FOUNTAINS: Extended Edition delivers a soulslike action-RPG experience on Xbox Series and PC. Players control a hooded stranger imprisoned by a tyrannical regime in a war-torn empire, fighting through a seamless, maze-like world to uncover the secrets of the Fountain of Youth and the Usurper's Prophecy.
Gameplay
Combat emphasizes precision and timing in a top-down perspective. Attacks with swords and other weapons consume stamina, while rolling dodges enemy strikes and allows passage through hazards like spikes or fire. Enemies punish hesitation, creating intense back-and-forth exchanges that reward pattern recognition over raw power. Progression relies on item discovery rather than traditional leveling, with new weapons, armor, and abilities unlocking both combat options and world access.
Exploration forms the core loop in a single, interconnected labyrinth that loops back on itself without loading screens. Defeating bosses grants powers such as a laser for activating levers, a hookshot for crossing gaps, bombs for destruction, and a dashing slash for mobility. These tools serve dual purposes in fights and navigation, encouraging players to revisit areas for secrets, health fragments, and upgrades purchased with coins from merchants or a specific mage. The world design packs dense secrets into every twist, rewarding curiosity with new paths and challenges.
Game Modes
The game operates as a single-player action-RPG focused on exploration and combat mastery. An asynchronous online message system lets players leave text notes at locations throughout the world, appearing in others' sessions to offer hints or occasional misdirection. This feature adds a layer of community interaction without direct multiplayer sessions.
No separate competitive or cooperative modes exist. The experience centers on navigating the full map, completing the main journey through the One Kingdom, and tackling optional content such as additional bosses unlocked via thorough exploration.
World and Progression
The setting unfolds as one giant dungeon filled with pixel-art environments that twist and interconnect. Players begin imprisoned and must carve a path outward while piecing together lore about the Ageless and the prophesied return of the Fountain of Youth. Item-based upgrades replace numeric stat increases, keeping power growth tied to equipment and abilities found in the environment.
The Shattered Shape expansion extends the map into the forsaken southern Vainlands, introducing new enemies, weapons, armor sets, and skills. This addition expands the labyrinth further while continuing the central narrative thread about the Usurper's Prophecy from beginning to end.
Is It Worth Playing?
FOUNTAINS: Extended Edition suits players who enjoy deliberate combat and dense, non-linear exploration in a compact package. Reviews highlight responsive controls, fair yet demanding difficulty, and strong world interconnectivity that keeps sessions engaging for 9 to 12 hours on a first playthrough. The Very Positive reception on PC stems from its focused design and value, with the console release and expansion arriving together to deliver the complete package.
Those seeking adjustable challenge levels will find a free update that adds difficulty options alongside the expansion. The title appeals most to fans of soulslike timing and metroidvania-style ability gating who prefer a streamlined experience without sprawling open-world filler.
