Morbid Metal

Preview

A Stylish Fusion of Shapeshifting and Sci-Fi Slaughter

April 16th, 2026 by William Thompson

previewed on PC

The hack-and-slash genre is often defined by its giants — Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, and NieR: Automata — but every so often, an indie title emerges that feels like it could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Morbid Metal, a stylish dark sci-fi action roguelite from developer Screen Juice, is making a compelling case for itself as it prepares for its Early Access launch. Developed over nearly seven years, originally as a solo project by Felix Schade, the game combines high-speed, expressive combat with a deep shapeshifting mechanic that sets it apart in a crowded field.

At its core, Morbid Metal follows the journey of the last AI created by a mysterious "Operator". Trapped in a post-collapse simulation, you are ordered to eliminate your own kin to prove your worth and ultimately repopulate the Earth alongside a guide named Eden. This narrative setup provides the backdrop for "Iterations" — the game's terminology for its roguelite runs.

One of the most striking aspects of Morbid Metal is how it handles progression. While it draws some inspiration from the Metroidvania style in its world-building, the level structure is semi-procedural. Each Iteration begins in a familiar fashion, but as you push deeper into the simulation, the paths branch into different settings. This procedural generation is a double-edged sword: it keeps the experience from getting stale, yet it ensures that players can never get too comfortable with a specific layout or the villains they expect to encounter.

Between these intense runs, you return to the Void Hub — the "underbelly" of the Animus-like simulation. This serves as the meta-progression center where you spend resources collected during your Iterations. The primary systems here are the Neural Nexus, which offers persistent, incremental upgrades shared across all characters, and the Protocol system, which allows you to unlock character-specific attacks that significantly alter combat flow. There is a real strategic weight to your choices here; you must decide whether to invest in small, immediate health increases through the Iron Resilience node or save your points across several runs to afford more valuable, game-changing skills.

The standout feature of the gameplay is undoubtedly the shapeshifting mechanic. Players can equip a roster of characters and switch between them on the fly during combat. This isn’t just a cosmetic choice; it is the key to mastering the game's combat depth. Seamlessly swapping characters allows you to chain unique abilities together, extend combos, and manage different enemy types effectively.

The Early Access build introduces three distinct characters, each with a specialized role. First is Flux, who focuses on high single-target precision. With a visual style and blade-focused kit that feels reminiscent of Zero from Borderlands, Flux is your go-to for lethal teleportation strikes like "Blink Strike" and the devastating "Nano Blade" projectile slashes.

Next is Ekku, the brawler. Where Flux is precise, Ekku is about heavy area devastation. His "Ground Cleave" can stun everything in range, while "Sonic Slash" hits everything in a wide horizontal path, making him perfect for when you find yourself surrounded by a group of enemies. Finally, there is Vekta, who provides ranged battlefield control. Vekta excels at distance, using shurikens and telekinetic powers to lift enemies into the air or forcefully push them away. Learning when to shift—using Flux to shred a flying attacker before swapping to Ekku to clear the ground — is where the game's "fun factor" truly shines.

The settings you fight through are equally impressive. The first biome, the Sublime Garden, is a highlight. It is designed to look like a utopian retreat that has been eroded by a millennium of neglect. The result is a gorgeous, serene environment that feels like a cross between the crumbling remains of the Angkor Wat temples and a peaceful Japanese bonsai garden. However, that serenity is frequently broken by hostile machines that spawn in waves to ambush you. Clearing the garden leads to a precision-focused boss fight against Saru, a relentless "gatekeeper" that tests your movement and spacing.

If you manage to defeat Saru, you move on to the Steel Sanctuary, a fractured cityscape defined by rusted ambition and neon-lit buildings. This shift in atmosphere, from the overgrown ruins of the Garden to the coiling pipelines and lethal tension of the Sanctuary, showcases the visual variety Screen Juice is aiming for.

With roughly 10 hours of content on the main path for the Early Access launch, Morbid Metal is a promising entry into the action roguelite space. The developer has already outlined a roadmap that includes refining features and adjusting balance based on player feedback, ensuring the game continues to evolve alongside its community. For fans of stylish action and high-stakes combat, this is definitely a simulation worth entering.

As always, follow Hooked Gamers on Instagram for news updates, reviews, competitions and more.