|| PREVIEW || Don't Die Minerva (Xbox One)
Developed By : Xaviant Published By : Xaviant
Category : Rogue-lite, RPG, Action
Expected to leave Early Access in 2020
It's always nice when a game comes out that combines elements of different things you enjoy, but occasionally there comes a game that you can feel like it was made just for you because all of its elements are right up your alley. For me, that game is Don't Die Minerva! It's a roguelike that you control like a twin-stick, and the setting of the game is very, very creepy.
You'll control the pre-teen Minerva as she is out in the woods when she comes across a massive haunted house. Not one to back down from anything, Minerva steps inside the house ready to lay waste to all of the ghostly inhabitants she may find inside. Her only saving grace is her trusty flashlight and a backpack that's got just enough space for a stuffed animal or two.
The flashlight is your main weapon and it attacks by sending out a pulse of light in whichever direction you point it. It deals a set amount of damage that fluctuates depending on the enemy your attacking and their resistance to your attacks, but it can be upgraded or replaced. All around the house you can find other more powerful flashlights as well as a selection of jewels. These jewels offer different properties and can be equipped to your flashlight, such as increasing your base damage dealt, or applying an elemental effect like ice damage that also slows down the enemies you hit with it.
Your secondary means of attack are the stuffed animals you'll find. You will always start your run with one of these, and replacements can be found later on. When you use your stuffed animal, you'll throw it out to a fixed spot on the floor and an attack radius will appear around it. Any and all enemies that step within that boundary they will be attacked until the stuffed animal is destroyed or the timer on it runs out. The jewels you find that I mentioned above can be applied to stuffed animals as well for the same boosts and elemental effects.
The game is a lot of fun. Each run is unique and randomly generated so while you might see the same rooms, you definitely won't see them in the same order. There are a ton of enemy variations and they all are a lot of fun to face down.
Occasionally through the levels you'll come across a fountain in the mansion, a fountain that is an exact replica of the one in the courtyard outside of the main door. You can use these fountains to transport back and talk to the servant who will allow you to purchase permanent upgrades for your playstyle such as extending Minerva's health, or allowing her to carry more than one stuffed animal.
It may still be in early access, but Don't Die Minerva is expected to get lots of fulfilling updates by the time it leaves and hits full release later this year. I personally can't wait to see whats in store down the road and will be waiting impatiently for each content update this game receives. If this one isn't on your radar, it absolutely should be.
A preview code for this title was graciously provided to the site for review. This title was previewed on the Xbox One but will also be available on PC (Steam)
You'll control the pre-teen Minerva as she is out in the woods when she comes across a massive haunted house. Not one to back down from anything, Minerva steps inside the house ready to lay waste to all of the ghostly inhabitants she may find inside. Her only saving grace is her trusty flashlight and a backpack that's got just enough space for a stuffed animal or two.
The flashlight is your main weapon and it attacks by sending out a pulse of light in whichever direction you point it. It deals a set amount of damage that fluctuates depending on the enemy your attacking and their resistance to your attacks, but it can be upgraded or replaced. All around the house you can find other more powerful flashlights as well as a selection of jewels. These jewels offer different properties and can be equipped to your flashlight, such as increasing your base damage dealt, or applying an elemental effect like ice damage that also slows down the enemies you hit with it.
Your secondary means of attack are the stuffed animals you'll find. You will always start your run with one of these, and replacements can be found later on. When you use your stuffed animal, you'll throw it out to a fixed spot on the floor and an attack radius will appear around it. Any and all enemies that step within that boundary they will be attacked until the stuffed animal is destroyed or the timer on it runs out. The jewels you find that I mentioned above can be applied to stuffed animals as well for the same boosts and elemental effects.
The game is a lot of fun. Each run is unique and randomly generated so while you might see the same rooms, you definitely won't see them in the same order. There are a ton of enemy variations and they all are a lot of fun to face down.
Occasionally through the levels you'll come across a fountain in the mansion, a fountain that is an exact replica of the one in the courtyard outside of the main door. You can use these fountains to transport back and talk to the servant who will allow you to purchase permanent upgrades for your playstyle such as extending Minerva's health, or allowing her to carry more than one stuffed animal.
It may still be in early access, but Don't Die Minerva is expected to get lots of fulfilling updates by the time it leaves and hits full release later this year. I personally can't wait to see whats in store down the road and will be waiting impatiently for each content update this game receives. If this one isn't on your radar, it absolutely should be.
A preview code for this title was graciously provided to the site for review. This title was previewed on the Xbox One but will also be available on PC (Steam)
