Many games cast you as an adventurer, but few explore the consequences of failure. Annihilated presents a unique scenario where you’re tasked with saving a single individual after their entire crew has fallen victim to a dungeon’s malevolent curse.
Developed by the Japanese indie collective Death Kumiai, your initial and most crucial choice is selecting which adventurer to rescue. Each character is afflicted in a distinct manner by the curse: the Hero is unable to speak and can only respond with affirmations or negations, the Wizard has lost their magical abilities, the Warrior’s essence has been transferred into a human-sized doll, and the Priest has suffered a loss so profound it remains undisclosed at the outset. Your chosen path will shape your gameplay strategies and the narrative arcs that unfold.
Battles are conducted through roguelite card-based encounters. After choosing an action from a deck of cards, you participate in a brief minigame requiring you to halt a rising meter at a precise moment—similar in concept to Undertale’s combat mechanic. Perfect timing enables your attacks to strike multiple foes, introducing a reflex-driven element to maintain player engagement. However, your gear has limited durability and will eventually break after repeated use.
While Annihilated introduces several characters, your primary interactions will be with the companion you selected at the game’s onset. Dialogue sequences adopt a visual novel format, where your decisions influence your bond with your chosen ally. Some conversations serve as casual exchanges, while others trigger events that can sway the ending you ultimately achieve.
Since its reveal last year, Annihilated has recently exceeded 100,000 Steam Wishlists. With the release date approaching in a few months, the development team is working diligently to ensure the final product meets the high expectations of its fanbase.
Annihilated is scheduled for release on July 22 for Windows (Steam).
Mido