EXIL: The End of Journey – When Gothic's Legacy Falls Flat in a New Dungeon Crawler

When news broke that a new 3D dungeon crawler, 'EXIL: The End of Journey,' was coming from a studio founded by folks who once worked on the iconic 'Gothic' series, a ripple of excitement went through the RPG community. You see, for many of us, the 'Gothic' games represent a golden age of immersive, gritty role-playing. We pictured a return to that unique blend of dark fantasy, challenging combat, and perhaps even some of that distinctive Piranha Bytes DNA we've come to love through 'Risen' and 'Elex.' Unfortunately, after diving into 'EXIL' during its early access phase on Steam, it's clear that the journey isn't quite what we'd hoped for.

Let's not mince words: 'EXIL' feels, for lack of a better term, incredibly dated. And not in a charming, nostalgic way. Graphically, it struggles immensely. We're talking textures that look like they've been pulled from a game circa 2010, generic assets that lack any real character, and an overall visual presentation that just doesn't hold up in 2024. Even for an indie title, and even for early access, the visual fidelity is surprisingly low, creating a world that feels more bland than brimming with dark fantasy intrigue.

Beyond the visuals, the user experience and interface are, frankly, quite clunky. It's often unintuitive, and you can tell there are placeholder elements still lingering, which really pulls you out of any immersion you might manage to find. Then there's the gameplay itself – specifically, the combat. It's stiff, lacking impact, and the animations are, well, not great. Movement often feels awkward, and these issues combine to make what should be an engaging part of a dungeon crawler feel like a chore rather than a thrill. You just don't get that satisfying sense of progression or mastery when every swing feels so disconnected.

And the voice acting? Oh dear. While it's always tricky to judge early access games too harshly on this front, the current voice work often detracts from the experience rather than enhancing it. It’s yet another layer of unpolish that makes the game feel more like an amateur project than something from experienced developers.

The overall impression 'EXIL: The End of Journey' leaves is one of disappointment. It feels less like a new entry into the beloved genre and more like a game that missed its window by a decade or so. While there's always potential for improvement – after all, it is early access – the current state is a tough sell. The unique 'Gothic' magic, that special something that made those earlier games so compelling, is almost entirely absent here. It's a genuine shame, particularly when you consider the talent behind the project. One can only hope that Two Horizons has a substantial roadmap for refinement, because right now, 'EXIL' feels like a missed opportunity to truly capitalize on a revered legacy.