Troglobytes Games’ RailGods of Hysterra is a survival game which needs an accessibility option if I’m going to keep playing. That’s because the text was incredibly tiny! Even on a 45 inch screen, I had trouble reading and there were no in-game controls to adjust contrast. I spent a week with the demo before deciding to get my eyes checked. They’re good, but even when I revisited it, I struggled with reading.
When there’s a game inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s fantasy world known as the Dreamlands. I’m certainly excited. Although it doesn’t borrow from any of ths stories, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time to find tie-in material. For now, this game is about surviving this world. When this version mixes up resource management, item builds and land exploration, I better be careful about what’s ’round the corner.
Half the game is about bulking up the sentient transport, a train made from parts of a Shoggoth, and the other concerns fighting beasts like they are from Blizzard’s flagship slasher game, Diablo! Instead of killing everything I can find, I spent more time pausing the game to see if I can identify the beasts using S. Petersons’s Guide to the Dreamlands. Although Chaosium intended this publication for their role-playing game, I’m sure the developers used their extensive book collection for inspiration.
What I’ve discovered so far is faithful, but I have explored little since. Again, the problem is with the text. Also, players should avoid areas like the frozen Plateau of Leng. The co-op design of this game gives me confidence to venture beyond the Enchanted Wood (where everyone starts), but I found some of this early game play janky. Thankfully, the early access version offers aims to offer the following:
- Improved Ranged Combat – Enhanced targeting, projectile mechanics, and responsiveness.
- Inventory Filters and Optimization – Streamlined item management for a better user experience.
- Polished Combat Feedback– More impactful hit reactions, animations, and combat feel.
- Madness Level Gameplay – Expanded mechanics tied to the Madness system, adding new strategic elements.
- Connected Chests– Improved resource management by linking storage across carriages.
- Corrupted RailGod Gameplay – New mechanics and interactions with a corrupted version of the RailGod.
Ultimately, until the full game’s release, I have not found too many story progress elements. Railgods has a lot of visual bits to admire, but that isn’t enough. I doubt wearing an additional pair of magnifiers can help pierce the cloud that’s over the game. Although I tried to drop the screen resolution, that didn’t help by much.
Pros:
- Based on a world that’s very well defined.
- Co-operative play Mode
Cons:
- Small text
- Controls aren’t all that intuitive
- Saved games are password protected. Keep a post-it nearby.
RailGods of Hysterra Trailer
