【A.L.C.H.E.M.Y.】: Shadow Bombs of the Apocalypse

The Enigmatic World of Auronika Cortez: A Third-Person Immersive Sim

The Rock Paper Shotgun CMS struggled under the weight of the game title I entered into our database. The title, reminiscent of Type Moon and Kingdom Hearts, is a mouthful that promises a unique gaming experience. It’s a world where characters are enigmatic, almost pushing other letters away with their presence. They exude a primordial aura, akin to ancient cave paintings depicting hunting scenes and survival tips.

The game in question, developed by The Dark Union, is shrouded in mystery. Their website, filled with chants and philosophical musings about bees, sets the stage for a third-person “story-driven stealth action immersive sim.” Players take on the role of Auronika Cortez, a holy alchemist on a mission to overthrow the rulers of a rainy, “medieval-industrial” world filled with tunnels and ramparts.

Auronika’s arsenal includes the ability to craft potions and bombs from seemingly mundane items. The bombs, in particular, pack a powerful punch, requiring players to seek cover behind sturdy walls before detonation. The demo on Steam offers a taste of the immersive sim experience, with players navigating through a world populated by soldiers armed with crystal rifles.

The game’s aesthetic is a blend of technical limitations and deliberate design choices. The intro cinematic harks back to the era of FMV, where individual hair follicles were a spectacle yet to be fully animated. In-game, players can even glitch the camera through their character’s skull, offering a unique perspective on character design.

The health gauge, item notifications, and crafting screen all contribute to the game’s cyberpunk atmosphere. Players assemble components in a ball of energy, drawing glyphs to create powerful bombs capable of massive destruction. The setting, a stark landscape of grey boxes and pyramids, adds to the game’s otherworldly feel.

Scheduled for release next year, the game’s emphasis on freeform building destruction draws comparisons to Red Faction Guerrilla. However, with a smaller team behind it, the game offers a more streamlined approach to devastation. Beyond destruction, the game promises a narrative of resistance and redemption, as Auronika navigates the complexities of her mission.