SERAPH: In the Darkness

Seraph: In the Darkness is a dark ARPG loot game developed by Actoz Soft on the Arbitrum platform. Headquartered in the APAC region, Actoz Soft brings 18 years of experience since its founding in 1996. Previous titles from this studio include Legend of Mir 2, Legend of Mir 3, and 1000 Years, an online RPG.

In terms of lore, the game begins by introducing the player to the history of Seraph and the angels. The story unfolds with the shattering of the World Eye, which brings chaos to the world and revives the player in the starting zone. Beyond this central narrative, there is limited additional lore to further develop the IP.

The game is currently accessible through its own launcher on PC. A mobile version is also available on app stores and can be found on the Seraph website. The hardware specifications for the game are modest, with a 1060 GTX recommended for optimal gameplay.

Gameplay

After loading into the game, the player must choose one of four available classes: Sorceress, Valkyrie, Barbarian, or Necromancer. After selecting a class and name, the player spawns in a graveyard located in the main camp, where they talk to Agamand to begin their campaign quest.

The initial set of mini-quests serves as a tutorial, introducing players to the game's mechanics, including equipment usage and combat. Each character has four stats they can improve: Strength, Dexterity, Stamina, and Energy. Stat points are earned by leveling up.

Each character in Seraph: In the Darkness has three skill trees to choose from, allowing players to customize their abilities. For example, the Sorceress can specialize in Frost, Flame, or Lightning. This provides a variety of play styles for each gamer.

The core gameplay involves navigating through various maps, clearing mobs, and facing bosses, each with unique mechanics. The campaign is divided into Acts, and upon reaching level 60, players will have completed Act 10. This marks the beginning of the endgame content, which centers around completing void realms. These realms are tiered by difficulty, starting with T1, and feature different rooms with varying effects, such as buffs on monsters or special NPC appearances. Rewards for completing these realms include soul sparks and high-grade equipment, which can also be NFTs.

Wearing an NFT grants players void realm energy, which can be used to unlock Martian Rampage mode.

Review

Seraph: In the Darkness has undergone numerous playtests, consistently showing improvement at each stage, though it has yet to achieve perfection.

Graphics: The graphics are well-crafted, with clear and impressive visual effects that enhance the gameplay experience. Adding a visual effect when uncovering spaces in a room could further improve the gameplay.

Audio Design: The sound effects for abilities and monster actions are well-made. The background sound is subtle, allowing combat sounds to stand out. However, the English version of the game has some dialogue audio errors not present in other versions.

Gameplay: Seraph offers an enjoyable experience that is easy to understand. The initial acts up to level 60 are relatively easy to complete, but the difficulty ramps up as players progress through the void realm tiers. While the endgame loop provides hours of gameplay, it can feel purposeless once players acquire high-level items. However, the ability to trade items might appeal to those who enjoy farming equipment.

Overall: I would rate Seraph a 7 out of 10. The team has delivered a well-made ARPG that provides hours of gameplay. While it currently leads its genre, there are several areas for improvement to make it a true competitor to Diablo.