Nunholy: The Good, The Bad, and The Potential – An In-Depth Overview!
0Nunholy is an awesome new action roguelike from solo developer Chowbie, following his debut title, Wedding Witch. Whereas Wedding Witch charmed players with its lighthearted, bullet-heaven gameplay and beautiful witch protagonist, Nunholy ventures into darker, more ambitious territory. Drawing inspiration from Hades and Bloodborne, this vampire-slaying adventure combines roguelike mechanics with gothic aesthetics to create a unique experience. However, the game’s ambitious design also presents areas for improvement. Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the potential of this intriguing title.
The Good
Visual Style and Atmosphere
Chowbie’s signature dreamlike art style shines in Nunholy. The supporting cast, the protagonist, and the sisterhood are all gorgeously designed, evoking a soft yet gothic aesthetic that’s a visual treat. The environments are richly detailed, creating a dark, immersive world filled with eerie beauty. While the design sometimes feels reminiscent of Hades, it manages to stand out thanks to its unique blend of religious and vampiric themes.
Gameplay Depth
Players can choose from three primary characters: Preiya the Vampire Hunter, Marie the Executioner, and Sain the Purifier. Each character offers distinct gameplay styles, akin to how weapons in Hades define a run. Nunholy takes this further by introducing elemental variants for attacks and skills, allowing for extensive customization. Augmentation options let players choose between vampire-slaying gear or vampiric powers, adding another layer of strategy.
Attache Case System
The standout feature of Nunholy is its innovative Attache Case system. Players collect relics during their runs and must carefully organize them within a limited inventory. This mechanic not only tests resource management but also adds a tactile layer of strategy, particularly in the late game when space becomes scarce. It’s a satisfying addition that keeps each run engaging.
Worldbuilding and Humor
The game’s setting—a vampire-infested world where nuns ally with the Hunter’s Guild—is compelling. Players encounter diverse NPCs, including merchants, witches, and undertakers, each adding flavor and depth to the world. Like Wedding Witch, Nunholy features playful innuendos and lighthearted humor, balancing its dark themes without delving into gratuitous fan service.
The Bad
Combat Feel
While Nunholy borrows its combat inspiration from Hades and Bloodborne, the execution feels unpolished. The controls can feel slippery, making it challenging to maintain combos or juggle enemies effectively. A lack of soft lock-on targeting exacerbates this issue, often leading to frustrating moments when attacks miss their mark. Combat mechanics need refinement to align with the aggressive, fluid styles of its inspirations.
Balance Issues
The three characters are unevenly balanced. Marie, with her powerful ranged gun, feels disproportionately strong, making her the easiest choice for early success. In contrast, the melee characters, Preiya and Sain, struggle in comparison and appear heavily reliant on meta upgrades to become viable. This imbalance detracts from the enjoyment of experimenting with different playstyles.
Character Accessibility
Unlocking characters is tied to progression, which can feel restrictive. For players who want to experiment with all three protagonists early on, this system creates unnecessary barriers. Allowing players to unlock characters using in-game currency while sharing meta progression across all characters would offer a more player-friendly approach.
UI and Player Feedback
The lack of visual indicators for skill cooldowns and attack ranges is a missed opportunity. While boss attacks are telegraphed effectively, players lack similar tools for their own abilities, particularly on keyboard and mouse setups. This inconsistency can make gameplay feel unintuitive.
The Potential
Expanded Content
Nunholy introduces a fascinating world teeming with vampires, dungeons, and intriguing NPCs. Expanding on these elements—such as adding playable characters like Helena or introducing new dungeon types—could elevate the game’s replayability.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
Addressing combat mechanics and balancing the characters would go a long way in improving the overall experience. Adding quality-of-life features, such as customizable control schemes and clearer skill indicators, could also enhance accessibility and player satisfaction.
Broader Appeal
While Nunholy avoids explicit content, leaning into its gothic and sensual themes could attract a wider audience without sacrificing its artistic integrity. This could include deeper storytelling, more nuanced character interactions, or branching narrative paths influenced by player choices.
Nunholy - 1.0 Launched on January 16, 2024!
Platform: PC (Steam) Price: $7.99 USD
Link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2854740/Nunholy/