Brutal Orchestra

About

Brutal Orchestra is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Talia bob Mair and was released on December 17, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Brutal Orchestra," players strike a deal with Bosch, a demon, to seek revenge in a purgatory filled with strange pigment and degenerate characters. This turn-based strategy game incorporates resource management and deck-building elements, allowing players to employ the help of damaged companions and wield ancient items. Purgatory's pigment, a vital resource, enables powerful abilities and comes in various colors, each with a unique source.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,344 reviews

music398 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

Brutal Orchestra features a unique and innovative turn-based combat system that emphasizes strategy and resource management through its pigment mechanic.
The game's art style and soundtrack are exceptional, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The writing is witty and engaging, with a story that is both humorous and thought-provoking, drawing players into its bizarre world.

The game can be quite challenging, which may frustrate some players, especially those unfamiliar with roguelike mechanics.
Some players have noted that the game lacks a clear progression system, making it difficult to gauge advancement after completing the main story.
The reliance on RNG for character and item unlocks can lead to runs feeling stale or unbalanced, as players may not always get the combinations they need.

music
698 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its diversity and creativity, with each enemy featuring unique battle themes that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the dynamic nature of the soundtrack, which adapts to in-game events, creating an engaging atmosphere that complements the art style and narrative. Overall, the soundtrack is described as exceptional, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it outside of the game, solidifying its status as a standout feature.
- “Most of all, the music is amazing with some pieces correlating to different enemy actions, and each enemy having a different theme which makes it so even if they show up in the same area, the music is distinct and not just the same 3 battle themes looping.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible, and in a lot of instances it changes based on what's happening in the game, making it very fun to listen to.”
- “The music is fantastic, to the point that I'm regularly sitting on the victory screen just to listen to that particular tune.”
- “We really don't like the music men.”
- “Winning is impossible but the soundtrack makes up for that.”
- “My only complaint is that there isn't more of it, as the story is not the core focus of the game but meaningful, and each musical track is a delight, I will be actively following the developer, and I hope to see other projects with this much detail and ambiance in the future.”
gameplay
572 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The gameplay of "Brutal Orchestra" is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the unique pigment management system that adds depth to turn-based combat. Players appreciate the strategic complexity and variety of character abilities, which require careful planning and positioning, making each encounter feel engaging and rewarding. While the game has a steep learning curve, many find the experience addictive and satisfying, with a strong emphasis on creativity and problem-solving in combat scenarios.
- “The gameplay is fun, refreshing, and the pigment management system is revolutionary!”
- “The bosses aren't something you can just strong-arm; they have unique mechanics and gimmicks you have to play around in order to overcome them without intense losses-- and it doesn't take long for the normal enemies to adopt the same complexity.”
- “Brutal orchestra manages to be a phenomenal combination of tight, crunchy gameplay that's still fun when things go wrong; sensitive, thoughtful writing that can still be funny, crass and irreverent; accessible and yet deep and brutal once you get into the meat of the game.”
- “The gameplay is deceptively simple, but enemy and boss mechanics take full advantage of the ruleset.”
- “One criticism I have of the gameplay is that the later levels can get a little bit too stall-y, because optimal play occasionally requires it, and there's no way to speed up animations, so you'll sometimes be looking at both fools and enemies doing jack squat.”
- “While there is a horde of characters you can unlock, the whole mechanic of using colored orbs starts to bite you in the ass really hard, making some fights especially when you lose a teammate unwinnable.”
story
444 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and unique narrative style, often described as both captivating and thought-provoking. Players appreciate the blend of humor and darker themes, with many noting that the writing and character development are particularly strong, even if some aspects remain cryptic or vague. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “The story is absolutely amazing and there is so much lore.”
- “The story is quite minimal but the writing is surprisingly impactful; there are characters and lines in this that have really stuck with me more than I expected.”
- “The story is thought-provoking and impactful, leaving a lot up to interpretation while sending a message that was especially meaningful to me.”
- “To be honest, I don't get any of this game's story.”
- “However, while I really like these aspects of the game, the story and dialogue aren't as great.”
- “The story is also just the exact same story as The Binding of Isaac, but done worse.”
graphics
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and striking art style, heavily inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch, blending grotesque and surreal elements with charming pixel art. Reviewers highlight the visuals as a key aspect of the overall experience, noting that they complement the innovative gameplay and engaging soundtrack, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the game's narrative and mechanics. While some players initially found the aesthetic off-putting, many expressed that it ultimately became a significant draw, contributing to the game's identity as a standout title in the roguelite genre.
- “The artwork is incredible and deliciously surreal.”
- “The art style is incredibly visually striking due to both the elements lifted from the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch as well as the elements unique to the game itself.”
- “The graphics are charming, sounds and music are fitting, and the gameplay is innovative, deeply strategic, and most importantly, fun.”
- “Theme and visuals -- 2/10 (some people like this stuff)”
- “It seems like a game that wants you to struggle for way longer than that and unlock more characters, but why would you when the charm of the graphics wears off and you've already seen all of the challenges the game has to offer?”
- “My only real complaint is that the art style is a little generic and inconsistent, especially compared to the dev's previous games.”
humor
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and engaging writing, blending dark and absurd elements with profound moments, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Players appreciate the quirky, flawed characters and the mix of genuinely funny dialogue with deeper themes, creating a unique experience that balances humor with the game's darker undertones. Overall, the humor is described as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay and narrative, making it a memorable and enjoyable journey through its purgatorial setting.
- “Explore purgatory with a varied, delightfully charming, yet hilariously flawed cast of characters.”
- “The dialogue and humor are top-notch.”
- “A genuinely funny, tough, weird and tactical roguelike with a loveable/loatheable cast of perverts.”
atmosphere
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of stunning visuals, evocative music, and a surreal, often dark tone that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the emotional depth and creativity in the art and sound design, which contribute to a captivating and immersive world. Many describe it as a masterpiece, with a bizarre yet engaging ambiance that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
- “This game is a masterpiece, down to the atmosphere, music, and story.”
- “The visuals and music combined with battles that feel downright insurmountable at times create such a heart-wrenching atmosphere that it would be a crime to call it anything short of a masterpiece.”
- “The aesthetic is incredible and unique, the atmosphere of the game is unmatched (in no small part thanks to the great soundtrack), and the game has a ton of strategic depth and granular customization options.”
- “However, I could feel the sad atmosphere running through the whole game, and it is somewhat touching.”
- “The atmosphere/music/art are all very surreal and creepy and well done, with a generous serving of dark humor.”
- “It's a turn-based roguelike; the difficulty is on-point, the atmosphere is bizarre, and the progression is unexpectedly superb and has a lot of great surprises in store.”
replayability
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, particularly praised for its strategic depth, diverse character builds, and numerous unlockable items and achievements. While the initial learning curve can be steep, players find that mastering the mechanics leads to a highly engaging experience with each run feeling fresh and unpredictable. Overall, it is regarded as a must-play for fans of roguelikes, offering countless hours of replay value.
- “Wonderfully replayable, cleverly designed, countless specials, items, and very good strategy; this is the game you didn't know you wanted to play.”
- “The amount of replayability, the music, the small hints to other games, and the creativity poured into this game is just, wow.”
- “Every time I have died so far, I have thought, 'there was probably a way for me to do that better that would have made this run a success.' Allies and items available to the player throughout the game add immense replay value through the fact that they have so much build diversity in what they can do.”
- “A roguelike is most replayable when every run is wild and unpredictable, and on that front, I'm not sure this game delivers.”
- “Within the 5 hours I've played this game, I have completely finished the main storyline and killed most of the bosses, and I can say that this is a beautifully crafted project; the humor, heavy but subtle themes evident in the items and the lore, and the general game mechanics are creative and refreshing enough for the replay value to feel fresh with every run as you unlock new characters, quests, and items.”
- “Every time I have died so far I have thought, 'there was probably a way for me to do that better that would have made this run a success.' Allies and items available to the player throughout the game add immense replay value through the fact that they have so much build diversity in what they can do.”
emotional
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players expressing unexpected feelings of sadness and introspection, often leading to tears. The combination of a touching story, compelling characters, and a powerful soundtrack creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere that resonates deeply, balancing humor with poignant moments. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke strong emotions, making it a standout experience in its genre.
- “The music bangs, the story made me more emotional than I was expecting, and my only real critique is that I'd love more of it.”
- “The visuals and music combined with battles that feel downright insurmountable at times create such a heart-wrenching atmosphere that it would be a crime to call it anything short of a masterpiece.”
- “The soundtrack is beyond amazing, the story and characters are charming and emotionally resonant, and the roguelike progression is well-done.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
92%
Reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, particularly in the early stages, which can feel tedious and slow-paced. While some players appreciate the unique combat mechanics and overall design, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding for achievements and resources. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, potentially detracting from the experience for those who dislike turn-based combat.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This just becomes tedious quickly because often you can't easily generate sufficient pigment of the colors you want, so you end up spending your turns clicking much more than feels necessary.”
- “Because some challenges require lots of grinding in the first two areas, and that can get old quick!”
- “The game, in all of its excellence, starts out extremely slow, tedious even by my standards.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and visually striking character designs, which blend humor and chaos, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience. Players appreciate the artistic direction and the fun mechanics, noting that the characters are not only visually appealing but also enhance the overall narrative and gameplay dynamics. The combination of grotesque and cool designs, along with entertaining animations, adds depth to the characters and enriches the game's atmosphere.
- “Extremely fun gameplay, fantastic story, and some of my favorite character designs and landscapes ever.”
- “Character designs are cool looking, attack animations are fun to watch, and it's incredibly satisfying to pull off a 1st turn sweep in an enemy encounter.”
- “Love the humor, the character design is insane and grotesque, the music is amazing.”
- “The game is so chaotic, from the character designs to the mechanics and the boss encounters.”
- “But it's also so very unlike Bosch, with its pixel graphics, simple playable character design, real-life names like Anton, goofy writing, and overall vibe.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's optimization is praised for its depth and engagement, with players discovering new strategies and nuances even after extensive playtime. Combat feels fair, and every outcome is perceived as a reflection of player performance, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Overall, the mechanics encourage players to refine their approach and recognize missed opportunities for improvement.
- “That said, it generally feels fair, and every single outcome, win or loss, has felt earned based on my performance.”
- “Despite having finished several successful runs, the combat is still revealing new angles to consider fights, dangers I hadn't anticipated, and little optimizations that really matter to pick up on.”
- “Mechanics are engaging and deep enough that I'm still catching misplays I'm making, and optimizations I'm missing after 8+ hours of game time.”
- “Despite having finished several successful runs, the combat is still revealing new angles to consider fights, dangers I hadn't anticipated, and little optimizations that really matter to pick up on.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users have reported stability issues, particularly with save file management on the Steam Deck, leading to significant troubleshooting time. Initial glitches were noted, although some were attributed to user error, which contributed to frustration and a negative experience early on.
- “Then we spent like 3 hours troubleshooting how to get the new save applied because of some problem with how the Steam Deck handles games.”
- “There were some bad glitches at the beginning (that ended up being my fault, whoops) and the frustration from dealing with that soured me on the game for a while.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization landscape in gaming for 2024 is criticized for being dominated by poorly executed AAA titles and indie games that prioritize quick profits over quality, leading to a trend of cash grabs. However, amidst this, there are standout titles that break the mold.
- “As 2024 opens to yet another litany of terrible AAA games, and the indie stuff devolves into rapid cash grabs, comes this wonder.”
- “The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on features that should be included in the base game.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great overshadowed by aggressive monetization tactics that prioritize profit over player experience.”

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8h Median play time

8h Average play time

5-11h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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