Beastmancer

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 68 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Beastmancer Game Cover
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"Beastmancer is a single-player fantasy RPG with an intriguing story and good graphics. As a beastman tactician, capture and train over 60 monsters to deploy in grid-based turn-based battles, and explore magical lands for treasure and challenges. Use spells, items, and tactics to support your monsters and defeat powerful enemies in a mysterious tournament."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 68 reviews
story14 positive mentions
grinding19 negative mentions
  • The game features a nice story with interesting plot twists and a mature theme, making it engaging for players.
  • Creature design is original and varied, with a solid leveling and crafting system that enhances gameplay.
  • The tactical combat system is enjoyable, combining elements of monster capturing with strategic turn-based battles.
  • The game has a low level cap and can feel too easy, especially for experienced players, leading to a lack of challenge in the later stages.
  • World exploration can be tedious due to large, empty maps and slow movement speed, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • There are several design flaws, such as a lack of mini-map, limited monster skills, and a grindy leveling system that can make progress feel slow and repetitive.
  • story42 mentions

    The game's story revolves around a beastmancer apprentice who enters a monster tournament, exploring themes of ambition, control, and moral complexity, with elements of political intrigue and personal growth. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-written, others feel it lacks depth compared to similar titles like Pokémon, citing issues with pacing and quest design. Overall, the story is considered decent to good, with a mix of mature themes and interesting plot twists, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more polished experience.

    • “The plot is that you are a beastmancer, a trainer of horrible monsters who are looked down upon and feared, that was invited to a monster tournament on a small island by some sort of prince.”
    • “It's a story about ambition and control, of right and wrong, of greed and goodness.”
    • “This is an excellent game with an interesting story that I felt is professionally written.”
    • “The story is okay, but nothing special.”
    • “It isn't up to the standards of Pokémon, with fewer creature skills, no creature types, no evolution, poor grammar, and a less polished story.”
    • “The narration isn't great, but not godawful; I'd say it is just below average.”
  • graphics20 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the charming, cel-shaded art style and well-designed creatures, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking in technical polish. Overall, the visuals are described as appealing and fitting for the game's anime aesthetic, though they may not meet the expectations of players seeking cutting-edge graphics.

    • “The graphics and creatures are well thought out.”
    • “The graphics are excellent - far from the 'retro' pixel-graphics most indie titles make do with - and the sound design and music both work very well.”
    • “Instead you will get nice, smooth cartoony graphics which fit the whole anime style very nicely.”
    • “The graphics seem like they are from another decade.”
    • “The graphics are a bit off-putting and the framerate could be a lot better.”
    • “What can be said about the graphics?”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players finding it enjoyable and fun, particularly praising the tactical RPG elements and monster collection mechanics reminiscent of Pokémon. However, others describe it as boring and lacking depth, noting that while the game mechanics are well-implemented, the overall experience can become repetitive. The game features a variety of monsters and a challenging death mechanic, but it may not appeal to those seeking more engaging gameplay.

    • “If you like HOMM/King's Bounty gameplay while having the concept of monster taming games, you'll love this.”
    • “Gameplay: it's a tactics RPG where you can capture monsters and train them.”
    • “The gameplay is kind of boring and doesn't feel that tactical.”
    • “While it can get repetitive as you level, the turn-based mechanic works well.”
    • “Requires 2 gameplay runs to get 100% achievements; it's small, 17 hours of gameplay full of wandering and some side quests.”
  • grinding19 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be excessive and often tedious, with many noting that while it can be enjoyable initially, it becomes a chore due to slow progression and insufficient rewards. The need for frequent backtracking and limited fast travel options further exacerbates the grindy experience, leading to mixed feelings about replayability. Despite these issues, some still recommend the game for its price and initial fun factor.

    • “There is a lot of grinding and the game plays very slow, and I don’t mind this if the rewards are there, but they just aren’t.”
    • “Although at first you think grinding is rewarding, it's not.”
    • “It's a very grindy experience.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as average, with some reviewers noting that while it effectively reflects the mood of various situations, it lacks standout tracks that resonate with players. Overall, the sound design is considered well-balanced, but many feel it doesn't elevate the experience significantly, leaving a mixed impression of its quality.

    • “The graphics are excellent - far from the 'retro' pixel-graphics most indie titles make do with - and the sound design and music both work very well.”
    • “Everything just sounds terrific, nicely leveled and balanced, which also goes for the music, which, the other day on the toilet I found replaying in my head a few times.”
    • “Everything is somewhat okay, from character design to music, but nothing really stands out.”
    • “The music can reflect the mood of a situation, but it had nothing that made me say 'this is my jam now!'”
    • “I'd rather go play Uno with the wall than hear what I assume to be menacing elevator music from some 80's cult classic.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report a mixed experience regarding stability, with some noting only minor bugs and glitches, while others express frustration with a significant presence of issues that detract from gameplay.

    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
    • “There are a few bugs and glitches that disrupt the experience.”
    • “There are minor bugs and glitches that can be frustrating.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing sound effects during monster interactions, as well as the presence of quirky quarrels, betrayals, and unexpected plot twists that add a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “The sound you hear when your monster smacks another monster is hilarious.”
    • “There's quarrels, betrayals, and plot twists here and there, and sometimes even a little bit of humor.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with some players unable to launch it at all, while others face significant hang-times during zoning that create a near-crashing experience. Additionally, performance issues, particularly inconsistent frame rates, persist even on capable systems.

    • “The optimization isn't great - some can't get the game to run at all, while others experience long hang times when zoning (myself included), to the point where the game feels like it's constantly on the edge of crashing.”
    • “The performance is spotty in terms of frame rate, even on systems that should easily run the game.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised, with users highlighting its positive and immersive qualities.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
    • “I was captivated by the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that perfectly complements the storyline.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is rich and layered, creating a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you engaged.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users generally find that the game offers very little replayability, suggesting that once completed, there is minimal incentive to play through it again.

    • “There is very little replayability.”
    • “The game lacks incentives to play through again.”
    • “Once you've completed it, there's not much reason to return.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is generally perceived as adequate, with satisfactory design and music; however, it lacks standout elements that would elevate the overall experience.

    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone.”
    • “While the characters have interesting designs, their personalities and growth are disappointingly flat.”
    • “I expected more from the character arcs; they seem rushed and fail to leave a lasting impression.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

21hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
17-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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