In the world of bullet hells, games like Cuphead, Enter the Gungeon, and Vampire Survivors have carved out a special place in recent years, notably on PC. These games are frenetic, fast-paced, and notoriously challenging. They share a kinship with traditional roguelikes, so if you’re someone who enjoys dodging bullets while solving intricate puzzles, chances are you’re also a fan of titles like Dead Cells and Cult of the Lamb. Now, imagine blending these elements with the creative talent behind the beloved Steam cult hit Helltaker, and you have Awaria—a game drawing near-flawless reviews and available for the unbeatable price of free.
Awaria is the brainchild of Łukasz Piskorz, who you might recognize under the developer alias vanripper. It’s a bullet hell title with a twist—a semi-roguelike, free on Steam, and boasting a unique storyline. You step into the shoes of the head of engineering and maintenance at a dilapidated sci-fi prison. Your task is to ensure the continuous operation of shield generators, ventilation systems, and other crucial equipment. Each level introduces you to a malfunctioning device alongside two smaller machines that provide the necessary components. The process sounds straightforward: gather the parts, fix the gadget, and complete the task. However, things are not that simple, thanks to a few unexpected hurdles.
Firstly, those component dispensers take time to produce the parts, and as you dive deeper into Awaria, repairs become increasingly intricate. You’ll find yourself dealing with more damaged machines, each demanding a more complex set of replacement pieces that take longer to fabricate. Adding to the chaos, malevolent ghost girls wander the corridors, intent on thwarting your efforts with pipe wrenches, pliers, and other tools of destruction.
Without means of defense, your strategy hinges on swiftly navigating between machines while eluding these ghostly adversaries. If you’re taken down, your trusty support droid might bring you back, but respawns are scarce, and the levels soon feel suffocatingly tight. As with all great bullet hells, you’ll need to master the art of nimble dodging and study the spectral foes’ attack patterns.
Complete your repairs without getting clobbered, and you might discover that these vengeful spirits are amenable to a bit of affection—perhaps a hug and some cupcakes are in order, reminiscent of Helltaker, where wooing the fiercest demon girls was the ultimate goal. In Awaria, there’s a romance narrative waiting to unfold.
Since its launch on Monday, December 16, Awaria has gathered an impressive 2,400 reviews resulting in a 96% positive rating on Steam. Given that Helltaker achieved a similar feat with a 97% score after 122,000 reviews, it’s safe to say vanripper knows how to deliver. And if these accolades aren’t enough to tempt you, remember—Awaria comes with zero cost attached. Simply head over to Steam to get your copy.
If Awaria doesn’t pique your interest, you might want to check out some of the best indie or new PC games catching buzz right now.
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