Ailment: Dead Space Standoff

Ailment: Dead Space Standoff is a pixel-art roguelike action game that throws us headfirst into a derelict spaceship filled with mystery, sarcasm, and bloodthirsty ex-crew members. It’s a prequel to the original Ailment, and while it’s packed with fast-paced shooting and roguelike tension, what really stands out is how much heart and personality the game manages to cram into a horror setting.

We play as a guy who wakes up alone in the med bay after three days out cold. Everyone else? Completely hostile. The only thing he remembers is returning from a rescue mission to find another ship full of corpses. So now it’s up to us to fight through waves of infected, piece together what happened, and try not to die, which is easier said than done.

Combat is tight and chaotic, with bullet-hell vibes in some rooms that demand constant movement and careful aim. There’s a huge arsenal of pixelated guns to collect, and using them never gets old thanks to brutal animations and some surprisingly meaty sound design. Boss fights are no joke either. Most of them demand strategy and reflexes, especially when you’re low on HP and praying your revive currency holds out.

Thankfully, the tone never gets too heavy. Despite the survival horror vibes, Ailment knows when to lighten things up. The characters you meet are funny, sarcastic, and occasionally absurd, which is exactly the kind of humor you need after barely surviving an ambush in a dark corridor. The dialogue’s got charm, and the NPC that eventually joins you is actually useful in a fight.

The pixel art is gritty and atmospheric, and every section of the ship feels distinct. There are Easter eggs tucked away in corners, NPCs you can drag along, and a few creepy moments that catch you off guard. And if you’re more into competition than story, there’s also a PvP multiplayer mode with skins and custom loadouts. It’s a fun diversion from the main campaign.

While monetization exists via iAPs for more gold, it never feels predatory. You can watch ads to revive, or just restart and get better, which you’ll probably do anyway, because death is frequent.

If you’re into Enter the Gungeon, Dead Cells, or just want a shooter with actual personality, Ailment: Dead Space Standoff is an easy recommendation.