nature of godhood.
Combat and Equipment
Weapon Variety and Synergies
Flintlock’s combat system is both challenging and rewarding, offering a variety of weapons and equipment that allow players to tailor their approach to different situations. Nor’s arsenal includes one-handed melee weapons, pistols, rifles, mortars, and other firearms, each with unique effects and synergies.
Melee weapons range from hammers that break through armor to incendiary axes that apply status effects, adding a strategic layer to combat. Each weapon type has its own strengths and weaknesses, encouraging players to experiment and find the combinations that work best for them. The game’s equipment system also adds depth, with gear that can be customized to enhance Nor’s abilities and complement her playstyle.
Tactical Depth
The game’s progression system rewards skillful play, with a multiplier that doles out bonus Reputation for successful moves and uninterrupted combat. This system encourages players to master the game’s mechanics, offering greater rewards for those who can maintain their composure under pressure.
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Nor’s abilities and gear offer a wide range of tactical options. For example, players can choose to focus on melee combat, using powerful hammers and axes to break through enemy defenses. Alternatively, they can opt for a more ranged approach, using pistols and rifles to take out enemies from a distance. The game’s flexible progression system allows players to adapt their strategy as needed, ensuring that the combat remains fresh and engaging throughout the game.
Exploration and Shortcuts
Innovative Shortcuts
One of the standout features of Flintlock is its innovative approach to shortcuts. Rather than simply offering routes around obstacles, the game introduces magical purple triangles that allow players to traverse the world in exciting and dynamic ways. These shortcuts add a sense of discovery and satisfaction, as players uncover hidden paths and gain new perspectives on the game’s environments.
The magic triangles are more than just a means of travel—they are a core part of the game’s exploration and combat. Players can use the triangles to launch themselves at enemies, reach hidden areas, and navigate complex environments. The system adds a layer of verticality to the game, making exploration feel fresh and engaging.
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World Design
The game’s world is designed to be explored from above, with networks of aerial launchers that must be unlocked piece by piece. As players progress through the game, they will uncover new triangles and paths, creating a sense of progression and mastery. The shortcuts also make the familiar task of recovering dropped XP less grating, as players can quickly navigate back to their last location.
Flintlock’s environment designers have created a world that is both challenging and rewarding to explore. Each area is meticulously crafted, with hidden secrets and shortcuts that encourage players to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny. The game’s world is filled with atmospheric details, from crumbling ruins to bustling towns, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.
Conclusion
Flintlock: Siege of Dawn successfully combines elements of God of War and Soulslike games into a streamlined, 20-hour experience. While it may have a few rough edges and some underdeveloped aspects, its exhilarating combat, innovative shortcuts, and visually stunning world make it a standout title in the genre. For those looking for a satisfying summer adventure that won’t consume too many weekends, Flintlock is a solid choice.
The game’s blend of dynamic combat, flexible progression, and innovative exploration mechanics creates a compelling experience that will keep players engaged from start to finish. Whether you’re a fan of Soulslikes, action-adventure games, or simply looking for a new game to dive into, Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is well worth your time.
FAQs
Q: What kind of game is Flintlock: Siege of Dawn?
A: Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is a “Soulslite” action-adventure game that combines elements of God of War and Soulslike games. It features dynamic combat, innovative shortcuts, and a richly detailed world.
Q: What platforms is Flintlock: Siege of Dawn available on?
A: Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is available on Windows and can be purchased from Steam, Epic Games Store, and Humble Bundle.
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Q: How long does it take to complete Flintlock: Siege of Dawn?
A: The game offers a streamlined experience that can be completed in approximately 20 hours, though this may vary depending on the player’s playstyle and exploration.
Q: What are the key features of Flintlock: Siege of Dawn’s combat system?
A: The combat system in Flintlock features a variety of melee weapons and firearms, each with unique effects and synergies. Players can customize their abilities and gear to fit their playstyle.