Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi

Nosferatu isn't even obscure, it shouldn't have been. PC Gamer gave it a very well written positive review, in which they say who needs great graphics if you've got great gameplay, and this game has it in spades.

So, your sister is getting married to a count(!) who lives in a remote European countryside(!) where the sun almost never rises(!), they all went there the day of the wedding but you stayed behind because you hate parties. You arrive at the castle and see that they've already dismantled the reception area which poor you are looking forward to because you're hungry from your long trip, then you noticed no one is in sight. Blast, am I in a Gothic version of Punked? Let me comb my hair before they take my photograph for the article.

You decide to enter one of the open doors(there's only one at the beginning if I recall correctly) and who is it you encounter? It's a family member(or a family friend)! The count is evil and everyone's been taken hostage in the castle, even your sister. You have until midnight to save everyone you can or everything is doomed. Doomed I tell you!

I am a sucker for games that want you to save people. This game knows how to pull that off by giving you a randomly generated level with lots of "did I just see that" and "please die already" enemies until you save a relative, sending them back to the gate, a sanctuary. The gate has a lot of holy stuff in it like crosses so it's a safe place. What's more, once you save a relative they give you something to help you in your quest. This is like the first Metroidvania FPS. Albeit with a lot of high pitched screaming on your end. Because the enemies here are tough. But don't you worry, did I mention you have a sword that you can dip into holy water? You can shout "Divine Judgement!" while you hack away at the enemies. There are bosses too.

I remember the last level I was supposed to reach the top of the castle, but somehow I decided to go down the basement instead. There was a portal below guarded with two giant nope enemies, so I angled my destination, closed my eyes and ran for it. I immediately got transported to the top of the castle.

I won't spoil it any further, but suffice to say putting all these into words makes me want to play the game again. Save the relatives once more, save the world from evil once more.