Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics Critic Reviews

Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics is a unique take on the roguelike genre that never looks back. It's a must-have on PlayStation Vita, though of course there's a lot more competition on PlayStation 4 and PC.

Its gameplay focuses on short, fast-paced playthroughs for on-the-go play. If you've been itching for something similar to Spelunky, but also love the Mystery Dungeon series and the JRPG genre, One Way Heroics is a neat combination of all three.

One Way Heroics is not for everyone, but it's been one of the most accessible roguelikes I've played and that's because it's far from a traditional one. It's not a game where players are punished for dying, but one where it's a benefit to do so. Play sessions can be short, so even losses aren't a waste of time. It helps that on longer runs there are occasional save options mid-run, but even those are strategic in their use. It's a solid experience that might not be one people ever finish, but getting the first ending isn't too tough. The others will take learning and patience, but are doable over time. One Way Heroics is a good long-term experience, albeit one best played in sprints rather than as a single marathon.

Personally, I don't see the appeal. The combat is incredibly shallow (which, admittedly, makes sense, since you've always got to keep that relentless Shine Raid in mind). Managing resources isn't all that fun, since you know you're going to lose most of them at the end of your current run.