I’ve held off on writing about this game for awhile due to needing more time to absorb it all. I’m still playing this game even though I’ve beaten it, and I think, just like Yharnam or my friend, Isaac’s mom, I’ll be returning readily for a long while.

I love the cryptic, Lovecraftian nature of Atropos and the ever-changing environment that begs for our heroine's blood. Some of the biomes fall flat, but it’s such a small issue that it’s not really worth complaining about.

The gameplay loop, with its heavy hitting weapons that just light the screen up and the frantic and lightning movement, is pure bliss. Honestly, I’ve even woken up early just so I can play it before work. The bosses aren’t on Bloodbourne's level, for example, but they are still stunning in their beautiful attacks and Lovecraft image.

I spent ages trying to piece together the plot and paint my own mental picture of this visual and mental trauma that Selene goes through, and I love that Soulsbourne-esque archaeological take on a story. The game's difficulty never really feels bad, as there is never really a feeling of punishment; like Sisyphus, you just push the boulder again.

I will be abandoning Helios for years to come.