Each weapon has two possible upgrades, but selecting one permanently locks out the other. The game definitely features a wide array of weapons ranging from an axe, handgun, and magic staff up to a double-barrel shotgun, minigun, and a close approximation of the BFG. You need to keep moving, you need to swap weapons, and yes you will die more than a few times while learning how best to overcome the hordes of unique enemies.

You can tell programmer Jakub Cislo was a die-hard fan of the genre as Project Warlock immediately has that same level of difficulty. In very few instances did I need to turn it off for some precision aiming, otherwise it was a blast to play through this incredibly fresh take on the games that defined the genre. The menu even has an option to lock the y-axis which immediately sets the game to play more like the original DOOM than ever before. In keeping with the nostalgic feel of the game, Project Warlock has a number of graphical modifiers that can be applied at any time, going so far as to make the game seem like it is on a CRT, extra pixeled, and an impressive host of modified sliders to give yourself whatever nostalgic feel you are going for. I found myself clearing every enemy from a level, finding the exit, and backtracking to find the hidden walls as a reward after surviving the onslaught. Project Warlock also features secrets in the form of hidden doors and breakable walls that prove challenging to find but not insurmountable if you know what to look for.

Stages are brilliantly designed ranging from wide open, massive killboxes to tight narrow corridors where an enemy could be lurking at any moment. The narrative is thin (much like that of the inspirational material) but you’ll have a central hub between missions to upgrade weapons and spells, unlock perks, and select your next area. You’ll take on the role of a nameless warlock setting out to destroy evil.

Inspired by classics like DOOM and Heretic, Project Warlock is truly a fantastic homage to the source material and an absolute joy to play. Notable for a number of reasons, we can’t even begin to talk about Project Warlock without bringing up that it was designed by a single 18-year-old while attending high school. What more could you ask for? A grin cracks across your face as you take aim and prepare for frantic carnage… Wait, it’s not DOOM? Project Warlock might not be at the top of your list of games to snag this year but if you are a fan of first-person shooters it definitely needs to be on your radar. Demons and other hellish monsters are beginning to descend upon you. Your shotgun is pumped and ready – no wasted reload times here. The music begins to thunder in your head.

Corvus heretic