I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m terrible at Soulslike games. It took me over 80 tries to beat the Cleric Beast in Bloodborne -- that’s right, the first boss -- making me the butt of jokes in my friend group to this day. Frustratingly, the dark and haunting worlds typically seen in these titles appeal greatly to me, leaving me continuously bitter and disappointed at my own lack of skill and gumption. Tyrant’s Realm has proven to be the perfect remedy to my failings, numbing the pain of standard Soulslike combat by injecting the game with an addictive and atmospheric roguelite gameplay loop. Death isn’t to be feared, but welcomed, as it opens the door to new and better equipment and upgrades that give the game’s protagonist a better chance to thrive and survive.
Players step into the shoes (or lack thereof) of an unlucky prisoner tasked with defeating the Tyrant, a supreme being attempting to take control of the entire universe. The world has fallen into darkness and decay, with the dingy prison at the game’s start setting the stage for the environments to come, including the aptly named Torture Pit and the trap-ridden Royal Hunting Grounds.
The blending of genres in Tyrant’s Realm would be a novel enough approach, but there’s another draw that is made abundantly clear from the moment you boot up the game. The developers at Team Tyrant managed to craft a title that could have been a PS1 mega-hit three decades ago, even including a CRT filter and a Box-TV mode for those eager to relive their younger years. The vibes are immaculate, and the gameplay is easy to learn, but difficult to master.
Tyrant's Realm is Hard to Put Down
The first time I turned on Tyrant’s Realm, I played for almost six hours without noticing how much time had passed. “One more,” I kept saying to myself, promising that I’d give it a rest after the next run and get to the chores that needed doing. Admittedly, I was concerned about my poor track record with Soulslikes, with my horrific failures in recent games like Lies of P and Black Myth: Wukong fresh in my mind and treading on my already diminished confidence. My worries were misplaced, because every moment I’ve spent with Tyrant’s Realm has been a blast--even when the Game Over screen popped up for the 20th time, the 30th time, and the 40th time.
The game’s tutorial is short and sweet, only taking around five minutes to complete. Players can attack, guard, and roll, though they must have enough stamina to accomplish any of these actions. This is what took the most time to get used to and what got me killed the most often during early runs. Focused entirely on staying alive, I neglected to keep an eye on my stamina meter, depleting it without realizing it and immediately getting killed because I didn’t have the strength to hold up my shield or expertly roll out of danger. You'll occasionally discover Runes as you explore, which can boost your HP, attack power, and defense, making it easier to reach the next stage.
Treasure chests dot the game's different maps, along with barrels that can be broken to occasionally reveal gold and loot. During my time with the title, I actually found more powerful weapons and tougher armor in nondescript barrels, with chests only sometimes revealing a worthwhile upgrade. Eager to kill enemies more quickly, stronger weapons are always welcome, though I tend to focus less on armor strength. Tyrant's Realm is, after all, a Soulslike, and the key to victory is knowing when to dodge incoming attacks. Standing your ground isn't the play, and while being able to withstand an extra hit can come in clutch during a particularly demanding fight, the best option is simply to keep moving. Weapon and armor blueprints can occasionally be found, offering even more formidable options, but again, these just feel like bonuses. One thing worth seeking out, however, are items with special effects, as these can make or break a playthrough. Being able to add poison to my weapon helped me make short work of the title's first boss, and equipping a shield that boosts stamina regeneration is never a bad idea.
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