Originally launched as a Kickstarter project with an amount of 39,000 Euros, MONOMYTH is a dream come true for players who not only love dungeon crawlers, but are also fans of the innovative 360° classics Ultima Underworld and Arx Fatalis. Arcane's Arx Fatalis (known for Dark Messiah, Dishonored, and Deathloop) seems to be the primary inspiration here, as the visuals, immersion, gameplay, and atmosphere strongly evoke that title, which, although serving a niche market in the early 2000s, still managed to build a loyal fanbase.
What truly sets MONOMYTH apart, however, is not just how faithfully it captures the spirit of its predecessors, but the immense effort behind this almost entirely solo-developed project—a feat that commands great respect. While the graphics may not meet the high-end triple-A standards, even with the Unreal 4 engine, the sheer scope of what has been achieved by one person is impressive. The Early Access version is currently limited in terms of content, but it already provides a clear sense of the direction the game is heading.
The story begins with the player assuming the role of a prince, who ventures into a seemingly abandoned city of ruins in search of his brother and a magical artifact that is meant to appease the gods—gods who are currently wreaking havoc on the overworld with deadly storms. Of course, the ruins are not as deserted as they first appear: right at the start, you’re knocked out and wake up in a prison cell, awaiting either execution or enslavement. This opening sequence, if my memory serves me correctly, is strongly reminiscent of the start of Arx Fatalis. From there, you fight and crawl your way through the dungeons, free a fellow prisoner, and, true to the genre, descend deeper into the “rabbit hole.”
One standout feature is the high degree of interactivity with the environment: almost everything can be thrown or destroyed. You can use a torch to set objects on fire, and the flames will spread to nearby items. You can fish, and even smith weapons interactively: placing metal in the fire to heat it before hammering it on the anvil. Cooking and baking bread, manipulating light sources, and much more are also possible. Need a drink from the well? Sure, just a mouse click away. Want to extinguish a light with a water arrow? Absolutely, as MONOMYTH incorporates elements from Thief, offering a stealth and shadow system. The list of possibilities goes on and on, but I’ll refrain from going into too much detail here.
In conclusion, MONOMYTH is an impressive project, especially considering its modest budget and the small team behind it. I’m definitely looking forward to the full 1.0 release.
