A Fresh Take on Soulslike Gameplay with Hark the Ghoul
As a fan of Lunacid and Bloodborne, I immediately fell in love with this first-person bugborne that cribs the best quick melee in PC gaming. Hark the Ghoul is a dungeon crawler that channels the spirit of King's Field and the gothic horror of Bloodborne, offering a unique blend of exploration, combat, and world-building that feels both familiar and fresh.
The game begins with a classic Soulslike scenario, where you play as an anthropomorphic bug person who has died and is now tasked with exploring a chaotic bug kingdom. This world is filled with freaky and eerie environments, and the game's aesthetic leans heavily into the gothic horror that fans of Bloodborne will appreciate. The vibe is reminiscent of Lunacid, but with a much darker and more twisted setting that feels like a fresh take on the genre.
Character Creation and Immersion
What really stood out to me during the demo was the character creation system. Unlike traditional class-based systems that offer mechanical differences, Hark the Ghoul uses nine different backgrounds that influence how NPCs react to you. For example, choosing the "Militiaman" background led to a merchant assuming I was some kind of informer, which added a layer of immersion and storytelling that I found incredibly engaging.
The attention to detail in the game's world-building is evident in small touches, like the floating weapon viewmodel and the unique leg animations for kick attacks. These details contribute to a more immersive experience, making the world feel alive and cohesive. Each character background even has unique pants and foot designs, which might seem minor but really add to the overall atmosphere.
Combat and Gameplay Mechanics
Speaking of combat, the quick melee kick in Hark the Ghoul is a standout feature. It’s clear that the developers took inspiration from Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, a game known for its fast-paced melee combat. The kick itself doesn’t deal damage, but it can push enemies back and send physics objects flying. This mechanic opens up creative possibilities, such as kicking enemies into pits or using crates to deal damage to foes.
The first spell you get is a rock that can be kicked into enemies, which is a clever and fun twist on traditional magic systems. While the sword fighting didn't wow me, the combination of the kick and spells is enough to keep me excited. The game’s trailers also showcase a variety of weapons, including a harpoon that can be thrown, stuck in walls, and used for platforming, which adds another layer of gameplay variety.
Performance and Platform Considerations
One thing to note is that while the developers haven’t officially announced Steam Deck support, I tried running the game on the handheld. Performance was decent in the starting dungeon, with nearly locked 60 fps, but it dropped significantly to around 20 fps when I ventured into the city proper. This suggests that Hark the Ghoul is currently optimized for desktop platforms, at least for now.
If you're a fan of Lunacid and Bloodborne, you'll likely enjoy Hark the Ghoul when it releases later this year. You can wishlist the game and check out the demo for yourself on Steam. The PC Gaming Show returns on Sunday, June 7 at 12 pm PDT, so be sure to tune in for more exciting reveals and updates.
