Storm Lancers: Our First Impressions (Roguelite Co-op!)

GAMING NEWS DHLSalesman - 4 hours ago

Get ready to grab a controller, a friend, and a ridiculously cool sci-fi sword. Storm Lancers, the high-octane 2D action roguelite from ProbablyMonsters, has crash-landed, and it's bringing the frantic energy of 80s anime and the addictive progression loop of modern roguelites together in one slick package.

We just spent a significant amount of time slashing, dashing, and electrocuting our way across the dying alien world of Cryptica, and trust us—you're going to want to pack a friend for this perilous adventure. If you've been searching for a couch co-op experience that blends razor-sharp platforming with ever-evolving weaponry, your search ends here.

The Roguelite Loop: Dying to Get Stronger

In Storm Lancers, the stakes are instantly high and the action is relentless. This game successfully blends the fast-paced combat of an action title with the permanent progression and high replayability of a roguelite, all within a structure reminiscent of a Metroidvania-inspired 2D platformer. Developed by ProbablyMonsters, the game throws you and a partner headfirst into the crisis on Cryptica, a visually striking yet dying alien world.

The core gameplay loop sees you fighting, inevitably failing (i.e., dying), and then returning stronger. The key to this growth lies in bonding with mystical entities called Stormhearts, which provide the permanent upgrades necessary to push further into Cryptica on subsequent runs, slowly bringing you closer to the goal of saving reality from collapse.

This is where the true roguelite chaos of Storm Lancers shines. No two excursions onto Cryptica are alike, thanks to the core rogue-lite action featuring ever-shifting biomes, randomized weapons, and a constant stream of powerful, run-defining gear. Like genre greats such as Dead Cells or ScourgeBringer, the moment-to-moment gameplay is all about tight, rapid execution, requiring players to master swift swordplay and nimble evasions to survive the onslaught.

However, dying isn't a true failure; it's a necessary step toward permanent progression. Inspired by the meta-systems found in games like Rogue Legacy and Hades, every lost run contributes to your overall power. You'll spend collected resources on permanent upgrades that significantly enhance your base acrobatic moveset, unlocking new traversal options like the essential slide, dash, and double jump, which fundamentally change how you approach the platforming challenges.

The intense action is backed by an impressive and evolving arsenal. While your primary attack is a powerful slash, you'll uncover a huge variety of weapons to define your current run's playstyle—from up-close tools like flaming swords and razor-sharp katars to ranged destruction with rifles, hammers, and grenade launchers.

Best of all, the entire chaotic experience is built around a fantastic co-op focus. A friend can instantly dive in for two-player couch co-op, adding glorious mayhem to the mix. The game even lets you seamlessly switch back to solo if a partner has to drop, ensuring the fight never stops. This couch co-op emphasis puts it alongside games like Spelunky 2 and Children of Morta.

With its gorgeous '80s anime aesthetic, lightning-fast action, and the promise of becoming permanently stronger with every death, Storm Lancers delivers an addictive experience perfect for playing solo or with a friend on the couch. The constant flow of randomized weapons and evolving skills means no two runs will ever feel the same.

If you're ready to dive into the neon chaos of Cryptica, don't miss out on the best deal. Use our comparison tool right now to purchase Storm Lancers at the best price available across all major platforms and start carving your way through the storm!