Info about Ring of Pain:

Official game description:
Twitch extension for streaming
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Our official Twitch extension lets your viewers:  
Draw creatures and items to replace game art.  
Vote on item choices.  
Drawings are moderated by you or your Twitch mods.
About the Game
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Delve into randomly generated ring dungeons where encounters come to you!  
Observe and plan your route. Will you go for the loot or backstab a creeping horror? As you scavenge, fight and sneak to new encounters, the ring reacts to your actions.  
Play as fast or slow as you like in this challenging, turn-based roguelike. Just be careful where you tread - You may find yourself ambushed, or worse...  
See the outcome of your choices so you can focus on decisions.  
Creatures broadcast their actions in a hostile environment, ready to erupt. Will you flee or find a way to use the dungeon against itself?  
Positioning is key to survival. You can be quickly overwhelmed...  
_Observe the Ring and strategise.  
Learn, adapt, or face demise._  
Mimics offer you a choice for a price. Take what you can hold and build a combination of gear with passive powers.  
Maybe you’ll be quick and evasive, with an acid soaked blade. Or maybe you’ll be a brute force juggernaut, or a fireborn damage sink with an affinity for explosions.  
Buy your way to power or adapt with what you scavenge in these unforgiving depths.  
Deep in the Ring of Pain you will discover new paths into the unknown. Places with new friends, powerful loot, and cryptic rhyming lore.  
Find pleasant reprieve and howling terrors best left undisturbed.  
The brave may be rewarded for their risk... or crushed by their ambition.  
_In darkness, careful where you tread.  
What was unknown now fills with dread._  
**Ring of Pain launches Oct 15th with these features and more:**
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*   16 Core path dungeons plus 2 branching endings to test your final build.  
*   Medium and Hard modes to unlock for those who thrive on pain.  
*   A Daily Dungeon mode to unlock with 40+ puzzling modifiers.  
*   25+ Special dungeons to detour through, filled with loot and strange encounters.  
*   4 Environment regions with their own flavour of terror.  
*   300+ items to unlock and combine in a 15 slot inventory.  
*   50+ Creatures to learn and adapt to. Some friendly, some fierce...  
*   Responsive turn-based mechanics so you can play swiftly or strategically.  
*   Cryptic, poetic lore delivered in bite sized rhymes.  
*   A raw graphic art style inspired by Aphantasia.  
*   Cute frog friends.  
*   Pain and suffering.
_
Shadows cast a truth to see,  
In darkness you can visit me.
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_

Release date: Oct 15, 2020

Categories: Roguelike, Deckbuilding, Turn-based Combat, Procedural Generation, Strategy, Resource Management, Permadeath, High Score Chasing

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Mixed Experience; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant synchronization issues between Steam Deck and other devices, which severely impacts the user experience. However, there are also numerous positive reviews highlighting the enjoyable and addictive nature of using the Steam Deck, as well as the smooth controller play experience.

- 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:
- High difficulty and challenge (weight 0.95): The game is noted for its high difficulty level, which is seen as a positive challenge by many players. The steep learning curve is rewarding, and the game offers a sense of accomplishment as players improve and master its mechanics.
- Innovative and engaging gameplay (weight 0.94): The game offers a unique and innovative take on the roguelike genre with its turn-based card mechanics and ring-based combat system. Players find the gameplay loop satisfying and addictive, with a high replayability factor due to the variety of builds and strategies available.
- Good value for price (weight 0.81): Players find the game to be worth the asking price, with a high replay value and a variety of content that justifies the cost. The game is seen as a good investment for fans of the genre.
- Comparison to Slay the Spire (weight 0.11): Many players compare the game to 'Slay the Spire,' noting similarities in the roguelike card game mechanics but also highlighting unique differences that set it apart. This comparison helps players understand the game's style and appeal.
- Satisfying progression and unlocks (weight 0.09): Players find the progression system satisfying, with permanent unlocks and a sense of growth as they improve. The game offers a variety of difficulties and modes, providing a sense of achievement and encouraging replayability.
- Fast and accessible runs (weight 0.07): The game is designed for quick and accessible runs, making it easy to pick up and play for short sessions. This feature is appreciated by players who enjoy the fast-paced nature of the game and the ability to quickly restart runs.
- High-quality art and sound design (weight 0.06): The game is praised for its high-quality art and sound design, which contribute to the immersive and creepy atmosphere. The art style is unique and cohesive, enhancing the overall experience.
- Stable performance and minimal bugs (weight 0.03): The game is praised for its stable performance, with minimal bugs and crashes reported. This technical reliability contributes to a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
- Positive developer and community interaction (weight 0.03): The developers are noted for their care and responsiveness to player feedback, with active community engagement. This interaction enhances the overall experience and shows a commitment to improving the game.

Common complaints:
- Lack of content and variety (weight 0.61): Players find the game lacking in content, with limited item variety and few endings. This results in a lack of replayability and a feeling that the game is not worth its price.
- Confusing and unclear mechanics (weight 0.09): The game's mechanics are often unclear and confusing, leading to frequent deaths and frustration. Players struggle with understanding the rules and mechanics, which can hinder their progress.
- Frustrating gameplay elements (weight 0.06): Various gameplay elements, such as exploding enemies and unclear mechanics, contribute to a frustrating experience. Players often feel punished by the game's design.
- Poorly balanced items and cards (weight 0.05): Some items and cards in the game are poorly balanced, with certain items being overpowered while others are useless. This imbalance affects the overall gameplay experience.
- Lack of meaningful story (weight 0.04): The game's story is poorly integrated and not well-developed, leading to confusion and a lack of engagement. Players find the narrative elements unresolved and unappealing.
- Limited player control and choices (weight 0.04): Players feel limited in their choices and control over the game. This lack of agency can lead to frustration and a feeling that the game's potential is not fully realized.
- Repetitive and similar runs (weight 0.03): Runs in the game often become repetitive and similar, leading to boredom and a lack of variety. Weak runs can die quickly, adding to the frustration.
- Frustration with achievements (weight 0.02): Some achievements in the game are extremely nasty and tedious to unlock, making the game feel pointless without them. This can lead to frustration and a lack of fulfillment.
- Dependence on random objects (weight 0.02): The game is too dependent on random objects, making it difficult to achieve synergies with items. This reliance on luck can be frustrating for players.
- Frustration with rerolls (weight 0.02): Players experience frustration with multiple rerolls and losing due to bad luck. This can make the early game particularly difficult and tedious.
- Reliance on luck with gear (weight 0.02): The game is reliant on luck with gear, meaning players can play poorly and still win depending on the items they receive. This can lead to an overpowered or underpowered experience based on luck.
- Lack of future content updates (weight 0.02): The game lacks future content updates and drastic gameplay changes. This can make the game feel stagnant and less appealing over time.
- Difficulty in recommending (weight 0.02): Players find it difficult to recommend the game to others due to its lack of fulfilling experiences and high difficulty. This can limit its appeal to a broader audience.
- Lack of permanent progression (weight 0.02): The game lacks permanent upgrades and progression advantages, which can make it feel cheap and not worth the investment of time and money.
- Unwinnable starting situations (weight 0.02): Some starting situations in the game are unwinnable, leading to a snowball effect into a vicious circle. This can make the game feel unfair and frustrating.
- Lengthy and tedious early game (weight 0.02): The early game is lengthy and tedious, with players often dying suddenly. This can make the initial experience frustrating and difficult.
- Annoying exploding enemies (weight 0.02): Exploding enemies in the game are particularly annoying and can lead to sudden deaths. This adds to the frustration and difficulty of the gameplay.
- Weird item proposal system (weight 0.01): The item proposal system in the game is weird and can be confusing for players. This adds to the overall frustration with the game's mechanics.
- Lack of tutorial for beginners (weight 0.01): The game lacks a tutorial for beginners, making the learning curve steep and difficult. This can be off-putting for new players.
- Unclear enemy difficulty scaling (weight 0.01): The way enemy difficulty and item rarity scales is unclear, leading to confusion and frustration. Players often find enemies becoming oppressive and difficult to fight.
- Lack of satisfying moments (weight 0.01): The game lacks satisfying moments and a thrilling monster-killing experience. This can make the gameplay feel less rewarding and enjoyable.
- Difficulty in obtaining equipment (weight 0.01): Players find it difficult to obtain satisfying equipment, and high-tier equipment can make the game too easy. This imbalance affects the overall gameplay experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- High replayability and variety (weight 0.61): The game offers high replayability with different classes, difficulties, and modes. It features a variety of items, synergies, and build options, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies.
- Unique ring-shaped dungeon design (weight 0.55): The game features a unique ring-shaped dungeon design where each card represents enemies, items, or abilities. This circular map design adds a strategic layer to the gameplay.
- Creepy atmosphere and narrative (weight 0.51): The game has a unique and creepy atmosphere with a narrative-driven gameplay. It features cryptic narrative elements and a variety of plot rooms with dialogues.
- Roguelike with card-based mechanics (weight 0.51): The game is a roguelike with card-based mechanics, featuring turn-based combat, permadeath, and a variety of cards representing items, enemies, and abilities. It encourages repeated playthroughs and strategic thinking.
- Equipment and item management (weight 0.45): The game features an equipment and spell slots system with a variety of items and combinations. Players must manage their inventory and optimize their build through item selection and synergies.
- High reliance on luck and RNG (weight 0.44): The game has a high reliance on luck and random number generation (RNG), which can influence gameplay significantly. This includes early game dice rolls and randomness in card selection.
- Fast-paced and addictive gameplay (weight 0.17): The game offers fast-paced and addictive gameplay with short play sessions. It features a satisfying gameplay loop that is tough but rewarding.
- Strategic decision-making and resource management (weight 0.15): Players must make strategic decisions and manage limited resources carefully. The game emphasizes the importance of timing, positioning, and tactical choices.
- Unlockable content and achievements (weight 0.09): The game features unlockable content, including new difficulties, achievements, and items. Players can use souls to buy items or open valuable chests, adding to the game's replayability.
- Variety of enemies and tactical combat (weight 0.05): The game offers a variety of enemies with unique attack patterns and abilities. Players must adopt a tactical approach to combat, considering enemy behaviors and environmental factors.

Performance notes:
- Performance on Mac (weight 0.05): The game runs well on older Mac devices, such as a six-year-old MacBook Air, with stable performance and minimal bugs. However, there are occasional crashes reported.
- Blurry cards cause eye strain (weight 0.01): Cards in the back appear blurry, which can cause eye strain for some players.
- Sync issues on Steam Deck (weight 0.01): Some players have reported synchronization issues when playing the game on Steam Deck.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for fans (weight 0.31): The game is frequently praised as a must-buy for fans of the genre, particularly those who enjoy roguelike and card-based games. It is recommended for its unique mechanics, challenging gameplay, and high replay value.
- Worth the price (weight 0.27): Many reviews suggest that the game is worth buying at full price, especially for those who enjoy the genre. It is also recommended to purchase on sale or in a bundle for those who are unsure.
- Suitable for challenging players (weight 0.26): The game is recommended for players who enjoy challenging and strategic gameplay. It is also suggested for those who have masochistic tendencies or enjoy difficult games.
- Niche recommendation (weight 0.21): The game is recommended for its unique mechanics and interesting plot, but it may not appeal to a broad audience. It is suggested for fans of atmospheric games and unique narratives.
- Try before committing (weight 0.06): Some reviews suggest trying the demo or refunding the game if it doesn’t resonate after a few runs. This indicates that while the game has its fans, it may not be for everyone.
- Relaxing and enjoyable (weight 0.03): The game is recommended for players looking for a relaxing experience or those interested in daily challenges. It is also suggested for players who enjoy unique art styles and narratives.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated primarily due to the game's heavy reliance on RNG (Random Number Generation), which significantly impacts gameplay outcomes and reduces the effectiveness of player actions. Additionally, the high difficulty level, lack of clear guidance on game mechanics, and the repetitive nature of trying to find the right combination of items to progress contribute to this frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied with the game due to its enjoyable and addictive gameplay loop, which includes fast-paced runs and a sense of improvement and mastery over time. The high replayability, variety of items, and the rewarding experience of overcoming challenges and unlocking achievements also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): The game's unique mechanics, addictive gameplay loop, and cool art style generate excitement among players. The intense and engaging combat, along with the high variability of play styles and the discovery of new items and strategies, further enhance this excitement.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the game's unique gameplay experience, which includes fun deckbuilding, interesting build combinations, and an immersive atmosphere. The addictive gameplay loop, satisfying combat, and the overall fun and engaging mechanics contribute to this enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.03): Players express disappointment due to the lack of replayability and endgame content, as well as the absence of permanent upgrades. The repetitive build strategy and the lack of meaningful decisions and predictable outcomes also contribute to this disappointment.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are surprised by the game's fresh and different feel, as well as the initial refusal to play turning into an enjoyable experience. The unexpected twist on the dungeon crawler genre and the unique mechanics also contribute to this surprise.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players feel frustrated due to the game's reliance on luck, lack of build variety, and unclear rules and mechanics. The high difficulty and the lack of item variety in high rarity tiers further add to this frustration.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Players find the game deeply engaging due to its unique gameplay and atmosphere. The deep and engaging story, along with the tactical approach to combat, contributes to this engagement.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited by the game's diversity and challenge, as well as the combat system and various build choices. The unique mechanics and the potential for unique experiences contribute to this excitement.
- Engrossed (weight 0.02): Players are engrossed by the game's depth and tactical approach to combat, as well as the unique mechanics and daily dungeon mode. The unique art style, atmosphere, and item combinations further enhance this engrossment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the game's unique art style and Lovecraftian atmosphere, as well as the developer support and free items. The pretty setting and good coherence in art and atmosphere also contribute to this appreciation.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the game's various experiences, rich content, and ease of getting started. The overall fun and enjoyable gameplay mechanics contribute to this satisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from the fun and chill nature of the game, as well as the addictive gameplay loop and the enjoyment of seeing how far they can progress. The favourite rogue-like elements and the overall gameplay and mechanics contribute to this joy.
- Frustration (weight 0.01): Players feel frustrated due to the high randomness and difficulty of the game. The reliance on luck and the punishing mechanics contribute to this frustration.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Players are intrigued by the game's engaging and thought-provoking narrative, as well as the cryptic and symbolic elements. The unique story and symbolism contribute to this intrigue.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Players feel immersed in the game due to its creepy atmosphere and narrative, as well as the beautiful and immersive art style. The overall atmosphere and art style contribute to this immersion.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players feel anger due to confusing gameplay and wasted money, as well as the high difficulty and punishing mechanics. The frustration with the game's design and mechanics contributes to this anger.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Players are interested in the game's unique card game mechanics and journey, as well as the artistic style and story. The graphical style, variety of card types, and level structure contribute to this interest.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Players feel addicted to the game due to its very addictive gameplay and the 'just one more run' feeling. The unique mechanics and the potential for unique experiences contribute to this addiction.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game due to its positive evaluation and recommendation, as well as the fun and unique gameplay mechanics. The overall enjoyable experience contributes to this enthusiasm.}