Info about Crypt of the NecroDancer: SYNCHRONY:

Official game description:
Crypt of the NecroDancer: SYNCHRONY is a massive new content pack for Crypt of the NecroDancer! It adds cross-platform online multiplayer (co-op and vs), three new characters, full mod support (and built-in mod portal), new items, enemies, traps, and more!
Key features:
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*   Online multiplayer support for up to 8 players in co-op and vs modes!
*   New character: Chaunter -- Possesses enemies and fights using their powers!
*   New character: Suzu -- Speedy character with an invincible dash attack!
*   New character: Klarinetta -- Does battle with a huge two-handed sword!
*   Full mod support allowing most aspects of the game to be modded!
*   An integrated mod portal, and the ability to load multiple mods at once!
*   New weapons, spells, items, enemies, shrines, traps, and more!
*   "Weekly Challenge" mode, featuring new community-made content each week!

Release date: Mar 13, 2024

Categories: Rhythm Game, Dungeon Crawler, Roguelike, Cooperative Multiplayer, Competitive Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 12; verdict: Fair DLC Pricing; summary: User feedback focuses on the decision to lock online multiplayer and mod support behind a paid DLC, which some consider a poor practice. However, the DLC itself is generally well-received for its content. The monetization model is standard DLC sales without in-game microtransactions, and the base game remains a one-time purchase. Therefore, predatory monetization is not present.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $18.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently describe the game as offering high value at a low price, with terms like 'cheap', 'great deal', and mentions of sales making it extremely affordable. One review notes that even with all DLCs bundled, the price during a sale yields change back, implying a very low base cost. Another states the base game is so complete for a low price that it is worth buying. Negative feedback exists but does not specify an exact price point. Based on this sentiment, the community perceives a fair base-game price range between $8 and $18.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: All reviews focus on features, difficulty, and multiplayer, but none provide specific playtime hours for the SYNCHRONY DLC. The only numeric playtime mentioned (200 hours) refers to the base game, not the DLC. Other references are vague or non-numeric, making it impossible to extract game completion, story completion, session length, or endgame hours for this DLC.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The DLC's main draw—online multiplayer with friends—provides immediate fun for existing players but is inaccessible or unenjoyable for newcomers due to paywall, dead multiplayer, and need for prior game knowledge.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Starting online multiplayer with friends
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: paywall for multiplayer and modding features; lack of active player base in multiplayer; required familiarity with base game for enjoyment
  - Unlock drivers: playing co-op or versus with friends; modding tools and community content; new characters and items
  - Conditions: playing with friends; being an existing player of the base game; having both Amplified and Synchrony DLCs for full experience
- Player Archetypes:
  - Multiplayer Co-op Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Social play with friends through online cooperative or competitive multiplayer
    - Playstyle: Engages in online co-op or versus modes, often scheduling sessions with friends or joining community lobbies
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: co-op player; multiplayer fan; friend group gamer
    - Reference games: Crypt of the NecroDancer AMPLIFIED; Cadence of Hyrule
  - Solo Purity Seeker (no buy)
    - Motivation: Solo mastery and personal challenge within the base game's singleplayer content
    - Playstyle: Plays alone, avoids multiplayer and mods, may try new characters but dismisses DLC if core additions are social
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: solo player; vanilla purist; singleplayer enthusiast
    - Reference games: Crypt of the NecroDancer (base); Crypt of the NecroDancer AMPLIFIED
  - Modding and Community Revivalist (buy)
    - Motivation: Creative expression and community engagement through modding and custom content
    - Playstyle: Uses the modding portal, explores or creates mods, participates in community events, and appreciates the DLC as a foundation for extended play
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: modder; community fan; long-time Necrodancer supporter
    - Reference games: Crypt of the NecroDancer (base); Crypt of the NecroDancer AMPLIFIED
  - Value-Conscious Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Fair pricing and access to features without paywalls
    - Playstyle: May play singleplayer or multiplayer but is primarily vocal about the business model; some may skip the DLC until it is free or deeply discounted
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: value-conscious; consumer advocate; frustrated fan
    - Reference games: Crypt of the NecroDancer (base); Crypt of the NecroDancer AMPLIFIED


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:
- Excellent online multiplayer (weight 0.99): The addition of online multiplayer is widely celebrated, with players highlighting seamless cross-platform play, co-op modes, and support for up to 8 players with chat.
- Unique new characters (weight 0.78): Players love the three new characters introduced in the DLC, praising their uniqueness, fun factor, and diverse playstyles that add variety to the game.
- Mod support appreciated (weight 0.2): Mod support is recognized as a high-effort inclusion that extends the game's longevity, with players acknowledging its value alongside the online multiplayer features.
- Klarinetta character praised (weight 0.19): The character Klarinetta is especially popular for being both easy to learn and fun to play, standing out among the new additions.
- Visual improvements noted (weight 0.13): Visual refinements, such as equipment appearing on character models, are appreciated for adding polish and immersion to the game.

Common complaints:
- Insufficient content for price (weight 0.77): Many players feel the DLC offers too little content compared to its price, especially when compared to the previous DLC Amplified. It lacks new levels, story, enemies, and music.
- New characters unbalanced and frustrating (weight 0.65): Several new characters are described as having frustrating mechanics, such as possessing enemies with low health, weird modifiers, or imbalanced starting gear. They are considered unusable or unfun.
- Mod and multiplayer paywalled (weight 0.56): Multiple reviews strongly criticize that online multiplayer and mod support are locked behind a paid DLC. They express that these features should be part of the base game.
- Early access concerns about content (weight 0.28): The DLC is still in early access, and players are uncertain about future content. Some feel the developers may not add more, and there have been no updates for a long time.
- UI and translation issues (weight 0.27): There are reports of missing text in Simplified Chinese, poor Japanese translation, and pixel font readability issues. These affect the user experience.
- Items and spells feel unbalanced or useless (weight 0.18): New items like the trident are just stronger versions of existing weapons, and spells like Berserker are considered pointless. Enchantments that increase self-damage are not well received.
- Lobby and navigation problems (weight 0.17): The lobby is hard to navigate with scattered rooms and unclear stairs. Accidental entry into zones can cause loss of items, which is frustrating.
- Lack of new music for rhythm game (weight 0.15): A rhythm-based dungeon DLC without new music is considered a major disappointment. Players expected new soundtracks to accompany new content.
- Missing revive or respawn mechanics (weight 0.13): The DLC lacks a revive or auto-respawn mechanic, making it easy to die and unfun, especially for new players in multiplayer sessions.
- Boss drops and shop issues in co-op (weight 0.13): Boss drops are not shared among players and shops have too few items for four players, hindering the co-op experience.
- Only QoL changes would be better as base game (weight 0.13): The DLC includes quality-of-life changes, like displaying items on characters, which some feel should have been part of the base game rather than paid content.
- Altars uninteresting and versus mode unexplained (weight 0.12): Altars in the DLC are considered uninteresting, and the versus mode lacks explanations for its goodies, confusing players.
- Friendly fire and server issues (weight 0.12): Teammate friendly fire with bombs can be frustrating, and server lag sometimes affects gameplay negatively.
- Voy's cooldown ruins tempo (weight 0.08): The character Voy has a cooldown after its monster form that breaks the game's rhythm, making it less enjoyable.
- Mod support somewhat worth it for some (weight 0.07): Despite the criticism, a few players acknowledge that paying for mod support is overall worth it, though it feels weird to have it behind a paywall.
- DLC not working after installation (weight 0.07): Some players experienced the DLC not working after installation, which required verifying game files to fix.
- New enchantment increases self-damage (weight 0.07): A new enchantment only increases self-damage, which is seen as a negative addition rather than a beneficial one.
- Conductor's batteries immune to bombs (weight 0.07): The Conductor character's batteries cannot be destroyed by bombs, which is inconsistent with other destructible objects in the game.
- Online PvP feels odd due to beat system (weight 0.07): The online PvP mode feels strange because of the game's beat-based movement system, which doesn't translate well to competitive play.

Gameplay feedback:
- Three new characters (weight 0.84): Three new characters with unique traits and playstyles are added. These include Suzu with a dash attack, Klarineta with a diagonal sword, and a ghost mage with possession mechanics.
- Character-specific mechanics (weight 0.65): Each new character has unique mechanics, such as Suzu's dash attack, Klarineta's diagonal sword, and the ghost mage's possession. These add variety to gameplay.
- New game modes (weight 0.54): New modes including co-op, competitive, and PVP with random items and monsters are added. Split screen and online co-op options are available.
- New items and equipment (weight 0.49): New items, equipment including shields, traps, enemies, and weapons like a trident and an axe are introduced. New spells and enchantments also appear.
- Rhythm-based combat (weight 0.25): The game is a rhythm-based dungeon crawler with character-specific mechanics. Combat is synchronized with music and rhythm.
- New enemies and bosses (weight 0.18): New enemies such as a skeleton with a whip and a Coral Riff boss are introduced. The game also features dwarves and other creatures.
- Controller configuration (weight 0.17): Controller configuration can be done through Steam controller settings, with menu navigation for reassigning controls and resetting to default in advanced settings.
- Map creation tools (weight 0.14): The update adds map creation capabilities, allowing players to design their own levels. This includes new items, mechanics, and traps.
- Crossplatform play (weight 0.14): Online multiplayer supports crossplatform play, allowing players on different systems to play together. This expands the player base.
- High difficulty characters (weight 0.08): Some characters are designed for high difficulty, where one mistake can lead to death. This appeals to players seeking a challenge.
- Bomb weapons added (weight 0.08): Bombs are introduced as new weapons, adding explosive options to the combat system. This provides new tactical possibilities.
- Lance weapon mechanic (weight 0.07): A new lance weapon with charge mechanics is suggested or added, offering a different playstyle. This adds variety to weapon choices.
- Items visible on character (weight 0.07): Items are now visible on the character sprite, adding visual feedback for equipped gear. This improves clarity in gameplay.
- Ghost form mechanic (weight 0.07): Players can become a ghost, possibly as a death mechanic or special ability. This adds a unique twist to the gameplay loop.
- Character movement ability (weight 0.07): A character movement ability allows instantaneous map traversal, providing quick navigation across the game world. This enhances mobility.

Performance notes:
- Optimization, Stability, and Performance (weight 0.17): Positive feedback highlights smooth performance, instant loading, and good optimization. However, crashes can occur under extreme player actions in large lobbies, indicating a potential edge-case stability issue.
- Online vs Local Stability (weight 0.07): Players note that online connection stability is better than local co-op, implying local multiplayer may have more frequent issues.

Recommendations:
- Highly worth the price (weight 0.63): Players consistently say the DLC is worth buying, offering good value for the cost. It is praised as worth every cent and a great deal.
- Recommended with multiplayer focus (weight 0.43): The DLC is especially recommended if you plan to play online multiplayer with friends. It provides a solid co-op experience.
- Enhances base game experience (weight 0.23): The DLC adds enjoyment and prolongs gameplay for players who liked the original. It is considered a good addition that improves the base game.
- Amplified DLC preferred (weight 0.2): A few players felt the Amplified DLC offers better value or should be prioritized over this one. Both DLCs are said to work well together.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Excitement (weight 0.24): Players are thrilled by the addition of new characters, weapons, and online multiplayer. The chaotic multiplayer gameplay, modding support, and DLC content breathing new life into the game after years of silence are major highlights.
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Many players are frustrated that online multiplayer and mod support are locked behind a paid DLC, feeling these features should be part of the base game. Others cite character balance issues, bugs, server lag, and unfair game mechanics like teammate killing and no revive.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Players are satisfied with the DLC's value, citing mod support, smooth performance, QoL improvements, and the fun addition of online co-op. The content feels like a full remaster and offers good replayability for the price.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Disappointment stems from the DLC having less content than previous expansions, lacking new singleplayer levels, music, or story. The price is considered too high for the small feature set, and some characters feel unbalanced or out of place.
- Appreciation (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the developers' ongoing support and the high-effort inclusions of online multiplayer and mod support. The DLC adds meaningful content and shows the team still cares about the game.
- Amusement (weight 0.07): Amusement comes from humorous scenarios like watching friends die to traps, absurd character descriptions, and the chaos of large multiplayer lobbies. Whacky mods and funny bugs also contribute to the fun.
- Happiness (weight 0.05): Happiness is driven by the addition of mods, new characters, and overall increased replayability. Players are glad to see new content after five years and find the DLC worth the cost.
- Amazement (weight 0.03): Players are amazed by the DLC's revolutionary base-game update, which includes multiple characters, online multiplayer, and a mod portal. The smooth rollback netcode for long-distance play is especially impressive.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy arises from the unexpected expansion and sequel announcement, as well as the fun new characters and chaotic multiplayer experiences. Massive lobbies with 124 players provide unique enjoyment.
- Gratitude (weight 0.03): Gratitude is expressed for the developers' effort, the new content, and the value for money. Players are thankful the game is getting support again after a long hiatus.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Enjoyment comes from fresh character mechanics, QoL changes, and the prolonged fun offered by online multiplayer. Playing as unique characters like Suzuro is a highlight.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is directed at the massive overhaul with a new engine, modding support, and high-quality technical execution. Character designs like Klarinetta also earn praise.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by online multiplayer being paid, lack of scaling for multiplayer boss drops, and local co-op desync issues.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Anticipation builds for future content, the sequel, and improved coop mechanics. Players look forward to features like item display once acclimated.
- Relief (weight 0.02): Relief comes from the fixing of old crash issues and the DLC's long-awaited arrival after five years.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love is expressed for the new characters, the overall DLC, and the ability to play together with a partner in multiplayer. The development team also receives affection.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is held for future content similar to the Amplified expansion and for low latency in multiplayer matches.
- Delight (weight 0.02): Delight is sparked by the visual equipment on character sprites and the three unique new characters that make the game feel brand new.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Approval is given for the update quality, with some excusing the small paywall for multiplayer and mods due to the base game's high quality.}