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.
- The graphics are visually appealing, showcasing gorgeous pixel art and a charming retro vibe.
- The developer is actively engaged with the community, regularly updating the game based on feedback and showing a commitment to improving the overall experience.
- The game feels somewhat generic and lacks the groundbreaking uniqueness of the developer's previous title, Gunlocked.
- Progression can feel slow and tedious, with long combat rounds and minimal upgrades between them, leading to a lack of engagement.
- There are balancing issues and some classes feel underwhelming, with certain mechanics and systems not functioning as effectively as intended.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced twin-stick shooting mechanics, offering a mix of positive and negative choices, and distinct class abilities that enhance variety. While the graphics and performance are praised, some players find the gameplay experience inconsistent, with issues like bland class systems, lack of feedback, and technical problems such as stuttering and FPS drops. Overall, the game presents an interesting blend of mechanics but may leave some players wanting more depth and polish.
“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, even if the gameplay itself may not be as well-received.
“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, the gameplay sucks.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game features appealing sprites and generally performs well, players have reported significant issues with stuttering and FPS drops that can 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 for me, especially since my PC can handle it.”
“Optimization is severely lacking; I experience constant frame rate issues that ruin the overall experience.”
“Despite having a high-end setup, the game runs poorly with frequent lag and performance dips.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect somewhat irritating, especially when grindy achievements remain after completing skill-based ones. However, they suggest that frustration can be alleviated by experimenting with different strategies to enhance the experience.
“A little irritating when there are still grindy achievements left to do after completing 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
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music is highly praised for its nostalgic 16-bit vibes, complementing the game's unique mechanics and beautiful pixel art. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
“Love the 16-bit vibes and the music.”
“Unique combination of mechanics, beautiful pixel art, and a banging soundtrack.”
- 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, complemented by well-crafted writing and an immersive ambiance, creating 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.”
