Review – Mark of the Deep

In 2021, Mad Mimic surprised the audience with the excellent Roguelite, in which we controlled the skilled illusionist Ace facing his envious antagonist. Now, the same company, in partnership with Light Up Games, presents an innovative pirate -themed metroidvania. Unlike the iconic Shantae and his troupe, in, Rookie and his companions need to face an old curse as they try to escape a mysterious island.

Similar to Death’s Door, Mark of the Deep brings a bold and different proposal from what is expected of a meroidvania, a genus usually associated with the classic Metroid and Castlevania. Here we have a closer approach to games like Diablo, with systems and combat that refers to soulslikes. But can the game sail through turbulent waters or sink into its ambitions?

Completely off the map

Mark of the Deep’s story presents the crew of a pirate ship trying to survive a strong storm. Rookie, about to be thrown out of the ship, tries to use her huge hook to hold on to a rope, but the wire easily cuts the wood and ends up hurting rookie. The last scene on the surface is the captain’s silhouette gathering in his rooms, moments before the ship exploded.

Rookie awakens in an old temple, where she discovers that she did not mysteriously die. He survived both the wound caused by the hook and the fall of the ship and the storm. Upon leaving the temple, he comes across a strange island, inhabited by undead, and humanoid aquatic creatures who claim to live there for a long time.

Shortly thereafter, Rookie finds Blackeye, one of the leaders of the pirate crew of which they were both part. Reflecting on the next steps, Blackeye believes Rookie is the only hope to unravel the island’s mysteries and save the other crew. Rookie is the only one capable of this because she was not affected by the local curse.

The player discovers that Rookie has the mark of depth, a protection that resurrects him whenever he dies at marked points and keeps him immune to the island’s curse. This curse transforms those who remain in place into sea creatures, exchanging their skin for scales, their lungs with gimmicks and erasing their memories.

Dungeons, caves, castles and many items

Mark of the Deep is inspired by several famous games, something evident in the arrangement of items, relics and level design. Maps are divided by short scenario transitions, such as interconnected rooms from classic Castlevania and Metroid Metroidvanias, where each area makes up a larger place. Each level has its own theme and a mechanics that helps Rookie overcome the challenges.

In the first dungeon, for example, the player acquires a ride, which is able to attack enemies at a distance and activate out of reach. As the player advances, Rookie gains skills such as launching the hook on walls or objects to cross holes, use aquatic swirls such as portals and wield weapons such as portable cannons and revolvers.

Rookie also finds equipment that helps in her explorations. These items occupy inventory spaces, initially limited to three. However, it is possible to expand the number of spaces by finding chests or buying improvements with salespeople in villages that appear along the journey.

Some items occupy more than one space in inventory, which encourages strategic combinations. The player can prioritize agility, strength or carry more healing potions. This personalization makes each exploration unique, allowing Rookie to adapt better to the challenges.

Fighting the tide

The combat in Mark of the Deep is functional, but it could be better. Compared to Dandy Ace, he still suffers from problems such as confusing telegraphy and lack of impact on blows. In Dandy Ace, this was less noticeable due to the focus on spells, but here, with Rookie wielding a gigantic hook, the absence of weight in the attacks is more remarkable.

Enemies and bosses are not particularly difficult. Each has specific strategies that facilitate their defeat, even the most advanced units. However, areas such as the forest have a high volume of enemies, raising the challenge. Explosive and magical mushrooms, for example, were especially problematic at certain times.

In the first scenarios, Rookie has little life and only three bullets, which can be recharged by hitting crystals or enemies. Over time, it is possible to find items such as Leviathan’s blood crystals and soul jewelry fragments to improve the life bar, hook and firearms by interacting with Yonis, the smokers.

With better equipment, largest health bar, time suitable for dodging and good item combinations, Mark of the Deep becomes affordable and quiet to finish. However, the soundtrack, sonoplasty and dubbing leaves to be desired, especially when compared to work done in Dandy Ace. On the other hand, Mad Mimic’s art direction once again impresses, with visually striking monsters and scenarios.

To the bottom of the ocean!

Mark of the Deep is a pleasant surprise that if it had been released in the era of PS1 or PS2, it would easily be a classic. The initial scenarios referred me to the beginning of Brave Feter Musashi, although without the mechanics of absorbing enemies skills. Many players complained about the absence of a map, something considered essential in the genus Metroidvania, but that does not diminish the experience as a whole.

Among the metroidvanias I played, Mark of the Deep is a title that marked me a lot. It doesn’t reach the level of excellence of indivisible, but offers an experience as pleasant as The Last Case of Benedict Fox. Despite the limitations in combat and soundtrack, navigating this ocean full of classics is, by itself, a great achievement. The depth mark is definitely next to Mark of the Deep.