Excellent level and enemy design | The game features excellent and varied level and enemy design. Locations are fun to explore, and enemy placements are challenging but fair. Bosses are consistently well-designed, providing engaging and satisfying encounters that reward learning and adaptation. | 84% |
Satisfying and adaptable combat | The combat system is well-executed, offering a variety of options for different playstyles. The parrying mechanic is particularly rewarding, and the game provides tools and options to adapt to different challenges. Offensive and defensive play are both viable, creating thrilling and engaging boss fights. | 83% |
Memorable and immersive soundtrack | The game features a memorable and immersive soundtrack that complements the atmosphere and enhances boss fights. The music is particularly impactful during boss encounters, creating a more engaging experience. Vinyl records found during exploration fit the game's setting. | 77% |
Meaningful quality-of-life improvements | The game successfully integrates quality-of-life improvements that enhance the player experience. These include quest indicators, convenient Ergo recovery, and a weapon combination system. These features streamline gameplay and make it more enjoyable compared to other Souls-like titles. | 75% |
Polished and refined Soulslike formula | The game refines the Soulslike formula, drawing inspiration from FromSoftware titles while adding its own unique mechanics. It successfully blends elements from Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Dark Souls, creating a polished and engaging experience that feels both familiar and fresh. | 74% |
Engaging and direct storytelling | The game features a more direct and engaging story compared to typical Soulslike games. Character motivations and relationships are clearer, and the narrative is presented in a straightforward manner. This makes the story easier to follow and more emotionally resonant. | 70% |
Compelling story and characters | The game features a compelling and emotional story with memorable characters. The narrative is easy to understand without excessive lore reading, and player choices have meaningful impacts on the plot. The world-building is excellent, creating an intriguing and engaging setting. | 56% |
Stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere | The game boasts a visually stunning and immersive world with a strong atmosphere. The setting, music, and sound design all contribute to a pleasurable experience. The graphics are top-notch, and the environments are detailed and varied. | 40% |
Unique Pinocchio story reinterpretation | The game offers a unique and captivating twist on the classic Pinocchio story. The darker narrative explores themes of humanity, morality, and identity. The 'Lie/Truth' system influences endings and quests, adding depth to the role-playing experience. | 21% |
Unique and customizable weapon system | The game features a unique and customizable weapon system. Players can mix and match blades and handles to alter weapon functionality and create unique movesets. This system encourages experimentation and allows for diverse builds and playstyles. | 21% |
Balanced and well-optimized gameplay | The game is well-optimized and provides a balanced challenge. The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable, and the difficulty is decent without being overly frustrating. The game is also beginner-friendly and offers a lot mechanically to engage with. | 17% |
Meaningful choices and multiple endings | The game features multiple story endings that are affected by player choices. The moral choice mechanic (lying vs. truth) is well-implemented, and the game explores themes of lies, free will, and humanity. New Game Plus recontextualizes the story, revealing new information. | 17% |
Rewarding and impactful parry mechanic | The perfect block mechanic is difficult but satisfying, negating damage and staggering enemies. Parrying is central to the combat system and is generously rewarded. Mastering the perfect guard mechanic provides a feeling of being an unstoppable killing machine. | 16% |
Excellent Souls-like with unique identity | The game successfully emulates the Souls-like genre, drawing inspiration from Bloodborne and other FromSoftware titles. It combines familiar elements with its own unique ideas, creating a polished and enjoyable gameplay experience. The game is often described as "Bloodborne combined with Sekiro". | 15% |
Immersive steampunk atmosphere in Krat | The game features a well-executed steampunk atmosphere in the city of Krat. The visuals are stunning, blending Victorian architecture with steampunk elements. The city feels both alive and dead, with realistic depictions of poverty and luxury. | 14% |
Consistent dark and immersive atmosphere | The game has a consistent dark and sombre vibe throughout. The level design is inspired by Gothic, Victorian, and Steampunk aesthetics, encouraging exploration and creating unsettling encounters. The dark puppet apocalypse setting is visually incredible, with moody and imaginative levels. | 8% |
Rewarding exploration and clear direction | The game encourages exploration, rewarding players with items and collectibles. The linear structure prevents players from getting lost, and the maps offer rewarding exploration with hidden elements to discover. The game also provides clear direction and incentives for New Game+. | 8% |
Challenging and rewarding boss fights | Boss encounters encourage experimentation to find suitable strategies and vulnerabilities. Bosses are visually unique and epic, and most can be beaten within a reasonable number of attempts. Defeating bosses feels rewarding, and each boss is unique with their own particularities. | 7% |
Useful and versatile Legion Arm | The Legion Arm is a useful tool in both boss fights and against regular enemies. The variety of ways to combine weapons and Legion Arms to tackle the game was enjoyable. The Legion Arm adds a special charm to the combat, offering varied abilities that enrich the gameplay. | 7% |