Soul Essence is a 2D 'metroidvania' that pays homage to the great titles of the genre of the 32-bit era, especially the many titles of the Castlevania saga that appeared at the time. That said, this game also draws from more modern titles, offering a much more difficult and dangerous combat system, along the lines of titles like Hollow Knight.
The controls in Soul Essence are simple. On the left side of the screen, you'll find the virtual joystick for moving around and on the right side of the screen, you'll have the three main action buttons to jump, attack and roll. It's important to note that at the beginning of the game you won't even be able to attack while jumping. Your movements are limited, so you'll have to get used to trying to dodge all the enemy attacks whenever possible.
The story of Soul Essence puts you in the shoes of a warrior capable of transforming into a demon, who has to complete a complex mission for a group of cultists. Along the way, you'll have to face a multitude of rival cultists, armed with flails, crossbows and even magic. You'll also have to face other much more terrible supernatural creatures.
As you defeat enemies, you'll also gain experience. You'll be able to invest these experience points in improving all of your character's attributes, including maximum health points, strength and defense. The more defense you have, for example, the less damage you'll receive when an enemy hits you or when you run into a trap.
Soul Essence is an excellent game that perfectly combines action, platforms and RPG gameplay. The game also has an incredibly extensive story mode, spread over more than a dozen levels that you'll have to unlock little by little, as you progress through the plot.
