Moroi

Moroi ended up being a much less magical and fantastical experience than it could have been. The premise is good, has potential, and even manages to leave us quite impressed at certain moments. However, the overall experience doesn't deliver, especially in the gameplay, which ultimately makes this fairy tale not as fabulous as it could have been.

When Moroi works and has players trapped in an area where they are severing their own limbs, it’s a weirdly compelling experience. Talking to weirdos and monsters that would normally be hostile in any other horror game and helping them out us what makes Moroi fun and memorable, not the incoherent fighting.

Moroi is a unique experience wrapped in surreal imagery, but it often struggles to tie those ideas together with satisfying gameplay or coherent storytelling. It’s fascinating, at times frustrating, and certainly not forgettable – but also not easy to recommend unless you’re drawn to experimental, rough-around-the-edges experiences. Violet Saint’s debut shows promise, and for fans of the weird, there’s enough here to warrant a look. Just don’t expect it to make sense – or always play that well, either.

The replayability mostly comes from the different endings that are hinted at by the achievement list and I do want to revisit Moroi to find out whether these hidden endings provide more answers.

Moroi is a dark fable that puts all its weight behind narrative and atmosphere to captivate the player. While its gameplay is limited and plagued by technical issues, the strength of its story and its gothic world-building make for a memorable experience — especially for those looking for something different and willing to overlook its flaws.

You clearly appreciate Moroi’s unapologetic weirdness and commitment to its aesthetic. The world-building, puzzles, and writing are engaging if you're on the game's wavelength. But the frustrating combat mechanics, occasional bugs, and unclear progression logic (especially with doors and puzzle gating) create a high barrier to enjoyment. It’s a fascinating mess, but it is best suited for players with patience and a taste for the bizarre.

Moroi has shown that anything is possible with such a messed-up story that drags you into the depths of hell.

I’m quite mixed about this game. It has an intriguing set-up that leads you into wild twists and turns that you never see coming, adding with the oddball characters, bizarre dialogue, neat environments and it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. But the simple and sometimes restrictive gameplay may not appeal to everyone and the myriad of issues that I’ve had with my time playing tells me that this needed more time to cook up and what we got in the end is an admirable but flawed debut. I do wish them the best of luck on what they’re working on next!

As a debut title, Violet Saint has done an impressive job of building a world that feels both dark and dismal, but also alive and full of character. Moroi is so much more than just a hack-and-slash, with both mystery and puzzles to solve throughout. The cast of absurd characters and humour keeps things light, even with all the gore, and the action packed combat sequences are bolstered by the pumping soundtrack. Even if you aren't familiar with Romanian folklore, anyone who enjoys a good grimdark fantasy will enjoy Moroi.

Moroi has a genuinely unique aesthetic and a distinct sense of atmosphere, but little else going for it.