REVIEW / Enigmatic Journey (PC)

After playing games for so long, it’s funny how certain skills become second nature. I’ve reached a point where I can often tell if I’m going to enjoy a game within the first ten minutes. It’s more of a gut feeling rather than just personal preference. There have been plenty of times I’ve been surprised by games outside my usual picks. This intuition is usually on point, too. That’s why I believe that you don’t need to complete a game to write a fair review; you just need to be impartial. Let’s face it, most game loops don’t change much over time, so if it’s not engaging in the first hour, it’s unlikely to win you over after five. This brings me to Cryptical Path on PC, a game I quickly fell for, even before I finished the tutorial. Despite it being only January, I’m already confident it’s a contender for my favorite game of 2025.

In Cryptical Path, you take on the role of The Architect. You’re summoned to the Hexium, a prison under your control, but chaos reigns. A doppelganger is now masquerading as its master and isn’t exactly thrilled about your appearance. Worse still, it’s freed the prisoners and altered them somehow. You’ll need to pull out all the stops to avoid complete mayhem. Having another entity roaming the place with abilities that mirror yours only adds to the havoc.

Cryptical Path is a roguelite with a twist. Instead of following a map, you’re creating one as you explore. As The Architect, you’re responsible for building The Hexium and determining its contents. However, thanks to the doppelganger’s tampering, you don’t know what dangers lie in wait. You have significant power, but not total, which is unsettling when it’s in your own domain.

As I said, not everything in Cryptical Path goes according to plan. Building rooms is essential but can be expensive. The game limits your reach through control points. Spending more than you have leads to curses—minor at first but potentially troublesome. You’ll need some strategy to steer clear of trouble.

Beneath its surface, Cryptical Path is fundamentally another platform roguelite. But this game throws enough unique mechanics into the mix to keep you engaged. More than anything, it’s the game’s style that stands out. Love and attention clearly permeate throughout, making it impossible not to be captivated.

Playing Cryptical Path reminds me of a 90s cartoon in the best possible way, akin to an Adult Swim series turned game. It achieves an edgy, grown-up appeal for older players while still bewitching younger gamers. If this were a new TV series, I’d be on the couch, binging every episode. It’s clever, packed with intriguing characters, and, above all, fun to play.

Let’s talk about controls: while most PC games suggest using a controller, in this instance, it’s not just optional—it’s preferable. Sure, you can use a mouse and keyboard, but precision improves significantly with a controller. It’s not a deal-breaker but something worth noting.

Trying to find defects here is challenging. I wholeheartedly recommend Cryptical Path if you’re into platformers, roguelites, or both. Don’t expect any groundbreaking mechanics, but look forward to a brilliant execution. This game is a masterclass in thoughtful game design.

To wrap things up, there’s nothing negative to point out, so I’ll stop here. Cryptical Path absolutely deserves a console release. PS4, Xbox, and Switch players would embrace it wholeheartedly. The Architect has become my favorite new character, and I sincerely hope this spawns a series we can all enjoy for years to come. Phenomenal work all around!

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In summary, Cryptical Path is a game that roguelite and platformer fans must try. The characters are so well-crafted that you’ll be eager to see more of them. This is a game I’ll be playing long-term and one I unreservedly recommend. Fantastic work all around!