von Taking two genre defining games and smashing them together sounds like almost every elevator pitch as well as a recipe for success. This is what Halls of Torment tries to do as it utilizes the core gameplay loop of survivor -likes from the 2021 hit Vampire Survivors, but does not just copy it as so many others did. Instead it tries to supplement it with Diablo-esque visuals as well as an equipment and level up system from those early games. Combining those elements with an in-depth quest system which, even just from the demo, looks like it will keep players grinding through for a long time may just be the triple threat that helps to differentiate this game amongst the numerous others vying for attention.
For those who did not play Vampire Survivors or any of its clones, the gameplay loop is pretty simple. You choose a character in the beginning that has a specific starting weapon and then choose a stage where the character automatically attacks endless incoming hordes of enemies as you move them around the screen. This means that the player is only responsible for moving and aiming their character as they move around to avoid the enemies, sometimes navigating through narrow cracks in their waves, while also collecting different upgrades around the map which are usually extra weapons to add to your arsenal which automatically fire too. While this may sound boring, the sheer numbers and random upgrades and weapons you are given make each run unique and thrilling at times as you narrowly skirt disaster. And in this way Halls of Torment fits right in line with the genre.
The main twist here is that rather than adding more weapons with each level up, you upgrade your stats like with a normal RPG (Role Playing Game). You only get more weapons by collecting pickups on the map or beating some bosses where they will drop new weapons or equipment. And this equipment aspect is a big aspect that sets Halls of Torment apart from others in the genre. Another aspects where it takes from Diablo and differs from Survivor-likes is with dialogue. While there is not necessarily a set story, there are characters you can meet in the stages that gives some minor dialogue as well as the occasional readable. These bits are generally not particularly impactful or interesting so for anyone craving story in their games may be disappointed if expecting that area to be further fleshed out in the demo at least as there is no indication there becomes a larger story teased in the full game.
As mentioned, you get equipment from defeating certain bosses which give you stat boosts and, after unlocking a character early in the game, you can then send those equipment pieces back to the main hub where you can then buy them to use for subsequent runs. This central hub is also where you return after every run and after selecting your character again you can go and make permanent upgrades. This is all supported in the long run by a large and intricate quest system as well as persistent upgrades which means no run is ever wasted as all the money and progress accrued carry over into the next.
Overall, Halls of Torment does a good job of both replicating the mechanics of the Survivor-like genre while adding enough new concepts which work well to not be considered a clone or resin of the original. While it may lack some of the spectacle and the depth of what it borrows from, there is still an enjoyable game here that scratches the itch of both genres. Whether it scratches it enough will be a personal preference though.
Demo Deep Dive is a series looking at upcoming games via available demos to be able to give an impression on everything from the aesthetics to the sounds to, most importantly, how they play. Hopefully you find this series enjoyable, informative, and ultimately helpful both to inform you of games while also promoting games that you may otherwise not have heard of.
This demo for Halls of Torment is available until September 30th via the ID@Xbox Xbox Selects Demo Fest.
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