SULFUR is a single-player action game from Perfect Random. Described as modern old-school by its developers, this first-person shooter pays homage to the shooter titles of the past. However, it contains a stylized, cartoon-like design wrapped in a fast-paced roguelike gameplay. Fight and outsmart enemies in a dark world, with tools to help you execute your preferred play style. 

While the FPS elements are intuitive to the point of being cliched, the premise and art style make SULFUR a must-try for enjoyers of FPS and dungeon crawlers. It’s like Gunfire Reborn with characters from Dumb Ways to Die 2. 

Gear up and stay alive, repeatedly 

As an FPS, SULFUR has pretty straightforward gameplay. Explore a dark world and descend deeper, all while disposing of all who stand in your way. It features a grid-based inventory similar to that of Resident Evil or Diablo IV. Aside from managing your resources, you can also explore different weapons, equipment, and enchantments depending on your playstyle—letting you play stealthily or attack everyone head-on. 

What gives this game its unique identity is its visual design. It features a high-resolution, low-poly art style. In terms of characters, they are cartoonish, which is both refreshing to watch and enjoyable to interact with. As a roguelike, it has a lot of randomized content, from the procedurally generated levels following a theme. The same goes for the weapons and upgrades, ensuring that every run is unique and unpredictable. Additionally, the game shines brighter in its tactical combat system. The game follows a turn-based combat model with an emphasis on terrain manipulation and positioning.  

Outsmart enemies in this old-school action-adventure

Furthermore, the battlefield becomes a dynamic puzzle as players must consider their enemies' weaknesses and the environmental hazards and buff. The ability to use alchemical substances, represented as Sulfur in the game, adds an extra layer of depth, allowing players to craft various items, enhance abilities, or even sabotage the enemy. Each character in your team has a distinct role, with skill trees that offer a level of customization rarely seen in this genre. The progression system is engaging, allowing for multiple playstyles, whether you prefer brute force, stealth, or magic. 

Moreover, combat is often intense, requiring careful planning and strategy, as the difficulty spikes in later missions can punish even small mistakes. Resource management also plays a significant role. Outside of battles, players must manage their base of operations, upgrade their troops, and choose which resources to allocate to different quests or research. This blend of strategic resource management with intense combat makes every choice feel important. However, the game has a steep learning curve as it requires players to quickly grasp complex combat mechanics, including terrain manipulation, alchemy crafting, and strategic resource management. 

A unique and replayable shooter 

SULFUR offers an engaging experience. Its grid-based inventory system and randomized content ensure each playthrough is distinct. It’s an impressive game that offers deep tactical gameplay wrapped in a compelling narrative. The game’s standout feature is its intricate combat system, combined with a world steeped in lore, where each battle feels consequential, and decisions on and off the battlefield ripple through the storyline.