Hellboy Web of Wyrd, by developer Upstream Arcade and developer Good Shepherd Entertainment, is a rogue-like action brawler featuring none other than the iconic Hellboy. If this game looks familiar, you are certainly correct! I also had the pleasure of playing Upstream Arcade’s West of Dead. However, we do not get a Ron Pearlman voice over! That seemed like the biggest missed opportunity to me.
I started my playthrough not entirely sure of what was waiting for me. I was taken aback by the comic book art style. I would first describe the style as choppy and unstable as my mouse sensitivity seemed too high, BUT the more I played, the more I liked it. I like the art style, the gameplay, and the level design. The most notable thing is the quality of the shadows, just like in West of Dead.
Combat, just like movement, starts off a little clunky. After getting more accustomed to dodging, blocking, and using the environment, this turns into an engaging fighting game from stage to stage. I think this game would do well with some combo attacks instead of ulti moves, charms, and special weapon attaches. Focusing on an enemy helps significantly and can prove beneficial, especially when you smash Q and use an ulti ability to wreck a mook. I would recommend saving that for boss battles. You can also perform air attacks if you drop from some stairs for area of effect.
Enemies vary in appearance, but in some cases, they have different abilities (depending on which stage you are playing). They are not just mooks with different skins. The grunt-level mobs are one hit kills and are generally in each encounter. Bigger baddies will give you a run for your money and they take effort to take down. The bigger mooks can also summon the weaker ones. While some might see that as an issue, consider this: you restore your shield/armor by collecting their essence. The game gives you many opportunities to play intelligently. Beating enemies into walls deals more damage, and you can throw debris at them for a significant amount of damage.
Each area is unique in its appearance and is very well designed. You navigate a sort of labyrinth, looking for marked doors to guide you to treasure, reprieve, or even danger. The maidens and mother of the Wyrd are also excellent observers. They provide buffs before taking on level, which may take the form of an extra bullet, more health, or more toughness. By the end of the level, you will encounter unique bosses. They are by far my favorite part of the game because they offer a challenge.
When we are not roaming the Wyrd, we are roaming the Butterfly House and collecting artifacts, filling Deneveaux’s collection with curiosities. The house realigns and changes as we progress further into the unknown. You can unlock abilities and equipment incrementally, eventually feeling like a badass with a grenade launcher in your holster. We have a cast of characters that make up the B.P.R.D. and are fully voiced, including Hellboy. I will admit that is the aspect I want to go back to and learn more about, because I did not focus too much on them. I appreciate that the characters have their own voices. I would appreciate having the chance to perform side objectives for them besides picking up generic items in the Wyrd. A variety of tasks and rewards would help with engagement!
Overall, this game ages fairly well. It does not occupy too much time when you are traversing the Wyrd’s many levels. Combat is fun but can be limited. The levels are designed and can make you feel some urgency looking for a door with the health logo on it. The soundtrack is good. The voice acting is okay.
All said, I think this title deserves a score of 8.5 out of 10.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd is available for consoles and PC via Steam.
Related: Reviews by John Pruitt
I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.
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