Boons & Burdens
- July 16, 2024
- FromLefcourt
Get on Steam"Boons & Burdens" is a single-player action-roguelike game set in a hellish dimension, where you battle demons and collect magical gems to purchase powerful abilities. Each level introduces a new challenge in the form of a "burden," increasing the difficulty and requiring strategic choices. With multiple character classes, rings, talents, and super spells to unlock, the game offers depth and replayability in its pixelated, action-packed scenes.
Reviews
- The game features a fun arena-style twin-stick shooter experience with enjoyable synergies and combinations of upgrades.
- Graphically, the game looks great with charming pixel art and smooth gameplay, making it visually appealing.
- The developer is actively engaged with the community, regularly updating the game and addressing feedback, which bodes well for future improvements.
- The game feels less fleshed out compared to the developer's previous title, Gunlocked, and can drag at times with slow progression.
- There are balancing issues with classes and some mechanics feel overly complicated or underwhelming, leading to a lack of impactful gameplay.
- Currently, the game has limited content and can feel repetitive, with some players finding the combat rounds too long and the overall experience lacking excitement.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced twin-stick shooting mechanics with a variety of choices and distinct class abilities, though opinions vary on its execution. While some players appreciate the smooth controls and unique mechanics, others criticize the balance issues, lack of engaging content, and technical problems like stuttering and FPS drops. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience but may leave some players wanting more depth and feedback during play.
“This is a twin-stick shooter featuring short, fast-paced gameplay sessions.”
“Overall, this game is a great choice when you're looking for some fast-paced gameplay in a short amount of time.”
“Does a really interesting job straddling the line between pure survivor-likes and more traditional twin-stick bullet hell shooters - you can actually enable or disable both auto-fire and auto-aim which allows for a pretty wide range of gameplay feels.”
“Balance between the classes and trees, and in the gameplay in general, is all over the place.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, the gameplay sucks.”
“The gameplay is pretty underwhelming at the moment.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and well-executed retro aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting the vibrant art style and high-quality user interface. While some find the visuals generic, the pixel graphics and overall design contribute positively to the gaming experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, enhancing the enjoyment of the game.
“The graphics are beautiful, including the game elements and the interface, particularly the many icons.”
“Graphics and UI are top notch.”
“Well-executed retro vibe: although I'm not usually a fan of retro aesthetics, this game pulls it off nicely.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, but the gameplay sucks.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game features nice sprites and generally performs well, players have reported significant issues with stuttering and FPS drops, which can severely disrupt gameplay despite having capable hardware.
“Nice sprites, generally good performance, good variety of positive and negative choices to make during gameplay.”
“The game is plagued by stuttering and FPS drops during gameplay, which is game-breaking, especially since my PC can handle it.”
“Optimization is severely lacking, leading to frequent performance issues that ruin the overall experience.”
“Despite having a capable system, the game struggles with frame rate drops and lag, making it frustrating to play.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect somewhat irritating, particularly when grindy achievements remain after completing skill-based challenges. However, they suggest that changing strategies can alleviate frustration during repetitive tasks like farming.
“It's a little irritating when there are still grindy achievements left to complete after finishing all the skill-challenge-based achievements, but that's a minor issue.”
“If you start to get frustrated with your circle strafe farming, consider what's not working and try mixing things up.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music is highly praised for its nostalgic 16-bit vibes, complementing the game's unique mechanics and beautiful pixel art with an engaging and energetic soundtrack.
“Love the 16-bit vibes and the music.”
“Unique combination of mechanics, beautiful pixel art, and a banging soundtrack.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the 16-bit vibes are nostalgic, the overall soundtrack doesn't bring anything new to the table.”
“The sound effects are jarring and often clash with the music, creating a disjointed experience.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of uniqueness and depth, with a focus on gameplay over narrative. While the mission-based level system is appreciated, the overall storytelling feels bland and typical for the genre and price point.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its stunning pixel art, which, combined with well-crafted writing and immersive ambiance, creates an engaging experience for players.
“The wonderful pixel art really sells the atmosphere, and the writing and ambiance of the setting create an engaging experience.”
“The immersive sound design and detailed environments draw you into the world, making every moment feel alive.”
“The combination of haunting music and stunning visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
