Alina of the Arena

About

Alina of the Arena is a single player arcade turn-based strategy game. It was developed by PINIX and was released on October 13, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Alina of the Arena" is an action-packed, hack-and-slash game set in a fantasy world. As Alina, a skilled gladiator, players must fight their way through hordes of enemies in various arenas to win fame and fortune. With fast-paced combat, upgradeable skills and equipment, and epic boss battles, it offers an exciting and challenging experience for players who love action games.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,856 reviews

gameplay148 positive mentions

story16 negative mentions

Innovative blend of deckbuilding and tactical movement mechanics, providing a fresh take on the genre.
Engaging combat with satisfying feedback, allowing for creative strategies and combos.
Challenging gameplay that rewards skill and planning, making victories feel rewarding.

Limited content and variety, with only three arenas and a small pool of cards and enemies.
Some balancing issues, particularly with certain classes and weapons feeling overpowered or underwhelming.
The UI and tutorial could be improved for better clarity and user experience.

gameplay
430 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The gameplay of "Alina of the Arena" is a unique blend of deck-building and tactical turn-based mechanics, drawing inspiration from titles like "Slay the Spire" and "Into the Breach." While the game features a steep learning curve and some mechanical complexity, players find the core mechanics engaging and rewarding, with a satisfying combat system that encourages strategic thinking and experimentation. However, some reviewers note issues with build diversity, balance, and clarity of mechanics, suggesting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, it could benefit from further refinement and content expansion.
- “Good gameplay, combining strategy and turn-based mixed with deck building; it is unique.”
- “The core gameplay, if you enjoy deck-builders, card-battlers & tactics RPGs, is extremely satisfying.”
- “The positioning and movement mechanics add a unique bit of depth to the gameplay.”
- “Some of the elites are plain not fun to fight and shut down builds that the game has mechanics for.”
- “You eventually encounter all the cards in just a few hours of gameplay and every game converges to the same deck.”
- “The game mechanics are solid, but the lack of unlockables and variety killed the game for me after the first two victories.”
replayability
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
51%
9%
Overall, the game offers solid replayability, primarily due to its variety of classes, builds, and playstyles, which keep the experience engaging for multiple runs. However, many players note that it lacks the depth and longevity found in other roguelikes, leading to a potential replayability ceiling after a certain number of playthroughs. While enjoyable and fun for a significant amount of time, some feel that the game could benefit from additional content to enhance its replay value further.
- “Oh my god, I really love this game! It's honestly really fun and has great replayability, especially when you try doing different playstyles on each play.”
- “This game also has a massive amount of replayability; I easily see myself sinking at least another 40 hours into this game as time passes.”
- “The fights are dynamic and fun, the deckbuilding is varied and interesting, and the different characters are distinct enough to add a good amount to the replayability.”
- “The main issue with replayability is, as others have said, that higher ascensions only increase the HP and damage that enemies have and deal, which doesn’t add anything new to the table.”
- “I do not really see any replayability after beating the game.”
- “It's replayability is cut short with the lack of cards, weapons, and diversity between the classes.”
music
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its epic quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly during boss fights, where it ramps up the intensity. Many players find the soundtrack engaging and beautifully produced, although some note that it can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The music is beautiful, really enhances the experience.”
- “I absolutely loved the music, especially the boss fights; they really give a great atmosphere and intensity!”
- “Now, the music is already really good; each elite and boss music ramps the intensity accordingly, and it changes dynamically with the situation you're in.”
- “You get nothing at the end of a failed run, combat can be extremely unbalanced, and I'm so sorry for the devs but the music is just not right.”
- “The music follows the intensity of the gameplay, the crowd cheers when you do something cool and even the interface is organized in a way that feels natural.”
- “Even if the gameplay may not be your forté, the soundtrack as well as the overall atmosphere the game provides might just make you come back for more.”
graphics
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming pixel art style and minimalist design, while others find it lacking or unappealing. Many highlight the effective use of sound and visuals that enhance gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding clarity and detail. Overall, the art style is seen as a unique aspect that may not resonate with everyone, but it contributes positively to the game's overall experience.
- “Pixelated graphics are quite charming, the music and sound effects perfectly accentuate the gameplay.”
- “The graphics are great and game mechanics polish is right up there with Slay the Spire, Banners of Ruin, Guild of Dungeoneering, and Hand of Fate.”
- “Art style is beautiful, visual and sound effects are spot on.”
- “Art style sucks, but that is ok.”
- “Graphically, it's kinda ok.”
- “It kinda feels old school in a way, with its simple graphics.”
story
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
62%
32%
The game's story is widely criticized for being minimal and poorly executed, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some enjoy the gameplay and combat mechanics, they express disappointment over the lack of a compelling narrative, with significant story elements only revealed after defeating an unlockable boss. Although updates are promised to enhance the story, many players currently view it as an afterthought in a primarily gameplay-focused title.
- “Additionally, the story is being updated currently, so if that's what you're looking forward to, it is being finished soon.”
- “Art style, story, and gameplay are fun and engaging.”
- “Novel combat system among roguelike games, good background music, short on content, could add some story like NPC stories with connections depending on player choice.”
- “The ending of the game is a textbook example of terrible writing and storytelling, but all in all the game's fun to play.”
- “Last, but not least, we come to the story, which is entirely tossed off.”
- “I'm just not motivated to play if there is no story to advance, no mystery to resolve.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive gladiatorial setting, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that intensifies the experience, especially during boss fights. Players feel a strong connection to their characters, with the crowd's reactions adding to the overall intensity and excitement of combat. The combination of brutal difficulty and engaging mechanics creates a compelling environment that keeps players coming back for more.
- “A great game with a deep atmosphere, where you really care about your character.”
- “Even if the gameplay may not be your forte, the soundtrack as well as the overall atmosphere the game provides might just make you come back for more.”
- “I absolutely loved the music, especially the boss fights; they really give a great atmosphere and intensity!”
- “Brutally vicious in difficulty and atmosphere, every connection with your blade resonates with the bloodthirsty crowd who will cheer or boo lustily depending on how exciting you are in your final hours in the arena.”
- “Even if the gameplay may not be your forté, the soundtrack as well as the overall atmosphere the game provides might just make you come back for more.”
- “+ addictive chain combo system + atmosphere and combat in general is wow + the crowd + souls-like difficulty which is mostly fair, save the second boss which is yikes.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it enjoyable and funny, particularly through interactive elements like crowd reactions and humorous card mechanics. However, some users noted inconsistencies in the humor, pointing out that certain builds and items can be unfunny or overly powerful, detracting from the overall comedic experience.
- “The core concepts are flushed out and very funny to play around with.”
- “Easy and funny game, I don't have anything more to say :D”
- “So far this game is enjoyable, the crowd cheers when you land hits, and you can read funny comments from the crowd.”
- “This is probably the most unfunny build I could find online and through playtesting myself.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Overall, the game demonstrates a high level of stability with consistent and mostly bug-free gameplay, allowing players to enjoy their experience without major interruptions. However, some users reported occasional glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly in challenging situations, indicating a need for improved consistency and clearer explanations of game mechanics.
- “Very consistent and bug-free gameplay.”
- “I wish there was more consistency with some things, a few glitches here and there, and I wish there was more explaining on what certain things are and do.”
- “Some glitches that make the game hard to play.”
- “I was definitely squashed by a boss that freezes things -- and eventually the entire arena -- and there are times where you get cornered.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be less of a focus, allowing them to concentrate on mastering enemy patterns and combos. However, the tediousness of weapon swapping and inventory management detracts from the overall experience.
- “Weapon swapping (extremely important) is very tedious and makes inventory management annoying.”
- “Not having to worry about grinding for characters allows you to focus more on learning enemy patterns, cool combos, and overall just improving with the game.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is viewed negatively, with users expressing skepticism about its fairness and labeling it as a cash grab, suggesting a lack of genuine value or improvement in the game's offerings.
- “This game feels like a cash grab, with monetization tactics that overshadow the actual gameplay.”
- “The monetization system is frustrating and makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending a lot of money.”
- “It's disappointing to see a game that could be great ruined by aggressive monetization strategies.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that emotional engagement in games cannot be forced or abruptly intensified; players feel that a gradual build-up is essential for genuine investment in the narrative and characters.