Info about 9th Dawn Remake:

Official game description:
**\*\*Important\*\* This game has been successfully patched to fix the Unity Security Issue from October 2nd 2025.​**  
_9th Dawn Remake_ is a massive open world RPG bursting with dungeon-crawling adventure. The game has been lovingly re-created based on the original 9th Dawn game released in 2012 … which spawned the 9th Dawn series you know and love! Play in single-player mode, or with a friend with Online or Local co-op modes! Experience a vast world filled with huge new dungeons, hordes of monsters, and ridiculous amounts of loot!
Following a strange disappearance of the local lighthouse keeper, you are sent on a quest to investigate an evil power stirring within the continent of Montelorne. The Castle of Maltyr calls the most powerful of monsters and poses a great threat to lands nearby. Become a champion by crafting and seeking the best gear, level up your skills and raise a mighty team of creatures to fight alongside you! - Are you the savior of Montelorne? Prove it.
**Key Features:**
*   _Massive Open World:_ Explore over 45 new hand-crafted dungeons, each brimming with deadly creatures and loot.
*   _Design your Build:_ Unlock spells and abilities, assign attribute points, and upgrade your equipment.
*   Enjoy the full game and minigames in Single-player, Online co-op or Local co-op modes. \*Please note, a separate game controller is required for local multiplayer
*   _Raise Monster Pets:_ Hatch friendly creatures from eggs and raise them into powerful allies.
*   _Side Quests:_ Aid the villages of Montelorne by partaking in a range of side quests.
*   _Loot and Prizes:_ Collect a vast amount of loot and fill your collecting journals for rewards.
*   _Deck Building Minigame:_ Collect maps, level up your card champions, create an epic deck.
*   _Epic Fishing Minigame:_ Take control of powerful worm-warriors and survive deadly waves of enemy fish.
*   _Side Quests:_ Help the villagers around Montelorne to raise prosperity and earn rare items.
*   _Craft the Best:_ Forge weapons, brew potions, and upgrade your weapons to become a champion!
*   _A complete remake of the original game_: With a re-written updated story, new and bigger dungeons, and more action-packed content!

Release date: Sep 25, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Open-World Exploration, Dungeon Crawler, Cooperative Multiplayer, Local Co-op, Character Progression, Monster Collecting, Pet Raising System, Crafting


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and varied mini-games (weight 0.51): The game's mini-games, including card battles, fishing, and crafting, are widely praised for their depth, integration, and ability to break up monotony. Players find them fully fleshed out, rewarding, and often as exciting as the main combat. These mini-games add significant value and replayability, with some feeling like standalone experiences.
- Classic open-world RPG excellence (weight 0.49): Players consistently praise the game for its well-crafted open-world design, blending classic dungeon-crawling mechanics with modern systems. The game's retro charm, expansive world, and deep exploration are highlighted as standout features, evoking nostalgia while offering fresh experiences. The blend of genres (ARPG, Pokémon, Elder Scrolls) is particularly appreciated for its balance and depth.
- Strategic and addictive pet system (weight 0.29): The pet system is a major highlight, offering deep customization, evolution paths, and strategic combat applications. Players enjoy breeding, training, and evolving pets, which add a unique layer of depth to gameplay. The system is intuitive, well-balanced, and encourages experimentation with builds.
- Exceptional value for money (weight 0.26): Players highlight the game's affordability and the sheer amount of content for its price. With nearly 50 hours of gameplay, expansive worlds, and frequent updates, the game is considered a highly rewarding investment. The value proposition is a recurring theme, especially among budget-conscious players.
- Passionate and responsive development (weight 0.24): The developer's active engagement with the community, frequent updates, and responsiveness to feedback are highly praised. Players appreciate the visible effort and passion behind the game, which enhances their overall experience. The developer's transparency and dedication to improvements leave a strong positive impression.
- Quality-of-life improvements over predecessors (weight 0.22): The game is seen as a significant upgrade from previous entries in the series, particularly in co-op, grind reduction, and overall quality of life. Players appreciate the refinements, such as easier journal entries and modernized mechanics, which make the experience smoother and more enjoyable.
- Fast-paced and customizable combat (weight 0.16): The combat system is lauded for its speed, variety, and customization options. Players enjoy experimenting with different weapons, skills, and playstyles, from melee to magic. The tactile feedback, screen-filling effects, and dual-wielding mechanics contribute to a satisfying and dynamic combat experience.
- Seamless co-op multiplayer (weight 0.15): The game's co-op mode, supporting both online and local play, is a standout feature. Players emphasize how co-op enhances the experience, making it more enjoyable and social. The seamless integration of multiplayer across all content is praised for its functionality and fun factor.
- First-person mode enhances immersion (weight 0.14): The addition of a first-person mode is a surprising and well-executed feature that adds depth to the game. Players appreciate the immersive experience it provides, even if used briefly. The mode is praised for its novelty and execution, offering a distinct perspective alongside third-person and top-down views.
- Stunning pixel-art visuals (weight 0.11): The game's pixel-art style is widely praised for its beauty, charm, and attention to detail. The colorful environments, spritework, and unique blend of 2D/3D visuals create a visually appealing and immersive world. The art style is noted for its retro appeal and smooth performance across devices.
- Flexible character customization (weight 0.11): The game offers deep character customization, allowing players to experiment with stats, skills, and builds. The ability to respec anytime encourages creativity and adaptability. Players appreciate the freedom to tailor their characters to their preferred playstyles, whether melee, ranged, or magic-focused.
- Optimized for Steam Deck (weight 0.09): The game runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck, with optimized controls and steady performance. Players highlight its accessibility and smooth gameplay on the handheld device, making it a great option for portable play.
- Relaxing and atmospheric soundtrack (weight 0.08): The game's music and tone are praised for their ability to complement the atmosphere and enhance immersion. The soundtrack is described as charming and effective, contributing to the game's relaxing and enjoyable vibe.
- Unique and humorous fishing mechanics (weight 0.07): The fishing mini-game stands out for its humor and engagement, offering a unique twist where players fight fish with weapons. The mechanics are well-designed and provide a refreshing break from standard gameplay, with improvements in patches making it even more enjoyable.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive and shallow core gameplay (weight 0.99): Players consistently report that the game's combat, dungeons, and progression systems feel repetitive, monotonous, and lacking in depth. The gameplay loop is criticized for relying on numerical upgrades and predictable enemy behavior, leading to a lack of engagement, especially in the mid-to-late stages. Mini-games and side content are also described as underdeveloped and tedious.
- Poorly balanced and unpolished systems (weight 0.94): The game suffers from significant balance issues across combat, mini-games, progression, and difficulty. Players highlight problems such as excessive enemy health, unbalanced weapon types (e.g., bows being overpowered), and poorly tuned mechanics like pet buffs and crafting. Many systems feel unpolished, with bugs (e.g., enemies attacking through walls) and unclear rules exacerbating frustration.
- Grindy and tedious progression (weight 0.78): Progression is heavily criticized for being grindy, especially for 100% completion or unlocking achievements. Tasks like killing 70 of each creature, farming materials for pet evolution, or replaying mini-games are described as repetitive and unengaging. The lack of a respec system and poor loot variety further exacerbate the grind.
- Technical and UI shortcomings (weight 0.7): The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs (e.g., enemies falling into water, clipping), poor optimization (e.g., first-person mode), and unintuitive UI design. Controller support, especially on Steam Deck, is criticized for awkward navigation, while inventory management is frustrating due to poorly placed buttons and lack of feedback.
- Disappointing story and narrative (weight 0.64): Players note that the story and narrative take a backseat to gameplay, resulting in a bland and unexciting experience. Dialogue and jokes are repetitive, and the overall content lacks depth, failing to engage players seeking a strong narrative.
- Regression from previous game (weight 0.63): The game is perceived as a step backward compared to its predecessor, *9th Dawn III*. Players feel it lacks innovation, depth, and the essence of the original, with many systems (e.g., crafting, farming) removed or poorly executed. The game is described as a watered-down or half-baked version of its predecessor.
- Lack of transparency and explanations (weight 0.45): Players express frustration with the game's lack of in-game explanations for mechanics, abilities, and systems. Key features like pet evolution, magic attributes, and crafting are poorly documented, forcing players to rely on trial-and-error or external guides. The UI is also criticized for being unintuitive and lacking tooltips or clear feedback.
- Weak pet and monster mechanics (weight 0.44): The pet and monster-raising systems are widely criticized for being underdeveloped and poorly balanced. Pets are described as weak, lacking distinct abilities, and often becoming a hindrance (e.g., obstructing view, attacking through walls). Monster evolution is frustrating due to unbalanced material drop rates and irreversible decisions, while late-game pets serve little purpose beyond decoys.
- Poor co-op and multiplayer implementation (weight 0.05): The co-op mode is criticized for being poorly implemented, with limited player interaction (e.g., no trading or reviving) and issues like only the host seeing quest dialogue. Players express disappointment with the lack of online co-op and meaningful multiplayer features.

Gameplay feedback:
- Flexible combat with kiting and magic (weight 0.08): Combat encourages tactical play, such as kiting enemies (who may retreat when low on health) while using spells and consumables for healing. Shields, particularly tower shields, are viable off-hand options, and magic can be aimed precisely with control adjustments.
- Magic builds are highly effective (weight 0.07): Magic-oriented builds, particularly those focusing on the intelligence stat, are recommended for their ease and effectiveness. This suggests a strong balance tilt toward spellcasting, which may overshadow other playstyles for players seeking optimal performance.
- Crafting with limited depth (weight 0.07): The game features crafting systems for equipment (e.g., anvils for weapons, furnaces for armor) and auto-crafting mechanics. However, crafted items have identical stats, reducing the strategic depth of crafting and limiting player customization.
- Low difficulty and casual appeal (weight 0.05): The game is designed to be casual and accessible, with normal difficulty being relatively easy. Features like on-the-spot respawns after death and simple click-based combat cater to players seeking a relaxed experience.
- Story and class variety (weight 0.04): The game includes a 'cool story' and offers class variety, such as warrior (tank-like) and mage builds. However, the narrative is light, and the pet system overshadows traditional class roles for some players.
- Dungeon design with exploration focus (weight 0.04): Dungeons require players to solve puzzles (e.g., switches to unlock doors), search for hidden areas, and collect orbs (skill points) before boss fights. Completion percentages incentivize thorough exploration, adding replayability for achievement hunters.
- Remake with modernized additions (weight 0.04): As a remake of *9th Dawn*, the game retains some outdated elements but adds modern features like mini-games, co-op, and expanded content. This balances nostalgia with contemporary expectations, though some players may find legacy mechanics jarring.
- Long completionist runtime (weight 0.04): The game offers a 100-hour completionist run, including all achievements and dungeons. This appeals to players seeking extensive content but may deter those looking for a shorter experience.
- Proficiency and healing mechanics (weight 0.04): Weapons and armor feature proficiency systems that unlock bonuses with use, adding progression depth. Healing spells include single-target, area-of-effect, and resurrection options, providing tactical flexibility in combat.
- Limited localization and respec options (weight 0.03): The game supports Japanese language but lacks official localization, which may limit accessibility. Respecing attributes and abilities is possible via console commands, but this is a temporary and unofficial solution, indicating a need for built-in respec mechanics.
- Quest-specific completion requirements (weight 0.02): Certain quests, like the sewer quest in Agaria, require 100% dungeon completion to unlock key objectives (e.g., the hero door). This may frustrate players who prefer more straightforward progression paths.

Performance notes:
- Stable performance with minor issues (weight 0.07): Players report that the game generally runs smoothly, with occasional stutters or lag, particularly in co-op mode. These issues are not severe enough to disrupt gameplay significantly, indicating a well-optimized experience with room for improvement.
- Steam Deck compatibility with crashes (weight 0.06): The game performs well on Steam Deck, maintaining steady frame rates and smooth gameplay. However, some players experienced crashes after extended play sessions, suggesting a need for further optimization or bug fixes for the Steam Deck platform.
- Controller disconnection bug (weight 0.03): A disruptive controller disconnection bug was reported, which interrupts gameplay. This issue is critical as it directly affects the player experience and requires immediate attention.
- High battery drain on Steam Deck (weight 0.02): Players noted significant battery drain on the Steam Deck, with a reported 33% battery loss over 90 minutes of playtime. This may impact portable play sessions and could be addressed through power optimization.

Recommendations:
- Mixed but generally positive recommendations (weight 0.63): The majority of feedback indicates a polarized reception, with many reviewers recommending the game despite its flaws, particularly for fans of retro-inspired RPGs, ARPGs, or casual hack-and-slash experiences. However, a significant portion advises against purchasing due to issues like excessive grinding, balancing problems, or lack of depth. The feedback is constructive and specific, highlighting target audiences (e.g., beginners, completionists) and deal-breakers (e.g., co-op issues, Steam Deck compatibility).
- Conditional recommendations for niche audiences (weight 0.56): Several reviewers emphasize that the game is only worth playing for specific player types, such as fans of the series, lightweight RPGs, or those seeking a 'mindless' or exploitative experience. This suggests the game’s appeal is limited to niche audiences rather than a broad player base. The feedback is specific and actionable, though frequency is lower than general recommendations.
- Time-killing or casual appeal (weight 0.48): Some reviewers highlight the game’s suitability for casual playthroughs or as a way to 'melt time,' suggesting it fills a niche for low-stakes, repetitive, or achievement-driven experiences. This point is specific but reflects a narrow use case, hence the lower importance score.
- Anticipation for future play sessions (weight 0.03): A smaller subset of players expresses excitement about continuing to play the game, particularly on platforms like Steam Deck. This indicates some level of engagement, though the feedback is less substantive and lacks specific critiques or praise. Based on limited but positive sentiment.

Other player notes:
- Early access unpredictability appreciated (weight 0.13): Some players enjoy the unique experience of early access, including the unpredictability of frequent patches. This adds a layer of excitement for those who appreciate evolving gameplay.
- Outdated compared to genre standards (weight 0.09): The game is perceived as outdated when compared to both older and newer titles in the genre. Players criticize the lack of equipment variety, grinding requirements, and overall design, which feels behind modern standards.
- Lack of early-game pet utility (weight 0.04): Camel pets are unlocked mid-game and are not useful in the early stages, limiting their appeal. Some players may not even discover them until later, reducing their impact on gameplay.
- Frustrating card game integration (weight 0.02): The card game, which is integrated into the main quest, is described as unavoidable and frustrating. Players find it disruptive to the overall experience, detracting from enjoyment rather than enhancing it.
- Sparse and outdated game information (weight 0.02): Players note that information about the game is limited and often outdated, making it difficult to find reliable guidance or updates. This can hinder the experience, especially for newcomers to the series.
- Quick toggle for camera modes requested (weight 0.02): Players request a quicker toggle between overhead and first-person modes, preferably via a keybind. This would improve convenience and fluidity during gameplay.
- Shadow skills less effective (weight 0.02): Shadow-based skills are criticized for having low hit rates and being less effective than other abilities, such as fireballs. This imbalance may frustrate players who invest in these skills.
- Steam Deck compatibility potential (weight 0.02): Players suggest the game would be well-suited for the Steam Deck, indicating interest in portable play. This feedback highlights a potential avenue for expanding the game's accessibility.
- Limited feedback on game volume (weight 0.02): Some players have not progressed far enough to gauge the game's overall volume, indicating that early-game content may not provide a clear sense of the full experience. Based on limited feedback.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): The primary causes of frustration stem from poorly designed or explained gameplay systems, including clunky UI, lack of in-game guidance, and unintuitive mechanics. Players frequently cite repetitive grinding, unbalanced progression, and technical issues (e.g., bugs, controller disconnections) as major pain points. These problems are exacerbated by unclear ability descriptions, poor pet AI, and forced map completion for achievements, which disrupt the intended experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.19): Excitement is driven by the game’s depth, variety, and nostalgic charm, particularly its engaging mini-games, unique pet evolution system, and blend of genres (e.g., ARPG with creature collection). Players highlight the freedom of customization, frequent updates, and immersive first-person mode as standout features. The co-op potential, diverse activities, and developer responsiveness further amplify positive reactions, especially when the game exceeds expectations or offers a fresh take on familiar mechanics.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.17): Satisfaction arises from the game’s value for money, rewarding progression, and polished elements like localization and Steam Deck performance. Players appreciate the blend of old-school RPG mechanics with modern quality-of-life improvements, as well as the chaotic yet satisfying combat. Developer engagement, frequent updates, and the sheer volume of content (e.g., mini-games, exploration) contribute to a sense of fulfillment, even when minor flaws are acknowledged.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment stems from unmet expectations, particularly regarding core mechanics like combat, pet evolution, and dungeon design. Players criticize the lack of innovation compared to predecessors (e.g., *9th Dawn III*), repetitive gameplay loops, and poorly implemented features (e.g., mini-games, co-op). Balance issues, shallow progression systems, and technical shortcomings (e.g., broken mechanics, lack of respec options) further detract from the experience, leaving players feeling let down despite the game’s potential.
- Joy (weight 0.11): Joy is derived from the game’s addictive and light-hearted tone, particularly its pet-raising mechanics, humorous fishing mini-games, and deep customization options. Players celebrate the nostalgic yet fresh dungeon-crawling experience, as well as the developer’s passion and responsiveness. The blend of genres, frequent updates, and co-op features create a sense of immersion and replayability, often exceeding initial expectations and fostering genuine enthusiasm.
- Boredom (weight 0.07): Boredom is primarily caused by repetitive and shallow gameplay, especially in later stages. Players cite monotonous combat, unengaging mini-games (e.g., fishing, card battles), and tedious grinding for pet evolutions or collectibles as major turn-offs. The lack of depth in progression systems, predictable dungeon design, and automated gameplay loops further contribute to a sense of disengagement, particularly when content fails to evolve or surprise.
- Relief (weight 0.03): Relief is tied to improvements addressing initial frustrations, such as late-game balance adjustments, reduced grinding for pet evolution, and developer responsiveness to bugs. Players also express relief at finding a simple, affordable, or relaxing experience, especially when adjusting expectations or discovering enjoyable aspects despite broader flaws.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by egregious design flaws, such as unbalanced mini-games, disruptive inventory management, or drastic balance changes (e.g., patch nerfs invalidating builds). Players react strongly to grindy, punitive systems (e.g., weapon upgrades with failure rates) and perceived unfairness, particularly when these issues feel avoidable or undermine core gameplay.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from poorly explained systems, particularly pet skills, evolution mechanics, and magic attributes. The lack of tutorial guidance for basic actions (e.g., spell casting) or unclear UI elements further exacerbates this issue, leaving players struggling to understand core gameplay loops or progression paths.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is derived from the game’s comedic tone, humorous mechanics (e.g., fishing), or external factors like pricing debates. While not central to the experience, these moments provide lighthearted relief and contribute to the game’s charm.
- Indifference (weight 0): Indifference reflects a lack of strong engagement with certain aspects of the game, such as combat, which some players find unremarkable or forgettable. This emotion is based on limited feedback but suggests areas where the game fails to leave a lasting impression.
- Sadness (weight 0): Sadness stems from the emotional disconnect between a player’s love for the series and their inability to recommend the game due to its flaws. This sentiment highlights the personal investment in the franchise and the disappointment of unfulfilled potential.
- Admiration (weight 0): Admiration is directed at the developer’s dedication, frequent updates, and responsiveness to community feedback. Players appreciate the effort and passion behind the game, even when acknowledging its imperfections.
- Discomfort (weight 0): Discomfort is caused by motion sickness in first-person mode, which detracts from the immersive experience for some players. This issue underscores the importance of accessibility and comfort in gameplay design.}