REVIEW / Enigmatic Journey (PC)

There’s something magical about gaming that, after a while, certain things just become second nature. It’s an odd feeling, but I’ve reached a stage where I can pretty much determine if I’ll enjoy a game within the first ten minutes of play. It’s not purely about preferences; there’s been plenty of times I’ve enjoyed a game out of my usual genre. It boils down to an intuition. More often than not, I’m right. This is why I firmly believe you don’t need to fully complete a game to give it a balanced review—you just need to be honest. Game mechanics rarely alter dramatically as you progress, so if you’re not enjoying the first hour, chances are, the next five won’t change your mind. I highlight this point because I’ve been diving into Cryptical Path on PC, and before the tutorial wrapped up, I knew I was hooked. I’ll break down why as we go, but let me say early on: this might just be my top pick for 2025, and considering we’re only in January, that’s quite a statement.

Cryptical Path casts you as The Architect. You’re summoned to the Hexium, a prison entirely under your command because something’s gone astray. A doppelganger has seized control, boldly claiming the role as the Hexium’s master, showing little patience for your presence. To make matters worse, all the prisoners have been released and transformed. It’s up to you to harness all your power to prevent the disorder from turning into complete chaos. The unwelcome presence of another entity wielding familiar abilities certainly doesn’t simplify things.

Now, Cryptical Path steps into the roguelite arena, but with a fresh twist. In this game, you’re not just traversing a map but creating one. The Architect designs the Hexium and dictates everything within its confines. This means every room you step into, enemies included, is of your own making. The catch, though, is thanks to The Doppelganger’s influence, you’re never quite sure what might be guarding your creations. While you hold considerable power, it’s not absolute, and having an unwelcome intruder in your domain is rather unsettling.

As I’ve touched on, Cryptical Path doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing. Creating rooms is costly business. Your powers have limits, reflected as control points in the game. Each room you create costs a certain number of these points. Slip below your available points, and you’ll invite a curse. These begin as small nuisances but can snowball into major headaches if you’re not careful. Strategic planning, then, becomes essential.

At its core, you might dismiss Cryptical Path as just another platform-based roguelite. But here’s the thing: it’s unique enough in its mechanics to stand out, but it’s the charming style and flair that truly sets it apart. The love and care woven into this game are palpable, and you can’t help but be captivated by it.

Playing Cryptical Path feels like stepping into a 90s cartoon, in the best possible way. It’s almost as if Adult Swim has magically transformed a long-standing series into a game. It beautifully strikes a balance of being edgy and mature, enough to keep veteran gamers like myself engaged, while still possessing a fresh appeal for younger players. Honestly, if this emerged as a new TV series, I’d binge-watch every episode. It’s entertaining, with engaging characters and a storyline that keeps me hooked.

Before signing off, let’s talk controls. Many games suggest using a controller over a mouse and keyboard on PC, and Cryptical Path is one where I’d agree. While it’s playable with a mouse and keyboard, the precision afforded by a controller might make your experience smoother. It’s not that the game loses points here; it’s just a handy tip for your gaming comfort.

Struggling to find any significant flaws in Cryptical Path makes this review unique. If you love platformers, roguelites, or both, you need this game in your library. While it might not boast revolutionary mechanics, it stands as a testament to excellent game development.

Cryptical Path is ready for a console release, and it’s bound to be a hit with PS4, Xbox, and Switch owners. The Architect has fast become my favorite character, and I sincerely hope this is the start of a beloved franchise that’ll entertain us for years to come. It’s nothing short of stellar!

Finally, a quick rating roundup: Look and Feel, Controls and UI, Story, Replayability—all 10/10. Cryptical Path is a masterpiece in building something awesome—a must-play for fans of roguelites and platformers. Falling in love with the characters and the world they inhabit makes this a long-lasting gem, and one I confidently recommend. Simply put, it’s excellent gaming at its finest!