An Unstoppable Object Meets An Immovable Force: Reviewing Mosu’s The Dark Queen of Mortholme.
“You are the Dark Queen, the most powerful being in your entire universe. Your lair is breached by an aspiring hero—a pitiful thing, easily crushed. Except, they keep coming back.”
Following in the footsteps of the endless and at times highly aggravating tactical moves that frame the typical structure of the RPG boss battle, ‘The Dark Queen of Mortholme’ created by independent developer Mosu Äijälä provides an interesting disruption to convention – instead placing the player at the heart of the story as the eponymous villain, following the story of a stubborn hero that just won’t quit.
Telling a story through short pre-battle conversations structured around gorgeous pixel visuals and a variety of increasingly unforgiving abilities to thwart the hero in their tracks, players are presented with a long battle of attrition familiar to many who have previously enjoyed the infamous 'Soulsborne' format. Through endless defeats and stubborn persistence, the hero eventually returns each time smarter and stronger; ever determined to fulfill their goal all within an impressively brief 20 minute run-time.
Aside from the game's unique format, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the narrative elements offered by the game’s ‘capsule experience’. As the game progresses through several iterations of the final fight, various dialogue options allow for the player to shape how the titular ‘Empress Eternal’ perceives the hero. Whether stubborn or suicidal, there is a clear progression from clear loathing to a half-baked form of kinship - a symbiotic relationship between the hero and the destroyer. After adapting, growing, and evolving to the Dark Queen’s onslaught of attacks, the hero gets stronger, wiser, and more efficient at handling the blows thrown at them – eventually leading to the boss’s second phase. Transforming from a humanoid figure to something more alien and esoteric, the gameplay experience moves to seamlessly mimic the rise of intensity seen in many boss battles – a final blast of effort as defeat draws ever closer.
Armed with a blast of dark power that can trigger an insta kill and a hero with a holy shield, the battle continues with neither side giving an inch. Soon evolving to dodge even the most unsightly attacks provided by the player, the hero prevails – ending the eternal reign of the Dark Queen of Mortholme in a single strike. Left to contemplate the weight of the player’s actions, the game closes with a mutual understanding of the inevitability of defeat, and most importantly, the capacity to grow and change.
Offering three distinct endings depending on the player’s actions, The Dark Queen of Mortholme provides plenty of opportunities for players to revisit the game, fully immersing themselves in this villainous micro-universe. Aggressive button-mashing and carefully timed movement aside, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience playing through the game and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand the new and uniquely special experiences that indie games can offer.
The Dark Queen of Mortholme is available now to play for free on itch.io.
Edited by Karan Nimsons, Gaming Editor.
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