Tainted Keep Review

Besides the obvious coolness of magic and knights and dragons, part of the appeal of fantasy is the idea of exploring huge, ancient worlds unspoiled by modernity. We want out of our comfort zones and want dungeons to kick our butts to make it all the sweeter when we finally crawl all over them. Tainted Keep provides such a world, and delivers it with striking visuals for good measure.

Aside from a short prologue, players are thrown into the dense, sprawling caverns of Tainted Keep with hardly any context. If they want answers, they have to go out and find them. While the world isn't entirely non-linear (players have a helpful spirit to point them in the right direction), it still demands a hefty amount of exploration. Players will learn they're not ready to enter a certain zone only after it kills them, much like in the original Legend of Zelda. Meanwhile, it takes some Metroid-esque thinking to reveal the way forward. Players progress by gaining new abilities and putting them to good use. For example, after finding the light spell in a treasure chest guarded by a powerful foe, players can illuminate a deadly dark room to make it more hospitable. Then, after finding the fire spell in said dark room, they can open doors marked with fire symbols.

These environmental puzzles are never too head-scratching, but half the challenge of solving them comes from just surviving the numerous enemies swarming the caverns. This is where the game almost becomes a lite version of Dark Souls. Combat is slow, tense, and deliberate. Players must be patient and guard effectively to win – especially against enemies that can cut through defenses. The game uses an odd dual-stick control scheme where players block and slash by holding in various directions, but it doesn't feel any more effective than simple virtual buttons would have been. Players must take control of the situation by settling into patterns, avoiding crowds, and taking on foes one at a time. Newer weapons increase strength, and trapped souls improve stamina, but even the easier difficulties require constant vigilance.

But being forced to pay attention to Tainted Keep‘s beautifully depicted dark fantasy world is far from a punishment. The detailed environments, atmospheric lighting, and creative art direction push the player deeper into the already immersive experience. Players can slay a horde of enemies, wander far away, and come back to still see the exquisite pile of bodies.

When done right, fantasy can create worlds we escape to and never want to leave. The great-playing and even greater-looking Tainted Keep offers just that, provided your fantasies have a more unforgiving, hardcore bent. It's a keeper.