There’s a certain magic to gaming where after enough time, some things just come naturally. It’s intriguing how quickly I can now determine if I’m going to enjoy a game—usually within the first ten minutes. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s all about personal taste. In fact, I’ve found myself enjoying games that I wouldn’t typically gravitate towards. It’s more of an intuitive reaction. Often, this gut feeling is spot on. That’s why I firmly believe you don’t need to finish a game to offer a fair review. You just need to be honest. Game loops generally don’t evolve dramatically, so if things are off in the early stages, it’s unlikely they’ll improve later. I mention this because I’ve been diving into Cryptical Path on my PC, and even before I completed the tutorial, I was hooked. As we delve deeper, I’ll tell you why this might just become one of my favorites of 2025—and it’s only January!
In Cryptical Path, players step into the role of The Architect. You’re summoned to the Hexium, a unique prison system under your control, and things are in disarray. A doppelganger is posing a threat, calling themselves the master of this space, and isn’t thrilled with your intrusion. To make matters worse, this entity has freed the prisoners and altered them in some way. You’re tasked with using your powers to prevent an already perilous situation from spiraling into total chaos. Complicating things further, the doppelganger seems to possess abilities that are unsettlingly familiar to your own.
Cryptical Path stands out as a captivating roguelite. Unlike typical games, you won’t be navigating a pre-set map—instead, you’ll be building it. As The Architect, you construct the Hexium and manage its contents. This means you place all the rooms and monsters within it. The twist? You’re never quite sure what’s lurking behind each door, thanks to the influence of the doppelganger. You’ve got power, but it’s not absolute, and dealing with that home court disadvantage is a challenge.
Not everything in Cryptical Path is predictable or easy. Crafting rooms is essential but pricey. Your powers have limits and going beyond them invites negative effects, represented as control points in the game. Each new room demands a certain amount, and overstretching yourself leads to curses. These start as small nuisances but can escalate, quickly becoming significant obstacles if not managed strategically.
At its essence, Cryptical Path is another platform roguelite. You might think that’s a downside, but you’d be mistaken. The mechanics provide enough novelty to keep things engaging, but it’s the style that truly sets the game apart. The love and detail poured into its creation are palpable, making it nearly impossible not to fall for it immediately.
Playing Cryptical Path feels like stepping into a perfectly executed 90s cartoon. Imagine if Adult Swim turned one of its iconic shows into a game—that’s the vibe. It’s perfectly edgy and mature enough to captivate older players while still retaining the intrigue and allure needed to engage younger audiences. Honestly, if this were to become a TV series, I’d be the first to binge on it. The characters are well-crafted, the storyline is compelling, and, most importantly, it’s simply fun.
One thing to note about Cryptical Path is the control setup. While many games suggest using a controller, for PC players, it’s not always essential. However, I would highly recommend it for this game. I tried both options and found the controller provided much more precision. It’s not mandatory, but definitely better. This doesn’t detract from the game, but it’s a point worth mentioning.
Reflecting on my experience with Cryptical Path, it’s difficult to find any real issues. If you’re a fan of platformers or roguelites—or both—this is a game you need to download immediately. Don’t expect groundbreaking mechanics, but do anticipate a masterclass in game design and execution.
In conclusion, I genuinely have almost nothing negative to say. Cryptical Path absolutely deserves a console release, and I’m confident it would thrive among PS4, Xbox, and Switch owners. The Architect has quickly become a favorite character, and I’m hopeful this is just the start of a long-lasting franchise. Fantastic work all around; we’ve got a real gem here!
