It's difficult to let go. Afraid of leaving loved ones behind, unsure of personal legacy, stumbling blindfolded with one hand out, dreading the sensation of fingertips first brushing against the veil, of falling slowly out of control and into the esoteric Aether - sometimes a push is needed. Letting go is difficult, but inevitable.
In Death's Door, the player embodies this push. A literal reaper that ushers bloated, fearful souls into the afterlife, the Crow protagonist travels through a fairytale world by solving puzzles, obtaining upgrades, and kicking ass. The combat in Death's Door draws from both Zelda and Dark Souls for inspiration - though a more apt comparison might be a more streamlined and balanced version of Hyper Light Drifter. Movement is responsive and smooth, allowing for full control during fights and puzzles, as well as pleasant world traversal. Backtracking is mostly optional in Death's Door, but necessary in order to upgrade spells and unlock secrets, so having excellent controls is a big win.
Encounter design is also fantastic and manages to find a balance between challenging combat and fairness - I never once felt as if a death came from something unavoidable, but rather my mistakes that I could then use to improve. The dodge has generous i-frames from the beginning and gains more as it is upgraded, which makes solving the puzzles of boss movesets fairly forgiving. In addition, Death's Door encourages using the entire arsenal of tools available by making ranged attacks refill through melee hits and providing certain enemies with resistances and weaknesses to specific damage types. Of the five melee weapons available none play drastically different, but the general pace and variety of combat are enough to keep it fresh still. Boss fights also do a fantastic job of evolving and adapting as combat unfolds, providing new challenge as you get closer and closer to victory. Failing to defeat a boss just means another chance to solve the puzzle, and checkpoints exist directly outside of the arenas to stave off frustration.
Each bosses design oozes with the same charm that typifies the art direction of Death's Door. Areas exist as their own biome while being linked together through the central area of the cemetery, and though they are all unique, the world still feels consistent. Part of this consistency is achieved through the enchanting score and sound design. While the visuals are cute, and movement through the world feels smooth, the score takes it to another level and breathes life into the levels. Similarly, small touches like the sound of little crows' feet on the different surfaces in the game add to the immersion and charm. These touches, when combined with puzzles that utilize your spells and test your creativity, make each level fun to explore. Rarely do I wish that a game was longer, but I do actually think Death's Door would be well-served with one more area and boss to explore and defeat.
All of these artistic choices serve to support the narrative and characters of Death's Door. Though the story is quite simple, the presentation of the game's overall aesthetic causes each character to exist as simultaneously humorous and tragic, with a gravitas that wouldn't be achievable if played in a more realistic setting. The conclusion of the narrative is surprisingly poignant and touching in a greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts way. Though Death's Door does have a focus on combat, there is no malice involved; it's simply a means to help your adversaries do what they cannot bear to do themselves - let go.
In Death's Door, the player embodies this push. A literal reaper that ushers bloated, fearful souls into the afterlife, the Crow protagonist travels through a fairytale world by solving puzzles, obtaining upgrades, and kicking ass. The combat in Death's Door draws from both Zelda and Dark Souls for inspiration - though a more apt comparison might be a more streamlined and balanced version of Hyper Light Drifter. Movement is responsive and smooth, allowing for full control during fights and puzzles, as well as pleasant world traversal. Backtracking is mostly optional in Death's Door, but necessary in order to upgrade spells and unlock secrets, so having excellent controls is a big win.
Encounter design is also fantastic and manages to find a balance between challenging combat and fairness - I never once felt as if a death came from something unavoidable, but rather my mistakes that I could then use to improve. The dodge has generous i-frames from the beginning and gains more as it is upgraded, which makes solving the puzzles of boss movesets fairly forgiving. In addition, Death's Door encourages using the entire arsenal of tools available by making ranged attacks refill through melee hits and providing certain enemies with resistances and weaknesses to specific damage types. Of the five melee weapons available none play drastically different, but the general pace and variety of combat are enough to keep it fresh still. Boss fights also do a fantastic job of evolving and adapting as combat unfolds, providing new challenge as you get closer and closer to victory. Failing to defeat a boss just means another chance to solve the puzzle, and checkpoints exist directly outside of the arenas to stave off frustration.
Each bosses design oozes with the same charm that typifies the art direction of Death's Door. Areas exist as their own biome while being linked together through the central area of the cemetery, and though they are all unique, the world still feels consistent. Part of this consistency is achieved through the enchanting score and sound design. While the visuals are cute, and movement through the world feels smooth, the score takes it to another level and breathes life into the levels. Similarly, small touches like the sound of little crows' feet on the different surfaces in the game add to the immersion and charm. These touches, when combined with puzzles that utilize your spells and test your creativity, make each level fun to explore. Rarely do I wish that a game was longer, but I do actually think Death's Door would be well-served with one more area and boss to explore and defeat.
All of these artistic choices serve to support the narrative and characters of Death's Door. Though the story is quite simple, the presentation of the game's overall aesthetic causes each character to exist as simultaneously humorous and tragic, with a gravitas that wouldn't be achievable if played in a more realistic setting. The conclusion of the narrative is surprisingly poignant and touching in a greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts way. Though Death's Door does have a focus on combat, there is no malice involved; it's simply a means to help your adversaries do what they cannot bear to do themselves - let go.