When discussing the art of parrying in video games, approaches can differ greatly. Some might delve into extensive explanations, waxing lyrical about its redemptive qualities, as demonstrated in overly elaborate introductions. Others, like Nic, might succinctly capture its essence as “a surprisingly easy way to make your opponent look foolish,” as seen in this breakdown. Regardless of the method, both perspectives should find common ground in “Memoria Wake,” an upcoming isometric action RPG that features parrying attacks from giant black cats using an umbrella. A playable demo is available on Steam right now.
For those familiar with the Soulslike genre, “Memoria Wake’s” world presents a distinct departure. Forget the typical hordes of demonic dragons and maggot-infested cathedrals. Instead, this shattered dreamscape is populated with talking rubber ducks, wind-up monkeys, jack-in-the-boxes, and scattered jigsaw puzzle pieces, resulting in an atmosphere that is both unsettling and strangely comforting.
According to the official website, players will “traverse hand-crafted dreamscapes where beauty and horror intertwine.” They will “uncover long buried truths, face twisted memories, and piece together the fragments of a broken past.” The past belongs to Nilo, the main character—a petite feline adventurer with enormous eyes and a charming raincoat.
The game’s environments, with their dusty, sunlit dollhouse aesthetics, evoke comparisons to Tunic. However, the core gameplay mechanics are more reminiscent of Death’s Door, with a significant emphasis on parrying. You can access the demo through Steam. As for the official launch date? All that can be revealed at the moment is a simple “coming soon.”