As far as iconic comic book properties go, I can’t think of too many who deserve a solid video game adaptation more than Mike Mignola’s Hellboy. Far removed from its movie-tie in-game that will remain unnamed, Hellboy Web of Wyrd is a breath of fiery hot hellfire that successfully adapts Mignola’s heavily stylized comic into a fun, roguelike beat-em-up that feels like it was ripped straight out of the comics.
Starring the iconic and late Lance Reddick as the titular character, Hellboy Web of Wyrd’s narrative creates the perfect setup for a roguelike title. Split into four chapters or issues, Web of Wyrd sees Hellboy delve into an abyss known as the Wyrd in pursuit of a missing B.P.R.D agent (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense). Things quickly go from bad to worse, requiring Hellboy to explore the depths of the Wyrd, which in-game is split into four distinct biomes based on real-life locations, including Scotland, Russia, Italy and Brooklyn.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd is a roguelike game, meaning each of the four levels present in the game must be cleared in a single run before the next corresponding area can be unlocked. Clearing all four levels once will open the path to the final boss, which first requires the player to replay each level a second time to unlock what the game refers to as the corrupted equivalent of each zone.
Corrupted levels must be cleared twice, which finally grants the player access to the game’s true final boss. The levels in Hellboy Web of Wyrd feature a healthy mix of enemy varieties, ranging from creepy cryptids to ancient warriors and, of course, Nazis, who, like cockroaches, wind up rearing their ugly heads once the player reaches the corrupted sections of the game.
“Hellboy Web of Wyrd’s narrative creates the perfect setup for a roguelike title.”
Unlike other popular roguelikes, Hellboy Web of Wyrd is a slower-paced affair, with combat feeling tanky and weighty but still responsive and fluid. It is a delicate balance that almost gives the game the same feel as something like EA’s Fight Night franchise mixed in with the likes of Capcom’s cult classic hit, God Hand.
As Hellboy, you’ll spend most of your time dishing out death via your fists and Hellboy’s trusty Right Hand of Doom, along with a respectable arsenal of weapons that act as secondary fire, including a pistol, shotgun, and grenade launcher. Additionally, charms can also be equipped, which grant the player the ability to repel, create a temporary barrier and even deal damage that ignores enemy shields. Both sidearms and charms can be levelled up via rare in-game currency, encouraging players to replay areas to grind, as some upgrades can be rather expensive.
Hellboy’s health and toughness, or what the game refers to as the player’s defences, can be augmented permanently, similarly to Hellboy’s weapons and charms, by purchasing upgrades from the Butterfly House or Hellboy Web of Wyrd’s central hub. Additionally, like any good roguelike worth its salt, Wyrd’s levels feature specific rooms that randomly generate per run, which allow the player to purchase or earn temporary upgrades, such as additional ammo, faster cooldowns, passive bonuses and more.
Fittingly, Upstream Arcade must be fans of Supergiant Games, specifically their work on Hades, as Hellboy Web of Wyrd’s structure feels appropriately inspired by Hades. This is specifically in regards to interacting with NPC characters that grant the player boons, which feel similar to running into Zagreus’s extended family when running around the underworld, down to how the music ramps up when encountering the demonic denizens of the Wyrd.
“Hellboy Web of Wyrd’s structure feels appropriately inspired by Hades.”
Combat in Web of Wyrd requires the player to focus on larger enemies, which, when defeated, will despawn any remaining grunts or lesser threats to Hellboy. Locking on to your target and going in close is the best way to engage most, if not all, enemies in the game. Hellboy Web of Wyrd is at its best when you manage to string together a combo, get in a wall slam, and successfully use your limited arsenal to overcome otherwise stacked odds.
I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a bit of a learning curve in Hellboy Web of Wyrd, especially due to how close the camera can be to the action, but once you realize that the game is more of an intimate one-on-one bout between Hellboy and the biggest guy in the room, the game should begin to click. In a way, this approach really captures the physicality and grit of the source material that ultimately feels authentic to the franchise and something that fans will appreciate.
Clocking in around 15 hours, Hellboy Web of Wyrd feels just right, and with the added replayability that comes with roguelikes, that number can be extended, making for a solid roguelike title based on a licensed property and easily the best Hellboy game to date.
