Mortal Sin Review

Mortal Sin is the latest solo project from developer Nicola Todorovic, and it's already making waves in the roguelike scene. Hailing from a solo development background, Nicola has poured countless hours into shaping a game that doesn't just ask for your attention but rather demands it.

The game's been on the Early Access scene for a few years now, but the official release has finally made its way, gaining positive reviews already, and we assure you that this is going to be no different. Mortal Sin isn't a sequel, but it carries the spirit of classics like Diablo, Dark Messiah, and other melee-focused roguelikes.

The idea behind the project was to ensure that no two runs felt exactly the same using dynamic generation with hack-and-slash combat. From the start, it was clear that this game would be a love letter to players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay with a focus on skill and strategy. And, of course, a heavy-metal aesthetic to make every swing feel epic.

Story isn't Mortal Sin's main selling point—and the developer knows it. There's no lengthy lore dump, and yet the game manages to craft an engaging premise through its atmosphere. You play as the Struggler, a lone figure who wakes in a graveyard that's in ruins after a wish gone horribly wrong. The goal is simple: hack and slash through an array of enemies and confront the embodiment of sin itself, a hellish world that sucks you into chaos every time you try escaping it.

Despite the minimal storytelling, the world does a lot of the narrative heavy lifting. The Hub world, your safe zone between runs, evolves as you progress. Initially empty, it later does a world of good, allowing you to refill potions, craft new gear, train on dummies, and prepare for the next run.

The Hub could have been a storytelling hub, too, but unfortunately, you are not getting a story out of this game if you are looking for one. It's still functional and works as a strategic base, reinforcing the game's focus on action. Boss encounters and environmental storytelling, like ruined statues and foreboding traps, fill in the gaps of a story you mostly create through gameplay.

Gameplay is the heart of the experience, and Mortal Sin delivers here, especially in combat, which clearly is where most of the focus has been put by the developers. But before diving into combat, a special mention should go to the levels and designs of the game. The levels are procedurally generated.

Interactive features will present you with orbs, new loot, or cash. The most significant orb is the red one, which fills your health potion, which is necessary for survival. You fill your Mana potion with the blue one, but it's not what you think it is. Basically, you use Mana potions to prevent your gear from breaking because its durability wears off rather quickly. It's a mechanic that works really well. It brings a fresh, potentially game-changing level of tension to the game without being punishing.

From time to time, the levels also offer a bonus area. You enter a portal and have to complete a platforming puzzle. The catch is that every time you die, regardless of where you die, the game ends, and you have to start over. But you are guaranteed a permanent reward, like a combo buff or health buff, if you manage to overcome the puzzle.

The main focus of Mortal Sin is melee combat. The game features a short optional tutorial at the start, where you learn the basics; however, you can also opt for a more challenging approach. Well, it's not too hard anyway, but you will get the hang of the gameplay as you put in more hours.

You can dash, block, parry, kick, and use normal and heavy attacks. The game also encourages you to deal with enemies more effectively by using the environment to force them into the level's many pits and traps, akin to Dark Messiah, but the difference is in the combat, which levels up a notch.

Combat also allows you to get creative with combos. For example, you have a bash and a kick. Doing a kick and a normal sword swing results in a free power attack. A whirlwind attack is triggered by bashing and then swinging. The combat is the showstopper. The feeling of slicing through enemies with your sword is tremendously satisfying.

As you advance in the game, the class system becomes available. All classes are incredibly fun to use and vary greatly from one another, from Swordsmen who only engage in melee combat to Ninjas, Mages, and many more. Each class has a different build, and they all feel distinctly different. All have their strengths and weaknesses but feel fair overall.

As for progression, it's nothing new. While running through a level, you'll find loot, ranging from weapons to different types of armor. These can increase your stats or grant you special abilities, such as the ability to dance invincibly or make your kick shoot fireballs.

All the items also have durability. The more you use them, or the more you get buffs, the faster their durability drops. You'll need to keep an eye on them and drink a repair potion to keep your gear functional.

Mortal Sin's art style is unique, to say the least, and unapologetically heavy metal. The world is mostly black-and-white alongside bright red traps, distinct blue enemies, and more neutral chests and objects than we'd like. Blood effects are spectacular, though, making each strike feel impactful.

The visuals may not be the best of the best, but there's no denying the identity it gives the game. The comic-book-like look matches the tone set by the combat, creating a visual experience to remember.

Customization options allow you to experiment with color schemes and tone down distractions, which will help during combat-heavy moments. Sound design is another major perk. Every swing feels satisfying thanks to high-quality effects.

The music adapts dynamically, calming during exploration and intensifying into a heavy-metal-esque head jammer during combat. Enemy deaths also sound impactful, making each encounter weighty and exciting. Audio cues also assist in tracking enemy attacks, making combat all the more immersive.

Mortal Sin is not perfect by any means, but coming from a solo dev, we can cut the man some slack, right guys? It excels in what matters most for a roguelike, which, truth be told, remains combat and strategy, and the game ticks those boxes.

The unique heavy-metal visual style is a standout feature, but the combat is a tier above, and thoughtful sound design makes it much more compelling, especially for a game developed by a solo dev. Nicola Todorovic deserves all the praise he can possibly get.

But as for the game itself, if you enjoy roguelikes that test your skill, Mortal Sin is well worth your time. Despite its flaws, it's tense, addictive, and a real gem for fans of heavy metal aesthetics and melee combat.