Rising Hell is a vertical Rogue-like platformer, where players control an unstoppable force ready to slay all sort of demons into pixelated blood!
Gameplay is the high focus of Rising Hell, delivering an arcadish spirit where your fortune balances between your own skill and items that are randomly placed. Players ascend vertically defeating several types of enemies, which, the higher one goes, the more difficult they’ll become. Foes drop items such as vitality and special weapons, but sometimes relics too. These artifacts allow players to purchase new skills.
At each round, it’s possible to use one special skill, and they vary from improved running and jumping, or to extend your base damage. Unfortunately, it’s only possible to take one special ability and I personally felt three of them would be a much better choice. After a while skills become really good and it’s a shame only one at a time can be selected.
At every New Game the dungeon-like climbing starts over, but midway through there are vendors who are ready to sell temporary boosts, or even sacrifice a percentage of your life for new weapons. It’s a nice change, but after a while the offers become repetitive.
Not only are there creatures waiting to devour you, but traps and obstacles may end up stopping your efforts. Some levels even offer a Bonus Location. These are perfect to farm orbs or at least increase the chance of finding a special weapon. Bosses provide a fantastic challenge with well done attack patterns, and at the same time, bosses are quickly defeated as you continue to level up.
Although the game advertises multiple unlockable characters, currently only two are available. The gameplay is pretty fluid, with the protagonist using his hand as his main weapon. The most noticeable feature is the ability to attack an enemy and leash onto it. This opens the possibility to climb your way up by just going from one target to another.
The visual hell portrayed in the game varies from which location you choose to go. Different areas change in color and level structure, but in the end they change more mechanically than in its pixel design. The color contrast within the deep caverns, mixed with the bright flames of the demonic beings for sure grants some amazing views! Rising Hell level design will clearly please those who decide to climb patiently and take one enemy at a time.
Those who are ambitious enough to conquer Hell will find two modes for it: Campaign and Challenge, each with goals and rewards. If aiming for the maximum, it’s recommended to choose a soundtrack of your taste. Not that the present music is bad, but it will eventually become repetitive.
Overall Rising Hell is a great bet for a different platformer, setting the challenge vertically, but still offering solid content and plenty of in-game hours. Definitely recommended for those of you who enjoy the concept.