VANRAN, a new title within the Soulslike genre, is generating expectations among players. Its release is scheduled for this year, although it does not yet have a specific date. A demo will be available at the end of January, providing players the opportunity to assess the game’s mechanics and design.
A game with a different style
Developed by the studio BECUZUS, VANRAN seeks to differentiate itself from other titles in the genre through new mechanics, such as a hook that allows players to climb and fight against colossi, inspired by the classic Shadow of the Colossus. This addition offers players the opportunity to face large enemies, which, unlike other games in the genre, are not puzzles, but true bosses that must be defeated using agile skills and techniques, such as parrying and dodging.
However, the first impressions of the game reveal that there are still aspects to improve regarding the response to the controls and the accuracy of the animations and collisions. These elements, fundamental in a Soulslike, are critical to avoid falling into the category of generic games and must be carefully implemented to provide the satisfying experience that players expect.
The developers of BECUZUS, who likely lack the resources of large publishers, face the challenge of balancing all the features of the game. Critics have mentioned the simple geometry of some levels and the excessive reliance on the Unreal engine in visual terms, which could limit the artistic immersion of the game. However, the lack of a release date may serve as an advantage, giving the team the necessary time to make adjustments and optimize the mechanics before the game hits the market.
