Info about Soul's Remnant:

Official game description:
Soul's Remnant is a free to play 2D platformer MMORPG by Chaomoon, with a focus on social gameplay and exploration. Customize your skills with our classless system, team up with others, and defeat monsters, bosses, and dungeons together!
Venture into the mysterious world of Soul's Remnant with friends or meet new ones along the way - just watch out when night falls!
Game features:
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*   **2D platformer MMORPG** with a cute and colorful pixel art graphics style
*   **Large world to explore** with lots of monsters, bosses, dungeons, and secrets to find!
*   **Classless skill system and** **various stats** to build your character with
*   Lots of **equipment** of various rarities to find and upgrade
*   Challenging **dungeons and bosses** for your (and your friends) to conquer
*   **Guild system** with various perks for you and your guild to unlock
*   Full **crafting and gathering system**, with many recipes to unlock and items to craft
*   Comprehensive **quest system** that provides various fun missions to complete for rewards
*   **Befriend 10 villager NPCs and learn their stories!** Each with their own unique personality
*   Lots of **player-driven and party-based content**, such as parties, party grinding, housing, and player shops for a full player-driven economy!
*   Full soundtrack of 40+ originally composed songs, all written, composed, and produced by Chaomoon
Made by a small indie team!
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Hi, I'm Chaomoon! For 8 years (from 2016 to 2024), I developed Soul's Remnant alone as my passion project. Over years of hosting public playtests, the game developed a community of dedicated players, and grew to be something larger.
Now, working towards bigger and better versions of the game, the team has expanded, with Rajah joining the team since 2025 to help with future updates and development!
Developed with community in mind!
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Community feedback has always been a crucial part of Soul's Remnant's development, so feel free to join our community and leave feedback for us, as we continuously work towards making the game even better!

Release date: Aug 13, 2026

Categories: 2D Platformer, MMORPG, Classless Character Progression, Exploration, Crafting, Social Simulation, Character Customization, Grind-focused Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 55; verdict: Controversial Convenience Monetization; summary: MapleStory2-like free-to-play MMO with a cash shop. Most reviews agree it is not pay-to-win, praising affordable cosmetics and no stat purchases. However, a vocal minority flags inventory slots, monthly passes, and paid stat resets as pay-to-win convenience features. Monetization is mild but contains controversial QoL locks, placing it in the aggressive convenience tier.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Broken performance and controls on Steam Deck; summary: The game claims controller and Steam Deck support, but user feedback reveals severe performance problems (cannot maintain 60 FPS on the Deck) and poor control quality. These issues create a broken or heavily tinkering-required experience, preventing a seamless play session.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 5.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The most direct evidence for session length is a player reporting an uninterrupted 5-hour play session. Two other reviews mention total playtimes of approximately 2 hours and 6 hours, which may represent single sessions but are not explicitly stated as such. No credible evidence supports game completion, story completion, or endgame playtime hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Soul's Remnant is enjoyable from the start for many players, with polished mechanics and satisfying progression, though a subset of players experience early friction that may be mitigated by group play or continued progression.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: repetitive early game; slow movement at start; boring combat; lack of excitement; slow leveling progression; poor tutorial
  - Unlock drivers: unlocking dash/blink; further character progression; learning game mechanics
  - Conditions: playing with friends; joining a guild; persisting past early repetitiveness
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Maple Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia for old-school 2D MMOs and the satisfying iterative grind, without modern monetization.
    - Playstyle: Grinding mobs with macro skill combos, exploring hidden maps, theorycrafting builds, and seeking nostalgic progression.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: MMORPG veteran; Maplestory veteran
    - Reference games: MapleStory; Runescape; Path of Exile
  - Chill Relaxed Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and stress‑free progression through repetitive, low‑effort gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Mindless mob farming, solo or light party, often with minimal interaction or one‑button spam macros.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: grinder
    - Reference games: MapleStory
  - Hardcore Ironman (buy)
    - Motivation: The thrill of self‑imposed restrictions, permanent consequences, and proving skill through difficult content.
    - Playstyle: Playing ironman or hardcore modes solo or with trusted groups, focusing on self‑sufficiency, theorycrafting, and challenge.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: ironman player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Social Party Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Building long‑term social bonds and progressing together through cooperative systems.
    - Playstyle: Playing in parties or guilds, engaging in cooperative grinding, group content, and community progression.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: guild member
    - 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:
- Game is highly enjoyable (weight 0.51): Players consistently describe the game as fun, addictive, and visually impressive. The positive sentiment across multiple clusters indicates strong overall satisfaction.
- Flexible and classless skill system (weight 0.5): The classless system and flexible skill trees allow for deep customization and unique character builds. This freedom is highly valued by the community.
- No pay-to-win mechanics (weight 0.48): Players appreciate the absence of pay-to-win elements, emphasizing that the cash shop is limited to cosmetics and convenience items. This fair monetization model is a strong positive point.
- Smooth and fluid gameplay (weight 0.37): The game's controls and combat are repeatedly praised for being crisp and satisfying. This smooth gameplay loop enhances the overall player experience.
- Excellent soundtrack and visuals (weight 0.37): The pixel art and music are consistently praised as high-quality and fitting the game's aesthetic. The solo developer's contribution to the OST is especially noted.
- Responsive and passionate developers (weight 0.25): The development team is noted for being engaged with the community, listening to feedback, and providing timely updates. This builds trust and goodwill among players.
- Crafting and life skills available (weight 0.18): The inclusion of crafting and life skilling systems adds depth and variety to the gameplay. These features are appreciated by players looking for more than combat.
- Ironman and hardcore modes offered (weight 0.12): The presence of optional ironman and hardcore modes provides extra challenge for dedicated players. This feature is seen as exciting and adds replayability.
- Guilds and social features (weight 0.08): The availability of guilds helps foster a community aspect within the game. This social layer is valued by players who enjoy cooperative play.
- Good performance on older hardware (weight 0.08): The game runs smoothly even on older laptops, making it accessible to a wider audience. This technical optimization is a practical advantage.
- Fresh concept for 2D platformer MMO (weight 0.08): The game fills a niche for a 2D platformer MMO, offering a unique experience in the genre. This originality is appreciated by players seeking something different.
- Solo developer's dedication (weight 0.08): The fact that a solo developer spent a decade creating the game is seen as impressive. This dedication adds a layer of appreciation for the game's quality.

Common complaints:
- Grinding is too heavy (weight 0.47): Players report that leveling requires an excessive amount of grinding, even before level 10, with slow experience gain and repetitive tasks. This is the most frequently mentioned complaint across multiple clusters.
- Frequent disconnects and errors (weight 0.38): Players experience frequent disconnections, server errors like 'no channel available', and account-related issues. The game also freezes or errors out, requiring force closure.
- Poor platforming mechanics (weight 0.37): The game relies heavily on wall jumping and platforming for movement, which players find aggravating and inappropriate for an action RPG. Jumping puzzles and obstacles are considered unwanted and frustrating.
- Poor guidance and tutorials (weight 0.33): The game's tutorial and guidance system is criticized for being incomplete, unclear, and not instanced, failing to explain deeper mechanics. New players find it difficult to understand basic gameplay and quest locations.
- Limited customization options (weight 0.23): Character creation and customization are very limited at the start, with virtually no options. More customization is tied to the cash shop, and character variation is poor.
- Combat is boring and basic (weight 0.2): Combat is described as boring and lacking excitement, with very basic 1-button combos and a repetitive 'hold M1' gameplay loop. Skills lack synergy and innovation.
- Repetitive and boring quests (weight 0.19): Quests are repetitive from the start, mainly consisting of 'kill X mobs' and fetch quests, made worse by poor map travel. The quest system is poorly set up and leads to a boring gameplay loop.
- Poor UI and readability (weight 0.18): The UI blocks the screen during combat, and the font is difficult to read, leading players to skip dialogues. The UI is described as hard on the eyes and ugly.
- Incomplete localization (weight 0.16): The Chinese and Korean localizations are incomplete, with missing translations and some English subtitles remaining. This hinders immersion for non-English players.
- Poor art style and graphics (weight 0.14): The art style is described as hard to look at, pixelated, and of very poor quality, resembling a child's drawing. This detracts from the overall experience.
- Unfair loot and competition (weight 0.12): Map enemies are shared, leading to competition for kills and drops, with a first-player-claim system for items. Kill stealing is a problem due to global monsters.
- Limited bag and inventory space (weight 0.12): Bag space is very limited, and additional slots must be purchased from the cash shop. This is considered a pay-to-win mechanic.
- No incentive for party play (weight 0.11): Partying does not seem to exist without a friend group, and there is no incentive to party up with randoms early on. The guild system is also disliked.
- Low player population and social issues (weight 0.11): The game reportedly has a low player population at launch, and chat restrictions prevent meaningful social interaction. There is also a lack of announcement before maintenance.
- Farming experience is terrible (weight 0.08): The farming experience is described as terrible, with poor map travel and repetitive grind. This makes the early game feel like a chore.
- Night lasts too long (weight 0.05): The day-night cycle is unbalanced, with night lasting much longer than day, which negatively affects gameplay.

Gameplay feedback:
- Classless skill system (weight 0.51): The game features a classless skill system with four disciplines that allows players to customize and hybridize their builds freely. Players can mix and match skills from different trees, enabling high build diversity and experimentation.
- 2D platform MMORPG (weight 0.44): The game is a 2D side-scrolling platformer MMORPG with pixel art, combining platforming mechanics with MMO gameplay. It is inspired by older platform MMOs like MapleStory.
- Skill system customization (weight 0.32): The skill system allows players to customize their builds through various trees and combinations. Build diversity is a highlight.
- Crafting system with minigame (weight 0.22): There is a full crafting system with over 700 recipes and a crafting minigame. Gathering and crafting are a major focus of the game.
- Platform MMO genre (weight 0.21): The game belongs to the platform MMO genre, specifically a 2D sidescroller with MMO mechanics. It appeals to fans of classic platform MMOs.
- Platforming traversal mechanic (weight 0.2): Platforming is a core traversal mechanic, with jump puzzles and platforming sections integrated into the world. This distinguishes the game from traditional MMOs.
- Life skills system (weight 0.19): The game includes life skills such as fishing, mining, and herbalism, which have gathering minigames. These skills level up automatically with use and form a core part of progression.
- Manual grinding required (weight 0.14): The game requires manual grinding for progression, whether through combat, dungeons, or life skills. This appeals to players who enjoy active farming.
- Free-to-play model (weight 0.14): The game is free-to-play on Steam, with monetization through cosmetics and optional subscriptions. This lowers the barrier to entry.
- Hardcore Ironman mode (weight 0.13): The game includes an Ironman or Hardcore mode accessible via an NPC, offering a more challenging experience for players. This mode is a notable feature for replayability.
- Guild system perks (weight 0.09): The game has a guild system with unlockable perks, encouraging social play and cooperation among players. Guilds are a key social MMO feature.
- Social MMO gameplay (weight 0.09): The game is designed as a social MMO, supporting both party and solo play. It emphasizes community interaction and cooperative activities.
- Build loadout system (weight 0.09): Players can use a loadout system to swap between multiple skill and build configurations quickly. This allows for flexible adaptation to different content.
- Equipment upgrade system (weight 0.09): The game includes an equipment upgrade system that allows players to enhance their gear. This adds a layer of progression and customization.
- Macro system for skills (weight 0.09): A macro system is available to create smooth skill connections, improving combat flow and efficiency. This aids in managing multiple skills.
- Four combat skill trees (weight 0.08): There are four main combat skill trees: melee, ranged, magic, and faith. Players can invest in these to create varied builds.
- Grinding mobs and dungeons (weight 0.08): Grinding mobs for levels and gear, as well as running dungeons, is a primary activity. This loop is central to the game's progression.

Performance notes:
- Server connectivity problems (weight 0.2): Players report various server-related issues, including disconnects, 'no channel available' and 'account already logged in' errors, as well as general instability at launch. These problems hinder reliable access to the game.
- Game freezing and crashing (weight 0.17): Players report frequent game freezes and crashes, sometimes requiring a task manager force close or even a full PC restart. This issue appears to be a critical stability problem affecting playability.
- FPS cap and limits (weight 0.1): Multiple players mention a 60 FPS cap on the game, which is frustrating for those with high-end hardware that could achieve higher frame rates. Some users on laptops report being able to reach 200+ FPS before the limit was imposed.
- Frame rate drops (weight 0.1): Several players experience significant frame rate drops, including dips to 15-24 FPS, especially on older PCs or in highly populated areas. This affects the smoothness of gameplay.
- Lag and high ping (weight 0.1): Lag is a common complaint, with some players noting that high ping from EU regions causes noticeable input lag and general lag spikes. One workaround involves playing a YouTube video to alleviate the issue.
- Steam Deck performance issues (weight 0.06): The game struggles to maintain 60 FPS on the Steam Deck despite its simple 2D pixel art style, suggesting poor optimization for lower-power handheld devices.
- Game hangs on loading (weight 0.05): The game sometimes hangs or gets stuck during world loading screens, preventing players from entering the game or switching areas smoothly.
- Occasional stuttering (weight 0.05): Some users experience occasional stuttering during gameplay, which can be distracting and affect the overall experience, though it is not constant.
- Lack of maintenance notice (weight 0.05): Players complain that server maintenance occurs without any prior announcement, leading to unexpected downtime and frustration.

Recommendations:
- General positive recommendation (weight 0.38): A number of reviews give a straightforward, positive recommendation without specific details, simply stating the game is worth trying or a great experience. This indicates broad but shallow approval.
- Recommended for 2D MMO fans (weight 0.33): The game is frequently recommended for fans of old-school 2D side-scrolling MMOs, specifically those who enjoyed MapleStory or similar titles. This suggests the game successfully appeals to a nostalgic audience.
- Free to play value (weight 0.27): Many reviewers highlight the game being free-to-play as a key reason to try it, stating there is nothing to lose by giving it a chance. This is a common and positive sentiment.
- Comparison to MapleStory (weight 0.27): Many reviews directly compare the game to old-school MapleStory, recommending it to fans of that game or those waiting for a classic version. This establishes a clear target audience.
- Appeals to grind-loving players (weight 0.22): Several reviewers recommend the game to players who enjoy extensive mob grinding, random loot, and leveling up. This aligns with the game's core gameplay loop being a major draw for certain players.
- Not recommended in current state (weight 0.15): A few reviewers explicitly do not recommend the game in its current state, suggesting players wait for future updates or avoid it entirely. This points to dissatisfaction with the game's development status.
- Avoid due to negative experience (weight 0.11): A few reviews give a strong negative recommendation, advising players to avoid the game entirely or giving it a wide berth. This represents a minority but strong opinion.
- Pay-to-win cash shop concerns (weight 0.09): Some negative feedback cites pay-to-win elements in the cash shop and micro-transactions as reasons not to recommend the game, along with claims of false advertising. This is a significant criticism.
- Lightweight and accessible (weight 0.08): The game is described as free and lightweight, making it easy to try without significant commitment. This lowers the barrier to entry for new players.
- Great with friends (weight 0.05): At least one review highlights the game as a fantastic experience, especially when played with friends, suggesting a strong social or co-op element.
- Pixel graphics appeal (weight 0.05): The game's pixel graphics are mentioned as a positive point, recommended for players who appreciate that art style. This is a niche but clear selling point.
- Grind may be too much (weight 0.05): One review notes the game is a hard skip for players who dislike mindless one-button spam grind, suggesting the gameplay can be repetitive and unengaging for some.
- Support developers if liked (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests buying a pack to support the developer if you enjoy the game, indicating a positive view of the developer and a desire to encourage further development.
- Not for platformer beginners (weight 0.04): A single review warns that players bad at platformers should skip this game, indicating the game has challenging platforming elements that may not suit everyone.
- Only if no other games (weight 0.04): A single reviewer recommends the game only if the player has no other games and plenty of time, implying it is a last-resort option for killing time.

Other player notes:
- Compared to MapleStory (weight 0.97): The game is frequently compared to MapleStory, both favorably and unfavorably, with many reviewers noting its inspiration and similarities.
- No pay-to-win elements (weight 0.6): Multiple reviewers emphasize that the game has no pay-to-win mechanics, with the cash shop being primarily cosmetic or for convenience.
- Developed by small team (weight 0.43): The game is developed by a small independent team, often cited as one or two developers working over many years.
- Passion project from developer (weight 0.3): Reviewers note the game is a passion project, with the developer showing dedication and love through years of work.
- Compared to Path of Exile (weight 0.27): Some reviews compare the game to Path of Exile, particularly regarding its crafting system and map modifiers.
- Developer responsive to feedback (weight 0.27): The developer is described as vocal, engaged, and responsive to community feedback, quickly implementing patches.
- Compared to other MMOs (weight 0.22): Beyond MapleStory, the game is compared to various other MMOs like Ragnarok Online, Mabinogi, Runescape, and Wildstar.
- Free-to-play game (weight 0.22): The game is free to play with no mandatory payments, and some reviewers note it has no microtransactions or is of high enough quality to charge for.
- Compared to CrossCode and Idleon (weight 0.22): Some reviews compare the game to CrossCode and Legends of Idleon, noting similarities in gameplay or style.
- Controller and Steam Deck support (weight 0.14): Controller and Steam Deck support are either in progress or claimed, with some reviewers noting playability on these devices.
- Subscription and monetization tiers (weight 0.13): Monetization includes monthly subscription tiers with varying perks, as well as individual convenience upgrades.
- Auction house and crafting comparisons (weight 0.12): The auction house is compared to MapleStory's trading system, and the crafting system is compared to FFXIV and Path of Exile.
- Early access status (weight 0.11): The game is in early access, with an estimated duration of 6 to 12 months and planned full version content.
- Lightweight with simple graphics (weight 0.11): The game is described as lightweight (250 MB) with simple pixel graphics that may allow for more frequent updates.
- Hidden maps and channel switching (weight 0.1): The game contains hidden maps for players to discover and offers free channel switching to address crowded areas.
- Incomplete localization (weight 0.07): Chinese and Korean translations are noted as incomplete, suggesting room for improvement in localization.
- Max level and content hours (weight 0.07): The game has a max level of 99 and provides 100-200 hours of gameplay content.
- Developer not like Nexon (weight 0.04): One reviewer explicitly states the developer is not like Nexon, implying a positive contrast in monetization practices.
- Active community and wiki (weight 0.04): The game has a fleshed out wiki and an active Discord community, supporting player engagement.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players are frustrated by technical issues such as poor performance, server disconnects, and game freezes, which are exacerbated by an unreadable font and poor guidance. The platforming mechanics and movement are widely criticized as difficult and aggravating, while the heavy grind, slow leveling, and pay-to-win microtransactions further diminish the experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players enjoy the game for its nostalgic MapleStory-like vibes, fun combat and skill system, and the satisfaction of grinding and looting. The flexible class building, great music, and overall addictive gameplay loop, especially when playing with friends, contribute to a positive experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction stems from the game's fluid movement, rewarding skill and crafting systems, and the absence of pay-to-win mechanics. Players appreciate the deep customization, smooth progression, and responsive development that provide a solid, non-punishing experience reminiscent of classic MapleStory.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Players are excited by the classless skill system and the potential for unique builds, as well as the engaging launch day experience alongside the community. The game's addictive combat and refreshing take on the MapleStory-like genre generate anticipation for future content and discoveries.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Appreciation is directed toward the developer's passion and long-term dedication, reflected in the high-quality art, music, and fair monetization. Players value that the game respects their time and wallet, with no pay-to-win elements and a responsive, caring development team.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment arises from poor execution of promising ideas, including limited customization, repetitive quests, and basic combat with one-button combos. The presence of a cash shop with cosmetics and subscriptions, combined with performance issues and incomplete localization, undermines the game's potential.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): The game evokes strong nostalgia by closely resembling early MapleStory before pay-to-win and power creep, with its classic grind, platformer MMO elements, and references to the 2000s era. Players feel a familiar high from grinding slimes and appreciate the love letter to old-school MapleStory.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is expressed for the solo developer's incredible passion project, which features phenomenal music and art despite a very small team. The developer's decade of effort and active, receptive communication with players inspires respect and awe.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Players find the game fun due to its engaging pixel style, grinding mechanics, and the ability to mix and match numerous skills. The platforming feels good, and the combination of life skilling, loot grinding, and build diversity adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is driven by its amazing pixel art, deeply customizable skill system, and addictive gameplay paired with a welcoming community. The handcrafted feel and warm atmosphere, combined with a great soundtrack, create a strong emotional attachment.
- Impressed (weight 0.02): Players are impressed that the game and its OST were created by a solo developer or a very small team over 10 years. The quality of the music, map design, and overall execution far exceed expectations given the limited resources.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is caused by the lack of defined classes in the skill tree, which some players find unsatisfying, along with pixelated 8-bit graphics and hard-to-read UI elements. The locked tutorial and absence of traditional classes detract from the experience for some.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Players describe the game as addictive, comparing the feeling to playing MapleStory and Celeste simultaneously due to its fluid and satisfying gameplay. The core loop is compelling enough to keep players hooked.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger stems from severe technical issues such as disconnecting every two minutes and random account bans without explanation. Some players also report computer freezes and suspect malware, which generates strong negative emotions.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope for continued developer support and community growth, wishing the game will not fizzle out. They also hope the monetization remains fair and non-pay-to-win, unlike other MapleStory-like games that became greedy.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom results from a repetitive gameplay loop with no variation, exacerbated by a macros system and unexciting combat. Players also feel stuck due to slow experience gain and quests hidden behind obscure zones.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is triggered by the pervasive pay-to-win monetization, which some consider worse than classic p2w games, and by the UI text appearance. The jumping puzzle also causes nausea for some players.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness comes from the game exceeding expectations and filling a gap for 2D platformer MMOs. Players are also pleased that the game finally released with character progress retained, delivering a fun experience.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Players approve of the fair monetization model, which is mostly cosmetic, and the developer's care for the game. The flexible builds and absence of scummy cash shop practices are highlighted as positive aspects.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.01): Mild frustration is caused by the night cycle lasting far longer than the day, which disrupts gameplay pacing. Additionally, the charge attack is considered hard to use, adding a minor annoyance.}