Skul: The Hero Slayer
Developer(s)
  • SouthPAW Games
Publisher(s)
  • Neowiz
Platform(s)
ReleaseLinux, macOS, Microsoft Windows,
January 21, 2021
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
October 21, 2021
Genre(s)Roguelike, Action-Platformer
Mode(s)Single-player

Skul: The Hero Slayer is a 2021 roguelike-action platformer developed by SouthPAW Games and published by Neowiz. The game was released on January 21, 2021 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, and launched on October 21, 2021 for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.[1][2] In the game, players control a skeleton named Skul as he attempts to save demonkind from their enemies, the heroes. The player can remove Skul's head for different skulls, granting new combat abilities across randomly-generated levels.[3] The game received positive reviews on release.

Gameplay

Skul: The Hero Slayer is a 2D side-scrolling action platformer with roguelike elements. The player controls a living skeleton named Skul, who serves as a soldier in the Demon King's army. As Skul, the player must traverse randomly-generated levels to save the denizens of the Demon King's castle who were captured by the heroes.[4] Skul can slash enemies with his Bone, dodge attacks, and throw his skull to damage enemies or teleport to where it landed.[5] The player can remove Skul's head and replace it with a skull that he finds, giving him new abilities in combat. Skul can equip up to two heads at a time, and can switch between both during combat.[6]

Levels are procedurally generated, and have a boss at the end of every three stages. At the end of each level, Skul may choose between two doors, which have different contents inside. Levels may contain a new skull, gold, shops, or a sanctuary area where Skul can spend gold in exchange for hit points or helpful items.[7]

Reception

The game received generally favorable reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8] Travis Northrup of IGN compared the game to Dead Cells and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, praising the diversity in playstyles that the skulls offered, while criticizing the game's bosses as repetitive.[9] Alex Orona of Nintendo World Report liked the game's music and fast-paced combat, but considered the story sparse and simplistic.[7] Ben Kuchera of Polygon enjoyed the enemy behavior and combat execution, saying it outweighed a poorly translated story and repetitive music.[10]

Sales

As of January 2022 the game had sold over 1 million copies worldwide.[11] Meanwhile, as of December 2023, the game had sold over 2 million copies.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Skul: The Hero Slayer launches January 21, 2021 for PC, in early 2021 for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch". Gematsu. 2020-12-14. Archived from the original on 2021-02-18. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  2. ↑ "Skul: The Hero Slayer for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch launches October 21". Gematsu. 2021-10-14. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  3. ↑ "An Action Platformer Perf For Those Too Chicken For Halloween". Kotaku. 2021-10-29. Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  4. ↑ "ShackStream: Indie-licious rattles some spooky bones in Skul: The Hero Slayer". Shacknews. 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  5. ↑ Hogarty, Steve (2020-03-03). "Premature Evaluation - Skul: The Hero Slayer". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  6. ↑ "Skul: The Hero Slayer is like Hades in 2D, and it's a cracker". Eurogamer.net. 2021-01-28. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  7. 1 2 "Skul: The Hero Slayer Review - Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  8. ↑ "Skul: The Hero Slayer for PC reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  9. ↑ Northup, Travis (2021-01-27). "Skul: The Hero Slayer Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  10. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (2021-02-09). "Skul: The Hero Slayer has few new ideas, but plenty of great moments". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  11. ↑ "Skul: The Hero Slayer Has Sold Over 1M Copies Across the Globe". Gamespress. Archived from the original on 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  12. ↑ Bolding, Jonathan (2023-12-30). "Action roguelike Skul: The Hero Slayer has sold more than 2M copies". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
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