Depths of Fear :: Knossos

Depths of Fear :: Knossos is a first-person, Greek mythology-themed roguelike stealth-horror game developed primarily by one individual. Players take on the role of Theseus navigating procedurally generated labyrinths filled with legendary creatures such as satyrs, centaurs, and the Minotaur. The game features a mix of stealth mechanics, melee combat, and resource management where players collect gold and knowledge to buy weapons and divine powers.

The atmosphere and setting are highly praised for their unique blend of dark, eerie lighting, retro-inspired graphics, and a synth-heavy soundtrack that evokes 70s and 80s horror and fantasy films. However, the game is also noted for its rough edges, including bugs, occasional performance issues, and clunky AI. Despite these flaws, many players find the experience compelling, tense, and enjoyable, especially considering the small development team and low price point. The game length is relatively short but offers replayability through its procedural generation.

Highlights

Players particularly appreciate the game's immersive atmosphere created by dynamic lighting, eerie sound design, and a distinctive synth soundtrack. The integration of Greek mythology and legendary beasts provides a rich thematic backdrop. The procedural generation of levels ensures varied playthroughs, and the stealth gameplay combined with tense encounters with mythical bosses adds depth and suspense. The game's retro visual style, reminiscent of early 90s titles and old horror movies, is seen as a charming and fitting aesthetic. The combat, while simple, is satisfying, and the inclusion of an economy and divine powers adds strategic layers.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include performance issues such as low frame rates even on capable hardware and occasional lag. The game suffers from bugs and glitches, including getting stuck in geometry, invincible bosses due to exploits, and clipping problems. The stealth mechanics can feel inconsistent, with enemies sometimes spotting players unfairly or AI behaving erratically. The lighting is often too dark without adjustable brightness, making navigation frustrating. Combat is described as basic and repetitive, lacking strategic depth. Some players find the procedural generation leads to unfair or tedious level layouts, and the overall difficulty curve can feel unbalanced. The graphics and animations are considered outdated and rough, though acceptable given the scope.