In the late 2000s, indie games burst onto the scene and shook up the gaming industry.
However, this coin has two sides. Alongside critically acclaimed hits like Shovel Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, Hades, and Undertale, there are plenty of indie games whose quality is… questionable. You’ll often find them in digital store sales with steep discounts, even if they’re relatively new.
Another phenomenon that can’t be ignored is the rise of copycats—games that mimic others so closely that it’s hard to tell if they bring anything new to the table or are just more of the same.
This divide particularly hurts indie developers who create solid games but don’t get the recognition they deserve. If you’re not someone who listens to gaming podcasts, watches endless YouTube clips, or reads a wide variety of gaming sites, there’s a good chance you’ve missed some of these hidden gems.
Today, I want to introduce you to one of those gems: Seraph. You won’t find many reviews about it online, but I believe it’s absolutely worth your attention.
Seraph: A Hidden Indie Gem
Seraph draws clear inspiration from classic titles like Abuse—a 2D side-scroller with a unique mouse-and-keyboard control scheme. It also incorporates roguelike elements, such as multiple difficulty levels for each stage and randomized enemy placement.
What sets Seraph apart is its unique auto-aim mechanic, which eliminates the need for manual aiming. Instead, the focus shifts to high-speed acrobatics, allowing players to dodge enemies and navigate large hordes while maintaining constant combat flow. The game’s standout mechanic, Blink, lets players dash in any direction for a short time, becoming invulnerable in the process. This ability can even damage enemies under the right circumstances, adding an extra layer of strategy.
Combat and Abilities
Seraph features two main combat systems:
- Traditional Weapons: Players can carry a basic pistol and one additional weapon, such as shotguns or SMGs, found in special crates.
- Miracles (Holy Abilities): These special powers deal massive “Holy Damage” and come with unique effects. For instance, one ability acts as a boomerang that hits enemies twice, while another marks enemies for increased damage. Each ability functions within a specific range and shape, meaning auto-aim doesn’t apply to them.
Crafting and Upgrades
The game also includes a crafting system for upgrading weapons and abilities. During levels, players collect colored shards, which unlock various enhancements: increased damage, higher critical hit chances, faster ability cooldowns, and more.
Shards are split into three categories, with higher investment unlocking more powerful upgrades. Common shards provide small boosts, while rarer ones—found only on higher difficulties—offer significant improvements of up to 10%.
However, there’s a catch: once you upgrade a weapon or ability, you can’t reverse your choices. This makes thoughtful planning essential, especially for players who may regret investing in an ability that doesn’t suit their playstyle.
Difficulty and Level Design
Seraph adjusts its difficulty dynamically based on player performance, gradually increasing enemy speed and introducing new attack patterns as you progress.
While Seraph incorporates roguelike elements, it also retains traditional checkpoint mechanics. If you fail to reach a checkpoint, you’ll lose your progress and be sent back to the last one you found. However, the game also includes a unique twist on traditional lives: each death resets the level while weakening both you and your enemies, creating an interesting balance between risk and reward.
Stages often culminate in objectives like clearing waves of enemies, destroying terminals, or defeating a mini-boss. The campaign starts relatively easy, with a noticeable difficulty spike during the final boss. After completing the main campaign, players can tackle higher difficulties in New Game Plus mode, keeping all their upgrades intact. For those seeking even more challenges, daily and weekly leaderboards are available.
Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed Seraph, especially given its current price of around $4 (excluding sales). That said, the game isn’t for everyone. Its upgrade system can be punishing, and the repetitive level design might not appeal to all players. I recommend playing it in short sessions to keep things fresh.
While the story tries a bit too hard to be clever, and the level visuals lean toward monotony, these flaws don’t detract significantly from the gameplay. If you’re a fan of fast-paced, action-heavy indies with a unique twist, Seraph deserves a spot on your playlist.
