Explore
Survive
Discover
Release Date: December 14th, 2018
Genre: Adventure (Roguelike)
Price: $24.99 USD (Part of the $5 back Winter of Arcade promo on Xbox)
Game Pass: Yes
Play Anywhere: Not listed as such.
Player(s): 1
Format: Digital
Developer/Publisher: Capybara Games
Size: 4.61GB (Xbox One)
What is Below?
Below is a top down adventure where you are tasked with exploring the labyrinths under a mysterious location known only as The Isle. Here you will defeat monstrous creatures and traverse environmental hazards/traps to descend deeper into the structure.
There are no tutorials, hints or dialogue in Below. The game is all about discovery: be that locations, story or even the basic play mechanics.
What happens when I die in-game?
Death is permanent. Once you die you lose your character but the body of the defeated wanderer and their equipment will persist into your next playthrough to rediscover. Your progress in the world (unlockable shortcuts) will also continue on regardless of your death.
How much of the game is randomly generated?
A significant portion. Below primarily consists of randomly generated environments but there are a couple handcrafted, constant, areas in Below in addition to a set style of levels as you descend deeper into the island (think of how the environments change at set intervals as you progress in Spelunky).
How long is Below?
As per the director of the game...
"It's definitely the longest game that we've ever made, for sure. I compare it roughly to the length of Diablo 1 [~14 Hours as listed on howlongtobeat], I would say it's over twenty hours for the first playthrough. Perhaps much more. If you've played Spelunky for example, it could have taken four or five hours to play through the first zone, and then reach the second zone and spend another four or five hours figuring that out and dying a whole lot.
Exclusive?
The game is having its "console debut" exclusively on Xbox One. Below will come to other platforms once that, unknown, window of exclusivity has passed. The PC release is not impacted by this.
Gamepass?
Yes, Below will be launching as part of Game Pass. Note: because the game is not announced to be a Play Anywhere title the Game Pass option will not be available on PC.
Xbox One X Enhancements?
Yes, Below supports the Xbox One X and will run at a native 4k/60fps on the console.
Metacritic (Xbox One) - 68
Metacritic (PC) - 70
Attack of the Fanboy 4/5
Worth the wait, Below is a Rouge lite that doesn't hold your hand and asks you figure out the rules of this world on your own. It makes for a fulfilling, albeit difficult journey.
PCGamer 68/100
Even after all this time, Below doesn't quite seem to be ready. More damagingly, it feels like it's been surpassed in places. During its long journey to the light, the survival genre has flourished. Few of its peers can match it for atmosphere, but from crafting to combat to campfire checkpoints, Below feels a little behind the times.
Game Informer 7.5/10
Below's death mechanics can be devastating and off-putting, and caused me to bounce off the game several times. The survival nags are annoying, and the grinding for a safety net feels like a busy chore, but the overall combination of stylized graphics and soundtrack create an incredible universe that begs to be experienced. You need serious tenacity and perseverance to see the sights, but they are wonders worth seeing.
Steam
Xbox
Official Site
Soundtrack (Digital, CD Preorder and Vinyl (2019))
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