1666: Amsterdam, the ambitious project from Assassin's Creed director Patrice Désilets, presents a compelling vision of 17th Century Amsterdam, albeit one met with apprehension regarding its upcoming Early Access release. The game situates players as Noa, a witch who can possess a cat with a man's soul, embarking on a quest to reclaim power from demonic entities known as the Originals. The narrative kicks off with an attack on Noa's coven by witch hunters, initiating a cycle of evasion, combat, and aerial navigation across the city's rooftops.
Despite the initial promise of magical combat, early gameplay impressions suggest a combat system limited to basic dodging and brawling, a stark contrast to the fantastical abilities hinted at by the premise. The preview noted a lack of different difficulty settings, though the development team is reportedly considering their implementation. A boss battle was unfortunately cut short by a technical issue, leaving its full execution unobserved.
However, a hands-off demonstration revealed more of the game's deeper mechanics, including roguelite elements where players acquire random abilities after defeating Originals or through exploration. These abilities, such as casting a vine shield or transforming into a tank, are intended to diversify combat and traversal, offering strategic options for infiltrating buildings and navigating the city. The game emphasizes player agency, allowing for multiple approaches to puzzles and infiltration, whether through brute force, magic, or stealth.
Exploration and infiltration appear to be core strengths, with level design encouraging varied solutions to accessing secured areas. The cat possession mechanic offers a unique avenue for distraction or gaining entry by manipulating NPCs. The overarching design philosophy, as stated by Désilets, prioritizes iterative progress over perfection, a sentiment that, while fostering experimentation, raises concerns about the polish expected by players paying for Early Access.
The preview concluded with a lingering sense of unease about the game's readiness for its August 25 Early Access debut. While the world design and exploration mechanics show promise, the early combat impressions and technical hitches observed during the preview raise questions about whether the game's grander aspirations will be realized in a sufficiently refined state. The hope remains that 1666: Amsterdam can overcome potential early stumbles and deliver on its apparent brilliance.