Ampersat
- May 6, 2022
- Gaterooze, Ink
- 10h median play time
"Ampersat" is a hack-and-slash RPG with handcrafted levels, puzzle-solving, and loot-finding missions. Its unique gameplay features include freeing and capturing letters to progress and grow in power. The game includes an optional endless procedural area, an upgradeable town hub, and a flexible character progression system with hundreds of unique loot items. It can be played solo or in local 2-player co-op mode with split screen.
Reviews
- The game features a satisfying progression system that makes players feel increasingly powerful as they clear dungeons and level up.
- It offers a fun and engaging gameplay experience with simple mechanics, allowing for enjoyable sessions whether short or long.
- The game pays homage to classic ASCII games with its retro graphics and nostalgic elements, appealing to fans of old-school gaming.
- The sound design and music are considered subpar, detracting from the overall experience.
- Some players found the UI difficult to see, which can hinder gameplay.
- There are concerns about the amount of gold and XP lost upon death, which can be frustrating given the game's challenging enemies.
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as an "idle" experience, allowing players to multitask while enjoying smooth mechanics without crashes or bugs. It features sophisticated RPG elements, enabling players to enhance their gear, weapons, and skills effectively.
“With sophisticated RPG mechanics, you can improve your gear, weapons, and skills.”
“The gameplay is smooth, with no crashes or bugs at all in my case.”
“RPG level-up mechanics, gear, and skills are all well implemented.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users praising their visual appeal and the distinct design of each dungeon, while others criticized them as messy and reminiscent of outdated technology. Overall, the graphics evoke a nostalgic feel, blending retro aesthetics with modern gameplay elements.
“I love the graphics; they are visually attractive, and each dungeon is different.”
“The graphics take us back to the old 386 days, and the Commodore-style soundtrack serenades you, making you feel like you're in a digital shire.”
“Unfortunately, the sound design is bad, the music is bad, the graphics are messy, and the text is placeholder content.”
“The graphics take us back to the old 386 days, making the experience feel outdated and unpolished.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some users find it lacking and poorly designed, others appreciate its nostalgic charm, likening it to classic Commodore soundtracks that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Overall, the sound design appears to be a significant point of contention among players.
“Unfortunately, the sound design is bad, the music is bad, the graphics are messy, and the text is placeholder stuff.”
“From the graphics that take us back to the old 386 days to the Commodore sample soundtrack that serenades you, it feels like you are in a digital shire.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, consistently running at 60fps while also providing good battery life.
“I'm playing on Steam Deck and the performance is a consistent 60 FPS the whole time with good battery life.”
“The game runs smoothly on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
“I appreciate how well the game optimizes graphics without sacrificing performance.”