The Perfect Blend: Unleash Hellboy's Epic Adventure with Mesmerizing Comic Book Graphics and Thrilling Hades-inspired Gameplay

Hellboy: Web of Wyrd is an action brawler game developed by Upstream Arcade, an indie studio based in the UK. The game is set in 1980s Argentina and follows Hellboy as he ventures into the enigmatic Butterfly House, a mansion that serves as a gateway to other dimensions, in order to rescue a missing BRPD agent. During Gamescom 2023, we had the opportunity to try out a section of the game, playing around 20 minutes of the early stages.

In Web of Wyrd, players will battle their way through procedurally generated levels set in diverse biomes, each with its own unique stories. Along the journey, players will uncover a larger mystery by putting together fragments of information. Although Web of Wyrd features an original story that is not part of the established Hellboy canon, it does include references to the events and lore from the original 1990s comic series.

The Web of Wyrd, developed in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics and acclaimed artist Mike Mignola, successfully captures Mignola's distinct artistic style in a cel-shaded 3D format. The team at Upstream Arcade has faithfully recreated Mignola's iconic bold black borders and vibrant colors, with special moves that freeze frames and evoke the dynamic energy of a comic book.

In this game, titled Web of Wyrd, players guide Hellboy through procedurally generated levels, engaging in battles against various creatures. Along the way, players earn modifiers and upgrades that are commonly found in modern roguelike games. At the start of each run, players have the option to choose a weapon, with options such as a shotgun, grenade launcher, and Hellboy's iconic revolver showcased. Additionally, players can select a charm that grants a unique ability, which has a cooldown period. During our demo, we witnessed the charm in action as it allowed Hellboy to repel surrounding enemies with a powerful wave of energy.

The Butterfly House serves as a hub world where players can permanently upgrade and modify charms, weapons, and add elemental damage to Hellboy's attacks. These modifications can be made both during the run and in between runs. Although our hands-on experience was limited, it is evident that the potential for game-breaking builds, favored by fans of roguelikes, exists as Hellboy traverses the various depths of each biome.

Hellboy's combat style complements his brutish frame, emphasizing slow, deliberate movements and powerful attacks rather than mindless button-mashing. Heavy attacks, such as the revolver, are combined with swift hand-to-hand strikes to execute devastating combos. Additionally, players can make use of environmental elements like rubble to throw at enemies, while well-timed dodges, parries, and blocks provide a means to mitigate incoming enemy attacks.

Hellboy features a unique mechanic called the "Toughness" meter, acting as a posture bar that reduces damage taken from enemy attacks. However, if your Toughness is completely depleted, you become vulnerable. On the flip side, enemies also possess a Toughness meter, and depleting it through a series of attacks enables Hellboy to execute a powerful finishing move.

NPCs inhabit the central hub area of the Butterfly House in a manner reminiscent of Hades, adding depth to the world of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd. The game's capacity to seamlessly integrate its compelling storyline with its repetitive gameplay structure is still unproven. When a run ends in death, players are confronted with the message "The Tether Snaps…," suggesting that Hellboy's repeated descents into levels will be contextualized within the overarching narrative. Unfortunately, it was challenging to determine the extent of story reactivity from the brief demonstration.

During our hands-on session, the developer hinted that as you advance through the game's storyline, biomes that you have previously visited might undergo transformations and alterations. This serves as an incentive for players to revisit older biomes, offering more than just the typical grind for in-game currency for upgrades. If Upstream Arcade succeeds in creating an engaging narrative within a reactive world, woven into the framework of a roguelike game, then Web of Wyrd could be a delightful experience for both Hellboy and Hades enthusiasts. Mark your calendars as Hellboy: Web of Wyrd will be available on October 4 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.