Hellboy: Web of Wyrd

The reviews of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd highlight several positive aspects, particularly its faithful adaptation of the Hellboy universe and its creative integration of the character’s lore. Critics like God is a Geek and Comicbook.com praise the story for its engaging characters and authentic alignment with Mike Mignola’s storytelling style, emphasizing the game’s connection to the original comics. Gamereactor UK and GamesRadar+ commend the supernatural weirdness and dark humor that resonate with the franchise’s tone, while TechRadar Gaming appreciates the well-structured twists and turns that leverage the roguelike mechanics to deepen the narrative across different dimensions. Impulsegamer and ZTGD note that the dialogue and character interactions provide a compelling narrative layer, and Noisy Pixel highlights the original storyline developed in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics and Mignola himself, which adds a sense of legitimacy and nostalgia for fans. These perspectives underscore the game’s strengths in capturing the essence of Hellboy’s world and offering a story that feels true to its source material. However, the narrative is frequently criticized for its lack of depth, engaging characters, and coherent structure. CD-Action and Everyeye.it argue that the story feels underdeveloped, with weak character arcs and a plot that serves more as a backdrop for combat than a meaningful experience. Metro GameCentral and Softpedia point to incoherent storytelling and a failure to explain the game’s setting effectively, while Vandal and GameSpot describe it as predictable, bland, and lacking the reflective prose that defines the comics. GameGrin and XboxEra note that the plot is simple and only appealing to long-time fans, and GameCritics criticizes the rushed execution due to the absence of player deaths, which limits narrative opportunities. GameOver.gr and Checkpoint Gaming also highlight pacing issues and a lack of emotional investment, suggesting that the roguelike mechanics, while innovative, detract from the story’s ability to resonate deeply with players. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed, with a clear divide between those who value the game’s loyalty to the Hellboy lore and its atmospheric elements, and those who find it lacking in narrative substance. While God is a Geek, Comicbook.com, and TechRadar Gaming celebrate its authenticity and creative twists, many others, including CD-Action, GameSpot, and Vandal, feel it falls short of the comics’ complexity and fails to deliver a standout story. The involvement of Mike Mignola is a recurring positive, but some reviewers, like SpazioGames and PCGamesN, argue that the narrative feels underdeveloped or overly reliant on lore-heavy exposition. Despite these criticisms, several outlets, such as Xbox Tavern and TheSixthAxis, acknowledge its adherence to the franchise’s themes and its potential as a complementary entry for fans. The game’s roguelike structure is seen as both a strength and a flaw, with some praising its ability to enhance the story and others criticizing its impact on pacing and depth.

The gameplay of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd receives mixed reactions, with some critics highlighting its accessible and occasionally engaging combat mechanics. GameSpew praises the roguelite brawler’s “intimate” combat, noting the strategic use of combos and strong attacks, while GGRecon appreciates the “simple but effective” system that allows for creative one-on-one fights. IGN acknowledges the combat’s simplicity and ease of learning, emphasizing its “satisfying” nature when players master the rhythm of light and heavy attacks. CGMagazine and Worth Playing also commend the game’s “balanced” combat and its appeal to newcomers, with the latter noting the “enjoyable” brawler experience despite its roguelike structure. These positives suggest that while the gameplay lacks depth, its core mechanics can be fun for players seeking a straightforward, action-oriented experience. However, the majority of critics condemn the game’s gameplay as repetitive, shallow, and technically flawed. CD-Action and Everyeye.it criticize the “simple and repetitive” combat and “poor level design,” while GamingTrend and Gfinity describe the experience as “shallow,” “unambitious,” and “frustrating” due to clunky controls and a “cumbersome camera.” God is a Geek and Metro GameCentral highlight sluggish combat and unresponsive mechanics, with PlayStation LifeStyle and Push Square calling the controls “unresponsive” and “molasses-slow.” The roguelike formula is frequently criticized for artificially extending the game’s length, as noted by Gfinity and TheXboxHub, while others like GameGrin and Game Rant point to a lack of challenge and “monotonous” combat. These issues, compounded by inconsistent mechanics and a lack of variety in enemies and upgrades, create a gameplay loop that feels formulaic and unengaging. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Hellboy: Web of Wyrd fails to deliver a compelling or innovative gameplay experience. While a few reviewers, such as GGRecon and IGN, acknowledge the potential in its combat system, the overwhelming majority highlight its repetitive nature, technical shortcomings, and lack of depth. The roguelike elements, intended to add replayability, are often seen as a crutch that exacerbates the game’s flaws rather than enhancing it. Critics like GameSpew and CGMagazine note isolated positives, but the broader sentiment leans toward disappointment, with the game falling short of expectations in both design and execution. The result is a gameplay experience that, despite its occasional charm, struggles to overcome its repetitive mechanics and technical issues.

The Graphics and Visual Design of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd are overwhelmingly praised for their faithful recreation of Mike Mignola’s iconic comic art style. Critics like CD-Action, GameSpew, GamingTrend, and Gfinity highlight the game’s cel-shaded aesthetic, thick black outlines, and stark color contrasts, which they argue "bring the comic to life" and "capture the original Hellboy design" with remarkable precision. PlayStation LifeStyle and GamesRadar+ emphasize the "stunning" and "otherworldly fidelity" of the visuals, noting how the gothic, baroque shadows and movement align with the source material. Areajugones and ComicBook commend the blend of animation, comics, and film noir elements, while Noisy Pixel and IGN celebrate the "captivating" and "gorgeous" presentation, with the Butterfly House and Wyrd environments described as "ripped straight from the comics." These reviews collectively underscore the game’s success in translating Mignola’s distinctive art into a dynamic, visually striking experience that resonates with fans. However, some critics point to technical and design shortcomings that detract from the visual experience. Everyeye.it and PlayStation Universe note that while the style attempts to mirror the comics, it falls short in execution, with "lackluster" graphics and "glitchy animations." GameOver.gr and Game Rant criticize repetitive environments and enemies, arguing that the "monotonous color palette" and "bland level design" reduce immersion. XboxEra and ZTGD highlight performance issues, such as "graphical crudeness" in close-ups and "glitchy frame tricks" that can feel "nauseating." Impulsegamer and XboxAddict mention minor slowdowns or draw-ins, though they acknowledge the overall positive presentation. These critiques suggest that while the art style is a triumph, its technical polish and variety are areas where the game struggles to maintain consistency. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among reviewers leans heavily toward admiration for the game’s visual design. Most critics, including Metro GameCentral, SpazioGames, CGMagazine, and TheXboxHub, agree that the art style is a standout feature, with GameSpot and TheGamer calling it "flawless" and "a treat for the eyes." While some reviewers like PlayStation Universe and XboxEra express concerns about performance and repetition, the majority view the visuals as a faithful and evocative homage to Mignola’s work. The game’s ability to translate the comic’s "ink-black shadows" and "bold linework" into a 3D world is frequently lauded, even if technical hiccups and environmental monotony occasionally undermine the experience. This balance of praise and critique reflects a game that prioritizes artistic integrity over technical perfection, appealing strongly to fans of the source material while leaving room for improvement in execution.

The sound design and music of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd received generally positive feedback, with many critics highlighting their atmospheric contributions to the game’s tone. CD-Action praised the music as "atmospheric" and noted its role in setting the mood, while SECTOR.sk and Softpedia described the sound design and soundtrack as "excellent" and "surreal," respectively, emphasizing their ability to enhance immersion. Vandal commended the dynamic ambient soundtrack for its combat support, and CGMagazine drew comparisons to Hades, suggesting the music effectively ramps up during encounters. Gamereactor UK and XboxEra both acknowledged solid sound design, with the former praising "satisfying combat sounds" and the latter appreciating the "strong" audio elements. Additionally, multiple reviewers, including GameSpew, God is a Geek, and Gamer Escape, highlighted Lance Reddick’s voice acting as a standout feature, with his portrayal of Hellboy described as "authentic," "warm," and "emotional," adding depth to the character and narrative. These positives collectively underscore the audio’s ability to complement the game’s visual and thematic elements, creating a cohesive experience. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings in the sound design and music. CD-Action and Hey Poor Player both noted the music’s repetitiveness, which detracts from its memorability despite its atmospheric role. TheXboxHub criticized the soundtrack as "generic and forgettable," while Games.cz described the sound design as "lacking," with some sections entirely devoid of music, a flaw expected to be patched later. ComicBook and Comicbook.com specifically called out Reddick’s voice acting as "repetitive" and "lacking variation," which they felt undermined the experience. XboxEra also mentioned the "lack of texture or detail in cutscenes," reducing emotional impact, and some reviewers, like Impulsegamer, noted that the choice of voice for Hellboy might not appeal to all. These critiques suggest that while the audio elements were functional, they often failed to leave a lasting impression or fully realize their potential, with repetition and technical inconsistencies being recurring issues. The overall consensus among critics is mixed, with the game’s audio elements serving as both a strength and a weakness. While the voice acting, particularly Lance Reddick’s performance, was consistently praised as a highlight, the music and sound design faced divided opinions. Some, like SECTOR.sk and Softpedia, found the soundtrack to be a key asset, while others, such as TheXboxHub and Games.cz, deemed it underwhelming or inconsistent. TheXboxHub’s critique of the "generic" music contrasts with Gamereactor UK’s "solid" sound design, reflecting a spectrum of quality. Despite these differences, the audio’s role in enhancing the game’s atmosphere and combat was acknowledged by several reviewers, though its lack of originality or memorability left some unimpressed. Ultimately, while the voice acting elevated the experience, the sound design and music were seen as a mixed bag—effective in some areas but falling short in others, with room for improvement in terms of variety and emotional depth.

The majority of critics praised Lance Reddick’s voice acting as Hellboy in Web of Wyrd, highlighting its charisma, depth, and authenticity. CD-Action and PlayStation Universe emphasized his "charismatic" and "depth" performance, noting how it brings the character to life despite the game’s other flaws. GameSpew, Gfinity, and Vandal described his work as "fantastic" and "commendable," with Vandal specifically praising how it adds "character and personality" to the protagonist. CGMagazine and Checkpoint Gaming called his portrayal "refreshing" and "poignant," while GamesRadar+ and Screen Rant lauded his "gravely, rhythmic cadence" and "tone-perfect" delivery. TheXboxHub and XboxEra also celebrated his "outstanding" and "excellent" performance, with TheGamer noting it as a "wonderful posthumous performance" that blends sarcasm and humanity effectively. These reviews collectively underscore Reddick’s ability to embody Hellboy’s gruff, irreverent tone, making his voice a standout element of the game’s audio design. However, some critics raised concerns about Reddick’s performance, particularly its perceived lack of originality or fit for the role. Comicbook.com and Comicbook.com (repeated) criticized his voice as "repetitive" and "lacking distinct delivery," which they argued could distract players from the action. Gaming Age described the voice acting as "flat and uninspired," especially when compared to Ron Perlman’s iconic portrayal, while Softpedia noted that his performance "may require some adjustment due to its mismatch with Hellboy's character." Impulsegamer acknowledged that Reddick’s voice "may not fit Hellboy for some players," and XboxAddict pointed out a technical flaw: "a lack of mouth movement during dialogues" that detracted from immersion. While these critiques were less frequent, they reflected lingering doubts about whether Reddick’s interpretation fully captured the essence of the character, particularly for long-time fans. Overall, the consensus leans heavily toward positive reception of the voice acting, with Reddick’s performance as Hellboy being a consistent highlight. Most reviewers, including GameSpew, Gfinity, and GamesRadar+, viewed it as a strong asset that enhances the game’s narrative and character dynamics. However, the critiques about repetition, authenticity, and comparison to Perlman indicate that while the voice acting is generally well-received, it isn’t universally flawless. The supporting cast, as noted by Gamer Escape and Noisy Pixel, also contributed positively, though some technical issues like lip-sync problems were mentioned. Despite these minor drawbacks, the majority of critics agreed that Reddick’s work elevated the game, making it a memorable aspect of the experience, even if it didn’t fully satisfy all expectations for the character’s voice.

The technical performance of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd receives mixed feedback across platforms, with some positive notes. On PC, Games.cz praised the game’s "generally acceptable" technical performance, noting only minor crashes early on, while Worth Playing highlighted its ability to run at a stable 60fps with a native resolution of 1280x800. For Xbox Series X, XboxAddict described the technical performance as "acceptable" despite minor visual draw-in issues, and XboxEra noted the absence of bugs on both PC and Xbox, though it criticized limited graphical settings on PC. These positives suggest that while not flawless, the game’s core mechanics and performance were functional on certain platforms, particularly for players prioritizing stability over visual fidelity. However, the negatives dominate the critique, especially on PS5 and PC. PS5 reviewers, including CD-Action, Everyeye.it, and PlayStation Universe, criticized frame rate drops, glitching shadows, input lag, and frustrating bugs like falling through the map or long loading times. On PC, the issues were more varied and severe: Noisy Pixel described "heavy stuttering" during transitions, PCGamesN called the game "unstable," and ZTGD highlighted problematic controls and "glitchy" frame tricks. Xbox users also faced challenges, with TheXboxHub noting delayed button responses and Xbox Tavern reporting a critical saving issue that caused progress loss. These technical hurdles significantly impacted the experience, with many critics agreeing that the game required substantial polish. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Hellboy: Web of Wyrd suffers from significant technical shortcomings across all platforms, though the severity varies. PS5 and PC users faced the most persistent issues, with multiple reviewers (e.g., Gfinity, Noisy Pixel) emphasizing instability and performance hiccups. Xbox Series X received slightly more lenient feedback, with some critics (e.g., XboxAddict) acknowledging acceptable performance despite minor flaws. Despite these differences, the game’s technical flaws—ranging from bugs to frame rate inconsistencies—overshadowed its gameplay, leading to a largely negative reception. While a few reviewers (e.g., Games.cz, XboxEra) offered cautious optimism about potential fixes, the overall sentiment suggests that the title required more refinement before release.

The reviews of Hellboy: Web of Wyrd highlight some positive aspects of its replay value, particularly its roguelike structure and progression mechanics. Critics like CD-Action and GameSpew note that the game’s death-and-restart loop, combined with the ability to purchase upgrades and experiment with different loadouts, creates a foundation for repeated play. PlayStation Universe and Push Square emphasize that the roguelike elements and collectibles offer enough intrigue to justify the grind, while CGMagazine and Checkpoint Gaming point to the procedural generation of environments and the necessity of multiple runs to unlock content as factors that extend playtime. Additionally, Worth Playing acknowledges the flexibility of restarting from any of the four worlds, allowing players to explore deeper sections without completing the entire game in one sitting. These elements suggest that the game’s design inherently encourages some level of replayability, especially for fans of the genre or those drawn to its unique art style and narrative. However, the repetitive gameplay and lack of meaningful variation dominate the negative critiques. Everyeye.it, Gfinity, and Metro GameCentral argue that the game’s shallow mechanics and minimal upgrades make subsequent playthroughs feel unengaging, while Softpedia and SpazioGames describe it as “repetitive and stiff” or “uninteresting to replay.” Vandal and TechRadar Gaming criticize the absence of impactful upgrades and the formulaic nature of levels, which diminishes the incentive to revisit. IGN and GamesRadar+ note that procedural generation alone isn’t enough to mask the monotony of enemy types and environments, and XboxAddict highlights the tedium of farming currency as a deterrent. Even GameSpot and TheGamer acknowledge that while the roguelite framework encourages retries, the lack of challenge and repetitive combat mechanics ultimately hinder long-term engagement. Many reviewers also point to the game’s limited weapon options, shallow customization, and unchanging core loop as significant drawbacks. The overall consensus among critics is that Hellboy: Web of Wyrd offers limited replay value despite its roguelike framework. While a few reviewers, such as God is a Geek and Worth Playing, recognize its potential to satisfy dedicated fans or those intrigued by its procedural elements, the majority view it as a game that quickly loses appeal due to its repetitive design and lack of depth. Areajugones and GamesRadar+ note that procedural generation introduces some variety, but this is often overshadowed by the game’s unchanging combat and environments. XboxEra and TheXboxHub criticize the “least satisfying” rogue-like setup, while GamingTrend and Digitally Downloaded argue that the absence of challenge or meaningful content prevents players from returning. The game’s reliance on a familiar roguelike formula without sufficient innovation or rewards leaves it feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience, with only niche appeal for hardcore fans or those willing to overlook its flaws.