The Tribulation Entanglement is a 2D Action game set in an alien world. Looking at any screenshot or snippet of gameplay, the first thing one is likely to notice is its monochrome black & white visuals. It looks gorgeous and amplifies the feeling of being on a foreign planet. Right from the get-go, you’ll feel a deep sense of trying to understand the unknown, as your character is seemingly birthed from a flesh mound stuck on the ceiling. You’ll get all of the story on this game’s store page. Besides that, everything that happens will be left to your own interpretation. One thing is clear, though. You will need to fight to survive, as you’ll quickly be met with very hostile creatures.
If you’ve ever played the original Castlevania, the gameplay here will fit like a glove. Your basic attack is pretty much the whip, and sub-weapons have differing effects at the cost of SP points. Combat is the primary focus as you traverse through these often times labyrinthine levels. Aside from striking your foes, it is also necessary to smack blocks to open up new paths. There is no clear indication of which parts of the environment are destructible, which I consider a flaw. You will have to randomly smack everything in sight, and it is never indicated that this is a feature in the first place. I imagine quite a few players will get stuck without this vital knowledge.
Every level is divided into sections, mixing linear and far more open exploratory areas. There is no backtracking, so if you see a pulsing heart somewhere, know that it will permanently increase your health and may be worth finding out how to reach it. While I wouldn’t call it difficult, you will soon find that this title offers up a good amount of challenge. You’ll be given a checkpoint every few areas which refill your health and SP meters, though they are further apart than you may think as environments become quite large. One too many missteps can set you back several minutes. Conversely, you have infinite lives, meaning you can try as much as you want until success is finally yours.
The final central aspect of the gameplay is the platforming. It is usually pretty easy and is more so used to spice things up by having you dread being knocked down by an enemy attack. For a game lasting only around an hour and a half, it has a large amount of different enemies. That ensures that you will constantly be seeing new things and experiencing unique challenges before anything gets stale. Well, nearly anything. The music track the game starts with goes on for a bit too long before it changes into something else further into your journey. Its heart beat like sounds and foreboding drones do wonders to set the tone, but more soundtrack variety early on would have gone a long way.
Sprawled throughout the levels are several boss fights to tackle. These foes are a cut above your regular enemies and will require every bit of concentration you have to take down. Sometimes, facing them is not even possible, and you are forced to flee to safety as it gives chase. The brief moment where a boss introduces its hideous self and one wondering whether you’ll have to fight or run is a nifty touch. Despite slaying countless foes over our travels, it reminds the player that we are not the apex predator of this hellish world. Nor is every living thing you see a threat, no matter how unnerving they appear. It is fascinating how these Gameboy-styled graphics can instill a sense of this being a lived-in world.
As disturbing as literally everything you see in this game is, I wouldn’t call it horror. It is more somber with a hint of beauty to it. Referring to the store page again, it states that this title represents the developer’s pain, health issues, and disabilities. I don’t know if there are deeper meanings to the things we see here, as symbolism always flies over my head, but the visuals and atmosphere here do make you feel something inexplicable. Also, according to the dev, they plan on doubling the length of this game and adding many new things. It already feels like a complete package, so it will be intriguing to see how it evolves in the future. I’ve yet to mention that The Tribulation Entanglement is only $6.99 at full price, which already feels like quite a bargain.
All in all, there is a fun game to be found underneath this visually engrossing experience. I’ve had no glitches throughout, and it offers full gamepad support. The controls themselves were responsive, with nearly all deaths feeling like the player’s fault. As for the replay value, I’d say there is none. There is no scoring system or anything else to push someone to replay it aside from experiencing the game again. If that promised expansion doubling this title’s length does happen, that certainly would warrant another playthrough for those that already beat the campaign. In its current state, The Tribulation Entanglement is more than worth the price of admission. This is a likely title you will remember for a long time to come.
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