Worldless Review (PC)

I’ve fought quite a variety of enemies while exploring this still-forming universe. Some were entirely melee-focused and relatively easy to defeat once I learned the timing of their strikes and then found the best rhythm for my own character’s attacks. Others used magic so fast that I was unable to avoid them, which made me think I needed at least a new unlocked ability to have a chance against them.

My current foe is black and orange and has offensive abilities that mix both physical and magical strikes, making it trickier to execute perfect blocks. The fight is initially balanced as I use a strong melee combo to take chunks out of his health. But the monster then grows sacks full of something that looks like lava, which deals quite a bit of damage when I use my usual physical attack routine. This is a mistake I need to avoid in the future.

It then hits me with some strong magic, and I fail to use the shield effectively in time. I’m forced to use magic to clear his orange pustules. But once I do that, his three-strike combo hits home and there’s no way to recover. I’m ready to go again, more focused, knowing that I can win as long as I get into a good grove and block at the right time.

Worldless is developed by Noname Studios, with publishing from Coatsink and Thunderful. I played the PC version using Steam. The game is also on the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X and S, and older platforms from Microsoft and Nintendo. This is an action platformer with a distinctive look and some interesting gameplay tweaks.

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As the name suggests, gamers will explore a recently created universe, a world that has not yet found its shape. The game is very ambiguous and doesn’t deliver a straightforward narrative. The intro suggests matter and anti-matter annihilating each other. The player-controlled character is unformed, with a glowing head that exists on a barely sketched body.

Enemies you meet aren’t more substantial, although their designs offer hints about their nature, some taking the form of real-world creatures while others seem inspired by deities from a variety of pantheons. I like the dreamy nature of this game world, but I can understand why some players might struggle to remain interested.

The gameplay in Worldless mixes pretty traditional platforming and stylized combat. Our protagonist might exist mainly as points of light held together by an unknown force, but it can jump high and quickly acquires the ability to dash in any direction. Combine the two to cover a lot of ground quickly and move through the world, opening up new areas, and finding ways around obstacles. Make sure to avoid water, which exists in this forming world but is fatal to this light being for some reason.

The hero can also create light platforms in mid-air, making a new path out of nothing. It can be a little tricky to use the interaction button at just the right moment but it’s satisfying once a new area opens up. Worldless allows players to pull up a small map alongside the protagonist, greatly aiding with orientation.

The world might be still forming but there are plenty of hostile creatures. Some seem like monsters, others more human-like. All use a mix of physical and magic attacks (sometimes even dual-nature ones) to attack the protagonist during turn-based battles. Gamers can use a shield to stop them, as long as the timing is just right. Enemies hit hard and mix their attacks, which means it’s very easy to lose a lot of health quickly.

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The formless hero is more than capable of retaliation. A sword is deployed to get up close and personal and magic is used to strike from a distance. Different opponents resist different types of attacks, so it’s important to quickly learn their vulnerabilities and exploit them. Players will also unlock new options, both offensive and defensive, to open up new tools as enemies become more capable.

Worldless adds another wrinkle with its Absorption. In the right-hand corner, past the enemy’s actual health, players will see a meter. Push it over 100 and you get a chance to drain the essence from an opponent via Quick Time Event. Fill the meter to 200 and you get to see all the needed button presses.

It’s a good and unique idea that adds depth to combat and fits well with the idea of a new universe where the idea of existence itself is malleable. It also justifies the difficulty spikes and gives players a strong reason to master the mechanics. When the game gets frustrating, take a step back, explore other locations, or take a break and think about the best way to tackle a challenging enemy.

Worldless is a sparse-looking game that finds a certain beauty in its lack of complexity. The main character seems made of light and combat is depicted using bright colors and clear-cut shapes. Each area has its own theme and It took some time to adjust to this spartan presentation but it grew on me. I like the small, nice details and the way the presentation aims to get players into a Zen state.

The sound design has the same dreamy, evocative quality. Combat effects are sharp while exploration sounds soothing. It’s a mix that feels right for this weird universe. The soundtrack remains in the background, like a series of unknown particles with musical properties conducted by a shapeless creator.

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The Good

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Conclusion