From Spanish indie developer Brainwash Gang, here we have an intriguing (plus, infuriating) roguelike game along the lines of Hades (2021) and Dead Cells (2017).

With its fast-paced action, fancy looks, and brilliant soundtrack, it does have a lot to offer. But it’s also bloody irritating.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition is All About Joining an Idle Army

Right, roguelike games such as Enter the Gungeon function off repetitivity and procedurally generated environments.

It’s a learning experience. You run in, gun stuff up, then die. But you get resurrected and repeat the process again, with your newfound knowledge improving your progress with each playthrough (in theory).

As a genre it’s very hit and miss, with titles like Super Meat Boy often leaving gamers infuriated and distressed.

Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition certainly doesn’t break from that trope. However, officially it’s a nihilistic action rogue-like platformer. Just so you know!

For the uninitiated, it may prove a bit of a nightmare to get used to.

There’s no plot development and no in-game menu text to help you along. So, you’ve really got zero idea what the hell is going on to begin with.

A lot of games critics and fans have made a big deal of that. But it’s deliberate from Brainwash Gang, it’s not down to laziness. Plus, you do get a brief intro section that introduces you to the control system.

Ultimately, Nongunz is about its pick-up-and-play attributes. Get stuck in and learn the ropes as you battle through the enemies. Behold!

At its best, it’s fast-paced and frenetic. A lot of fun can be had with its run-and-gun nature, all whilst you develop out your range of abilities and gather swag.

You take control of a skeleton (who’s not much like Murray the Skull) and the general idea is to gather points by  killing baddies and use them in the shop to buy upgrades.

Before each playthrough (as you will die a lot) there’s a mausoleum where you can store items. These help you out before new runs begin.

However, the game’s total lack of instructions on how to apply upgrades is very frustrating. You’ve really no idea what you’re doing, it’s all experimental.

Add into that Nongunz’s often staggering difficulty and you’ve got a lot of broiling frustrations welling on up.

It’s had a very mixed reaction across the gaming community. Our take on it is it’s worth you’re time if you’re willing to persevere.

As with many roguelikes, it’s difficult on purpose. And this will either drive you mad, or compel you to head back in for more punishment.

If you hang on in there with Nongunz, at the very least you’ll enjoy its beautiful visual style and excellent soundtrack. But it’s not an outright recommendation from us, just a kind of, “Yeah… we quite like it.”

Nongunz’s Epic Soundtrack by Beícoli

Whilst opinion on the quality of the game rages on, certainly everyone is in agreement Nongunz has a fantastic soundtrack.

We had to search bloody hard to find out who’s responsible for it. And it’s by a Spanish artist called Beícoli.

She works for Brainwash Gang, but also performs with a band. Have a listen to an acoustic number, eh?

Awesome stuff! And also a nod to an excellent video game composer there, as we often find it’s usually geezers.

But Beícoli proves that the industry needs more of this, please. Ta very much!