Across the Obelisk

About

"Across the Obelisk" is a free-to-play multiplayer co-op RPG available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Nintendo Switch, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S coming in 2024. The game supports English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, with German and French coming soon. Story Packs are shareable, allowing players to follow along on friends' adventures even with different DLCs. A Paradox Account is required for cross-platform co-op play, but not for playing on the same platform.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,401 reviews

gameplay324 positive mentions

grinding225 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay with a lot of replayability.
Fun to play with friends, offering a cooperative experience that enhances the game.
Diverse character options and deck-building mechanics allow for unique strategies and combinations.

The addition of the Paradox launcher is intrusive and requires users to agree to a new EULA for data collection.
DLC pricing is considered overpriced for the content provided, leading to dissatisfaction among players.
The game can feel grindy, especially in the early stages, as players need to unlock characters and perks to progress effectively.

gameplay
1,028 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
4%
The gameplay of "Across the Obelisk" is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, combining elements of deck-building, RPG, and roguelike genres, which can be both engaging and overwhelming for new players. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of character builds, some express frustration with the steep learning curve and the clutter of mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. The game offers a rewarding cooperative multiplayer mode, enhancing the fun and replayability, but balancing issues and certain mechanics have drawn criticism for making gameplay feel tedious or unfair at times.
- “Addicting gameplay with a ton of replayability.”
- “The mechanics and depth are amazing.”
- “The gameplay loop is very fun and there are many things to discover.”
- “There's a lot of mechanics in the game between what seems like a dozen status effects and damage types, separate blocking and resistances and shielding, equipment, multiple currencies, and I found that all of that combined made for a bad learning experience.”
- “The gameplay is very slow, especially in multiplayer since it's turn-based and you need to wait for everyone else before you can do stuff.”
- “The game dumps the entirety of its gameplay mechanics onto you immediately, which can be overwhelming for new players.”
story
506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The game's story is a blend of familiar fantasy tropes, often described as a "save the princess" narrative, but it features engaging character interactions and branching paths that enhance replayability. While some players find the writing and overall plot lacking depth, many appreciate the integration of quests and character-specific events that add flavor to the gameplay. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the deck-building mechanics, with mixed reviews on its execution and impact on the overall experience.
- “One of the standout features of Across the Obelisk is its intriguing storyline and the way choices influence the game’s outcome.”
- “The story mode adds a lot of strategy to the game as variance in enemies and map are dramatically reduced so you can plan around what enemies and events are upcoming.”
- “The story elements and unlocking of new characters (and the like) are really exciting and add a lot of variation to every run.”
- “The story and writing didn't really captivate me, and the fights felt more on the dull side than exciting.”
- “The main storyline is rather cliché, and the DLC storyline was out of place, but overall, I still highly recommend the game if you're looking for a deckbuilder with depth.”
- “The story is by far the most lacking part of the game.”
replayability
487 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
39%
1%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players highlighting the addictive gameplay, diverse character options, and numerous strategic combinations that keep each run fresh and engaging. Many reviews note the game's ability to offer new experiences through unlockable content, varying difficulty levels, and cooperative play, making it a standout in the roguelike deckbuilding genre. However, some users express concerns about potential repetitiveness after extended play, suggesting that while the game is initially captivating, it may lack long-term replay value for certain players.
- “Incredible replayability and still receives updates from time to time; at the time of posting, a new pirate DLC is slated for January!”
- “The sheer amount of character/card/item/perk unlocks in this game will afford you great replay value.”
- “With sixteen different characters and four unique decks to build a party around, two completely different game modes (plus a daily challenge), multiple progression paths through any given run, and an insane amount of stuff to unlock, there's probably more content and replayability in 'Across the Obelisk' than any of its competitors.”
- “Furthermore, the campaign in the adventure mode from a map standpoint is strikingly static and similar, leading to poor replay value.”
- “As for the game itself, while the game has an abundance of replayability, at its base it is just the same thing repeated over with no real change other than an ease in difficulty to make players play the same thing over and over again.”
- “However, in all honesty, it's not quite as replayable as it might seem at first glance, due to the fact that certain very powerful items that can dramatically power-up or alter your play pattern altogether are guaranteed drops from certain bosses, meaning that you can end up taking the same path and same build and same team over and over again.”
graphics
311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
5%
The graphics of "Across the Obelisk" receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its colorful and charming art style reminiscent of classic 2D games, while others criticize it for feeling simplistic or reminiscent of mobile games. Some find the visuals beautiful and immersive, enhancing the gameplay experience, while others describe them as lackluster or generic, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game's aesthetic seems to resonate well with some players, but it may not appeal to everyone due to its cartoonish and sometimes inconsistent design.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the whole setting reminds me of the old Heroes of Might and Magic.”
- “The pixel art style is beautifully detailed and full of personality, bringing the game's richly imagined world to life with vibrant colors and charming character designs.”
- “Across the Obelisk is a very polished game for it to be in early access, and I love the artwork.”
- “This game has some of the worst visuals, sounds, and music I have ever experienced in my life.”
- “The graphics are reminiscent of the old browser/flash games of 2007 like Adventure Quest and unfortunately the (royalty free?) sound effects are at the same level.”
- “Zero passion spent on artwork, feels like I've accidentally booted browser flash games from the early 2000s.”
music
233 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance immersion, particularly during boss battles, while others find it repetitive, bland, or even annoying. Many users suggest that the soundtrack lacks variety and can detract from the overall experience, leading some to mute the game or play their own music instead. Overall, while there are standout tracks that resonate with players, the general consensus indicates that the music could benefit from more depth and diversity.
- “The true standout in the presentation is the soundtrack, which is atmospheric and complements the gameplay beautifully.”
- “The music enhances the immersion and makes the experience even more enjoyable.”
- “With its deep strategic gameplay, stunning visuals, and memorable soundtrack, it offers an unparalleled cooperative adventure that will keep players coming back for more time and time again.”
- “This game has some of the worst visuals, sounds, and music I have ever experienced in my life.”
- “The music is forgettable to borderline maddening; none of the music seemed to fit whatever biome I was in, the only one I thought was alright was the final boss music.”
- “The music and sound effects are dreadful and almost made me stop playing the game at first.”
grinding
233 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hours of repetitive gameplay to progress. While some enjoy the grind as a means of character development and unlocking new content, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration with long battles and complex mechanics. Overall, the game is characterized by a significant grind that may appeal to dedicated players but can be off-putting for those seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “The repetition isn't grinding because you can feel yourself moving forward in the game as it becomes easier at the start and harder as you ascend.”
- “It's not tedious to add a bit more diversity.”
- “Spending 35 minutes grinding down an enemy, only to have it heal back to full and then stack 89 shields on top of everything you’ve already worked through, is not fun or challenging—it’s downright infuriating.”
- “It's a literal grinding fiesta; everything takes hours. Even if you play perfectly, it takes hours to kill 2 rats because you need to level up.”
- “The game is held back by its overly grindy meta advancement that is in much need of an overhaul.”
monetization
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
5%
92%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, primarily due to the introduction of a mandatory launcher that serves ads and collects user data, which many players find deceptive and manipulative. Additionally, the high prices of DLCs, perceived as cash grabs, have further alienated the community, leading to calls for a boycott of the game until these practices are addressed. Overall, players feel that the focus on monetization has detracted from the game's enjoyment and integrity.
- “Good, non-exploitative monetization, a gold mine of a game, fun solo, with friends, with randoms, robust customization and building, a perfect example of a live service game, for cheap too.”
- “Refreshing to see a new game without microtransactions!”
- “No launcher, no microtransactions, and maybe an ad for the expansion coming out next year.”
- “The more time developers spend trying to nickel and dime the players using manipulative monetization, the less they invest in making the actual game fun.”
- “I enjoyed the game but the DLC is very expensive for what you get and the new launcher they forced on people to collect advertising data and advertise their DLC really rubs me the wrong way.”
- “Forcing a launcher onto people that serves you ads and sells your data is nonsense, and people defending this should be ashamed.”
humor
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and amusing sound effects that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the comedic situations that arise during gameplay, particularly in multiplayer settings, where the unpredictability of events leads to hilarious moments. While some aspects of the writing may be inconsistent, the overall tone remains light-hearted and engaging, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate humor in gaming.
- “The game has a humorous tone, with witty dialogue and funny references to pop culture and other games.”
- “The characters are all well-written and likable, and the game's dialogue is full of humor and charm.”
- “Having a randomness effect depending on drawing cards at events can lead to hilarious moments and we ended up laughing a lot!”
optimization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly for multiplayer and on lower-end devices, many players report significant performance issues, crashes, and unoptimized builds that can hinder gameplay. Some users appreciate the depth and potential for high DPS outputs with optimized builds, but others find the game lacks balance and can feel clunky. Additionally, the reliance on performance-based rewards has drawn criticism for favoring fast kill strategies over diverse deck-building approaches.
- “To the game’s credit, it is visually enjoyable and well done, runs smoothly, and the multiplayer works well.”
- “Very well optimized for multiplayer.”
- “It is not too complicated for new people but also has a lot of depth and optimization.”
- “First off, despite being a card game, for whatever reason, performance can get just awful.”
- “Totally unoptimized, runs like crud on my computer.”
- “Has a lot of potential, but just isn't correctly balanced or optimized.”
stability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
72%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant issues such as PC freezes, blue screens, and a problematic launcher that hampers gameplay. While some users report that the game runs well and is relatively bug-free, especially after bypassing the launcher, others highlight ongoing bugs and glitches, particularly following updates. Overall, as the game is still in early access, players can expect a range of stability experiences, with developers actively working on fixes.
- “Great game, lots of content, relatively bug free despite complex mechanics.”
- “I've only run into a bug or two very rarely; it's essentially bug free from my experience.”
- “Well made game, lots of strategy, lots to do, good graphics, runs great.”
- “While I love the gameplay and theoretical design of the game, getting constant PC freezes and 2 blue screens in 2 days is over the top.”
- “To top it off, the launcher itself is buggy, keeps on popping up on the screen after the game launch and is a hindrance to anyone's gaming experience.”
- “The game is still in early access, which means it may have bugs, glitches, and balance issues.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
50%
15%
Character development in the game is praised for its unique and diverse character designs, each with distinct abilities and personalities that enhance gameplay and world-building. While some reviews highlight the depth of customization and synergies, others criticize certain aspects of representation in character design. Overall, the combination of charming visuals and solid character differentiation contributes to an engaging experience.
- “The character designs are also excellent, with each character having their own unique look and personality.”
- “Best-in-class for character design and customization/synergies.”
- “Character design is the most generic fantasy asset I've seen.”
- “(Also, for those who care about representation, the character designs are sexist and racist as hell.)”
- “The character development is solid both in terms of ability differentiation and in the way different characters unlock different possibilities for encounters and interaction choices.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
38%
19%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a beautiful pixel art style and an atmospheric soundtrack that deeply immerses players in its world. While the sound effects can be quirky, they generally complement the lighthearted yet polished presentation, creating a unique blend of engaging visuals and haunting melodies that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance of compelling mechanics and a captivating atmosphere, making it a standout title worth exploring.
- “The true standout in the presentation is the soundtrack, which is atmospheric and complements the gameplay beautifully.”
- “The haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscape enhance the immersion, tugging at your heartstrings and igniting your imagination.”
- “The story, graphics, and overall atmosphere is phenomenal.”
- “The atmosphere is more lighthearted than most deckbuilders I have played (with some bizarrely dark things glossed over) and I find the whole presentation quite pleasant.”
- “Some of the sound effects, especially those that repeat frequently like on-hit grunts, become a source of amusement after some time, but do not detract from the game's atmosphere.”
- “The music is fine, it suits the atmosphere of the game but is otherwise unremarkable.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant storytelling and character relationships, particularly the heartwarming bond between Magnus and Yogger, which resonates deeply with players. While the game offers a rich, immersive experience that evokes strong feelings, some players express disappointment with later gameplay elements that detract from the emotional satisfaction. Overall, the combination of engaging narratives, impactful choices, and stirring soundtracks contributes to a memorable emotional journey, despite some frustrations with grindy mechanics.
- “The story of this game is truly a heartbreaking warning to players out there that anything can be taken and turned into a vending machine for someone that doesn't need it.”
- “It embraces the wolf wars, introduces us to the formidable Magnus and his heartfelt relationship with Yogger, and takes us on an adventure that will forever stay etched in our hearts.”
- “There's a wide variety of characters and a giant skill ceiling, and seeing the game start from early access and constantly get better up until launch has been heartwarming to say the least.”