During The Game Awards 2022, a surprise announcement revealed Hellboy Web of Wyrd, an action-adventure rogue-lite based on the hit Dark Horse comic. Hellboy has fallen out of the pop culture conversation somewhat since the 2019 film rebooted Guillermo del Toro's pair of movies. Hellboy continues to have comics from creator Mike Mignola out semi-frequently, though, and Hellboy Web of Wyrd looks to capitalize on that continued success.
It may feel like it's been some time since the recent Hellboy film, but it truly has been a very long time since the release of the most recent Hellboy game. Hellboy has been the focus of two major game releases, Hellboy: Dogs of the Night and Hellboy: The Science of Evil. Released in 2000 and 2008 respectively, the pair were both critically panned. That's perhaps why a new Hellboy game hasn't been made since, though the devil-man has been playable in both Injustice 2 and Brawlhalla.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd looks to give the Hellboy franchise a fresh start, though. First and foremost, it's an action-adventure game where players will brawl with supernatural enemies using Hellboy's Right Hand of Doom and his gun, the Good Samaritan. Details regarding its rogue-lite structure aren't available yet, but Hellboy's encounters will assumedly have some randomization element to them. Each adventure will perhaps be its own unique adventure experience.
The story of Hellboy Web of Wyrd should help provide further context, though. Hellboy will be exploring a strange building named The Butterfly House, through which there are many doorways leading to The Wyrd. Hellboy will be delving into The Wyrd to find a missing B.P.R.D agent and uncover the secrets of The Butterfly House in the process. Suffice it to say, there are darker secrets hidden therein than Hellboy might expect.
What stands out about Hellboy Web of Wyrd just from its announcement trailer is its great cell-shaded graphics. The Hellboy comic is popular in part due to Mike Mignola's unique shading style, creating large blacked-out sections on every page. Hellboy Web of Wyrd uses cell-shading to try and recreate this style, which while not an exact recreation does manage a very spooky and dark atmosphere.
Unfortunately, no release information for Hellboy Web of Wyrd was shared as part of the game's reveal at The Game Awards. At the very least, the new game was confirmed for all major platforms, Switch included. It wouldn't be surprising to see more of Hellboy Web of Wyrd throughout 2023.
Hellboy Web of Wyrd is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.