Dolmen Analysis – A space walk full of dangers

Dolmen crystals are going to get us in trouble and it will cost us more than sweat to get them…

Space hides secrets that human beings are unable to glimpse. Indomitable planets with alien life, artifacts with incomprehensible powers, and motivations beyond our comprehension. A cosmic horror for which we are not prepared. Well, precisely everything described happens in Prime Review, a planet that has been seen transformed, annihilated and completely razed in the wake of a crystal with unique powers: the Dolmen.

Massive work studio with Raw material are in charge of the development of Dolmen, a third-person action adventure game that does not hide by showing its mechanics like souls. Of course, with variants that we will describe in this analysis. If you are a space terror lover and like a challenge, this might be the game for you.

Today it’s time for mineralogy lesson

History, as I have already mentioned, will lead us to Revion Prime, a mining planet that has been razed to the ground by a mysterious enemy. We will be responsible for visiting the facilities in search of evidence and reasons for this treasure hunt. Of course, instead of a pencil and paper to write down the evidence we find, we will be equipped with a pistol and an axe. For what can happen in there.

The whole story serves as a link to what is really important in Dolmen: the fights. Before starting to play, we can customize our character in the way that suits us best. Make it more accurate with long-range weapons, melee bulk, or a hybrid that performs balanced in all its facts. Whatever we choose, we must always be aware of enemy attacks, measure distances and know how to dodge well so as not to be food for worms on this hostile planet.

Welcome to Revion Prime Guided Tour

As in the works that From Software has popularized, we will have our weak attack, strong attack, shield defense, dodge, endurance… I think it is not necessary to tell you how Dolmen plays. Its linearity makes it more accessible, and it is that in few occasions we will find convoluted screens and full of secondary paths. And pay attention to what I just said, because it’s more accessible doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Despite these mechanics already known to all, Dolmen has its own virtues that slightly differentiate it from other titles of the same genre. For starters, the gun becomes more relevant. It’s not a title remains of the ashes where everything was solved with bullets, it also doesn’t have as much background as in Dead Space, no matter how much that may remind us of the work of Visceral Games. But we’ll definitely be using it to keep enemies at bay and give us a break from close combat.

A being that radiates light

The reason the game doesn’t turn into a bullet-and-gun party is the energy itself. While you should keep an eye on the red (life) and green (stamina) indicators, we better pay special attention to the blue (energy) indicator. Lenergy will be our ammunition, and although if we spend a few bullets the bar fills up, the same does not happen if we devote ourselves to popping all the monsters with lead. Besides, our only way to recharge life is also through the energy bar, so it’s better to be vigilant if you don’t want a good scare at the most inopportune moment.

look in the landfill

Craftsmanship will also be vital in Dolmen. Exploring the scenarios we will find different materials and parts that we can then use to craft new weapons and armor. The thing does not stop there, since everything transcends a little further. Depending on the artifacts we want to imbue weapons and armor, their attributes will changeso we will have to weigh very well the type of improvement that we want to promote on a certain part of our armor.

And what group do you belong to?

There will be three different types of manufacturing (or technology): Human Development, Revian or Drill. Each of them will require a minimum level of attributes for our character (for example, driller armor generally requires a higher constitution level, while Revian armor generally requires more energy and science). It is important to know what kind of role you want to tackle, and not to raise the level of points awarded “lightly”. The materials in Dolmen are not abundant, and using them without a head can cost us more than a disgust, especially in the clashes with the final bosses of the area, where the difficulty intensifies.

To prepare well for the next bug

The beginnings of the game can be difficult. We start with low health, low gun stamina, low stamina, no idea how new weapons are created… but once we get into its mechanics and soak up its history, everything starts to take on a different chalice. Knowing how to play your cards well, explore each room, and level up correctly shouldn’t cost you much to advance (as long as you’re already familiar with the Souls-type mechanics, of course).

Even the studio raised their hands in the final boss encounters, being able to ask online help to make it more accessible to defeat the monster on duty. By the way, it is worth noting the good work behind its design and mechanics. Each of these beasts will force us to defeat him in a different and particular way, very graceful aspect and which make each battle a new challenge.

Assessment of the dolmens

game lovers like souls are in luck with new work from Massive Work Studio and Prime Matter. Despite a known playable structure and an obvious linearity, it will trap us in search of new challenges that put us between the ropes. Not everything is a copy of From Software’s works. Dolmen has its own personality that goes through the customization and crafting of our character, as well as the weapons that we will have at our disposal (especially those with long range).

Beginnings can be hard and strange. That even the world keeps catching up with us. But as we play, overcome areas and understand how weapon crafting works, its attributes and functions, everything takes on a different air. Without being a big fan of this type of game, I admit I was very addicted to this proposal. I don’t know if it will be because of its story about crystals and their supernatural powers, the originality of its final bosses or the futuristic atmosphere that sometimes reminds Dead Space in terms of decor. But whether it’s one specific thing or all together, Revion Prime has something that grabs you.