Versebound is a fun and (very) challenging take on the bullet heaven genre.

The Good:

- Overall solid gameplay that allows for fun skill expression (aim-able attacks and active skill)
- Very nice sound design and music. They really gave a nice atmosphere to the game.
- Discovering secrets and unlocks is a lot of fun (and they change the hub!). They all have a lot of character to them and offer nice exploration objectives.
- The game has a fresh theme and nice art to back it up. I'm happy to fight some unique looking critters and not just goblins, skeletons, and dragons.
- A lot of the weapons and their evolutions are just straight up very fun and satisfying to use.
- No bugs/performance issues so far (except for one where I managed to chunk the boss for half its health, I like that bug tho)
- Pet-able dog

The Bad (Being a little more thorough in this section because I like the game and hope to see it improve!):

- The meta progression overall pretty bland (the crow is cool but most of the others are just stat-ups/boring) and the most impactful progression is character specific, so it really punishes you for trying out a new character.
- Active skills are pretty boring and their upgrades feel weak (especially for how hard they can be to upgrade). All three of the skills are essentially just a dash with slightly different steps (jump, slide, and teleport).
- The game has some pretty significant balance issues. Certain weapons and poems (stat upgrades) are just far better than the others and it isn't particularly close. Melee/close range weapons aren't nearly strong enough to take over the long range options and the game feels far too punishing without the damage reduction poem. Since this game has a limited number of weapons, I find myself resetting runs until I get a start that looks promising and that isn't the most fun type of gameplay.

The Meh:

- The difficulty can feel very unfair/punishing until you get familiar with the game's meta. It's possible to die in ~1 second from full health. I put this in meh because the other games I've played in the genre have been way too easy so I've been craving a challenge.
- New weapon unlocks are few and far between and there are no unlockable poems (to my knowledge). Understandable since the game reasonably priced and is made by a new studio. The game is fun so I just wish there was more to play with.
- While you progress the main quest, you get 'rewarded' with trials. They essentially just make the game harder and give you an unlock if you activate them. This is fine, it's just a little disappointing that they're unlocked before beating a run/when I need help and not an extra challenge.

Overall Score: 7/10 - would love to see the game receive more updates and content in the future!

A cute Finish Bullet Heaven that incorporates a lot of the Finish folklore into the game. Nothing super novel and lack of controller support on launch is a bit disappointing, but hopefully the devs will correct this if there is enough demand for it.

Versebound: A Roguelike Rhapsody of Finnish Mythology

Versebound is an action roguelike that plunges players into the rich and mystical world of Finnish mythology. Developed by Conifer Digital, this game weaves together elements of bullet-hell gameplay, compelling storytelling, and a unique artistic vision.

One of the standout features of Versebound is its distinctive setting. Drawing inspiration from the Kalevala, Finland's epic poem, the game immerses players in a world teeming with mythical creatures, ancient forests, and powerful magic. This is not your typical fantasy setting, and the fresh take on folklore provides a captivating backdrop for the action.

The gameplay in Versebound is both challenging and rewarding. Players will face hordes of enemies and engage in intense, bullet-hell-style combat. What makes the game truly shine, however, is its innovative weapon and power system. The weapons feel impactful and satisfying to use, and the variety of powers allows for diverse playstyles and build customization. Experimenting with different combinations of weapons and abilities is a key part of the fun, and it adds significant replay value. The game encourages players to learn from their mistakes, adapt their strategies, and become progressively stronger with each run.

The game's pixel art style is both beautiful and evocative, capturing the spirit of the Finnish mythology while giving the game a unique visual identity. The soundtrack, crafted by dungeon synth artist Elyvilon, complements the visuals perfectly, creating an immersive and atmospheric experience.

In summary, Versebound is a highly enjoyable roguelike that offers a fresh and exciting take on the genre. Its unique setting, engaging gameplay, and compelling weapon and power system make it a standout title. If you're a fan of roguelikes, bullet-hell action, or rich mythology, Versebound is definitely worth checking out.