Impressions from the Dolmen -apkrig souls

With the end of the year, we are finally given the space to start rehearsing titles that are just getting ready. One of them is the sci-fi soulslike event Dolmen, which is being worked on by the Brazilian studio Massive Work. In recent days, we were able to play a preview version, in which the introduction of the game awaited us, after the first boss, and then a diametrically different location set in the desert. It must be acknowledged that Massive Work does a good job of imitating the style of the original games of the mentioned genre and goes so far that Dolmen basically, like Dark Souls, is still in control. However, the sci-fi setting still gives developers the opportunity to let their own imagination work, which materializes, for example, in ranged weapons, typically represented by pistols or submachine guns. The ability to draw and start eroding the health indicators of spider and humanoid enemies almost from a distance at almost any time is a pleasant refreshment and underline of the tactical layer. But because of the system of stamina and energy, you usually always end up in a face-to-face duel, so again, such a revolution does not take place.

At the same time, it can be seen in the game that at the moment it is only a preview version and the developers still have a considerable amount of work to do. Probably the most important thing is to work on animations and artificial intelligence. Because of both, Dolmen becomes confusing in places and does not give the player the expected amount of information, especially in fights with smaller opponents. On the other hand, fights with bosses – at least those we faced in the demonstration – are not that difficult, especially thanks to the clear indication of attacks that cannot be covered. The potential of Dolmen lies partly in the modification and production of equipment, and if you like numbers and percentages, also in the gradual improvement of your skills. He doesn’t look into any downfall from the game as long as the developers fine-tune the artificial intelligence and Dolmen can easily be the counterweight to The Surge or Hellpoint. But he probably won’t reach the highest rungs.

Dolmen seems like a dream come true for everyone who likes the soulslike genre and nothing else. The developers from the Brazilian studio Massive Work have used everything that the developers from FromSoftware have shown in their games, and they make the whole formula special with sci-fi set-up and firearms. However, it is important to know that the player will not be amazed by the impressive graphics, but rather by the ground-floor gameplay, which, however, needs a little tweaking. Especially the sides of artificial intelligence and animation, which directly affect the gaming experience and progress through imaginative locations.