Hellpoint: A Cosmic Horror Souls-like Lost in Deep Space
Gameplay & Boss Encounters
Hellpoint attempts to carve its own niche by blending the mechanical DNA of Dark Souls and The Surge with the oppressive atmospheric goals of Dead Space. While it succeeds in creating a vast, interconnected space station, it unfortunately falters in its execution of the horror and suspense genres, failing to deliver the genuine chills or tension one would expect from a “cosmic horror” setting.
The game follows the traditional souls-like structure: you awaken in an unfamiliar, hostile environment (the Irid Novo station) with nothing but questions and a desperate need to survive. However, the combat experience is frequently marred by technical frustrations. Boss encounters often take place in claustrophobic arenas where the challenge stems more from poor collision physics than actual skill. It is alarmingly easy to get snagged on wall geometry, leading to inevitable death once a high-health enemy corners you. Furthermore, many bosses feel redundant, often appearing as merely upscaled versions of standard elite mobs, which detracts from the sense of discovery and variety.
Progression & Innovation
Despite these flaws, the game’s progression system offers some depth:
- Breaches: Functioning as “bonfires,” these allow for leveling up, fast travel (at the cost of specific resources), and a unique difficulty-tuning mechanic.
- Crafting & Customization: Unlike many of its peers, Hellpoint emphasizes blueprints and weapon modifications. Investing in the crafting system often yields a more significant power spike than simply dumping points into raw stats.
- The Black Hole System: This is the game’s most innovative feature. A real-time orbital clock influences enemy behavior and environmental hazards, dynamically shifting the difficulty and rewards based on the station’s position relative to a black hole.
Technical Performance & Multiplayer
Technically, Hellpoint is a mixed bag. While the system requirements are modest—running smoothly on a GTX 1050ti at max settings—the visual fidelity is uninspired, dominated by murky textures and a lack of environmental detail. The launch was plagued by significant bugs, particularly in the co-op department. The “8-digit code” summoning system proved unstable during my review, frequently causing crashes or making players and enemies invisible. Compared to other recent entries in the genre like Mortal Shell, Hellpoint feels unpolished for a full release.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
| Developer | Cradle Games |
| Price | $34.99 |
| Platforms | PS4, PC (Reviewed), Xbox One, Switch |
| Key Features | Real-time Black Hole system, deep crafting, split-screen/online co-op. |
| Main Drawbacks | Poor wall collisions, repetitive boss design, game-breaking multiplayer bugs. |
Final Word: Hellpoint isn’t the pinnacle of the souls-like genre, but it is a competent effort that perhaps would have thrived more as a roguelike. While the crafting and the Black Hole mechanic show flashes of brilliance, the experience is ultimately dragged down by a lack of polish and a “suspense” element that never truly lands.
RATING: 6.5 / 10