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Dolmen (PS5) Review
Developer: Massive Work Studio
Publisher: Prime Matter
Genre: Action RPG / Soulslike / Science Fiction
Release: 2022
Dolmen is an ambitious attempt to combine the punishing combat and progression of a Soulslike with science-fiction and cosmic-horror influences. Set on the alien planet Revion Prime, the game puts you against hostile creatures while searching for valuable Dolmen crystals. Its combination of melee combat, firearms, crafting and character development gives it a distinct identity, even if the execution is often rough around the edges.
Gameplay & Mechanics
At its core, Dolmen follows a familiar Soulslike formula. Combat revolves around stamina management, dodging, blocking, positioning and learning enemy attack patterns. Defeated enemies provide Nanites, which function as the game's main form of currency and experience, while dying puts your accumulated resources at risk.
The biggest gameplay difference is the integration of ranged weapons. Pistols, rifles and other firearms can be used alongside melee weapons, giving encounters a little more flexibility than the typical Soulslike. Ammunition and energy management prevent guns from completely replacing melee combat, encouraging players to switch between different approaches.
The energy system is particularly interesting. Energy can be used for ranged attacks and other abilities, but it also plays a role in survival and equipment management. This creates additional decisions during difficult encounters.
Character development is handled through attributes, equipment and skill trees. Weapons and armour can also be crafted and upgraded using resources collected throughout Revion Prime.
Strengths:
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Good mixture of melee and ranged combat
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Equipment and crafting add depth
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Challenging combat encourages learning enemy patterns
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Character builds allow some experimentation
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Energy mechanics provide a small twist on the Soulslike formula
Weaknesses:
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Combat animations can feel stiff
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Some enemy attacks feel poorly telegraphed
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Certain encounters rely more on frustration than careful challenge
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Controls and combat lack the refinement of genre leaders
Exploration & World Design
Revion Prime is one of Dolmen's strongest aspects. The industrial science-fiction environments, alien architecture, laboratories and monstrous inhabitants create an appropriately hostile atmosphere.
The world isn't enormous, but areas contain interconnected paths, shortcuts, resources and hidden items. Exploration is therefore worthwhile, particularly when searching for crafting materials and equipment.
The problem is that the environmental design doesn't always reach the same standard as its visual concept. Some areas feel repetitive, and exploration can occasionally become more about navigating corridors than discovering meaningful secrets.
Still, the combination of science fiction and cosmic horror gives Dolmen an atmosphere that separates it from medieval Soulslikes.
Story & Themes
The story follows an expedition to Revion Prime, where the discovery of Dolmen crystals becomes increasingly connected to disturbing discoveries about the planet and its inhabitants.
The narrative draws heavily from cosmic horror, with alien creatures, mysterious technologies and unsettling environments contributing to the feeling that something much larger is happening beyond the player's immediate mission.
Unfortunately, the storytelling isn't one of the game's strongest areas. The plot provides enough motivation to keep progressing, but characters and dialogue aren't particularly memorable, and much of the game's lore doesn't have the same impact as its atmosphere.
The concept is considerably more interesting than the way the story is ultimately delivered.
Graphics & Presentation
Visually, Dolmen has some impressive moments, particularly considering its relatively small development team.
The alien environments have a suitably grim appearance, while the creature designs successfully combine biological horror with science-fiction aesthetics. Lighting and environmental effects help establish the game's oppressive atmosphere.
However, there are noticeable technical rough edges. Character animations aren't especially smooth, environmental assets can look basic and some visual elements lack the polish expected from a major PS5 production.
The game nevertheless benefits from a consistent art direction. It doesn't look spectacular, but it does succeed in creating a recognisable visual identity.
Sound & Music
The sound design contributes effectively to the horror atmosphere. Alien creatures make appropriately disturbing noises, while weapons and environmental effects provide sufficient impact during combat.
The music is more understated, generally supporting the atmosphere rather than dominating it. The overall audio presentation works well enough, although it isn't particularly memorable.
Final Verdict
Dolmen is an interesting but flawed Soulslike that deserves some credit for attempting something different. Rather than simply copying the traditional fantasy setting, it takes the formula into science-fiction and cosmic horror, while incorporating firearms, energy management and crafting.
Unfortunately, the game's ambition is frequently undermined by technical roughness, repetitive environments and combat that doesn't have the precision of the genre's best examples. The story also struggles to take advantage of its intriguing setting.
Nevertheless, there is a solid game underneath the imperfections. The combination of melee and ranged combat, equipment customisation and alien horror makes Dolmen worth considering for players who have already explored the better-known Soulslikes and specifically want a sci-fi alternative.
Score: 7/10
