Morsels is one of those roguelike action games that feels impenetrable at first, but once you start learning its obscure language, it becomes more and more rewarding.
You play as a mouse trying to fight back against the tyranny of feline overlords, and you do so with mysterious cards that transform you into various strange creatures.
Based on trash and scraps of food, the titular Morsels each have unique attacks and abilities, and you can swap between up to three of them as you play through a run. They can level up to a more powerful form, but when they level up again, they perish, so your strongest Morsels won’t last forever.
Mostly playing out like a twin-stick shooter, you explore each randomly-generated stage, defeating enemies and searching for benefits, like XP, cheese, and useful items.
Between levels are random events that have (mostly) positive effects; some of these are novel mini-games that completely change the art style and gameplay.
The game is fast-paced and quite demanding. You can’t be too precious with your Morsels, as they’ll die anyway, but reckless play is punished thanks to combat rooms that border on bullet hell, requiring precision and a knowledge of how to play your current character.
If you’re able to push through the initial difficulty, there’s a gratifying sense of progression as you gradually get further, discover more perks, and beat more bosses.
With the right combination of Morsels, buffs, and items, you can become literally unstoppable, though getting to that point is rare thanks to a somewhat uneven challenge level and some characters feeling much weaker than others.
In some ways it reminds us of older roguelikes, such as Spelunky or The Binding of Isaac, in terms of how tough it can feel at first, but rewards knowledge and skill. Mastering the game will take time, but it has just enough depth to make it a satisfying endeavour.
Layered on top of the game itself is an extremely stylish look; it’s purposely gross and grimy, but with that comes lots of charm and personality. Add on top a super catchy soundtrack, and you have a game that looks and sounds like few others.
If you’re a fan of roguelikes that push back, rewarding skilful play and understanding of its barely-explained layers, Morsels is definitely worth sampling. Some might be frustrated by its refusal to hold your hand, but those who stick with it will have a fun and singular experience.
