Fallen Angel is a dark, birds-eye, tactical, rogue-like Metroidvania.

Fallen Angel blends Souls-like components with a 2D pixel art action RPG and is set in a world comparative to "The Covenant of God". This game features Israel as distinguished in Christianity, biblical apocalypse, and displays the vastness of the realms of heaven in a peculiar way.

In Fallen Angel, Lucifer (the anti-hero) won't just be strong-arming his way through heavenly areas and little cherubs with harps. He engages massive, cutting-edge constructs, rural plains, and raving discotheques.

Fallen Angel was developed by Matrioshka Games, a student game development team based in Drexel's Entrepreneurial Game Studio, and published by V publishing and Surefire Game whose focus is on creating a visceral action game experience.

GRAPHICS 9/10

This expansive world features an enormous amount of astounding 2D artwork.

Players navigate through an astonishing and unspoiled earth overworld, high rise high-tech compounds, purgatory-esque landscapes, caverns, and floating islands. Each area is vast and unique from the site before, capturing an apocalyptic yet mesmerizing setting — something I enjoyed while eviscerating my enemies.

SOUND QUALITY 9/10

Matrioshka Games' Fallen Angel hit the nail on the head by creating a truly unique soundtrack.

At the same time, this game also features large areas with bugs buzzing. There is also a slight chiming that gives a somewhat eerie effect like you’re being watched. The boss music is exciting and reminds me of an old school game beat remix. With swords clanging and fire bursting, the sound effects blend nicely with this thrilling score during boss fights. I was expecting a soundtrack similar to Doom, but the music keeps you immersed in the tale of Lucifer who is conveyed as a misunderstood angel rather than just some demonic entity; the music plays to his humanity.

GAMEPLAY 8.2/10

Fallen Angel features somewhat basic button masher gameplay with some tactical maneuverability. While all the elements are significant, they left me something to be desired as I neared the end game. There is no leveling system aside from a primary skill tree that unlocks as the player finds scripture monoliths scattered throughout the game. A few bosses were insane, while others just required single-attack button-mashing. The dodge button is your bread and butter along with an array of secondary weapons to use from afar.

STORY 7.4/10

Lucifer's story fell a bit flat when compared to the many other thrilling things Fallen Angel has to offer. Personally, I am very familliar with the Christianity’s story of Lucifer so I felt this game had fairly basic introduction to a lackluster ending. The choices you are given to choose from seem to be pretty basic — good, neutral, and bad — and none of these choices seem to affect the gameplay. NPCs in your home area don't differ in dialogue at all when you progress further. Overall, I just didn’t find the story compelling.

CHARACTERS 7.8/10

Overall, the characters in this game seem to be overshadowed by Lucifer. Aside from a shopkeeper and the few NPCs found in the hotel/safe haven, the recurring characters don’t seem to add much to the story. Many of the characters in the game do not have a backstory. There are bits of enjoyable humor sprinkled into the archangels’ and angels’ dialogue before you fight them, however. The only character I felt a strong connection to was Lucifer as he is the main speaker throughout the majority of the game.

OVERALL 8.7/10

Nothing stands in the way of Lucifer's new world.

While the story and characters fall short, this game as a whole is lifted by facing the incursion of angelic enemies in a fantastic 2D world. The musical score is unique and satisfying, and the techniques you bring into battle are essential to remember.

Fallen Angel has everything you could hope for if you’re looking for a bloody and tactical button masher.

Fallen Angel was released on October 22, 2020, and is available now on Steam.

The reviewer purchased the game at full retail price.