GameWatcher visited Guadalindie 2026 in Málaga, Spain, and went hands-on with Cuelebre Cult’s Metropolis of Dolorosa, one of the crucial visually putting strolling sims we’ve come throughout not too long ago.
A few of my favorite tales are all about common folks strolling into one thing too massive to understand at first. The mysteries are progressively revealed, however they’re the flawed individual within the flawed place on the flawed time. Metropolis of Dolorosa makes use of the tried-and-tested hook throughout its early sections. The enjoyable twist is you’re fairly actually strolling into Hell. Earlier than you’ve even found out why and the way you died, you’re rapidly thrown right into a plot that may have been in movement for a very long time…
Metropolis of Dolorosa places its greatest foot ahead because of a putting, hand-drawn India ink visible type that defines unique-looking demons of all types and otherworldly (but human… in an odd means) locales housing distorted residents and shady characters I’d not belief. Who am I? The place am I? Why are we doing all this?
No less than throughout its early beats, considered one of Metropolis of Dolorosa’s largest strengths is that it strikes at a fast tempo. You principally shall be studying, strolling round Dolorosa’s streets, and discovering the Nice 5 Powers as you strive to determine “a plot of demonic energy succession”. Producer Ariadna Vilasó confirmed to me the sport isn’t a protracted one (its Steam description says it’s round 4 hours) and the core gameplay loop lands near visible novels and strolling sims. There’s a little bit of open-ended exploration concerned although. In truth, I virtually managed to get misplaced throughout my transient journey to Hell.
Evidently, video games like Metropolis of Dolorosa are all in regards to the writing. If it’s beneath or overbaked, it’s throughout. When there aren’t any enemies to combat or gadgets to relentlessly acquire, the writing has to land. Fortunately, at the least through the opening chunk, all of it comes collectively reasonably fantastically. Furthermore, gamers could make a couple of decisions alongside the way in which, beginning with three foremost characters to select from.
The interactions with the demonic denizens really feel snappy however stylish, witty however restrained, descriptive however well-calculated. As somebody who typically has to endure scripts making an attempt to be means too good for their very own good (or downright anaesthetic), there’s a spark to Metropolis of Dolorosa that’s frustratingly uncommon. The sassy phrases match the artwork type, however there’s magnificence and polish to the hassle as a complete.
It’s in all probability a very good signal I used to be barely mad when the credit rolled simply as issues have been getting actually attention-grabbing. In simply over quarter-hour, I used to be actually enchanted by what this small Asturias-based studio had cooked. After failing to play an earlier construct in 2025, I used to be joyful to verify one of many best-looking video games at Guadalindie truly had the juice.
On the time of writing, Metropolis of Dolorosa hasn’t locked a date, but it surely’s at the moment set to launch in 2027 on PC through Steam. Console variations haven’t been confirmed but, however I used to be advised there’s potential curiosity in bringing it to Change. It is going to be obtainable in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and English (textual content) at launch. A brand new demo will arrive later this 12 months, and you may wishlist the sport now.
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