If you’re a fan of deckbuilder games, Spellhack might catch you off guard. It’s a fast-paced, survival deckbuilder roguelike drenched in a vibrant 80s aesthetic that blends nostalgia with challenging gameplay. But be warned: Spellhack isn’t your typical deckbuilder, and you might not be fully prepared for what it throws at you.
What is Spellhack?
Spellhack drops you into Doom City, a mysterious place plagued by summoned beasts and dark secrets. You play as a spellhacker—a tech wizard hired by megacorporations to protect this chaotic city from the dangers that emerge every night. Your arsenal? Technospells, the game’s version of cards, which you’ll use to defend portals from waves of magical beasts in a computer-like world.
The game’s structure revolves around a day and night cycle. During the day, you can explore Doom City, upgrading and acquiring new technospells, preparing for the inevitable nighttime battle. When night falls, you must defend the portal, holding off monsters until dawn. It’s a relentless cycle where survival, not total victory, is the goal. The monsters are infinite, and your task is to outlast them, not eliminate them.
Audio & Unique Visuals
Normally, I’d save the discussion of visuals for later, but Spellhack demands attention from the start. The entire game plays out in a 4:3 aspect ratio, framed by a retro-themed screen setup that immerses you in its 80s vibe. The background isn’t just decorative; it’s an active part of the experience, with light and shadow effects that enhance the game’s atmosphere during key moments.
The soundtrack is another standout feature. It’s packed with nostalgic synthwave beats that perfectly complement the visual style. I found myself tapping along on my keyboard—sometimes to the point of accidentally hitting the wrong key! The music is so catchy that it might just get stuck in your head, adding to the overall charm of Spellhack.
Gameplay Mechanics
Spellhack throws you into a world where you need to think fast and act faster. Both day and night cycles last 12 hours in-game, with each turn during the night representing one hour. During the day, you’ll explore Doom City, selecting areas to scan for new technospells or upgrades. Each action consumes time, so you’ll need to plan carefully. Some events are beneficial, while others, like the dreaded "Noxious Blade," can force you to destroy one of your technospells permanently.
Nighttime is when the real challenge begins. The battle phase pits you against waves of beasts with one goal: survive until morning. The battlefield is divided into several lines, and you’ll need to strategically deploy your technospells to target specific lines. The key is to think quickly and adapt as the situation changes.
Enemies have unique abilities that can complicate your strategy, such as reducing the time you have to complete your turn. If time runs out, a new turn begins, bringing fresh technospells and pushing your enemies closer to the portal. While one breach won’t spell disaster, multiple breaches can lead to defeat, making it crucial to manage your resources and think ahead.
Technospells consume energy, which replenishes partially each turn. You can also collect "blood energy" by destroying enemies, which powers your more potent spells. The variety of technospells, from walls that block enemies to status effects that damage them over time, gives you plenty of options to craft your strategy. Quickmods can boost your attacks for specific turns, adding another layer of depth to the battles.
Controls: A Nostalgic Throwback
The controls in Spellhack are a delightful nod to the 80s, with most actions handled via the keyboard. You’ll use Z to select, X to cancel, Enter to end your turn, and H to access the help panel. While using a mouse might feel more intuitive, the keyboard controls add to the retro charm, making the experience feel like a blast from the past.
My Opinion: A Bizarre Yet Fun Experience
The most intriguing aspect of Spellhack is its unique 80s synthwave setting. The retro art style and old-school vision make it a visually captivating game, even if the controls might feel a bit clunky by modern standards. But that’s part of the charm—Spellhack doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It embraces its retro roots wholeheartedly, offering a bizarre yet enjoyable experience.
The game features over 150 technospells and 40 different enemies, each with unique abilities, ensuring that no two battles feel exactly the same. However, like any deckbuilder, there’s always the risk of facing an enemy that counters your deck perfectly, which can be frustrating. I hope the final version of the game includes some way to mitigate this, as it can be disheartening to spend hours building a deck only to be defeated by an unbeatable opponent.
Overall, Spellhack is a decent title with some fun ideas, but it might not revolutionize your gaming experience. If you’re drawn to the colorful 80s vibe and retro art style, Spellhack is definitely worth checking out. However, if you’re looking for something groundbreaking, this game might not be the one to unseat your current favorites.
Conclusion
Spellhack is a quirky, unique game that blends retro aesthetics with fast-paced deckbuilding mechanics. While it might not be the next big thing, it’s a fun and engaging experience for anyone who enjoys a good dose of nostalgia mixed with challenging gameplay.
If you’re interested in checking out Spellhack for yourself, you can find the link HERE. And if you want to discover more indie games you might not have heard of, consider subscribing to my channel HERE. I’m here to help you find the hidden gems in the world of indie gaming.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!
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