Catacomb Kids impressions:
Okay, this game is addicting. For an early alpha, it feels very polished. Controls are simple and tight, arrow keys to move, z,x,c for various actions, a,s,d to use magic.
There are two modes to choose from: the main game and Versus. In the main roguelike mode, you choose from a number of classes (only two of six are in right now.) Bully is the brute class, start with higher strength but lower defense; Poet is the magic class, start with higher magic but lower strength. Then you choose from a randomized characters in each class, each with positive and negative traits (stealthy, loud footsteps, weak swimmer, etc.) and different starting equipment.
After you choose, you enter the Catacombs, and like true roguelike fashion, the goal is to descend as far as possible, level up, and survive. Now CK has some features and mechanics that differ from other games. Killing enemies doesn't give you XP or anything like that. To level up, you need to find the Orb of Leveling on each level, usually in tough room.
Now the gameplay is where Catacomb Kids shines, even in such an early state. Compared to Spelunky or Rogue Legacy, Catacombs Kids is all about careful exploration and smart planning. Platforming is a means to an end, rather than the focus. Your character is very agile, able to roll, hang from edges, crawl along the ground, swim. Finding spellbooks allow you to choose a spell to learn, from flight to teleporting, fire wave to plague, force blasts to enhanced speed. Mana recharges slowly and each spell costs a certain amount to use, so you need to plan how to best your weapons and magic. More often than not, it's better to avoid conflict, and you can distract enemies, avoid their line of sight, and do sneak attacks.
What makes Catacomb Kids feel so fun is how reactive the world is; as the trailer and gameplay videos had shown, you can use the environment to your advantage in unique and cool ways. Knock down a torch to burn enemies without getting close, or throw a poisonous mushroom into a pool to kill the piranha inside. Lure enemies into traps, or throw rocks to reveal a trap's location.
All that, and I haven't even touched on Versus mode yet. Here, you select a randomized character and then three spells. You can fight another player or the computer in a number of different arenas, and it's just hectic addictive fun, There's a ton of strategy in combining magic, countering different spells, using the environment to your advantage, and more.
Edit: oh, and you can eat enemy corpses for health. Just remember which you poisoned first before chowing down
