Awaria: A New Free Game from the Helltaker Developer Featuring Ghostly Kisses

Some folks dive headfirst into challenging games chasing glory or treasure, but my mission in Awaria is quite unique—I’m just trying to snag a smooch from a ghost. The creative mind behind the beloved indie game Helltaker, Łukasz “Vanripper” Piskorz, returns with a new offering packed with charming characters. But brace yourself, because this isn’t a game you conquer easily.

Awaria won’t cost you a dime on platforms like Steam and Itch.io, but winning over one of its spectral ladies certainly demands effort. Much like Helltaker, Awaria presents itself as straightforward, but don’t be fooled. You play as a swift little mechanic tasked with fixing machines in 2D rooms. Using the WASD keys, you scurry around, delivering the right components to the machines. Yet, just when you think you’ve got it under control, ghosts appear and suddenly, it’s like you’re in a bullet-hell arcade, dodging attacks from every direction.

The task at hand would be a breeze if those ghostly ladies weren’t so intent on zapping you. Awaria feels similar to the frantic pace of Overcooked, with machines acting as demanding customers that need immediate tending. You’re just a fragile mechanic who crumbles if touched by an antagonistic ghost, so you must manage your time, keeping your distance while deftly avoiding their assault. Fans seasoned by the intense boss fights of Undertale will feel right at home. As for me, the game’s perseverance is what keeps me going, especially since each level triumphantly ends with the announcement, “READY TO KISS.”

Victorious moments offer glimpses into the personalities of each ghost girl, reacting uniquely to your cheeky kisses. There’s Zmora, who gets adorably flustered, warning you, “Next time the shields fall, you’ll pay for this,” bringing out the classic tsundere vibe. Cutwire, on the other hand, leans in ominously, vowing to “stab you in the back,” while Nikita towers above you, teasing you about your stature. With characters like these, Awaria truly has a flavor for everyone.

As you progress, these ghostly characters find enjoyment in their antics, eventually joining forces to test your skills. Facing more than one at a time was my breaking point, prompting me to take a breather after a few levels. There’s an option to lower the difficulty, letting you endure more hits, or you can raise the stakes and challenge yourself with limited time and constantly malfunctioning machines.

In Helltaker, uncovering hidden keys led to secret endings, and I suspect Awaria might hold similar secrets. Although I didn’t encounter any dialogue choices or diverging routes during my playthrough, the achievement list hints there might be rewards for the most agile players. The fast pace and engaging tunes by Mittsies keep the momentum going, making restarting a level an instant and thrilling experience.

Each ghost girl is poised to find fans, even if their designs don’t quite grab me like the demon girls in Helltaker did. I might just be waiting for Awaria’s equivalent to Cerberus to captivate my attention—I apologize in advance to my Discord pals who might hear about little else if that happens. Looks like I’ll keep letting these spectral women run the show a bit longer to uncover what else this game may offer.