VARLET Review – A Dark Roguelike Journey into Madness

Introduction

VARLET is a roguelike dungeon crawler that dives deep into surreal horror and strategic combat. Developed by indie creators passionate about blending gothic atmosphere with challenging mechanics, the game invites players to explore cursed realms filled with grotesque enemies, cryptic lore, and merciless traps. But does VARLET stand out in the crowded roguelike genre, or does it get lost in the shadows? Let’s find out.

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around procedurally generated dungeons filled with deadly foes and unpredictable hazards. Each run offers new weapon combinations and artifacts, keeping combat fresh and strategic.

Combat: Fast-paced with a mix of melee, ranged, and spell-based attacks. Timing and positioning are crucial, as enemies often swarm in numbers.
Progression: Like most roguelikes, death is permanent, but meta-upgrades allow for incremental power growth, giving each attempt more weight.
Replayability: High replay value thanks to randomization and unlockable characters, though difficulty spikes can frustrate casual players.

Story

The narrative in VARLET is intentionally vague, leaning heavily on environmental storytelling and cryptic texts scattered throughout the dungeon. You play as a tormented soul bound by a curse, unraveling mysteries of the underworld.

While not as story-heavy as other titles, the dark and fragmented lore creates a sense of unease and curiosity that fits the theme well. Players who enjoy piecing together hidden meanings will appreciate this approach.

Graphics

VARLET uses a pixel-art horror style, reminiscent of retro dungeon crawlers but with modern lighting effects and grotesque monster designs.

Strengths: Atmospheric visuals, eerie dungeon layouts, and unsettling character sprites.
Weaknesses: Limited animation frames can feel stiff, and environments sometimes look repetitive across runs.

The visual design successfully builds a disturbing yet beautiful world that enhances immersion.

Performance

Optimized to run smoothly across PC and consoles, VARLET doesn’t demand high-end hardware.

PC (Steam): Stable 60 FPS, even on mid-range setups.
PS5 & Xbox Series X: Crisp resolution and fast loading times.
Nintendo Switch: Runs well in handheld mode with minor frame drops during large enemy swarms.

Overall, performance is consistent, with only small hiccups on Switch.

VARLET is a solid entry into the roguelike dungeon crawler genre. With its dark atmosphere, strategic combat, and haunting presentation, it appeals to fans of games like Darkest Dungeon and Dead Cells. While not perfect, its eerie charm and challenging gameplay loop make it worth diving into—if you’re ready to embrace the madness.