PGC NEWS

The crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has seen its share of both triumphs and failures. While some projects, like Mighty No. 9, have fallen short of expectations, others, like The Banner Saga, Shovel Knight, and Divinity: Original Sin, have flourished. Children of Morta, a game initially promised in 2015 but finally released in 2019, joins the ranks of successful Kickstarter projects, offering a unique and engaging experience despite a few shortcomings.

alt text: Screenshot of Children of Morta gameplay showcasing the pixel art style and characters.

A Compelling Narrative and Stunning Visuals

Children of Morta tells the story of the Bergson family, their struggles, and sacrifices as they confront the Corruption, a sinister force threatening their world. The narrative, a crucial element of the game, evokes a range of emotions, drawing players into the Bergsons’ world through poetic prose and a warm, inviting narration.

The game’s pixel art style is breathtaking. The vibrant landscapes, detailed characters, and menacing enemies create a visually stunning experience that transcends the limitations of the pixel art medium. The artistic presentation alone makes Children of Morta a worthwhile experience.

alt text: Screenshot from Children of Morta highlighting the detailed environments and pixel art style.

A Unique Roguelike Journey

As a roguelike game, death is a core mechanic. Players venture into procedurally generated dungeons, striving to survive and progress. While repetition can be a concern in roguelikes, Children of Morta mitigates this through several clever design choices. Each return to a dungeon presents a new layout, along with side quests, mini-games, and helpful items to discover. Players gradually acquire relics, increasing their power and diversifying gameplay. While some encountered characters and storylines within the dungeons feel superficial, the constantly shifting landscape and evolving character builds keep the experience fresh.

alt text: Gameplay screenshot from Children of Morta showing a character fighting enemies.

Diverse Characters and Gameplay

Children of Morta features six playable Bergson family members, each with distinct skills and playstyles. Linda, the archer, excels at ranged combat but is vulnerable up close. Joey, the tank, deals heavy damage but is slow. Lucy, the younger daughter, can create decoys to distract enemies. This variety encourages experimentation and adaptation, further enhancing replayability.

The game also cleverly manages character usage through the Corruption mechanic. Overuse of a character leads to negative status effects, requiring players to switch to another family member. This system prevents focusing solely on one character while encouraging exploration of the entire roster. Furthermore, unlocking skills provides benefits to the entire family, mitigating any potential drawbacks from switching characters. In-game currency plays a vital role, enabling upgrades that benefit all family members.

alt text: Image from Children of Morta showcasing the game's art style and characters in a dramatic scene.

Balancing Issues

Despite its strengths, Children of Morta suffers from some balancing issues. Some characters, like Lucy, are significantly more fragile than others, requiring players to grind in earlier areas to remain viable. This disparity in character strength, combined with the game’s encouragement of diverse character usage, hints at a design geared towards multiplayer, although the promised local co-op feature is currently absent.

The balancing issues extend beyond character design to items and skills. Some items have excessively long cooldown periods, disrupting the game’s flow and requiring players to adopt suboptimal strategies.

alt text: Screenshot from Children of Morta showing a character facing a large enemy.

Conclusion

Children of Morta ultimately delivers a compelling roguelike experience with a captivating narrative, stunning visuals, and diverse gameplay. However, its balancing issues, particularly regarding character viability and item cooldowns, hold it back from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, Children of Morta stands as a testament to the possibilities of Kickstarter and offers a unique and engaging adventure.