Sulphur Memories: Alchemist Steam Charts & Stats

I rarely write full reviews (though I do run a curator for mini reviews) but Sulphur Memories: Alchemist is good enough and unknown enough that I feel the need to write one. SMA is a super unique take on the (traditional) roguelike genre. Mechanically similar to a roguelike, but the whole of character growth is through the acquisition of new potions and equipment that each offer something unique to dispatch enemies, obstacles, and other dangers. I loved the excitement of unlocking each new recipe and finding out what new thing it could offer me, and there was very little overlap. The basic cycle of the game sees the player explore a 2 or 3 map sequence of fairly large randomly generated areas. Multiple area types exist with pretty standard fantasy offerings: forest, swamp, mausoleum, fortress, etc. The better prepared you are for the particular challenges of that type of area, the easier of a time you have with the dangers and the more ability you have to fully loot it. Enemies are well-balanced, often being very dangerous in the wrong circumstances but easily dispatched if you are prepared and play tactically. Your goal is to explore while looting the map of ingredients and knowledge (used to unlock new recipes) with each area having its biggest reward at the end and often guarded by a boss As of the time of writing, SMA is in early access and it does feel like it offers less variety in enemies and areas than it would need to be complete, but it's still a very enjoyable play. I hope Spellweaver continues to add content to it because I could see SMA developing quite a strong cult following. And a protip for any new players: Always put away your potions after you throw one so you don't blow yourself up while trying to loot.

Great atmosphere. [After some time] Actually, one of the best roguelikes I have played in my life. [After even more time] Did I mention the music? Great music.

Recommending in hopes of further development. Don't give up on this, please. No idea what I am doing and there does not seem to be much content yet, but the concept is perfect.

I've played exclusively permadeath mode and the skeleton of an incredible game is there. Pros: The way ingredients are structured, such as "something metallic" or "something volatile", and more esoteric ones like "something fey" or "something sinister" is really unique and I love how it is. It's very intuitive, rather than a potion requiring several different herbs and minerals named something or other, it's distilled into what it does. It's also really clean to look at and it's definitely my favourite aspect of this game. Another point is that most potions have a use, and me refusing to make and care about a certain potion literally caused me a death around the mid game, which is good for a game about potions. Cons: The beginning can start to feel stale reset after reset, and moving regions can start to be tedious. Adding a fast travel point nearer or inside your home could definitely fix this issue for me immediately, though. Mixed: The locations themselves can feel very samey, but since it's early access that came out recently I genuinely enjoy the amount of content already in there, be it creatures, potions, and locations. Creature behavior specifically is pretty good, each one does something different. Overall, I enjoy the game and would, and have, recommended this game to my friends. I don't usually leave a review, but seeing as this is a small game with huge promise, I felt like I should toss in my two cents.