Children of Morta Review: A Family That Slays Together, Stays Together

TL;DR:

Hey everyone, Josh here from 2tonwaffle.com with another review. Today we're diving into Children of Morta, a pixel-art roguelike RPG that proves family bonds are stronger than ancient corruption. After spending countless hours dying (and dying some more), I've got some thoughts to share about this unique take on the genre.

The Basics

Children of Morta puts you in control of the Bergson family, a clan of guardians tasked with protecting Mount Morta from an evil corruption spreading across the land. Instead of following just one hero's journey, you'll play as multiple family members, each with their own distinct playstyles and abilities. It's like if the Addams Family decided to become dungeon crawlers, minus the creepy and kooky part.

Visuals and Atmosphere

Let's talk about those pixels first - holy cow, this game is gorgeous. The art team at Dead Mage has created some of the most stunning pixel art I've seen in recent memory. The attention to detail is incredible, from the way corruption bubbles and oozes across the ground to the fluid character animations. Every frame looks like it could be hung in a pixel art museum, if that was actually a thing (and it totally should be).

The atmosphere is enhanced by a fantastic narrator who sounds like he should be reading ancient epic poems instead of describing my countless deaths to spiders. His gravelly voice adds gravitas to every story beat and family moment. It's like having Morgan Freeman narrate your family dinner, but with more talk about ancient evils and magical crystals.

Gameplay

At its core, Children of Morta is a hack-and-slash roguelike with RPG elements. You'll dive into procedurally generated dungeons, fight monsters, collect loot, and inevitably die - a lot. But here's where things get interesting: death isn't just a reset button. Every run, successful or not, contributes to your family's growth and the overall story.

The combat feels satisfying across all characters. John, the father, plays like your standard sword-and-shield warrior. Linda, the eldest daughter, brings ranged archery skills to the table. Kevin (my personal favorite) zips around with daggers like he's had way too much coffee. Each character feels distinct and requires different strategies to master.

One of the smartest design choices is how the game encourages you to switch between family members. If you play one character too long, they'll develop "fatigue" that reduces their health until you give them a break. It's like the game is saying, "Hey, maybe let your sister take a turn fighting the ancient evil, huh?"

The Family Dynamic

What really sets Children of Morta apart is its focus on family. Between runs, you'll witness small vignettes of family life - Lucy drawing pictures, Uncle Ben crafting weapons, or Mary writing in her diary. These moments give context and weight to your dungeon-crawling adventures. You're not just fighting to save the world; you're fighting to protect your family.

The progression system reflects this family-first approach. While individual characters level up and gain new abilities, you'll also unlock family-wide upgrades that benefit everyone. It's like your typical skill tree, but with more family dinner discussions about how to better smite evil.

The Grind

Now, I do need to address the elephant in the room - the grind. Like many roguelikes, Children of Morta requires you to fail repeatedly to progress. Early on, you'll die... a lot. The difficulty curve can feel pretty steep, especially before you've unlocked many family-wide upgrades.

Some runs feel frustratingly short, particularly when learning new characters. Linda, for example, requires careful positioning and good aim - skills that take time to develop. Meanwhile, the corruption isn't exactly patient while you figure out your optimal arrow trajectory.

Technical Performance

On the technical side, the game runs smooth as butter on both PC and consoles. I encountered zero crashes or significant bugs during my playthrough. Load times are quick, which is crucial for a game where you'll be restarting frequently. The controls feel responsive and precise, though I'd recommend a controller over keyboard and mouse for this one.

The Verdict

Children of Morta is a unique blend of roguelike action, RPG progression, and family drama that mostly succeeds at all three. The gorgeous pixel art and narrative presentation elevate it above similar games in the genre. While the grind might turn off some players, the satisfying combat and meaningful progression system make it worth pushing through the tough early hours.

The game really shines when played in short sessions, treating each run as a chapter in your family's ongoing story. It's like sitting down with a good book, except sometimes the book punches you in the face with spider monsters.

Score: 4/5 Waffles

Pros:

• Stunning pixel art and animations
• Engaging family-focused narrative
• Distinct, well-designed characters
• Satisfying combat and progression
• Excellent narrator

Cons:

• Can be grindy, especially early on
• Difficulty spikes can feel unfair
• Some characters take significant practice to master

Bottom Line: If you enjoy roguelikes, pixel art, or stories about families fighting ancient evil (and really, who doesn't?), Children of Morta is absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared to die. A lot. Like, seriously, a lot.

And hey, at least when you die, you get to hear that awesome narrator tell you how badly you messed up. That's worth something, right?

This has been Josh from 2tonwaffle.com. Thanks for reading, and remember - waffles are objectively better than pancakes. Fight me.

FAQ:

Q1: How long does it take to complete the main story? A: About 15-20 hours for the main story, longer if you want to max out all family members and complete side content.

Q2: Can you play co-op?
A: Yes, the game supports local co-op for two players, but no online multiplayer.

Q3: How many playable characters are there?
A: Six main playable characters from the Bergson family, each with unique playstyles and skill trees.

Q4: Is progress lost when you die?
A: No, you keep experience, gold, and family upgrades. Only the current dungeon run progress is lost.

Q5: How difficult is the game?
A: Moderately challenging, especially early on. There's a noticeable learning curve, but multiple difficulty options are available.

Q6: Are the dungeons randomized?
A: Yes, dungeons are procedurally generated, offering different layouts and enemy placements each run.

Q7: Do I need to play characters I don't like?
A: The game encourages switching between characters through a fatigue system, but it's not strictly required.

Q8: Is there post-game content?
A: Yes, including New Game+, family trials mode, and additional challenges through free DLC.

Q9: Does it run well on lower-end PCs?
A: Generally yes, the pixel art style isn't very demanding on hardware. Minimum specs are quite modest.

Q10: Are there multiple endings?
A: There's one main ending, but several side stories can be discovered through optional content and family interactions.