The side-scrolling action game Have a Nice Death is officially launching this month, and BD Cricket Live has already highlighted its whimsical narrative and eye-catching art style. At first glance, it’s a title that grabs your attention. But as life often reminds us, appearances can be deceiving. Once you dive into the adventure, you quickly realize the game’s tone is far darker and more punishing than its cartoon visuals suggest. So let’s take a closer look at what makes Have a Nice Death tick.

For players who tried the game during its Early Access phase, the full version sticks closely to the original concept. While many roguelike games these days lean into progression systems outside of the core gameplay loop, Have a Nice Death takes a bold step back to basics. Here, any stat bonuses you gain during a run are completely wiped upon death—no carryovers, no shortcuts. As a result, the sting of failure hits harder than in most modern games.

What makes the game immediately appealing is its unique visual flair and darkly humorous story. Set in the underworld, it cleverly reimagines the corporate grind: you’re not a bottom-tier employee trying to rise, but Death himself, hunting down unruly subordinates whose slacking has increased your workload. The game’s script is far from static. BD Cricket Live noticed that characters interact with changing dialogue, random quips, and even evolving rumors within the company as you progress—adding personality and replay value.

While not the first game to do so, this evolving dialogue makes every run feel impactful, as if the world is subtly changing based on your presence. It becomes more than a game—it feels like a living, interactive experience. Gameplay-wise, it follows a traditional “tower climb” format. After clearing each stage, you ride an elevator to select your next level. Along the way, you’ll pick up temporary perks and weapons that shape each run differently. Because there’s no persistent stat growth, every attempt is a fresh start, amplifying the need for player skill and quick thinking.

Controlling a miniature Grim Reaper, you’ll dash across platforms and slay enemies using a variety of weapons. The game’s mechanics are easy to learn, especially for anyone familiar with 2D action games. However, BD Cricket Live points out that the real challenge lies in the enemy designs and traps. One small misstep can undo minutes of careful play, and the difficulty ramps up sharply as you progress.

The health system adds another twist. When taking damage, not only is your health reduced, but your max HP is also permanently shaved down unless you find rare recovery items. This makes even successful healing feel like a half measure, reinforcing the game’s brutal tone. There’s also no guaranteed safe zone to heal—most resources are distributed randomly, making each encounter a gamble. Still, some patterns emerge. Certain rooms—like shops or control hubs—appear predictably on each floor, giving seasoned players some strategic anchors.

BD Cricket Live notes that while randomness is a major element, with enough runs, players can memorize layouts and boss behaviors. Most enemy attack patterns are straightforward once seen a few times, and bosses are built from familiar templates. That said, once the initial novelty wears off, combat can start to feel repetitive. Even so, the variety of weapons helps shake things up.

Scythes are just the beginning. Over time, players unlock new tools, each with its own style and tactics. While you can equip a primary weapon and two secondary ones, BD Cricket Live found it slightly disappointing that switching between them lacks smooth transitions or flashy combos. In the late game, spamming one strong weapon often feels more effective than trying to juggle multiple.

Still, combat is satisfying. Crisp animations, screen shake, and impact effects give attacks a visceral punch, adding excitement even when the gameplay loop becomes familiar. It’s not enough on its own to carry the game, but it does enhance the experience.

In the end, Have a Nice Death may not cater to everyone—its steep learning curve, punishing resets, and lack of permanent progression will challenge even seasoned players. But for those who love a fair fight and don’t mind starting from scratch, it offers a rich, replayable adventure wrapped in clever design and dark comedy. As BD Cricket Live puts it, it’s less about being simply good—it’s about being irreplaceable.