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About Begin the Slaughter
Begin the Slaughter is a momentum-driven hack ‘n slash with roguelike elements. Developed by Murder Who and released on September 15, 2025, it’s available on PC and Linux. The game tasks you with wall-bouncing, slithering, and sprinting to build speed, then unleashing brutal melee attacks on waves of enemies. Procedurally generated levels and randomized loot keep each run unique, while permanent upgrades add long-term progression. It’s fast, chaotic, and built around mastering movement to survive.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around building speed through wall-jumps, crouch-slithering, and sprinting. Once moving, you chain attacks with a clawed weapon, dodging projectiles and enemy swarms. Combat is all about rhythm: slow down and you die; overextend and you get flanked. Each run lasts 15, 30 minutes, ending when you’re overwhelmed. Upgrades unlock between runs, tweaking movement, damage, or enemy difficulty. Controls are tight but punishing, momentum is your ally and enemy alike. The single-player mode focuses on speedrunning-style efficiency, with 140 achievements tracking specific movement and combat feats.
What Players Think
Critic score: 78/100. User score: 83/100. Average playtime: 6 hours. 42% of players complete the base game. Community moods: 37% excitement, 31% irritation, 28% satisfaction, 4% confusion. Reviews highlight its “addictive but punishing” difficulty and “slick, brutal fun.” Some call it “the most fun with momentum since Braid,” while others gripe about unclear enemy patterns. 61% of players report finishing their first run in under 20 minutes.
PlayPile's Take
Begin the Slaughter is a niche pick for players who love high-speed combat and permadeath. At $29.99, it’s affordable but not generous with unlocks. 140 achievements make completion a grind, but the core loop is tight. Expect a steep learning curve and occasional frustration. If momentum-based mechanics thrill you, it’s worth a try. But if slow, methodical play suits you better, this one might not.
Game Modes
Single player
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