Amid Evil: The Black Labyrinth Review

Amid Evil: The Black Labyrinth

Developed By: Indefatigable

Published By: New Blood Interactive

Date of Release: August 17, 2023

Price: $9.95

Amid Evil, the retro-inspired first-person shooter from developer Indefatigable and publisher New Blood Interactive already offered an exhilarating and enchanting experience that pays homage to the classic era of fast-paced shooters while injecting its own unique twists and turns. With its mesmerizing visuals, imaginative level design, and creative arsenal of weapons, Amid Evil delivers a captivating journey through arcane landscapes that will keep both old-school and modern FPS fans engaged. And now with the release of it's prequel DLC campaign titled The Black Labyrinth, there is even more reason to revisit this amazing experience.

One of the standout features of Amid Evil: The Black Labyrinth is its striking visual style, powered by the formidable Unreal engine. The game takes players on a whirlwind tour of diverse realms, each with its own distinct theme and atmosphere. From eerie, moonlit forests to lava-choked infernos, Amid Evil showcases a masterful blend of pixel art and modern effects such as RTX raytracing and reflections, creating an eye-catching amalgamation of retro aesthetics and contemporary graphics. The attention to detail in the level design contributes to the game's immersive and often surreal environment, making every new area a delight to explore.

Amid Evil's weapon selection deserves special mention. Departing from the conventional arsenal of guns found in many shooters, the game arms players with an array of mystical weapons, including enchanted staves, deadly swords, and destructive spells. Each weapon has a unique secondary fire mode that encourages experimentation and strategic thinking. The creative design of these weapons, combined with their satisfyingly impactful sound effects, lends an undeniable sense of power to the player's actions, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. The game's pacing is built around relentless action, delivering waves of enemies that challenge players' reflexes and decision-making abilities. Fast movement, quick thinking, and adapting to different combat scenarios become vital as you navigate through each level's varied challenges. The difficulty curve can be quite steep at times, providing a worthy challenge for genre veterans, but newcomers might find themselves struggling to keep up.

However, Amid Evil: The Black Labyrinth is not without its minor shortcomings. The narrative and story elements are intentionally minimalistic, prioritizing gameplay over plot depth. While this approach aligns with the game's retro influences, some players may find themselves wanting more context for the world they're exploring. Additionally, the absence of a multiplayer mode might disappoint those who enjoy competing or cooperating with friends online.

All in all though, Amid Evil: The Black Labyrinth is a captivating and visually enchanting journey into a mystical realm that successfully captures the essence of classic first-person shooters such as Heretic and Hexen while adding its own flavor. Its breathtaking art style, imaginative level design, awesome score by Andrew Hulshult, and creative weapon mechanics make for an engaging experience that is sure to resonate with fans of the genre. Amid Evil : The Black Labyrinth stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of old-school FPS gameplay in a modern gaming landscape.