Halls of Torment Review: Here to Slay

Halls of Torment is a refreshing take on the Roguelite and bullet-hell genre popularized by Vampire Survivors, combining the visual aesthetics of old-school RPGs with mechanics that feel casual but engaging. Developed by Chasing Carrots, Halls of Torment offers a thoroughly fun experience, challenging players with its unique blend of horde-based survival and strategic character building. Despite its humble price tag, Halls of Torment manages to stand out due to its depth, replayability, and nostalgic appeal. In this review, we’ll dive deep into its mechanics, art design, gameplay experience, and lasting appeal.

One of the most striking aspects of Halls of Torment is its pre-rendered retro graphics. While many modern titles push the boundaries of photorealism or opt for a stylized art style, Halls of Torment takes a step back into the 90s, paying homage to the graphical styles of games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate. The game successfully creates an eerie, oppressive atmosphere with its dark, gothic environments.

The character designs and enemy models, although retro in appearance, are full of detail. The visual design embraces grotesque and nightmarish creatures that fit well within the dark fantasy setting. Each stage introduces new foes with distinct designs and attack patterns, keeping the visuals fresh and exciting despite the minimalistic approach. However, the art style may not appeal to everyone, especially younger gamers who grew up on high-fidelity graphics. That said, for fans of retro visuals and those who appreciate the charm of older games, *Halls of Torment* offers an exceptional trip down memory lane. The static lighting and simple textures are more than enough to convey the sinister nature of the dungeon halls, creating a tense, immersive experience.

Roguelite Bullet-Hell Perfected

At its core, Halls of Torment is about survival. Players are dropped into procedurally generated dungeons filled with waves of increasingly difficult enemies. What sets the game apart from other roguelites is its seamless blend of action RPG elements and strategic build crafting. Each run is distinct, offering randomized loot drops, items, and blessings that provide players with the tools to forge unique character builds. Every run in Halls of Torment is unpredictable. The items you pick up, the skills you upgrade, and the enemies you face are all generated anew. This roguelite element keeps the game fresh, encouraging experimentation with different strategies, builds, and character combinations.

At its core, Halls of Torment is about survival. Players are dropped into procedurally generated dungeons filled with waves of increasingly difficult enemies. What sets the game apart from other roguelites is its seamless blend of action RPG elements and strategic build crafting. Each run is distinct, offering randomized loot drops, items, and blessings that provide players with the tools to forge unique character builds. Every run in Halls of Torment is unpredictable. The items you pick up, the skills you upgrade, and the enemies you face are all generated anew. This roguelite element keeps the game fresh, encouraging experimentation with different strategies, builds, and character combinations.

Thriving Amidst Chaos

Combat in Halls of Torment is a frenetic, chaotic affair. The game throws waves of enemies at the player, ranging from slow-moving zombies to agile, deadly bosses with complex attack patterns. The intensity ramps up quickly, with battles often feeling overwhelming as dozens of enemies swarm the screen. The game borrows from traditional bullet-hell mechanics, with players needing to dodge, kite, and manage massive enemy groups. Smart positioning and quick reflexes are essential to survival, especially when enemies begin to spawn in larger quantities. Every stage culminates in a boss fight, and these encounters are where Halls of Torment shines. Bosses are not just damage sponges; they come with unique mechanics, phases, and patterns that challenge the player to adapt and think on their feet. These bosses can quickly end an unprepared run, adding a thrilling layer of tension to each dungeon dive.

Despite the fast-paced action, Halls of Torment also offers plenty of moments where strategic decision-making becomes crucial. Choosing which item to pick up, which abilities to upgrade, and when to retreat can mean the difference between success and failure. The difficulty curve is balanced, starting moderately challenging but ramping up as the game progresses. While some roguelites punish players with overly punishing difficulty spikes, Halls of Torment provides a more gradual escalation, rewarding smart play rather than simple brute force. The game feels tough but fair, ensuring that even when you fail, it feels like a learning opportunity rather than a punishment.

More Than Just Another Run

Roguelites live and die by their progression systems, and Halls of Torment delivers a satisfying loop of short-term rewards and long-term progression. While the randomized loot system ensures that every run feels unique, the overarching quest system and unlockables give players a constant sense of forward momentum. Completing in-game quests unlocks new blessings and powerful artifacts, allowing players to customize their characters even further. These quests are varied and often challenge players to step outside their comfort zone, whether it’s defeating a particular boss or experimenting with specific builds.

The game’s permanent progression system revolves around blessings—powerful, permanent buffs that carry over between runs. Finding rare items also adds a rewarding sense of discovery, giving players a reason to keep pushing through tough runs to unearth hidden treasures. The combination of meta-progression with in-run randomness ensures that no two runs ever feel identical, while the quest system adds a layer of direction and purpose to each session.

Setting the Mood

Complementing the visual and gameplay experience is *Halls of Torment*’s haunting soundtrack. The music, composed by a team of skilled musicians, perfectly captures the atmosphere of dark, gothic fantasy. The use of orchestral instruments, eerie chants, and ambient soundscapes creates an immersive sound environment that heightens the tension and drama of each dungeon dive. Each stage is accompanied by unique tracks that mirror the increasing difficulty, with slower, more melodic compositions in the early levels giving way to intense, heart-pounding themes during boss battles. Sound effects also play a significant role in immersing players, with every swing of the sword and every monster roar resonating in crisp detail.

Endless Dungeon Diving

Perhaps the strongest aspect of Halls of Torment is its replayability. The combination of randomized loot, multiple playable characters, and varied stages ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. The quest system provides direction for players who crave structure, while the randomized nature of the dungeons and enemies offers a new challenge each time you descend into the halls. Moreover, the inclusion of different difficulty modes and secret unlockables adds an extra layer of longevity to the game. Even after completing the main stages, players can continue to push their limits, testing out new builds or tackling the most difficult challenges the game has to offer.

Real Talk

Halls of Torment is a love letter to fans of retro action RPGs and horde survival roguelites alike. It marries the best elements of both genres, creating a unique experience that feels fresh, exciting, and rewarding and one that offers hours of content at an incredibly accessible price point. Whether you’re looking for a quick 30-minute run or a deep dive into its dungeon-crawling depths, Halls of Torment will leave you coming back for more.

FINAL RATING: 90/100