The new indie game Ultros was released today, February 13th. A 2d Science Fiction adventure game, this game thrusts you into the world of “The Sarcophagus.” The demon entity, Ultros, is being held here. According to the description, “Trapped in the eternal loop of a black hole, you will have to explore The Sarcophagus and meet its inhabitants to understand the part you play.”
The game’s visuals give it the feeling of being under a black light. Players have to learn as they go through the “cosmic uterus” style map. As players go deeper, they reveal secrets about their role in this weird world. Players explore a never-ending map that players must gain the skills to go further in the world.
In a blog post by PlayStation, the game style is described as “[Search-action game is] a popular indie game genre, and Ultros expands on it with some unique gameplay twists centered around the ideas of karmic cycles: creation and destruction, nurture and killing.” In the same blog post, PlayStation interviewed the developer “‘It’s a game about choices,’ explains Brüggeman, ‘where you can choose to play in a destructive or constructive way, and the choices you make change your interpretation of your in-game actions.'”
One-on-one combat is essential for this game. The developers want an “intense and intimate feel.” When the enemies fall, they drop edible items. The mystery meat has its own abilities depending on how well the player slays their foe. Besides health, it can also help the player upgrade their skill tree. If the player doesn’t want to eat whatever is dropped, they can cultivate seeds in gardens around the world.
The other biggest mechanic in the game is the time loop, causing players to have to start anew. Ultros is available on Steam, PS4, and PS5 with both a standard and deluxe edition. The game retails at $24.99.