Breath of Death VII

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 909 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
Breath of Death VII Game Cover
Starting at $1.55Buy now
Get on Steam

Breath of Death VII is a turn-based RPG with a heavy emphasis on humor and parody. You play as a skeleton hero exploring a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies and other undead creatures. The game features classic RPG elements such as experience points, character development, and dungeon exploration, all presented with a unique and entertaining twist.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 909 reviews
humor290 positive mentions
grinding69 negative mentions
  • The game features a humorous and engaging story that parodies classic RPG tropes.
  • Combat is fast-paced and includes a unique combo system that encourages strategic play.
  • The game has a nostalgic retro aesthetic reminiscent of 8-bit and 16-bit RPGs.
  • The game is very short, typically taking only 4-6 hours to complete.
  • Dungeons can feel tedious and maze-like, leading to frustration during exploration.
  • The lack of depth in character development and story can make the experience feel shallow.
  • humor296 mentions

    The humor in "Breath of Death VII" is a standout feature, with many players praising its witty dialogue, clever references to classic RPGs, and self-aware jokes that often elicit genuine laughter. However, opinions vary, as some find the humor hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or overly reliant on clichés. Overall, while the game successfully delivers a light-hearted and amusing experience, its comedic effectiveness may depend on individual taste and familiarity with the genre.

    • “It really is very funny and there are many laugh-out-loud moments, be it from the story, the chat between party members, or the ridiculous enemies you come up against.”
    • “The writing is standout, with clever humor and references that land well.”
    • “The banter between characters is witty, and if you played a fair amount of JRPGs and NES games, you will definitely find yourself chuckling at many of the references and easter eggs laying around.”
    • “It's not funny or cute, it's just annoying.”
    • “Very weak and dull RPG with a shallow and uninteresting story, unfunny jokes, and wearisome gameplay.”
    • “Doesn't feel like a lot of love was put into this game when you walk through a graveyard and every single tombstone has the same unfunny quip.”
  • story245 mentions

    The story of "Breath of Death VII" is largely viewed as simplistic and often serves as a vehicle for humor rather than a deep narrative, featuring a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by undead characters. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and nostalgic references to classic RPGs like Dragon Quest, many criticize the plot for being forgettable and lacking substantial character development or complexity. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay over storytelling, making it more appealing to those seeking a light-hearted, quick RPG experience rather than a rich narrative.

    • “The story is quite funny with a lot of neat references and it does a great job of not trying to be too epic.”
    • “The story is sharp and witty, the characters are interesting and unique (as much as a skeleton can be anyway) and the combat is almost slideshow-like as battles can take little more than 10 seconds at times.”
    • “A witty game in the classic Dragon Quest style of JRPG, with an interesting combo-based battle system, clever characters, and a surprisingly unique premise.”
    • “The story is terrible.”
    • “The story is just a vehicle full of dumb cringey references to get you from point A to point B; in other words, it's even less funny or interesting than in Cthulhu Saves the World.”
    • “The story is very poor and only serves to throw a joke here and there.”
  • gameplay156 mentions

    The gameplay of "Breath of Death VII" is characterized by its straightforward, turn-based mechanics reminiscent of classic JRPGs, offering a mix of humor and simplicity that appeals to fans of the genre. While some players appreciate the unique features like a combo system and limited random encounters, others criticize the repetitive nature and lack of depth in combat. Overall, the game provides a light-hearted experience with engaging mechanics, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex RPG experience.

    • “Zeboyd games gives us a refreshingly electric take on the classic JRPG mechanics, with carefully measured spins on the formula that add layers of strategic depth, while keeping the pace up.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the story keeps you interested, and its use of satire gives it charm.”
    • “The mechanics are actually quite clever, not content just to replicate old methods but implementing new and clever ideas.”
    • “The turn-based combat system is slow and unengaging, leading to repetitive and tedious gameplay.”
    • “Shallow gameplay, barely any equipment variety, boring music, dungeon designs are plain and sprawling for no reason.”
    • “The writing begins self-aware, with you being in on the joke of how bad it is, but as time-wasting dungeons wear you down it becomes more and more pithy, until it is as subpar as the gameplay itself.”
  • music91 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as catchy and enjoyable, particularly in battle scenes, while others criticize it for being repetitive and generic. Some players appreciate the nostalgic 16-bit style and the emotional depth conveyed through the music, while a few express disappointment over the lack of variety and quality in certain tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, contributing positively to the game's charm despite some criticisms.

    • “The music hits just right, and is frequently used in the perfectly frustrating manner.”
    • “Despite its short length, the game excels with creative character development, a good difficulty mix, witty dialogue, and a charming soundtrack.”
    • “I am absolutely in love with the music in this game.”
    • “While the audio is passable, the music and sound effects feel unoriginal.”
    • “The music is not great though, and gets pretty repetitive pretty quickly.”
    • “The soundtrack is fairly generic, and the gameplay is turn-based combat, so that's bad.”
  • graphics83 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a retro pixel art style that emulates classic 8-bit and 16-bit RPGs, which some players appreciate for its nostalgic charm, while others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking originality. Many reviews note that the visuals can feel dated and repetitive, with basic animations and a lack of graphical options, leading to a dull experience during combat and exploration. Overall, while the graphics may appeal to fans of old-school aesthetics, they are often seen as a limitation that detracts from the overall gameplay experience.

    • “Breath of Death VII is a short and quite simple, but yet so detailed and amazing(!), turn-based RPG in a classic 2D styled graphic.”
    • “Great writing tied together with retro graphics and classic gameplay is a triple-threat of awesomeness!!”
    • “Awesome 16-bit graphics and funny enemies a la Earthbound.”
    • “The graphics and two-frame animations are incredibly basic.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “Ugly (even by SNES standards) uninspired graphics.”
  • grinding71 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Breath of Death VII" is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the innovative mechanics that limit random encounters and allow for quick access to battles, many find the grinding tedious and repetitive, especially in the context of lengthy dungeons. The game offers quality-of-life features to alleviate some tedium, but the necessity for grinding, particularly on harder difficulties, can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, it appeals to fans of traditional JRPGs who are willing to endure the grind for character progression and humor.

    • “A turn-based, no grinding required, fantasy story with a bit of humor.”
    • “A Final Fantasy-like game that requires no grinding whatsoever.”
    • “Breath of Death VII is a JRPG plagued by the common genre pitfalls, notably the necessity for extensive grinding.”
    • “Unfortunately, that means you have to love grinding through an area until you've killed enough of the same monster to move onto the next area, which will require you to repeat the grinding pattern to move onto the next area, and so forth.”
    • “The game started out fun and light, but the difficulty quickly went through the roof which would seem to require hours of mind-numbing grinding to overcome.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with many players noting a lack of substantial incentives to replay after the initial playthrough. While some features like character customization, different game modes, and hidden content offer a slight boost to replay value, the consensus is that these elements are not enough to significantly enhance the experience. Players generally find the game enjoyable but feel that it lacks the depth needed for extensive replayability.

    • “There is a glimmer of replayability to the game due to a modicum of choices in determining how the characters level up and a pick of their respective powers.”
    • “This is where the game shines in replay value, as there are numerous branching paths that expand organically as you evolve your characters throughout.”
    • “Replay value can also be found within this game, as there are multiple hidden dungeons and secret bosses that offer weapons and armor you can't find anywhere else in the game.”
    • “No replay value at all and makes me hesitant to try Chthulu Saves the World and Cosmic Star Heroine, both Zeboyd games I have on my Steam account.”
    • “Replay value is decent but limited, even with some bonus modes, because despite customized character progression, there aren't enough good choices to theorycraft.”
    • “Sadly not much replay value and it feels like an actual numbered game, as if it's in the middle of a series or part of some 'episodic' DLC series.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while it offers extensive leveling options and creative potential, it suffers from linear storytelling and limited variety in equipment and combat items. Some players appreciate the witty dialogue and charm, but others feel that humor detracts from deeper character growth. Overall, the game provides a balance of choices that can lead to unique character paths, though it may not fully capitalize on its potential.

    • “Despite its short length, the game excels with creative character development, a good difficulty mix, witty dialogue, and a charming soundtrack.”
    • “The amount of options is staggering and can lead character development in wild directions, but even then, I never felt the game become unbalanced.”
    • “However, the humor seems kind of thrown together, and it seems to come at the expense of character development.”
    • “The story (as well as most levels) is very linear; there is not much variety in character development and equipment, and only one combat item exists (potions).”
    • “The amount of options is staggering and can lead character development in wild directions, but even then, I never felt the game became unbalanced.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while it evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic dungeon designs, it lacks the visual depth that made those experiences memorable. Some players appreciate the entertaining story and lighthearted tone, suggesting that the atmosphere serves its purpose despite the gameplay being unremarkable. Overall, it offers a blend of humor and nostalgia, appealing to those looking for a casual experience.

    • “Fits the atmosphere and its purpose.”
    • “It's definitely worth the money; it's nothing special gameplay-wise, but it's entertaining enough with the story and atmosphere.”
    • “The phantasy star-inspired dungeon design lacks the visuals and atmospheric payoff that made it worth enduring back in the day.”
    • “The gameplay evokes the atmosphere of the past but with modern convenience.”
    • “You want a humorous storyline and atmosphere that doesn't take itself too seriously?”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, particularly on the Steam Deck, with most of the experience being bug-free. However, players have reported a notable increase in issues towards the end, including gameplay inconsistencies and minor glitches, such as freezing images that require excessive button pressing to resolve.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “There are no glitches; there is a maximum number of fights for each area, you can save everywhere, and the fighting mechanics are RPG Maker standard (in a good way).”
    • “Imagine that every few seconds, the image freezes, and the only way to continue watching is to press the 'A' button between four and seven bazillion times.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing significant progress.”
    • “There are constant frame rate drops that disrupt the gameplay experience, making it frustrating to play.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a memorable and impactful heroic ending, complemented by witty writing that some find funny and heartwarming. However, some players feel that the emotional investment may not justify the time spent, particularly if the gameplay experience feels lacking.

    • “An incredibly heroic ending that's surprisingly memorable and emotionally impactful.”
    • “The writing is very witty and, while not for everyone, I found it funny and heartwarming.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, players can regain health and some magic points after battles based on their performance, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The game runs superbly and is very well optimized.”
    • “Oh yeah, you also regain all health and some MP after battles depending on your performance.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

Buy Breath of Death VII

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

Similar Games