Video Game Review: Morbid: The Seven Acolytes

Morbid: The Seven Acolytes

Developer: Still Running / Publisher: Merge Games

Genre: Action RPG

Nintendo Switch

Morbid: The Seven Acolytes joins many of the games that have followed the Soulsbourne formula over the years. Despite all of the games inspired by the successful formula, few have captured any real magic. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes takes the tried-and-true formula and injects its own flavor into everything.

Morbid takes place in a world devastated by a horrifying plague. The strange plague has created some awful looking beasts, and players will need to travel throughout the world to fight against the terrifying creatures.

Players start with a basic weapon as they travel through the isometric world. Morbid has clearly been influenced by Soulsbourne games, but it doesn’t lean on the genre’s mechanics too much. Instead, Morbid carves its own way by giving players access to tight combat and satisfying gameplay.

Players will start out with a weak sword but will gain access to more unique weapons as they play the game. While some weapons are clearly better than others, everything feels unique to play with. Players will likely click with a couple of weapons that they will feel comfortable using for most of their adventure. The variety of tools at the player’s disposal keeps the game fresh throughout their ten or so hour journey. If a weapon is starting to feel lackluster, there is a simple upgrade mechanic to breathe new life into it.

Like most games in the genre, players will be commanded by the amount of stamina they have at their disposal. Dodging and swinging weapons often expends stamina, and careless players will find themselves in a bind if they are too reckless. While it can feel bad to run out of stamina, the battle system works pretty well. It’s all about timing and learning enemy patterns. The movement feels crisp, and players will rarely be able to blame the game for their own failings.

Players who like to have clear direction might not enjoy the way that Morbid approaches storytelling. The lore is told in pieces through the environment and the occasional NPC. The next destination is never really clear either. Morbid encourages exploration, which can certainly be frustrating at times. The game also has a frustrating storage system, that will often lead to players abandoning good gear.

The visuals of Morbid are fantastic, though grotesque. The pixel style works great, giving players a good look at the game’s monstrosities while also leaving a lot to the imagination. The chilling soundtrack complements the presentation well. The sound effects are satisfying, helping with the game’s immersion significantly.

While it has a few frustrating systems, Morbid is a solid experience for fans of the genre. Its atmosphere is unlike no other, and the game has a unique story to tell. It’s an exciting breath of fresh air that is as challenging as it is gorgeous.