Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection is a game with interesting ideas that doesn't quite realize its full potential
What would you sacrifice to bring back someone you love? This central question drives Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection, a reimagining of the 2021 2D action RPG now presented in full 3D. While the premise and core story remain engaging, the execution leaves something to be desired despite some interesting mechanical ideas.
The shift from 2D to 3D represents the biggest change from the original release. While this allows for more complex environmental design and new gameplay elements like platforming, it doesn't necessarily improve the overall experience. The original's pixel art style had its own charm, and some may prefer it to the new 3D look.
The remake does add local co-op play and an expanded companion AI system, though the latter's effectiveness is somewhat hampered by technical issues. The core story and progression remain largely unchanged, but the presentation has been completely overhauled.
The narrative follows Tama, a former thief turned bodyguard, and her relationship with Koko, a priestess embarking on a pilgrimage. As their journey progresses, the two women develop deep feelings for each other. However, tragedy strikes when Koko dies, leaving a devastated Tama desperate to find a way to bring her beloved back. Her quest leads her to seek out the legendary Sword of the Necromancer, said to possess the power to resurrect the dead.
Upon obtaining the sword, Tama discovers it can indeed raise the dead - but only monsters, not her beloved Koko. The spirit of the Necromancer appears, taunting her with the possibility of gaining enough power to truly resurrect Koko if she can conquer the dungeon's depths and defeat its guardians. It's a compelling setup that explores themes of love, loss, and the lengths one might go to defy death itself.
The story unfolds through a mix of beautifully illustrated 2D cutscenes and in-game dialogue, with memories of Tama and Koko's relationship revealed as you progress deeper into the dungeon. Later in the game, you get to experience events from Koko's perspective as well, adding welcome depth to their relationship.
The core gameplay loop revolves around exploring procedurally generated dungeon floors while fighting monsters and collecting gear. The titular Sword of the Necromancer gives you the ability to resurrect defeated enemies and turn them into allies. You can have up to three raised monsters fighting alongside you at any time.
The monster-raising system is probably the game's most interesting feature. Each resurrected creature retains its abilities from when it was an enemy, and you can customize their behavior through a basic AI programming system. You can set priorities for your undead allies - like focusing on specific enemy types or helping solve environmental puzzles. Monsters also level up as they fight alongside you, gaining improved stats and abilities.
Combat itself is fairly straightforward, with basic light and heavy attacks plus the ability to dodge. You can equip two weapons alongside your necromantic sword, allowing for some variety in your approach. There's also a crafting system for upgrading gear, though it feels somewhat superfluous given the game's overall balance.
The transition to 3D brings with it new platforming elements and environmental puzzles that weren't present in the original 2D version. You'll need to navigate jumping sequences and use your raised monsters to help solve various room puzzles, like having them stand on pressure plates to open doors.
The remake adopts a PS1/PS2-era inspired visual style that feels both nostalgic and somewhat limited. While the monsters and bosses show decent detail, environments tend toward the simple and geometric. The hand-drawn 2D artwork used in cutscenes and character portraits remains a highlight, now presented in HD quality.
The game's voice acting, while not outstanding, conveys the emotional weight of the story adequately. The soundtrack provides appropriate atmospheric backing without being particularly memorable.
In terms of how it feels to play, the controls are functional but not especially fluid. Combat can feel a bit stiff, and the platforming sections suffer from occasionally imprecise jump mechanics. The monster AI can be inconsistent, with allies sometimes getting stuck on geometry or failing to follow commands properly.
On PS5, the game runs smoothly for the most part, though there are occasional frame drops when many effects are on screen. Load times are quick, but there are some stability issues, with crashes occurring particularly in later levels.
Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection is a game with interesting ideas that doesn't quite realize its full potential. The monster-raising mechanic provides some tactical depth, and the central love story between Tama and Koko offers genuine emotional stakes. However, clunky combat, inconsistent AI, and technical issues hold it back from excellence. Taking all that into account, it makes the game a tad hard to recommend at full price. Definitely worth a look if you can get it on sale. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a code provided by the publisher. Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection is available on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC.
