Vagante (Xbox One) Review
Release Date: January 27, 2022
Publisher/Developer: BlitWorks/Nuke Nine
Platform: Xbox One (reviewed), Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam
Price: $14.99
Gamers originally experienced Vagante if they followed the Early Access release in 2014. It rests in the same vein as Spelunky, as a caravan of adventurers come across a mysterious cave told to hold treasure beyond your wildest dreams. These explorers begin their investigation of the cave and all it’s wonders alone (or in parties of up to four locally or online) to find the treasure and make it back out alive.
So far, so Spelunky. What separates this game and makes it unique is the characterization. Starting a run, you get to choose your particular class, such as a rogue, wizard, or mage. Eventually you unlock backstories of a sort to tweak and customize your characters a bit before their expedition begins. These subtle twists allow you to have a different start to your run outside of the usual level randomization of a roguelike. In between stages, you’ll be able to level up your characters as well, and add new abilities or bonuses to them. The hybrid of Action RPG Sidescroller Roguelike with class-based abilities does make for a good time, but can have it’s frustrations as well.
Going in, be prepared for everything that comes with a roguelike. Randomized levels, weapons, enemies, permadeath sending you back to the start, the works. My first few playthroughs I got to a miniboss (a baby dragon) that would mutilate me so much I thought I was playing the game wrong. After a few randomizations however, I came face to face with a goblin commander of sorts that was a much easier time and allowed me to actually see what happens when you best a level. Play needs to be a combination of quick and methodical: you don’t want to spend too much time on a run that can end in an instant, but that instant happens far too easily when a giant boulder drops from the heavens without warning. It makes for a fun, frantic time, just don’t get too attached to your individual character.
Going into a run and choosing your class, which changes your gameplay style, is where the biggest change from Spelunky comes, and honestly puts it in a class of it’s own. Vagante has a full-blown loot/item system, plus good and bad items that can be used immediately or analyzed and defined through other means before taking the risk. Leveling and progression really flesh out the package as well, just a sad thing that most people who are into leveling love to see their characters max out whilst a roguelike doesn’t usually do that. Seeing this from the roguelike side may feel like a breath of fresh air, but from the RPG side it may stifle quite easily, as your usual troupe of battle hardened characters crumble like tissue paper from one misstep (though I suppose if I really got hit in the head with a boulder twice as large as myself I wouldn’t be long for the world anyways).
Without a doubt, fans of Spelunky, indie games, and just pop-in-and-play will have lots of fun with Vagante. Multiplayer can be a lot of fun as well, and alleviates some of the permadeath woes, as you can regenerate your teammate so long as at least one player makes it to the end of a level. There may be a lot of roguelikes out there right now clamoring for attention, but Vagante does just enough to stand out from the crowd and provide a unique experience.
Pros
-Interesting combination of roguelike and RPG roots -Character select, levelling up and using/equipping items allows for unique playthroughs
-Multiplayer is fun and can stave off permadeath
Cons:
-Developing your character only to be instakilled -Frustration: running across a difficult randomized boss, or to finish a boss but be taken out last minute by a grunt in an advantageous position
Special thanks to BlitWorks/Nuke Nine for providing a code for review!