Info about Summum Aeterna:

Official game description:
  
Summum Aeterna is a Roguelite game that combines world crawler mechanics never seen before in the genre with a fast-paced combat system and a unique 2D art style.  
Taking the role of the King of Darkness, a mighty, powerful, and badass warlord condemned to eternal life, you'll explore uncharted worlds populated with treasures, traps, hordes of enemies and powerful bosses.  
Explore wild territories, descend into the most dangerous depths of Aeterna, and fight your way to the end of each world... If you can!  
**Classic Roguelite vibes**
---------------------------
The King of Darkness may be immortal... But he can still be defeated. You will start your adventure over and over again, that's how this kind of games works, right? Don't panic, even if you're defeated, you still keep some of the stuff and upgrades you earned the last time you lived... Some of them, at least.  
Summum Aeterna allows players to keep their progress, featuring a permanent character and world upgrade system. No matter how many times you’re defeated, your progression in the skill tree will be saved, as well as the world improvements you unlocked will last forever.  
**Random worlds**
-----------------
Summum Aeterna includes a unique world generator system never seen before in the genre, the Seed Mechanic... Each one generates a unique world with different enemy behavior, special events, and even a larger map size, depending on the rarity and the genes contained in the germinated seed.  
The world modifiers, so-called “seed genes” are positive and negative attributes included in each seed you find. They will determine the dangers, encounters and rewards waiting for you once you start playing. You can generate the world that best suits your playstyle.  
Seeds create worlds and genes make each seed different from the last, and so will the worlds generated from them!  
**Brutal fast-paced combat**
----------------------------
The key to surviving in Summum Aeterna is killing every single living (or undead, depending on the enemy) being you encounter. How to achieve that? Well, you play as a cursed monarch… Your weapons are crafted for a king!  
Show no mercy, use your swords, pistols, and scythes to make them beg for their miserable lives before they do the same to you... You will choose a starting weapon at the beginning of each world, but you can switch it for a better one, whatever its type... It’s up to you and your skills!  
Summum Aeterna also includes weapon customization options thanks to the gems, precious stones that increase weapon attributes and add cool upgrades. Add new offensive and passive capabilities and improve the combat performance of your weapons by embedding gems. You can also ascend your weapons to Summum level and unchained their true power by collecting specific diagrams!  
**Custom adventures**
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In Summum Aeterna you can define your own adventure. Each world will give you lots of rewards, including new seeds and currencies to upgrade your character skills, unlock new weapons, make the ones you already have even more deadly and, of course, improve the world's attributes.  
You can unlock new special rooms, increase the rarity of the ítems you find, and alter the world conditions by the world upgrade menu. You can also modify the rarity of your current seeds by mutating their genes, or recycling the ones you don't want to get a seed with higher rarity...  
**Multiplayer leaderboard**
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Summum Aeterna features an interesting multiplayer and cross-platform feature, the so-called "Board of Champions".This mechanic records the highest level seed completed in the shortest time possible by each competitor. There is a leaderboard for influenced seeds and another one for standard seeds.  
The reward for being in the top 3 places in the qualifier will be a gold, silver or bronze crown, which his highness will wear in-game regardless of the player's skin, and as long as the player remains on the podium. Do you want your King of Darkness to be crowned as every monarch deserves?

Release date: Sep 14, 2023

Categories: Roguelite, Metroidvania, Procedural Generation, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Fast-paced Combat, Seed Mechanic

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 15; verdict: Seamless; summary: The game runs well on Steam Deck with no major technical issues. Controls are generally praised, though one user found them insufficient for the game's difficulty. A user recommends customizing Steam Input for optimal play, but this is optional.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate the game is enjoyable but not worth the full $19.99 price, with several mentioning they only bought it on sale or deep sale. One positive review calls the price 'fair' but does not specify an amount, while others imply the full price is too high. This suggests the community considers a fair base-game price to be noticeably below the current price, likely in the $5–$15 range, with deep sales around $5–$10 being the most acceptable.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 90.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 45.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The 90-hour review explicitly states full completion (all bosses, all purchases), and the 20-hour review shows only 15% content unlocked, indicating that full game completion takes much longer—supporting a gameCompletion estimate of ~90 hours. The run-duration quote gives a range of 30–60 minutes per run, suggesting a typical session length of about 45 minutes. No specific time to finish the story is provided, so storyCompletion is null. No separate endgame time is given, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Summum Aeterna has a slow, friction-heavy start, but after a few hours the game opens up with deep customization and variation, becoming highly enjoyable. The strongest evidence indicates a 'clicks after' profile, though some players report repetition or lack of long-term motivation.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The game opening up with more variation and customization
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: slow meta progression; bad tutorials; hesitant first hour; slow start; limited healing options; repetitive early levels
  - Unlock drivers: game opening up after a few hours; unlocking a mode to keep starting weapon; modifiers that switch things up; seed system for customization
  - Conditions: being a fan of Rogue Legacy-style meta progression; tolerating a slow start; enjoying heavy meta progression; accepting repetition; disliking changing weapons mid-run; having patience for persistence
- Player Archetypes:
  - Meta Progression Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Unlocking permanent upgrades and grinding for content across runs.
    - Playstyle: Repeated runs, experimenting with weapons, optimizing meta progression and build variety.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Rogue Legacy; Hades
  - Hardcore Difficulty Purist (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastering challenging, precise gameplay and overcoming punishing difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Skill-based, learning patterns, embracing failure as part of the experience.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Aeterna Noctis
  - Developer Trust Skeptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Playing without DRM and with respectful, transparent developer communication.
    - Playstyle: Critical, may still play but with reservations and a focus on community and policy issues.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Frustrated Newcomer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a fair challenge and steady progression without excessive grind or punishing difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Frustrated, may rely on specific builds, struggles with early-game difficulty and meta progression.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: new player
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Graphics are highly praised (weight 0.38): Players consistently praise the game's visual presentation, describing the graphics as beautiful, crisp, and top-notch. The art style, colors, and effects are frequently highlighted as standout features.
- Gameplay is fun and addictive (weight 0.33): The core gameplay loop is widely enjoyed, with many players calling it fun, enjoyable, and addictive. The game is described as bright, colorful, and dynamic, keeping players engaged without becoming tiring.
- Weapon variety is excellent (weight 0.28): Players appreciate the diverse arsenal of weapons, including swords, scythes, guns, and magic tools, each with unique traits and abilities. The variety within each category and the distinct playstyles are frequently mentioned as a major strength.
- Excellent roguelike experience (weight 0.25): The game is frequently described as one of the best roguelikes or roguelites on the market, with players praising its execution and design. It is considered a roguelite done right and a top contender in the genre.
- Seed system adds replayability (weight 0.22): The seed-based world generation is a standout feature, creating unique worlds and ensuring endless surprises. Players appreciate the strategic depth and variety that the seed system brings to each playthrough.
- Well-polished and improved sequel (weight 0.17): Players note the game's high level of polish and its improvements over its predecessor, including better fluidity and overall development. The game is considered well-developed with nice upgrades.
- Controls are fluid and responsive (weight 0.17): The game's controls are praised for being great, fluid, and responsive, contributing to a thrilling and engaging experience. Tight combat and traversal mechanics are frequently highlighted as key strengths.
- Soundtrack and sound design praised (weight 0.14): The game's audio is highly regarded, with players praising both the soundtrack's excellent compositions and the top-notch sound design. The audio elements contribute significantly to the overall experience.
- Memorable boss encounters (weight 0.14): Boss fights are highlighted as memorable highlights of the game, with players finding them engaging and well-designed. The variety of enemies and bosses is also appreciated.
- Runs well on Steam Deck (weight 0.14): The game runs well and is perfectly playable on the Steam Deck, with no slowdowns reported. This makes it a great option for portable play.
- Massive content and replay value (weight 0.14): Players note the game's ton of content and high replay value, with many hours of gameplay and progression available. The depth and variety of content keep players engaged for extended periods.
- Extensive progression systems (weight 0.14): Players praise the game's extensive progression systems, including permanent stat upgrades and numerous mechanics to unlock. The roguelite elements are considered sufficient and well-implemented.
- Overall excellent game (weight 0.13): Players describe the game as a true gem and excellent in all aspects, with some calling it a nice game. The overall reception is highly positive, with many considering it a standout title.
- No significant bugs encountered (weight 0.11): Several players report experiencing no bugs or technical issues during their playthroughs. The game appears to be stable and well-optimized, with no special bugs encountered.
- Challenging in a rewarding way (weight 0.08): The game's difficulty is described as having a twisted charm and being challenging in a good way. Players find the challenge engaging and rewarding, adding to the overall appeal.
- Comparable to Hades and Dead Cells (weight 0.08): Players draw comparisons to acclaimed roguelites like Hades and Dead Cells, with some aspects considered better. This comparison positions the game as a high-quality title in the genre.
- Deep weapon customization (weight 0.08): The game offers deep weapon customization, allowing players to upgrade the rarity and levels of each weapon individually and add gems. This system adds strategic depth to the gameplay.
- Deep and complex gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is described as deep and complex, enjoyable for both beginners and experienced players. Its depth is noted as a rare quality, offering a rich experience.

Common complaints:
- High difficulty and punishing gameplay (weight 0.46): The game is extremely difficult, especially early on, with unforgiving mistakes and high damage taken. This makes it unapproachable for newcomers and frustrating for many players.
- Numerous game-breaking bugs (weight 0.44): Players report many serious bugs, including softlocks, freezes, and progression blockers that can force restarts or require Alt+F4. Some bugs have been known for years without fixes, indicating abandonment.
- Poor weapon balance and usability (weight 0.43): Weapons are often unbalanced, with only a few viable options, while others feel weak or unwieldy. This forces players into specific playstyles and makes many weapons pointless.
- Repetitive enemies and content (weight 0.36): Players frequently report that enemies, levels, and bosses become repetitive quickly, with little variation across worlds. This leads to boredom and a sense of sameness after extended play.
- Unrewarding and confusing progression systems (weight 0.35): The meta progression is dense and intimidating, with multiple currencies and upgrade trees that feel useless. Players find it hard to see progress, and some upgrades provide no visible benefits.
- Combat feels unpolished and frustrating (weight 0.35): Combat is often described as awful, with poor hitboxes, animation lags, and off-screen enemies. This makes fights feel unfair and reduces enjoyment, especially compared to the predecessor.
- Excessive grinding and slow progression (weight 0.33): Many players complain about the heavy grind required to unlock meaningful upgrades, with slow stat increases and multiple currencies. This makes progression feel tedious and unrewarding.
- Lack of content and variety (weight 0.3): The game has too few levels, bosses, and enemy types, leading to repetitive runs and a feeling of incompleteness. This is especially noticeable in early access, with limited maps and random elements.
- Poor controls and keybinding issues (weight 0.27): Controls are often described as horrible, with inconvenient keyboard layouts, inability to rebind all keys, and bugs like dash rebinding breaking. This hampers gameplay, especially in combat.
- Abandoned development and lack of updates (weight 0.27): Players note that the game has not been updated for a long time, with many bugs unfixed and features incomplete. This suggests the developers have abandoned the project, leaving it in a broken state.
- Localization and translation issues (weight 0.26): The game has untranslated dialogues in Spanish, Chinese text appearing, and grammar errors in English. This affects comprehension and immersion for non-Spanish speakers.
- Tedious and time-consuming runs (weight 0.26): Runs are either too short or too long, with slow starts and unskippable cutscenes. Portal animations waste time, and the game becomes tedious after many hours.
- Unappealing visuals and audio (weight 0.2): The graphics and art style are considered primitive or unappealing, with character model inconsistencies. The music is intrusive and unmemorable, detracting from the experience.
- Unclear story and objectives (weight 0.17): The story is vague and undefined, with no clear main quest or end-goal. Players feel lost and unmotivated, as there is little narrative payoff after completing runs.
- Lack of endgame and replayability (weight 0.16): After beating the game, there is little reason to continue, with no endgame content or story payoff. This reduces long-term engagement and makes the game feel shallow.
- Unhelpful tutorials and documentation (weight 0.16): Tutorials are poorly designed, with some inaccessible after the start, and the game is not well-documented online. This makes it hard for players to understand mechanics and progress.
- Unfair enemy design and traps (weight 0.16): Enemies are often irritating rather than challenging, with cheap attacks and brutal traps. This leads to frustration and a sense of unfairness.
- Lack of healing and survival options (weight 0.14): Healing is limited, forcing players to rely on specific weapons like the lifesteal scythe. This restricts build variety and makes the game more punishing than necessary.
- Unbalanced difficulty levels and seeds (weight 0.13): Higher difficulty levels and different seeds provide no visible benefits, making them feel pointless. This adds grind without meaningful rewards.
- Technical performance issues (weight 0.11): Players experience stutters, freezes, and optimization problems, especially in the initial town. This affects gameplay smoothness and overall polish.

Gameplay feedback:
- Metroidvania and roguelite hybrid (weight 0.48): Players consistently describe the game as a combination of metroidvania and roguelite genres, often with 2D side-scrolling and souls-like elements. This genre blend is a core identity of the game.
- Meta progression and upgrades (weight 0.37): The game features meta progression with out-of-game upgrades, including character improvement, weapon development, and multiple upgrade trees. Players appreciate the sense of permanent growth across runs.
- Seed system with modifiers (weight 0.35): A unique seed system allows players to generate worlds with specific advantages and maluses, acting as a self-made difficulty constructor. This mechanic is frequently praised as innovative and adds replayability.
- Four weapon types available (weight 0.25): The game offers four distinct weapon categories: swords, scythes, guns, and magic tools. Some players mention three types, but the majority agree on four, highlighting weapon variety as a key feature.
- Difficulty levels and challenge (weight 0.11): The game includes difficulty levels, with at least one player mentioning unlocking Difficulty 7. The overall challenge is a recurring theme, appealing to players seeking a tough experience.
- Fast and punishing combat (weight 0.08): Combat is described as fast-paced and punishing, requiring quick reflexes and strategic play. This difficulty is a notable aspect of the gameplay experience.
- Weapon customization via gems (weight 0.08): Players can customize weapons using a gem system, adding a layer of build variety. This feature is mentioned as a positive aspect of the game's depth.
- Player controls King of Darkness (weight 0.08): The protagonist is the King of Darkness, who faces the Queen of Light. This narrative element adds context to the game's setting and story.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck performance praised (weight 0.12): Players report the game runs well and is perfectly playable on the Steam Deck, with no major issues. This positive feedback highlights good handheld optimization.
- No slowdowns reported (weight 0.08): Some users experienced no slowdowns during gameplay, indicating smooth performance in various scenarios. This suggests the game maintains stable frame rates for certain hardware configurations.
- General optimization issues (weight 0.08): Some players mentioned optimization issues and disappointing optimization, suggesting the game may not be well-tuned for all systems. This could lead to performance problems for certain users.
- Boss death causes freeze (weight 0.05): One player reported that the game completely freezes and the screen goes crazy when dying to a boss, indicating a critical bug. This can disrupt gameplay and frustrate users.
- Stutters in initial town (weight 0.05): A user experienced stutters in the initial town with parts of the screen freezing for milliseconds, indicating performance hiccups in specific areas. This can be noticeable and affect immersion.
- Lack of graphics settings (weight 0.05): The absence of medium or low graphic settings forces the PC to work hard, potentially causing performance strain. This limits accessibility for lower-end hardware.
- High refresh rate support (weight 0.05): The game supports 240FPS+, which is a positive feature for players with high-refresh-rate monitors. This enhances smoothness for competitive or fast-paced gameplay.
- Occasional animation lag (weight 0.04): A user noted that animations sometimes lag, which could affect visual fluidity. This is a minor issue but may detract from the overall experience.

Recommendations:
- Game generally recommended (weight 0.25): Multiple reviewers recommend the game overall, with some specifically endorsing it for fans of roguelites and the genre. The positive reception is consistent across several clusters.
- Best bought on sale (weight 0.21): Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale or a low price before purchasing, with some specifying a deep discount or a price around $5. This implies the game may not be worth full price for everyone.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.19): A subset of reviewers explicitly advise against purchasing the game, with some stating 'Don't buy' and others giving a strong negative recommendation. This indicates a divided reception.
- Recommended for challenge seekers (weight 0.12): Reviewers highlight the game's harsh, punishing difficulty and recommend it to players who enjoy tough challenges. This includes those who like mastering intricate mechanics and embracing repeated failure.
- Strong meta progression appeal (weight 0.09): Fans of Rogue Legacy's meta progression will find this game highly appealing, as it offers a similar flavor of progression. This is a key selling point for roguelike enthusiasts.
- Good for short sessions (weight 0.07): Reviewers mention the game is good for an enjoyable few hours or a couple of evenings, suggesting it is suitable for short play sessions. This is a practical consideration for players.
- Recommended for action fans (weight 0.07): Reviewers recommend the game for action game fans and those who like high-difficulty metroidvania games, indicating its appeal to specific audiences. This is a positive note for those groups.
- Bugs ruin gameplay (weight 0.05): A reviewer advises waiting for patches because bugs currently ruin the gameplay experience. This is a significant concern for those considering an immediate purchase.
- Not for revolutionary expectations (weight 0.05): One reviewer notes the game is not recommended for those seeking a revolutionary roguelike, suggesting it may not offer groundbreaking innovation. This is a caveat for potential buyers.
- Not for Aeterna Noctis fans (weight 0.05): Reviewers caution that the game is not recommended for those expecting a sequel to Aeterna Noctis or a metroidvania experience. This clarifies the game's genre and expectations.
- Worth time and money (weight 0.05): A reviewer affirms the game is fun and worth the time and money, providing a straightforward positive endorsement. This adds to the overall positive sentiment.
- Input configuration tip (weight 0.04): One reviewer recommends changing Steam input settings to use the d-pad as a joystick and bind the right trackpad to a single button for better control. This is a practical tip for players.
- Suitable for all players (weight 0.04): One reviewer states the game is suitable for everyone, even those new to platformers, indicating broad accessibility. This contrasts with the difficulty-focused recommendations.
- Try demo first (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests trying the demo before purchasing, which is a cautious approach for undecided players. This is a practical recommendation.
- Not for meta progression detractors (weight 0.04): One reviewer explicitly states the game is not for those who dislike meta progression, reinforcing its importance in the game's design. This is a clear warning for certain players.
- Not for metroidvania lovers (weight 0.04): A reviewer notes the game is not recommended for those expecting a metroidvania, clarifying that it may not meet that genre's expectations. This is a caution for genre fans.
- Support studio if fan (weight 0.04): A reviewer recommends supporting the studio for their next game if you are a fan, indicating loyalty to the developer. This is a niche but positive note.
- Buy both parts (weight 0.04): A reviewer recommends buying both parts of the game, suggesting a combined purchase is worthwhile. This is a specific purchasing advice.
- Use trainer for difficulty (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests using a trainer to modify materials to access higher difficulty modes directly, indicating a workaround for progression. This is a niche tip.
- Low-end system friendly (weight 0.04): One reviewer recommends the game for players seeking a quality experience on low-end systems, highlighting its performance accessibility. This is a practical advantage.

Other player notes:
- Frequent comparisons to Aeterna Noctis (weight 0.44): Many reviewers compare this game to Aeterna Noctis, often noting that the latter is superior in various aspects. Some mention it as a way to fill the void after finishing Aeterna Noctis while waiting for Aeterna Lucis.
- Comparisons to Dead Cells and Hades (weight 0.37): The game is frequently compared to popular roguelites like Dead Cells and Hades. Reviewers note that while Dead Cells is hard but fair, this game may lack the gameplay diversity of these titles.
- Comparisons to Rogue Legacy (weight 0.27): Several reviewers compare the game to Rogue Legacy, with mixed opinions. Some see it as a modern, improved version, while others consider it a half-baked or derivative take on the formula.
- Early access and development concerns (weight 0.24): Some reviewers mention the game is in early access and may have been taken out of it too early. There are also concerns about the game being abandoned by developers, though others note ongoing updates and a planned sequel.
- Localization issues, especially PT-BR (weight 0.22): Reviewers report a lack of Portuguese (PT-BR) text and audio translation, and some note that the developer has known about these issues for over a year without fixing them. This is a significant concern for Brazilian players.
- Comparisons to Castlevania and Bloodstained (weight 0.18): The game is compared to Castlevania and Bloodstained in terms of graphics and style, with some noting it resembles GBA/DS-era Castlevania. This suggests a nostalgic appeal for fans of these classics.
- Mixed reception on gameplay quality (weight 0.17): Opinions vary on the gameplay, with some praising it as fluid and fast-paced, while others criticize it as repetitive or lacking diversity compared to other roguelites. The game's lifespan is noted as 20-30 hours before becoming repetitive.
- Game is a prequel or sequel (weight 0.15): The game is described as both a prequel and a sequel to Aeterna Noctis, sharing the main character and lore. It's also noted as a roguelite rather than a metroidvania like its predecessor.
- Price and value considerations (weight 0.13): Reviewers have mixed feelings about the price, with some finding it reasonable for the content offered, while others think it's too good for what's provided. The early access price is noted as lower than the full release.
- Developer reputation and support (weight 0.13): The developer, Aeternum Game Studios, is known for Aeterna Noctis. Some reviewers bought the game to support the developers, while others criticize the developer for not listening to community requests, such as removing Easy Anti Cheat.
- Content and achievements (weight 0.08): The game has a good amount of content to grind for, with 160 achievements, many of which are rarely earned. This may appeal to completionists but could be seen as excessive.
- Platform and control preferences (weight 0.07): The game is best played with a joypad, and a demo is available. This suggests the game is designed with controller support in mind, which may be a consideration for players.
- Graphics and art style (weight 0.07): The graphics are compared to Bloodstained or GBA/DS-era Castlevania, and the anime drawing style is noted as not to everyone's taste but still good. This may influence player preferences.
- Map and level design (weight 0.07): The map is compared to Rogue Legacy and Path of Exile-style tilesets, suggesting a variety in level design. This could be a point of interest for players who enjoy exploration.
- Gameplay difficulty and fairness (weight 0.07): The game is compared to Hollow Knight in terms of difficult terrain, and some reviewers note that recent updates have made the game harder and better. This may appeal to players seeking a challenge.
- Upcoming features and updates (weight 0.07): A shield-like weapon is planned for a future update, and the game is receiving updates until its launch at the end of 2023. This indicates ongoing development and potential for improvement.
- Game's purpose and funding (weight 0.06): Some reviewers suggest the game exists to fund Lucis or is a derivative work of Eternal Night made to raise funds. This may affect player perception of the game's intent.
- Player support and community (weight 0.06): Some reviewers bought the game to support the developers, and there is a community looking forward to Aeterna Lucis. This suggests a dedicated fanbase despite mixed reviews.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players are frustrated by numerous game-breaking bugs, including broken secondary attacks, keybind issues, and softlocks that persist for years. The game's balance is poor, with only a few viable weapons and excessive grinding for slow meta progression, making runs feel tedious and unrewarding. Difficulty spikes and animation/hitbox inconsistencies further compound the frustration, leading to unfair deaths and a sense that the game does not respect the player's time.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the game's smooth combat, unique weapon types, and tight controls, which contribute to a fun and engaging experience. The high replayability, variety in runs, and satisfying progression as the player gets stronger keep the game from becoming boring. The combination of beautiful graphics, compelling sound design, and challenging enemies creates an overall enjoyable roguelite experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Players are disappointed by the game's abandonment, with many unfixed bugs and a lack of content, making it feel like an unfinished early access title. The game is seen as a poor imitation of better roguelikes, with repetitive gameplay, weak build crafting, and a thin story that fails to provide a reason to continue. The developer's poor communication and lack of localization further add to the sense of missed potential.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players feel satisfied with the game's high-quality 2D action platformer mechanics, including good level design, controls, and monster variety. The game becomes more rewarding as players build up their character, with progress persisting and making the journey feel worthwhile. The weapon variety and unique weapon types are praised, and the game is considered a solid roguelike comparable to genre greats.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited by the game's fun and addictive gameplay loop, which offers tons of content and meta progression that encourages continued play. The huge number of monsters, thrilling boss fights, and frantic action create an exhilarating experience. The ability to modify runs and the game's depth add to the excitement, making it one of the best roguelikes of the year for many.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the game for being on par with top-tier roguelikes like Hades and Dead Cells, with gorgeous visuals and deep systems. It is considered one of the best metroidvania/roguelike games of 2023, praised for its striking graphics and well-implemented mechanics. The game's overall quality earns it a place among the best action roguelites on the market.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Players become bored due to repetitive combat and encountering the same rooms and enemies repeatedly. The game's attempts to open up with items do not feel impactful, and running the same two levels over and over becomes monotonous. The lack of variety in gameplay leads to a sense of boredom and a feeling that the game is as boring as possible.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players are confused by unexplained game mechanics, such as how to obtain currency, and by the presence of Spanish dialogue when the game is set to English, which may be a bug. The lack of clear explanations and the odd localization choices leave players unsure about the game's intended state. Some also wonder why the game has a low player count despite its quality.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game for its great humor, easter eggs, soundtrack, and smooth controls, which create a delightful experience. The game offers a ton of content with tight, engaging combat and traversal, drawing players in immediately. Its fast-paced, super fluid gameplay and excellent roguelite features make it a standout title that players adore.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's well-developed combat and level design, as well as the studio's consistent delivery of artistic and gameplay excellence. The positive experience with previous titles led some to buy the game to support the developers, and they are grateful for the opportunity to play Summum Aeterna. This appreciation stems from the game's overall quality and the developer's track record.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Players approve of the game's overall quality, including its graphics, animations, and soundtrack. The game rewards patience and persistence, which is appreciated by players who enjoy a challenge. The positive aspects of the game lead to a general sense of approval and satisfaction.
- Disappointed (weight 0.02): Players are disappointed by the lack of story after beating the boss, and by the simple level design, lack of polishing, and difficult spikes that make the game a missed opportunity. The game is very difficult, gets repetitive quickly, and does not function well as a game, leading to a sense of letdown. The average upgrades and overall execution fail to meet expectations.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players are frustrated by the grind required to get a decent seed at difficulty 7, and by various bugs such as flying monsters going through walls and incomplete achievements. The game feels unfun to play with zero payoff and a messed-up meta progression, leading to a strong sense of frustration. The lack of maps and bosses further exacerbates the issue.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Players are annoyed by bugs such as bats and one-hit flying enemies running inside walls, which disrupt gameplay. Soft-locks and Spanish subtitles are also sources of annoyance, along with the mouse inversion in viewing the nearest field. These issues, while not game-breaking, detract from the overall experience and cause irritation.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Players are intrigued by the game's high difficulty and interesting worlds, which initially capture their attention. The limited visibility of the environment adds an element of mystery and curiosity, making players want to explore further. This sense of intrigue is a positive aspect that draws players into the game.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game, considering it a must-play for genre fans. Many fell in love with the game and spent hours playing it, indicating a high level of engagement and enjoyment. The game's quality and addictive nature fuel this enthusiasm.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the game's design and variety of mechanics, as well as its visual and artistic section and soundtrack. The game's presentation and gameplay depth leave a strong positive impression, making it stand out in the genre. This admiration for the game's craftsmanship is a key reason for the emotion.
- Intimidation (weight 0.01): Players feel intimidated by the game's dense progression system and steep difficulty curve. The complexity and challenge can be overwhelming, especially for new players, creating a sense of intimidation. This emotion is a response to the game's demanding nature.
- Overwhelm (weight 0.01): Players feel overwhelmed by the game's too many mechanics, which can be difficult to grasp and manage. The sheer number of systems and options may be too much for some players, leading to a sense of being overwhelmed. This can detract from the overall enjoyment and accessibility of the game.
- Confused (weight 0.01): Players are confused about whether the game was finished due to repeating worlds with variants, which creates uncertainty about the game's completeness. This confusion stems from the game's structure, which may seem repetitive or unfinished. The lack of clarity on this aspect leaves players puzzled.}