Most puzzle games, by their nature, don’t have much of a story. What gets people to play these types of games is the struggle of solving their problems and the catharsis that follows the discovery of a solution. To keep players coming back, puzzle game developers create new problems that introduce mechanics or combine previous concepts to create more complex puzzles.Helltakeris not a run-of-the-millindie puzzle game.
Created by Polish developer Lukasz Piskorz,Helltakercombines elements of puzzle-adventure games withthe storytelling of a dating simulator. Players take control of a man known only as the Helltaker; called such because of his desire to go into Hell and amass a harem of demonic women. In order to fulfill the Helltaker’s goal, players must guide him through a series of levels where he pushes and shoves giant boulders and skeletons. To complete each stage, players must make it to the demon girl within a given number of moves. The gameplay looks easy from the outset, but can get quite challenging toward later levels. Players looking to test themselves can finish the puzzles a traditional way, but for those who want to playHelltakerfor its dating sim features, Piskorz added the option to skip the puzzles entirely.
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Puzzles Don’t Add to Helltaker’s Story
Removing puzzles from a puzzle-adventure dating sim seems like a bad move at first glance. If playerschoose to skip the puzzles, they are effectively removing half of what makesHelltaker. This also eliminates the majority ofHelltaker’s gameplay - leaving players with just the task of answering questions given to them by the demon girls at the end of each stage. The dating sim aspects aren’t as fleshed out as the puzzle gameplay either; players can only choose between two options per-question. But by removingHelltaker’s puzzle elements, more players can progress through its story.
There are no text boxes, environmental storytelling elements, or anything that can be found during puzzle sections that adds to the lore or narrative ofHelltaker. While the nine levels vary in their design, almost all of them involve the Helltaker being stuck in a room as he pushes rocks aside.Helltakeris already a short game, but itsharder puzzles could dissuade playersfrom completing it before they have a chance to see everything the title has to offer. Piskorz understands that puzzles aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and added the option to skip them should players feel frustrated or bored.
Helltaker’s Real Focus Is Its Dating Sim Elements
WhereHelltakersets itself apart from other puzzle-adventure games is in its premise.Not many games have players going to Hellto pick up demonic women, so Piskorz wanted to make that the focus of the game. While choices are extremely limited, each one reveals more about the girl asking a question. Pandemonica, for instance, seems high-strung at first; but after chatting with her, players realize she is more relaxed once she has had a good cup of coffee.
Choosing the “wrong” options usually result in death, but these alsoprovide insight into the game’s characters. To get the most out ofHelltaker’s lore, players have to make the wrong decisions before choosing the right ones. With the ability to skip puzzles, players can do this quicker without having to memorize the solution to the level they just finished. Doing so lets them indulge inHelltaker’s dialogue - which happens to be where Piskorz can show off most of his art.
That’s not to sayHelltakerdoesn’t reward those who put in the effort to solve its puzzles. Achievements related to completing levels can only be obtained by figuring out the solutions to said stages.Helltakeralsohas a secret endingthat can be attained by collecting three ancient inscriptions found in three of the game’s levels. Players can find a lot more inHelltakerif they solve its puzzles, but for those who just want to get to the characters, a skip button is always available.
