Archaeogem

About

Archaeogem is a single player action game. It was developed by HugoBDesigner and was released on May 17, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Archaeogem is a single-player adventure game where you play as a world-renowned archaeologist exploring mysterious biomes to collect rare gems. Using a trusty whip, harness the mystic powers of wild flowers to navigate ancient ruins, dash through the air, and overcome diverse challenges. With fantastic game mechanics, this dynamic precision-platformer offers about 7 hours of thrilling exploration and discovery.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Archaeogem features charming pixel art and a relaxing soundtrack, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for players.
The game offers a unique whip mechanic that adds a fresh twist to the precision platforming genre, making it engaging and fun.
Despite being shorter than some competitors, the game provides a satisfying challenge with well-designed levels that encourage exploration and mastery.

The controls can feel awkward and unintuitive at times, particularly with the whip mechanic and limited dash usage, which may frustrate players.
Some players have noted issues with visual clarity, where foreground and background elements can blend together, making it difficult to navigate levels.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content and replayability after completing it.

gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
50%
9%
The gameplay of the game is a blend of familiar platforming mechanics inspired by Celeste, featuring unique elements like a whip mechanic that adds depth and variety to movement. While some players found the controls and certain mechanics frustrating or awkward, many appreciated the smooth traversal, intuitive level design, and gradual introduction of new challenges. Overall, the game offers a charming experience with well-crafted levels that balance challenge and accessibility, appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players of the genre.
- “Cleverly tying the dash recharge to a whip mechanic provides a refreshing way to maneuver through well-crafted levels.”
- “The levels are challenging but don't feel unfair, the checkpoints are very forgiving, and the way the game teaches its mechanics to the player is really intuitive while being subtle; it's like an invisible tutorial, it's peak level design!”
- “Loved the way it starts, slowly introducing the mechanics of the game, then increasing the difficulty for you to master how to play this game.”
- “In what I assume was an attempt to differentiate itself from Celeste, an inspiration that's obvious to the point of parody, the game features main movement mechanics that were either not fun (whip a flower before you can dash once) or awkward to use, arguably borderline broken (swing from yellow flowers).”
- “Often wonky mechanics and occasionally annoying levels don't warrant the price point though for me.”
- “The first hour I enjoyed the game a lot, but with more and more mechanics being introduced, it became more and more annoying and frustrating.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
33%
20%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which is noted for its detail and charm, reminiscent of titles like Celeste. Players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere created by the visuals and music, alongside the satisfying gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's art direction is considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The pixel art style is really pretty.”
- “Incredible game with great graphics and satisfying gameplay.”
- “Truly fantastic art style with tons of detail added into the environment, which leads me into how well the level design is.”
- “Even lower when full screen, you know it's just a pixel graphics game.”
- “Graphics/art style seems to be inspired by Celeste.”
- “Graphics/art style seems to be inspired by Celeste.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its chill, vibrant quality, enhancing the overall relaxed atmosphere and complementing the beautiful pixel art. Reviewers note that the soundtrack fits seamlessly with the gameplay, creating an immersive experience that feels both rich and smooth. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.
- “A beautiful, pixel crafted treat with solid platforming, vibrant music, and love put into every animation.”
- “The soundtrack just fits the game perfectly; it sounds smooth and rich, and I sometimes forget it's even there.”
- “I really like the chill music and art style, and I can tell a lot of love was poured into this game, but ultimately I was frustrated by the controls and mechanics.”
- “However, the art style and the music made it feel very relaxed.”
- “The art and music work, and there are gems to collect in some hidden areas.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The story aspect of the game is generally light and minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central focus. While some players appreciate the charming interactions and hints of mystery, others express a desire for more engaging dialogue and narrative depth. Overall, the game is characterized by its simple premise of reaching goals and collecting items, complemented by delightful level design.
- “I appreciated that there are cute interactions without relying on or forcing a story.”
- “An incredibly charming little platformer with stunning level design and a lovely simple story!”
- “There really isn't a story except 'get to the goal' and collect the collectibles along the way through the levels.”
- “There's a few story elements that provide a sense of mystery and room for imagination.”
- “I appreciated that there are cute interactions, but the game doesn't rely on or force a story.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers limited replayability after achieving 100% completion, appealing mainly to dedicated platformer fans or speedrunners, as there isn't much incentive to revisit levels beyond the initial experience.
- “Each level has gems and an NPC to help, but after 100% completion, there doesn't feel like a lot of replayability unless you really crave platformers and this is all you have, or you're a speedrunner.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of varied challenges makes replaying levels feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
- “The game offers a one-time experience that feels complete, but it lacks the depth and variety needed to encourage multiple playthroughs.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a desire for an increase in the humor present in the game's story and dialogue, indicating that while the existing humor is appreciated, it could be enhanced for a more enjoyable experience.
- “I wish there was even more funny story and dialogue.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's atmosphere is distinct from Celeste, offering a unique interpretation that sets it apart despite the inevitable comparisons. Players appreciate its original approach to creating an engaging environment that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “This game is impossible not to compare to Celeste, but it offers a completely different take on the style of gameplay and atmosphere.”
- “This game is impossible not to compare to Celeste, but it's a completely different take on the style of gameplay and atmosphere.”