Haste stands out as a high-speed third-person action roguelite for PC, blending intense racing elements with adventure in a crumbling universe. Players take control of Zoe, navigating through procedurally generated levels across various biomes while outrunning destruction. This indie title emphasizes precise movement and quick decisions, appealing to those who enjoy fast-paced challenges in action and racing genres.
Gameplay
At its core, Haste revolves around mastering momentum in a third-person perspective. You build speed by landing smoothly after jumps or glides, but any stumble resets your pace, demanding constant awareness of the shifting environment. Procedural levels within each of the ten Shards require completion without failure to progress, adding tension as the world collapses around you.
Items play a key role, with over 90 options collected via Sparks in runs. These allow customization of builds, tweaking speed, damage, health, and luck to suit different strategies. Four abilities, such as boosts and glides, help navigate obstacles, while encounters with four distinct bosses test your skills in varied biomes like forests or ruins.
The roguelite structure encourages experimentation, as each attempt through a Shard offers unique paths and item combinations. Co-op introduces shared progression, where players collaborate but compete on level times, altering the death mechanics for group play.
Game Modes
Haste supports both single-player and online co-op experiences. In single-player, you tackle the Shards solo, focusing on personal builds and survival. The co-op mode lets you team up with others as different versions of Zoe, working together to clear levels while tracking individual times for light competition. Unlockable skins help distinguish players in these sessions.
An endless mode becomes available after progression, offering non-stop runs through increasingly chaotic levels. This mode ramps up speed and complexity, providing replay value beyond the main campaign's structured Shards.
Story and World
The narrative unfolds across a fracturing universe, with Zoe meeting a cast of characters who offer guidance, items, or encouragement. These interactions reveal clues about the apocalypse's cause and potential escapes, woven into runs without halting the pace.
Four biomes, each with variations, create diverse backdrops for the procedural levels. From lush areas to desolate wastelands, the environments influence movement challenges and item opportunities, keeping runs fresh.
Is It Worth Playing?
Haste delivers a thrilling experience for fans of momentum-based roguelites, where tight controls and build variety shine in short, intense sessions. Critics have given it a strong overall rating, praising the elegant design and fun core loop, though some note limited replayability due to procedural repetition.
If you thrive on high-speed challenges and enjoy tweaking builds in co-op or solo, this game fits well. It's particularly suited for players seeking indie action with adventure elements, and its current state includes full co-op support without major ongoing updates mentioned. For those preferring deeper variety, it might feel undercooked, but the precise gameplay makes it a solid pick for quick bursts of excitement.
