"Don't Die, Minerva"

"Don't Die, Minerva"

Reviewed By: Carless Yen

Developer: Xaviant, LLC

Platforms: XBOX Preview and PC

Release Date: Dec 5, 2019

Price: 19.99

"Don't Die, Minerva" is a little cute rogue-like experience where you play as a little girl named Minerva. You go with her into creepy little houses, and fight tons of Ghosts and Goblins. With only a trusty flashlight and a teddy bear. This one really caught me off guard, and I loved it it from the start. The way it looks just screams Halloween. I wish they could have got it out before then, because the Halloween game I reviewed for Playstation around then was just horrid. This one is just so addictive , and loaded with replay value and cute moments. The first thing you notice is just how good it looks. The areas really give you the Halloween feel. The art is so colorful and bright, and pleasing to the eyes.The enemies and Minerva are just the cutest, and I know from the very start you will fall in love with them like I did.

The game sort of reminds me of Luigi's Mansion with a mix of Binding of Issac. You fight enemies with a flash light, and with a friend like teddy bear or dragon. When enemies are around you throw them down and they attack, and you shoot the light at them as well. It takes both to really clear out the rooms. When you clear a room doors open, and you choose which one you go to. They are randomly generated so you never know where your going. You also never experience the same game twice. It always feels different. Enemies will drop crystals that can used for upgrades, but if you die before you get to the area that allows you to use them you lose them. The same with your coins. If you get to the place to use them though the upgrades will carry over , just not the items. That really encourages multiple play through. You will get things like finding a health potion at the end of levels, or being able to sell unwanted items. These come in handy, so be smart with your choices. Also be smart when picking up upgrades because there are some that give you a bigger health bar or energy bar, as well as different attack levels and styles. It is very easy to swap out the wrong ones, and then scrap them. i'm speaking from experience as a guy that did it many times not paying attention and rushing it. These boost also come in the form of crystals you equip in your weapons as well, and pendants, back packs, boots, and more. You really have to pay attention to what you pick up, and throw down.

If you make it through so many levels of the house you will fight a boss, he you can defeat him he will throw down a ton of items and gold to pick up, and it will also open a new area. The different areas have different and unique enemies to. You really never experience the same thing twice with this , and it's one reason I really loved it. I almost forgot when you get to the areas where you can upgrade, you can also buy items in a shop. If you don't like the items you can buy the clerk to re-roll them for three new ones. Shop wisely, but not to wisely because you don't want to die and lose all that money. There are also upgrades though that let you hold on to some of your coins after death as well. Don't Die, Minerva really keeps you thinking about your choices. I highly recommend this one to people who like dungeon crawlers and rogue-like experiences.It's a game that is going to really take up a bunch of your time, and give you your money's worth. At 19.99 you really can't ask for a better Halloween/Horror experience that's loaded with replay value and cuteness.

The game is in preview program for the Xbox right now, and I guess regular release on PC. I could be wrong on that info for PC, but I don't think either have any issues any ways. Seemed very well developed in my opinion. I played it for a few days and hours each day, and never had any issues. It can be tough I recommend starting on easy to get the game down and it's controls. You are going to be playing it a bunch anyways, and probably on all the difficulties. So get off to a nice start on a easier level, and up it as you go. You can change the skill on the same run anyways, so it doesn't really hold you back. I did my video review a little different this time. I did more of a let's play with a score at the end. but hope you still check it , and the game out and let us know what you thought about it. In my opinion if you don't have a Nintendo, or just looking to save some money "Don't Die Minerva" really gives you a lot of the same experience. In many ways I actually enjoyed it more, and I'm a huge Luigi fan. " Don't Die, Minerva" is just a great experience for all ages,and we enjoyed every second with it.

Pros:

Beautiful Halloween like Backgrounds

Tons of replay value

Awesome Protagonist

Bunch of different ways to play and levels randomly generated

Cool upgrades to unlock

Bosses/enemies are fun to learn patterns, and are adorable

Runs great even in preview

Cons:

Honestly I didn't experience anything I didn't enjoy

Overall: 8.2

Xaviant really delivers a fun adventure for the entire family that will keep you coming back to it over and over. It's great to see them come back so strongly after the Culling issues, and their new title really deserves your attention.