‘FlyKnight’ Review
Developer: Wabbaboy | Platform: PC | Playtime: 4:10
I’m usually pretty elitist about Soulslikes, in the way that I don’t think I’ve enjoyed any of the ones I’ve played save for FromSoft’s own. Something was different about FlyKnight, probably because it’s not actually a Soulslike but more of a classic first person Dungeon Crawler of Old. I have no real experience with that kind of game but this one was pretty darn fun.
After designing and naming your fly squire, you awaken in a camp, the sole survivor of an ambush that killed your squadmates. Your mission remains unchanged though, you are here to slay the Lunamoth - a being who cursed insect kind to lose their wings. You have the option to play online with other players but I went on my journey solo. This felt more thematic to me, especially with the NPC’s you meet on your journey.
It may be common for Dungeon Crawlers (as I have no knowledge of the genre) but in this bite size RPG there is less of a focus on levels - that’s to say there isn’t any. Each character starts with the same Health, Stamina and Mana and it’s up to the player to style their build. I ended up as a Heavy Knight in my playthrough - bulky armour meant my stamina was heavy used and slow to recharge but I could tank nearly anything. In terms of equipment, you have 3 Weapon slots, 3 shield slots, a slot for a bow, arrows, two spell slots, two ring slots and four armour spots to do with what you will. Your choice of weapon is important as each one has a damage type (Slash, Strike, Magic etc) as well as motion (Left to Right, Downwards, Thrusting Forwards etc) to take into account. There wasn’t a single combat encounter where I didn’t swap my weapon at least once. The game encourages it and it feels really rewarding - break the enemies shield with a strike weapon, kill with a slash weapon. High skill players could probably do a lot more with this system than me, especially with the limb severing system that can leave enemies near defenceless.
Navigation proved a little difficult for me in places. The world is gloomy by design and feels thematically dank and but with things being literally dark it was sometimes hard to see. Admittedly this may have been because I played the game on a SteamDeck. Despite this, I did enjoy exploring each of the three main areas even though I know I missed all kinds of equipment as well as a mini boss or two. Finding everything in each of the areas (made easier thanks to fast travel between the campfire checkpoints) would be easy for a completionist and could easily bump up your playtime to 7-8 hours I dare say.
I’ve got to say, FlyKnight was a pleasant surprise - it's something a little different and at least to me, felt like a good introduction to a genre I wouldn't usually play. For less than a fiver, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl. Fly high, FlyKnight.
