Moroi is feeling like a stabby pyschological mix of fairytale & grimdark aesthetics

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Violet Saint showcases an intense and intricate imagination, as I’ve gathered from playing the developer’s game, Moroi – a dark, fantastical action-adventure. This game is peculiar with promises of further strangeness, yet beneath its oddities lies a collection of surreal visuals, brutal battles, and puzzles that carry significant consequences, though what “life or death” implies in this frightening realm remains unclear.

A crime beyond comprehension

In Moroi, you assume the role of a mystifying character with amnesia who finds oneself in a horrifying cell. Your identity and past are unknown to you. All you possess is the garments on your body. There seems to be more, a heinous act for which you feel deeply responsible and must make amends for, despite its weight on your conscience. Regrettably, the prison doesn’t plan to facilitate your penance effortlessly.

In every cell within this peculiar prison, a unique blend of bodily dread and riddles unfolded. In one nook, a woman, seemingly a witch, was concocting a potion she claimed would reveal something extraordinary, if only provided with some salt. A monk-like figure in another cell was prepared to offer salt, on condition he received some bone ash. Another inmate housed a sentient meat grinder, who craved to process any flesh (due to his punishment being culinary violence), but detested bones and would expel the ground-up dust instead. Lastly, there resided a cannibal who had amputated his arm and sought to consume himself for ultimate irony. The transactions that ensued were both unsettling and logically sound.

As a captivated fan, I’d like to share my perspective on Moroi: It’s not just about grim darkness. The world our protagonist is trapped in feels surreal, resisting conventional understanding. It could easily be perceived as hell, with our hero possibly paying for severe transgressions. After enduring the prison and fighting relentlessly towards what seemed like freedom, I was unexpectedly transported to a place that left me bewildered: A lush garden filled with enchanting characters. Here, I assumed the role of a doll boy, spending time with my doll mom and some rather sinister trees. The trees demanded offerings from us, and it didn’t take long to realize that this idyllic and picturesque setting was far from permanent.

One of Moroi’s most fascinating aspects is its immersive elements. The game’s settings, narratives, and peculiar characters aren’t merely a portrayal of senseless brutality or filth. Instead, it weaves a vivid and grimy tale about a tormented spirit who questions their deservingness of their fate, and the convoluted and fluid penalties that drive them to seek redemption and freedom.

But nothing is ever easy

The exploration of Moroi’s puzzle-solving was briefly discussed, but it also involves action. It wasn’t too long before we acquired a sword, followed by a chain gun, offering both close-quarters combat and long-range attack options. Combat seemed to resemble a twin-stick shooter in terms of fighting style. Waves of soldiers and monsters approached me, which I either sliced or shot, accumulating a gauge that, when filled, enabled me to eliminate an enemy. This was the sole method I discovered for restoring health during combat, so avoiding enemy attacks, striking at opportune moments, and keeping track of my execute gauge seemed vital to survive in this harsh world.

Spending a brief period with Moroi exposed us to an unusual upgrade mechanism. Over time, we managed to acquire some loose teeth for our collection from a generous benefactor. These teeth served the purpose of enhancing our weaponry. Here’s how: we could affix these teeth to our sword, creating what we called a ‘teeth sword’. This modification not only increased its destructive power but also enabled us to demolish barriers that would have otherwise impeded our progress. We had the option to detach the teeth whenever we wanted, returning our sword to its original state. It appears there will be several items we can add to our equipment to clear paths ahead and defeat enemies more effectively.

Down into the void

Moroi is one of the most unusual games I’ve encountered lately, yet I find myself drawn to discovering where this adventure leads. In a brief span, we were exposed to a repugnant prison housing brutally tortured inmates, and the next moment we found ourselves in a lush garden tended by rapacious trees. Throughout, there were hints of darker paths to come. Although Moroi may seem quite grim, it entices with a mystery that demands solving. It seems as though uncovering more will only deepen the knot in my stomach… but I’m still intrigued about how the story unfolds.

This version is initially developed using an early PC setup provided by the publisher. As of now, Moroi is planned for release on PC.

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2025-02-21 18:27