Skyhill - Demo Impressions @ Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Adam Smith (Rock, Paper, Shotgun) can't stop playing the rogue-like RPG Skyhill:

Even as Skyhill’s [official site] protagonist books into the eponymous hotel, it’s clear that all is not well with the world. The penthouse suite, he’s told, comes with the best in biological protection, which doesn’t mean a gratuity pack of condoms concealed in the fruit bowl and champagne welcoming gift. World War III is happening, y’see, and there are all sorts of nasty weapons primed to launch. And that’s just what happens – a biological weapon hits the city and the chap you control is the sole survivor. Time for a turn-based trek through one hundred floors of hell.

I’ve been playing the demo of Skyhill today and every time I die, I shut it off and wonder if I’ll ever bother to go back. Half an hour later, I try again.

It’s a slot machine, essentially. Each floor of the hotel has three rooms – the elevator entrance and two suites, one at each side. The contents are randomised and you’ll be hunting for bits and pieces to combine so that you can make weapons, healthcare, tools and meals. You don’t have to figure out ‘recipes’, the crafting menu tells you what you need to make every unlocked item, and along with your inventory there are only two essential stats to keep track of: health and hunger. The latter drains as you move and can be converted into health by returning to the penthouse (either using the stairs or the elevator, which is only available on certain floors, where the doors are intact) and sleeping. [...]

Thanks Eye!