When you’ve been gaming for a while, certain things start to just feel natural. You know, it’s a bit strange, but I’ve reached a point where I can usually tell if I’m going to like a game within the first ten minutes. And no, this isn’t always about my personal taste. There have been plenty of times I’ve tried something unexpected and ended up loving it. It’s more of a gut instinct. Generally, my intuition is spot on. That’s why I often say you don’t have to finish an entire game to give it a thoughtful review; you just need to be fair. Game mechanics tend to stay consistent, so if you’re not enjoying yourself in the first hour, chances are slim it’ll improve after five. I bring this up because I’ve been playing Cryptical Path on PC and, by the end of the tutorial, I was head over heels for it. I’ll break it down more as we go, but this might just be one of my top picks for 2025, and considering we’re only in January, that’s quite the statement.
In Cryptical Path, you step into the role of The Architect, summoned to a place called the Hexium, basically a prison under your command that’s now in chaos. A doppelganger has seized control, claiming they’re the true master of the place and aren’t too thrilled about your arrival. To make it worse, they’ve unleashed all the prisoners and even altered them. You’ll have to muster all your abilities to prevent the situation from spiraling into mayhem. And dealing with another figure sporting skills uncannily like yours doesn’t make it any easier.
Now, Cryptical Path is a roguelite, but not your run-of-the-mill one. Instead of following a preset map, you’ll create one along the way. As The Architect, you’re constructing and managing everything within The Hexium. That means you’re adding rooms and everything inside them. The tricky part is you don’t know what might guard those rooms thanks to the Doppelganger’s influence. You’ve got power, yes, but not absolute power, and that’s downright unsettling when it’s your domain.
As I said earlier, things won’t always go your way in Cryptical Path. Building new rooms is essential, but also costly. Your powers have limits, and if you exceed them, you’re courting trouble. This is depicted in control points—each room you create costs some points. Run short, and you risk attracting a curse. While these curses might start as minor issues, ignore them and you’ll quickly find yourself in hot water. So a bit of strategic thinking goes a long way.
At its core, Cryptical Path might seem another platform-based roguelite, but believe me, that doesn’t matter. Its mechanics add enough unique twists to keep things fresh, yet it’s the game’s style that truly shines. The sheer amount of care and attention poured into it is evident, and it charms you the minute you start.
Think of Cryptical Path like playing through a 90s cartoon, hitting all the right nostalgic notes. It’s reminiscent of if Adult Swim transformed a series into a game. That’s how you make something that’s perfectly edgy and mature for us seasoned gamers, while still captivating the younger crowd. Honestly, if this game turned up as a TV series tomorrow, I’d be glued to the screen watching every episode. It’s beautifully written, packed with intriguing characters, and above all, a joy to play.
A quick side note about Cryptical Path: let’s talk about controls. A lot of PC games insist a gamepad is a must, though normally that’s not really needed. Sure, it might make your life easier, but gaming with a mouse and keyboard usually works just fine. However, here I wholeheartedly suggest using a controller. I tried both options and trust me, you’ll hit your targets more consistently with one. It’s not a dealbreaker if you go without it, just a heads-up that it might not be optimal.
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I struggled to find flaws while reviewing a game. And with Cryptical Path, I’m at a loss. If you’re a fan of platformers or roguelites—or both—this game should be at the top of your list. Don’t expect groundbreaking new mechanics, but do expect a beautifully executed game that truly excels.
Well, I’m out of critiques, so I’ll wrap this up. Cryptical Path is a game deserving of a quick console release, and I reckon it’s going to be a hit with PS4, Xbox One, and Switch players. The Architect is officially my new favorite character, and I hope this marks the start of an IP we’ll enjoy for years to come. Absolutely top-notch stuff all around!
And here’s a quick rundown: Cryptical Path, visually stunning with a strong narrative, nails the controls and boasts high replayability—a flawless 10/10 in every aspect.
