The Chosen: Well of Souls

The Chosen: Well of Souls is an action RPG developed by the Polish studio Rebelmind and released in October 2007. Set in a 19th-century Gothic world, the game immerses players in a battle against demonic forces threatening humanity. Players can choose from three distinct characters: Frater the Monk, Elena the Demon Huntress, and Khan the Warrior, each offering unique combat styles and abilities.

The narrative centers around the Society of Alchemists, an organization dedicated to protecting the world from supernatural threats. The antagonist, Marcus Dominus Ingens, seeks to harness the power of the Emerald Tablet by tormenting the Chosen One, aiming to unleash chaos upon the world. Players are tasked with shutting down the Wells of Souls, portals through which demons enter the human realm, to thwart his nefarious plans.

Gameplay in The Chosen: Well of Souls combines traditional hack-and-slash mechanics with strategic elements. Players engage in real-time combat against a variety of enemies, including vampires, ghouls, and reanimated corpses. The game features a unique "monster meter" that tracks the number of remaining enemies in each area, encouraging thorough exploration and combat to clear zones completely.

Each character shares a common skill tree divided into three categories: Offense, Defense, and Other. While the skills provide incremental enhancements, character progression heavily relies on improving core attributes—Strength for melee, Dexterity for ranged attacks, and Knowledge for magic users. This system emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate equipment and weapons to complement the chosen character's strengths.

The game's economy requires careful resource management. Gold is scarce, making decisions about purchasing equipment, repairing gear, and acquiring spells critical. The Cauldron of Creation allows players to combine, repair, and modify items, adding a layer of depth to inventory management. Additionally, players can summon pets like the Golem and Nefarkar to assist in battles, each offering unique support abilities.

Visually, The Chosen: Well of Souls presents a meticulously crafted 3D environment with a third-person perspective. The atmospheric settings range from desolate Carpathian villages to dense jungles and snowy Siberian landscapes. While the camera can occasionally present challenges in interior spaces, the overall graphical presentation enhances the immersive experience.

Despite its strengths, the game has faced criticism for its limited skill differentiation among characters, subpar voice acting, and a linear storyline. However, its distinctive setting, challenging combat, and resource management aspects offer a unique experience for fans of the action RPG genre.

MMOTOP.ORG Review

The Chosen: Well of Souls delivers a compelling action RPG experience set in a richly detailed Gothic world. The game's atmospheric environments and challenging combat scenarios stand out as its primary strengths. However, the shared skill tree among characters limits replayability, and the game's linear progression may not appeal to all players. The voice acting detracts from the immersive experience, but the strategic resource management and unique pet system add depth to the gameplay. Overall, The Chosen: Well of Souls earns a score of 65 out of 100.

FAQ