1666: Amsterdam has the makings of something brilliant but I came away from its preview with a bad feeling as it's early access release creeps too close for comfort

Amsterdam is on the cusp of something extraordinary, but early access release of 1666: Amsterdam left a bad impression. The game, developed by Patrice Désilets, director of Assassin's Creed, and his team at Panache Digital Games, boasts an ambitious world, intriguing storyline, and innovative exploration concepts. Set in 17th century Amsterdam, the player takes on the role of Noa, a witch equipped with a black cat, tasked with uncovering the demonic Originals and reclaiming their power.

The game's early access version, released on August 25, presents challenges in terms of polish and gameplay depth, despite its impressive map and features.

During the preview, the protagonist Noa was interrupted by a group of witch hunters, leading to a series of running, fighting, and flying over the city streets. Noa's combat abilities were limited to dodging and basic brawling, failing to offer the exciting challenges the player had anticipated. The boss battles were plagued by technical issues, adding to the disappointment.

However, the game does offer roguelite elements, allowing players to gain new abilities after defeating Originals and forcing them to adapt their strategies. The exploration and infiltration mechanics, where players can use their cat to infiltrate buildings or distract NPCs, are particularly exciting and offer a unique way to approach puzzles.

Despite these promising features, the reviewer remains skeptical about the overall quality of the early access release, questioning whether progression truly outweighs perfection for paying customers.