14 DAY TRIAL // Shotgun-equipped enemies are accurate enough that I prioritize them in any fight, with imps coming second on my kill list. Shambling monsters, regardless of their size, aren’t that threatening, especially if I have a clear idea of where I can retreat. Of course, there’s always a chance I will end up surrounded by too many enemies, unable to deal with them even with my awesome auto-reloading shotgun. But until then I plan to push forward, conserve as much ammo as possible, and mine all enemies for extra health and armor.
Project Warlock II is developed by Buckshot Software and published by Retrovibe. The game is now in Early Access on Steam on the PC. The plan is to keep it there for the coming year, taking in feedback from the community. The title delivers a very classic take on the first-person shooter genre.
The narrative is straightforward: the original warlock is missing, there are demons everywhere, and it’s time to do something about that. The developers are planning three single-player chapters, each centered on one character with a unique set of skills. The Early Access version stars Palmer.
Gameplay in Project Warlock II will be instantly recognizable to anyone who has played an FPS in the ‘90s or picked up the first title in the series (or one of the many titles in the boomer shooter genre). Move fast, kill everything that looks at you funny, find new weapons, hunt for health and armor, get to the keys that reveal new areas, and battle a big boss to clear the level.
Battling the hordes of enemies is fun and requires quick thinking, as well as good ammo and ability management. I would like for the game to drop less in spaces I already cleared; otherwise, the level design also feels solid.
Project Warlock II has a solid presentation, with graphics that evoke classic FPS titles and enemy design that stands out. The weapons could use a little more personality alongside the levels. The soundtrack is perfect for the genre and the enemy barks are fun while giving players a quick way to evaluate the threats they face.
Conclusion
I love the constant tension the game works with and the way it integrates its graphics, mechanics, and soundtrack. Buckshot Software knows the space it is working in and it will be fun to see what the full version of Project Warlock II will deliver.
Preview code provided by the publisher.
