Fallback

Fallback is a roguelike in the convention of an action platformer with RPG elements. The game was developed by an independent studio Endroad and was published by Microids.

Plot

Fallback offers us a gloomy vision of the future in which the world fell victim to an ecological cataclysm. The remnants of humanity have found shelter in the underground, in a gigantic complex called Eden, managed by the Vesta corporation. After years of living in a bunker, a group of rebels decided to move beyond its gates and try to restore life on the devastated surface. First, however, the rebels will have to face the forces of Vesta, who are trying to stop them at all costs.

Mechanics

In Fallback we observe the action from the side. Before the start of the game we choose one of six characters, each of which represents a different profession and possesses unique skills. Sapper is a melee fighter who sets enemies on fire, Seismologist eliminates enemies from a distance, Technophobe is a stealthy and surprise attacker, Biochemist uses poisons and other dangerous substances, Holomaster can teleport, and Geometer is incredibly fast and agile.

During the game we travel through a procedurally generated underground complex and face countless enemies, traps and obstacles. Apart from robots and automatic Vesta's cannons, which we deal with without too much trouble, on our way there are powerful bosses, defeating which requires dexterity and reflexes, as well as discovering their weak points. In addition, platform elements add variety to the gameplay, and exploration requires you to both look around and look deep into the screen; the game is made in 2.5D, so the camera often changes its position, and what you thought was just a background element may turn out to be a path leading further on.

As you progress, you develop your characters, unlocking new abilities and improving the ones you already have (there are over 50 skills in the game), as well as gaining better equipment.

Technical aspects

Fallback graphics is rather gloomy. Economic lighting creates a dystopian atmosphere, enhanced by the ambient soundtrack.