Haunted Lands - Dodge cultists, collect artifacts, and let a tetris‑like inventory decide whether you survive or fall. (Game Review)

I found myself deep in a crypt, the dust thick in the air, my heart pounding as I gripped the controller. Haunted Lands hits hard with a classic, old-school punch… sharp, relentless, and packed with hidden mysteries. I kept coming back because each death taught me something new, never feeling like a setback.

Shadowy halls, ancient bones, and plenty of danger lurking.

You choose your hero and plunge into tombs teeming with cultists, restless spirits, and unsettling creatures that shouldn’t even be alive! The mission is straightforward: survive, collect artifacts, and delve deeper into the burial grounds. The tension is real… one misstep sends you back to a checkpoint, often with fewer resources in hand.

This game blends classic retro action platforming with a fresh twist on inventory management. You’ll navigate long, winding stages filled with hidden paths, while managing a Tetris-like grid for your artifacts that forces tough decisions. Most of your time will be spent memorizing enemy moves, uncovering secrets, and balancing artifacts that can completely change how you play.

Watch the trailer here:

Keep moving. Take your shots. Figure it out. Then do it all over again.

Each level stretches out with a mix of platforming and combat. You’ll move through different zones, take down enemies, collect loot, and unlock shortcuts along the way. Checkpoints mark your progress at key spots, but don’t be surprised if a tough boss grinds your patience down to a nub.

At its core, the game leans on three main pillars: movement, managing your resources, and building your artifact setup. Movement feels intentional, timing your jumps and dodges is crucial. Resources like health and currency are limited, pushing you to weigh whether to push forward or pull back. Artifacts shake up your fighting style, and fitting them into the inventory grid is a puzzle on its own. Getting good means learning boss patterns, fine-tuning your artifact choices, and using shortcuts to cut down on long stretches.

The difficulty is classic and unforgiving. It rewards patience and memorizing enemy moves. If you enjoy a real challenge, you’ll find it satisfying. But if you dislike replaying long sections, it might wear on you.

Blocky pixels, shadowy corridors, and a mood that sticks with you.

The game embraces EGA/DOS nostalgia with its limited color palette, chunky sprites, and strong contrasts. Each level feels thoughtfully crafted, with memorable setpieces that linger in your mind.

Weapons crack sharply, enemies hiss with menace, and bosses unleash deep, unforgettable roars. The soundtrack is minimal but hits just right, growing more intense as battles heat up.

The visuals and sounds bring back that retro vibe without losing clarity. Even when the screen gets crowded with effects, you can still make out the shapes you need to avoid.

Going it alone, but celebrating every win.

Haunted Lands is a solo experience. The community comes alive through shared clips and bragging rights, there’s nothing like finally beating a boss after countless attempts to make you want to tell the story!

For those who love to dig deep, the replay value is strong. The long stages are packed with secrets, and the artifacts let you craft new ways to play. With plenty to discover and master, you can easily lose hours exploring every corner and perfecting your builds.

Haunted Lands is a challenging throwback that demands patience and grit.

It captures the tough spirit of classic retro platformers while surprising you with the depth of its artifact system. The difficulty can be harsh, sometimes frustrating, and a few checkpoints feel a bit tight. But for those who enjoy sprawling levels, hidden secrets, and challenging bosses, it offers great value. At $5.99, it’s a gritty, rewarding taste of old-school gaming.

Available on the following platform:

• PC (Steam) - Released Mar 10, 2026 at $5.99

Follow the dev for patches and community builds.

Why wishlist:

Wishlist if you like long, secret‑filled stages and the thrill of mastering brutal bosses. New updates may add balance, quality‑of‑life fixes, or more artifacts.

How to stay informed:

Follow Alevgor and Power Up Publishing on storefront pages and social channels for patch notes and community highlights.

Key Takeaways

• The game delivers classic retro platforming with a fresh, deep artifact system that changes how you play.

• You’ll spend your time exploring long, challenging stages, learning enemy patterns, and juggling artifacts.

• Combat is tough but satisfying, with bosses that really test your timing and strategy.

• Progression feels meaningful thanks to the inventory grid that makes every artifact choice count.

• There’s plenty of replay value for those who love uncovering secrets and perfecting builds.

• The difficulty can be brutal, and some checkpoint placements might test your patience.

• Perfect for players who enjoy old-school challenges, deep exploration, and rewarding, long gameplay sessions.

Game Information

Developer: alevgor

Publisher: Alawar

Platforms: PC (Reviewed)

Release Date: Mar 10, 2026

Reviewed by: Mandy Valentine

Reviewed on: 03/27/2026

Score: 5.0 / 10

Haunted Lands delivers a solid retro experience with enough depth to keep you hooked, though its punishing difficulty and checkpoint placement might not be for everyone. It’s a rewarding challenge for those who appreciate old-school platformers with a modern twist.

"A gritty, old-school platformer that tests your patience but rewards your persistence."