1666: Amsterdam: A Spellbinding Vision Facing an Early Access Hurdle?

Imagine soaring above the cobbled streets of 17th-century Amsterdam, cloaked in the dead of night, astride a broomstick with your trusty black cat companion. The amber glow of oil lamps below creates a truly magical scene. This captivating image is one of the standout moments from a recent preview of 1666: Amsterdam, a game brimming with grand ideas and a unique premise.

This isn’t just any game; it’s the long-awaited project from Patrice Désilets, the brilliant mind behind the original Assassin’s Creed and co-founder of Panache Digital Games. Désilets famously fought to reclaim the rights to this title from his former employer, Ubisoft, pouring over a decade of passion into its development. Now, his indie studio in Montreal is bringing his vision to life, with a philosophy of “progression is more important than perfection,” constantly iterating with 15 to 20 builds daily.

From what we’ve seen, 1666: Amsterdam certainly has a lot going for it. The game boasts an impressively large map, an intriguing storyline, and some truly clever exploration mechanics. The world feels vast and ripe for adventure, drawing you into its mysterious atmosphere as you step into the shoes of Noa, a powerful witch.

Your journey begins with a rather unique companion: a black cat named Aaron, who, believe it or not, houses the soul of a 1990s man! Together, you’re tasked with uncovering demonic entities known as “Originals” and reclaiming their unholy power. But before you can even properly embark, your coven is ambushed by witch hunters, kicking off an exciting chase sequence involving lots of running, fighting, and, of course, flying over the iconic canals of Amsterdam.

However, while the high-flying moments are exhilarating, the ground-level combat in the preview left a bit to be desired. Initially, the combat felt quite basic, with Noa limited to simple dodging and broomstick brawling. It wasn’t particularly challenging, even against mere human enemies, which felt like a missed opportunity given the potential for diverse witchy powers. The developers are reportedly “thinking about” difficulty settings, but for now, it felt a little too straightforward.

Adding to the early access jitters, a significant boss battle during the preview was unfortunately marred by a technical glitch. The demon, mid-transformation, simply wandered off, preventing a proper showdown. While this was likely an isolated incident, it highlights the kind of rough edges that can appear when a game is still in active development.

Despite these early combat concerns, there’s a silver lining that promises to elevate the gameplay: roguelite features! Later in the game, or through lucky finds, you’ll gain opportunities to pick from a selection of three random abilities after defeating Originals. These abilities—ranging from casting vine shields and swarms of crows to transforming into a powerful tank—will reset upon death within a section, encouraging strategic choices and adding significant depth to combat as Noa evolves into the witch you envision.

The exploration and infiltration aspects are where 1666: Amsterdam truly shines and excites. The game offers multiple creative solutions to getting into buildings and navigating the city. Fancy possessing someone by scaring them with your cat? Or maybe using Aaron as a distraction while you slip past guards? The level designers have meticulously crafted various approaches, ensuring no single “correct” answer, allowing players to decide exactly how they want to tackle each challenge.

Ultimately, 1666: Amsterdam is a game of immense potential, born from a decade-long fight and a passionate vision. The ambitious world, unique premise, and innovative exploration are incredibly appealing. However, the current state of combat polish and the proximity of its Early Access release on August 25 raise some questions. While “progression over perfection” is admirable, will the average player find enough “perfection” to dive in? We’re hoping the roguelite elements and later game content truly come into their own, turning this promising title into a must-play. We’re crossing our fingers that 1666: Amsterdam avoids a rocky start and bewitches us all!

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