Into the Pit

Boy, do the burst of colors in Into the Pit make your eyes sore. Without even playing it, you'll start to wonder how you will define gameplay as an asset and environment lines that look blurred. However, that may be the point of the game, it looks like. It's so fast-paced that navigating the labyrinth of colors is just an integral part of the experience.

Into the Pit is a game as retro as its title, both in narrative and gameplay. You won't find anything particularly compelling in the story. It's just enough to support this high-octane gameplay that plays like FPSs of decades past. The only thing that feels intriguing about the game thus far is this flash of color everywhere, so is there more to it than that?

Calm the Chaos

Where do you even begin with Into the Pit? I guess it's easiest to start with the storyline, which provides a basis for this visual chaos. There's a demonic pit that spawns in a sleepy village, and like any decent community - they aren't happy with it. Some of the townsfolk have fallen inside, including your cousin. Looks like it's your job to go and see what's up!

So with the elementary undertones of narrative, here we are using a wealth of demonic abilities to slaughter pit foes and save the survivors. It all sounds a bit mundane. But Into the Pit does offer a retro gaming experience that tickles the senses. Sometimes, it completely overwhelms them. If you feel it's all been done before, you'd be right - but there are some positives to take from gameplay.

In retro style, it's fast, feverish, and obscure. The level design offers challenging enemies that use cognitive skills and upgraded abilities to be neutralized. You'll continue to build yourself up to pass through dungeons with the ultimate objective of closing the demonic cesspit and stop this menace from ever returning. So what's the downside?

It's everything in between those retro-style FPS mechanics that hinder Into the Pit. Yes, the theme is chaos - but there arguably could be a better balance. Contrasting colors reign in spell attacks, environments, and enemies, making it frustrating to use any skill in accomplishing anything. The pace is also a bit tricky to keep up with. It honestly just feels like a mess in most areas, although still somehow entertaining in chunks.

Color Flood the Pit of Despair

For something that's supposed to be demonic and evil, Into the Pit plays more like a person using glow sticks to fight to the front of a Wonderland rave. It does accomplish its ambitions of retro-ness in gameplay - however, feels like it misses the mark in its ultimate objectives. Half the time, you just don't know what's going on.

Pros:

• Retro FPS mechanics that will entertain the more old-school gamer
• Unique game based on its peculiar style
• Consistently high-octane action

Cons:

• Contrasting colors in every aspect of the game make things confusing
• Mechanically feels chaotic against the speed of the game
• Not much in the way of gripping narrative