Candies 'N Curses

About

Candies 'N Curses is a single player casual hack and slash game. It was developed by Tako Boy Studios and was released on October 23, 2018. It received positive reviews from players.

In "Candies 'N Curses," players control Molli Pop and use a variety of upgradeable flashlights to fend off adorable ghosts in a haunted mansion. Power-ups and abilities can be gained by equipping charms and choosing from randomized candy and curse rewards after each stage. The game offers a unique blend of fast-paced action and strategic decision-making, with charming pixel art and a spooky atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,546 reviews

graphics436 positive mentions

monetization318 negative mentions

Charming pixel art and engaging gameplay that keeps players entertained.
Minimal ads that do not interrupt the gaming experience, with optional ads for rewards.
Fun and challenging mechanics that encourage skill development and strategy.

Frequent bugs, including issues with certain flashlights not working and game freezing.
Progress resets or conflicts when switching devices or logging into accounts.
Difficulty spikes in certain levels can be frustrating, especially with invisible bosses.

graphics
661 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
33%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming and adorable pixel art style, which many players find visually appealing and reminiscent of classic games. While the vibrant and cute aesthetics enhance the overall experience, some users have noted issues with hitbox inconsistencies and occasional performance problems, such as lag and unresponsive controls. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its enjoyment and nostalgic feel.
- “The graphics as well as the cutesy design are definitely something that I enjoy the most.”
- “Amazing game, with beautiful artwork.”
- “The graphics are fantastic, and the music definitely fits the theme.”
- “But gameplay-wise, there are problems - hitboxes often don't match the visuals or feel inconsistent, so you routinely get hit by enemies that don't touch you and miss enemies that you should've hit according to the visuals. Controls are also sometimes unresponsive.”
- “What I'm confused about though is why it looks like the graphics have a blurred quality to it?”
- “Very good game, I have not played it too long but what I noticed is that the graphics for the game look a lot better in the video preview as compared to when you play the game on your phone.”
gameplay
649 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
31%
3%
The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its simplicity, engaging mechanics, and charming pixel art, making it accessible and enjoyable for both casual and veteran players. While many users appreciate the fun and addictive nature of the gameplay, some have noted issues with hitbox inconsistencies, unresponsive controls, and a repetitive gameplay loop that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a variety of items and upgrades that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting, along with minimal intrusive ads and a fair monetization model.
- “The gameplay is fun, the artwork is cute and charming, and it doesn't bombard you with ads.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely addictive and requires skill.”
- “The gameplay is simple to understand, but still challenging enough to be fun!”
- “But gameplay-wise there are problems - hitboxes often don't match the visuals or feel inconsistent, so you routinely get hit by enemies that don't touch you and miss enemies that you should've hit according to the visuals. Controls are also sometimes unresponsive.”
- “Great for a casual arcade game, although not really necessary to save the game for too long because the gameplay is repetitive and doesn't really have much objective.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay was not enjoyable.”
monetization
388 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
9%
82%
The monetization strategy of the game is generally well-received, with many users appreciating the lack of forced ads and the optional nature of in-game purchases. While some players find the price to remove ads steep, they note that ads are mostly non-intrusive and often provide rewards, enhancing the gameplay experience rather than detracting from it. However, there are complaints about occasional bugs related to ad functionality and the perception that even after purchasing ad removal, some ads still appear, which can be frustrating for players.
- “Also, this game handles monetization extremely well.”
- “It nails the retro feel with its art style, mechanics, and music, but my absolute favorite part is how even though it implements microtransactions, it's not pay-to-win.”
- “The greatest game I've ever played; there's no ads to bother you, it's offline, and the game is so cute—a true masterpiece.”
- “The main issue however is the insane amount of ads - ad on being ko'd, watch an ad to get a continue, ad on game over, and another ad on loading the main menu.”
- “Great game ruined by shady dealings - specifically, paying to remove the ads still leaves ads in the game tied to key gameplay options that you can 'choose' to ignore (but won't, because they're important).”
- “My only critique is: I wish the premium version removed all references to ads.”
story
349 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The game's story is widely praised for its charm, simplicity, and engaging characters, with many players finding it both enjoyable and addictive. While some reviews note that the narrative is straightforward and could benefit from additional depth or length, the overall consensus is that the storyline complements the gameplay well, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of cute graphics, nostalgic elements, and a well-crafted plot that keeps them invested throughout their playtime.
- “The storyline and characters are all incredibly well made and intriguing, and if I'm being honest, it's addicting!”
- “The story is cute and the gameplay is simple enough to learn but offers enough options to customize your experience that I'm never bored.”
- “I love the story behind it.”
- “I'm so tired of all the app games that start a story they don't plan on finishing or force you to play for years.”
- “Besides that, the story and the characters are as empty as you can imagine, which makes them say something or nothing as equal.”
- “The endgame however is a little sad, as the story comes to an end and there isn't much to do.”
music
325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and immersive quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the retro-inspired soundtrack that complements the charming pixel art and engaging mechanics, although some have noted occasional bugs that cause sound issues. Overall, the combination of vibrant visuals and a well-crafted musical score contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the mobile gaming landscape.
- “The music is amazing, the art is great, and it has a good amount of content.”
- “The soundtrack is tons of fun to listen to, along with the colorful graphics that make it easy to distinguish the various enemies that spawn.”
- “The music is put together with the atmosphere so well, and the pixel artistry is perfect!”
- “The only thing that I had a problem with the game is after a while of playing past the third stage, the music/sound sometimes bugs out and stops working, and the only way to get it back is to restart the app.”
- “Sometimes the music or sound effects drop out, loading ads sometimes doesn't work when reviving, and worst of all, sometimes the flashlights don't damage enemies.”
- “Which makes me really sad because there is an odd bug where the sound will suddenly stop playing, and once it starts, gradually all sound and music will stop until I restart the game.”
stability
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with frequent reports of glitches, freezes, and lag that disrupt gameplay. Many players experience issues such as characters getting stuck, weapons failing to function, and the game crashing, often requiring a restart to continue. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these problems, the overall consensus is that the stability issues detract from the experience and need urgent attention from developers.
- “Honestly, one of the best mobile games I've ever played. The art is amazing, and the game has no glitches for me. There are no random ads, but if you want to revive yourself, you can watch an ad for it, which means you don't have to buy stuff to enjoy the game.”
- “It freezes and unfreezes and doesn't stop until I close the game.”
- “The game often needs to be forced closed and reset due to glitches in the menus which cause it to get stuck in a non-functional cycle.”
- “This game would be amazing if it didn't have horrible lag spikes and complete game freezes that force me to restart the entire app to get it working again.”
grinding
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
2%
94%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game. While some players find the grinding tedious and repetitive, particularly for upgrades and items, others appreciate the rewarding nature of progression and the fun gameplay loop. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but can become overly grindy, especially after completing the main content, leading to frustration for some players.
- “Not grindy actually, progression is great, with souls (the easier to get currency) being fast to collect, and the ectoplasm, the rarer currency, can just be bought with the abundant amount of souls.”
- “Absolutely great game, not too grindy and the rewards are great.”
- “Finally a smartphone game that isn't grindy and reliant on microtransactions.”
- “Some hits feel unavoidable at times, though, and grinding for ectoplasm, the material for upgrades, is infuriatingly slow.”
- “However, after completing the game, it only becomes extremely repetitive and grindy, revealing imbalances in boss fights and especially the strength of the items you receive.”
- “The thing is, after you beat the final boss, there's nothing left to do but tediously grind souls for flashlights until opening the game feels like a chore.”
replayability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
27%
6%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the variety of gameplay mechanics, unlockables, and challenges that keep them coming back. While some users noted minor drawbacks, such as ads and loading times, the majority found the game engaging and addictive, often comparing it favorably to other titles in the genre. The art style and character design also contribute positively to the replay experience, making it a standout choice for mobile gaming.
- “The gameplay loop is fun, and there's a lot of replay value to the game.”
- “I adore the mechanics, art, and replayability.”
- “The art style wears its effort on its sleeve, the swipe controls are smooth, and the rogue-like elements, achievements, and game modes make the game super replayable.”
- “4/5 because of the lack of replay value.”
- “These ads plus loading times (which are long) make replayability a bore.”
- “But it can be a little tough at times, but that just adds to the replay value.”
character development
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
29%
13%
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the exceptional character designs, vibrant art style, and engaging animations. The attention to detail in both visuals and storytelling contributes to a rich and immersive experience, making the characters feel lively and memorable. Players appreciate the unique and adorable character designs, which enhance the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “I really do love the art style, the character designs, and the way they are able to craft a story and lore on this very simple premise.”
- “I really like all the character designs, and the attention to detail in literally every aspect of the game.”
- “The character designs are fantastic, bosses unique, and the gameplay addictive.”
- “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with their stories.”
- “Despite the appealing art style, the character arcs are predictable and uninspired.”
humor
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious character and enemy descriptions, clever wordplay, and amusing gameplay elements. The cute art style complements the comedic tone, making the experience enjoyable and engaging. Overall, the game is described as a fun and funny adventure that keeps players entertained, despite some challenges.
- “The art style is cute and the humor is hilarious.”
- “The game is really funny with a nice story and simple and fun gameplay ✨”
- “Can't stop playing this even though I can't beat Laughing Jack, but it's cool.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
15%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on many devices and offers a fun experience, users report occasional lag and performance issues, even on lower graphic settings. Some players suggest improvements, such as adjusting hitboxes and providing options for reduced graphics to enhance performance. Despite these concerns, the game is praised for its addictive gameplay and charming art style.
- “Extremely good, optimized for being a mobile game.”
- “It is addictive, the art is cute, the controls are fantastic, and it runs smoothly on my phone.”
- “It runs smoothly, and it's just difficult enough to keep me entertained, even after hours of gameplay.”
- “Really something special in the mobile market. I only have some nitpicks with the game: like when you defeat a boss, you have to manually pick up a key to advance to the next room. It seems like a waste of time and something that could be optimized.”
- “Good game, very poor optimization, even on the lowest graphic setting.”
- “I hope there will be an optimization in the future.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a profound journey filled with heartfelt moments and challenges, often leading to an emotional roller coaster, particularly during boss fights. The combination of a charming story, engaging gameplay, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to a deeply resonant experience, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its unique and wholesome qualities, leaving a lasting emotional impact on players.
- “Phenomenal, heartfelt, and inspired in a million ways.”
- “I was charmed by the graphics and the end made me emotional on all the struggles I faced to get there.”
- “Great game! I enjoyed it a lot; the levels were okay and the bosses were awesome. I liked the story a lot. This game took me months to complete; I had an emotional roller coaster when playing this, especially with the fire boss. I also liked the soundtrack. I actually recorded my last gameplay of it and I won that round, so I have my victory recorded. Finally, I give this game a 5/5; it's the best game I've played in a while.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its seamless integration of music, pixel art, and sound design, creating a charming yet spooky ambiance reminiscent of classic haunted mansions. Reviewers highlight the expressive and cute art style, along with the challenging gameplay, which collectively enhance the game's engaging and fun atmosphere. Overall, the combination of aesthetics and sound contributes to a captivating experience that resonates well with players.
- “The music is put together with the atmosphere so well, and the pixel artistry is perfect!”
- “Love the designs and aesthetics - very cute and fun atmosphere that captures the classic haunted mansion feel quite well.”
- “Fantastic atmosphere, beautiful pixel art graphics and very simple fun gameplay.”