Hack n' Slash for the Whole Family--Children of Morta

I've expressed my personal dislike of roguelikes before, but maybe, just maybe my mind is changing a tiny bit on that front.  I've been tooling around on Game Pass and stocking my wish list with games to check out and decided, based on many positive reviews, to take a chance on a game called Children of Morta.  Morta probably isn't a true roguelike, but the tags on the store page do identify it as a rogue-lite.  Regardless of how you would classify it, you can definitely classify it as a unique and fun game that is worth checking out.

Children of Morta tells the story of a family of talented fighters who are pitted against a dark phenomenon that threatens to overtake their idyllic world.  The story plays out over a series procedurally generated stages (*rogue-lite) and is interspersed with intermissions that allow players to return to the home of the heroes to spend gold on two different sets of upgrades (one set which is more oriented toward buffs and one that improves character stats).  The gameplay has a very ARPG feeling (but more hack n' slash) and is very addictive.

Pros:
+ Nice balance between gameplay and story elements.  Players start off at the home of the heroic Bergson family (a multi-generational family) where a narrator sets up the story.  The game then transitions players into the stages where combat takes place--each stage is procedurally generated and consists of anywhere from 2-5 different areas/levels.  To complete a stage, players must survive through the entire thing--dying means you must return home and start over.  The nice part about dying is that it gives you an opportunity to spend gold on upgrades and re-enter the level.  Almost every time you return home there is a new event in the story--you can click on special symbols to learn more about the Bergson's.

+ Gameplay is challenging, but fun.  The reality is that you're going to die and have to start stages over.  Fortunately, this isn't a drag, but instead allows you to swap out characters and try news strategies.  Each stage features certain areas that players can choose to complete--areas with a blue entrance usually indicate a challenge or quest that can be completed, these quests usually reward players with valuable relics (items which provide buffs) or powerful "graces" which are items with a cooldown period.  Entrances that feature a yellow-star will always contain a relic or grace, so it's worthwhile to fully explore each area to try to find this area.  There are also special wave-based or mini-boss challenge areas (indicated by a floor panel with a medusa-like face) that require defeating enemies to unlock relics, graces, or even to release special NPC's (merchants who sell goods) who will begin appearing at the end of certain levels.

Since it's a rogue-lite the levels change every time you have to start over--this keeps the gameplay fresh.  Players have to make decisions about how they want to complete each level--it is generally worthwhile to explore each level in its entirety to find as many relics and graces as you can so that you can prepare for the boss fight at the end of each stage.  Relics and graces are randomizes--some are more useful than others and they are found randomly.  Sometimes you find a bunch and sometimes you only are able to grab a few.

+Wide cast of characters to choose from.  At first only a few Bergson's are available to play, but as you progress the story introduces more characters.  Each character has their own style--sword and shield for a semi-defensive style of gameplay; bow and arrows for ranged damage; daggers for a fast and furious, stabby style--there are a ton of choices and some are more suited to certain bosses.  Learning how to play each character is very enjoyable and also helps provide variety.

+ Fun, pixel vibe.  Don't be deceived by the pixellated appearance, the game still manages to portray the story and characters in a fun way.

+Side events.  There are side quest-like events that are can be unlocked on certain stages.  These events can unlock special story-based characters or items.

+ Local co-op.  Two Bergson's are better than one!

+RPG-like elements.  Each character earns XP and can unlock different talents that can provide powerful abilities or stat upgrades.  It is worthwhile to play as various characters because as each character levels up and spends talent points the entire family benefits from buffs which are rewarded at certain point levels.

Cons:
- If you don't like dying a lot (you probably shouldn't play rogue-likes) you might get frustrated.  To complete an entire stage you have to survive through all the levels and complete the boss fight without dying.  It can be challenging and I had some moments of frustration at almost making it...only to die on the boss fight at the end.  Fortunately, the game is a lot of fun so setting it down for a little while and then starting over (usually choosing a character that might be better suited to the challenges of that particular boss fight) isn't a big deal.

Recommendation:
I absolutely loved Children of Morta and I usually get very frustrated with roguelikes.  The story and gameplay compliment each other very well and it manages to be challenging enough to push you without pushing you away.  Local co-op is a nice option if you have a partner to accompany you on your adventure.  I would heartily recommend it.