Caster
- March 19, 2009
- Elecorn
- 4h median play time
Dash across Scenic Locations destroying bug like creatures called the Flanx using 6 Unique Attacks that include Massive Terrain Deformation and High Speed Barrages of Energy Blasts! Supports modding.
Reviews
- Fun and fast-paced gameplay with unique mechanics like terrain deformation.
- Nostalgic graphics reminiscent of PS1/N64 games, appealing to retro gamers.
- Great value for money, especially when purchased on sale.
- Game is very short and feels unfinished, with a 'to be continued' message.
- Graphics and animations are dated and lack polish.
- Repetitive gameplay with limited enemy variety and objectives.
- graphics238 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely described as outdated, often likened to those of early PlayStation or Nintendo 64 titles, which some players find charmingly retro while others consider them a significant drawback. Many reviews note that despite the poor visual quality, the gameplay remains enjoyable and engaging, with some players appreciating the nostalgic aesthetic. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they do not detract significantly from the fun and fast-paced gameplay experience.
“The graphics may not be the best but some of the levels just look stunning, especially Lake Bottom.”
“Despite the poor graphics, this game is incredibly fun. The environments keep getting interesting as you progress, the terrain being affected during combat, and the electronic background music perfectly bind together the game.”
“It's got N64 era graphics which might disappoint some, but it flows smoothly and they work with the world.”
“The graphics are lazily done and amateur; the game feel varies from frustrating to play and incredibly boring, and the story is clearly lackluster.”
“The visuals would have looked even dull and outdated in the 90s; the animations are laughable at best, and the gameplay is quite frankly not only boring but also tiresome.”
“The graphics are primitive and make the game feel dated from the first moment, and the gameplay is somewhat simplistic.”
- gameplay224 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally described as fun and engaging, with many players appreciating its fast-paced mechanics and unique features like terrain deformation. However, there are consistent criticisms regarding its outdated graphics, simplistic design, and lack of polish, which detract from the overall experience. While some find the gameplay addictive and reminiscent of classic titles, others feel it becomes repetitive and lacks depth, indicating a need for further development and refinement.
“The gameplay is where this title shines.”
“The gameplay is surprisingly really fun.”
“The gameplay stands above everything in this game including the presentation and story.”
“I'm on the fence about whether or not I recommend this game. The few hours I spent on this game, I completed everything there is to do. It was a somewhat fun experience, yet the game felt like just a shell. The mechanics and everything were there, but it felt like the game needed a lot more polishing in order for it to become something I'd recommend.”
“The visuals would have looked even dull and outdated in the 90s, the animations are laughable at best, and the gameplay is quite frankly not only boring but also tiresome.”
“The gameplay was boring and horrible; I immediately wanted to stop playing.”
- story223 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely criticized for being vague, simplistic, and often non-existent, with many players noting that it feels more like a series of disjointed missions than a cohesive narrative. While some reviewers found the gameplay enjoyable despite the lack of depth in storytelling, others expressed frustration over the absence of character development and engaging plot elements. Overall, the consensus is that the story is a weak point, detracting from the overall experience of the game.
“The story was quite fun.”
“The story is easy enough to understand, nothing spectacular, but enjoyable as a classic tale of a sort of clan that happens to be good at fighting monsters and a new caster that rises up to meet the challenges.”
“Incredibly fun, and although a short storyline, the game was still very enjoyable.”
“It's a baffling game with an unclear setting and impenetrable story.”
“The story is nearly non-existent.”
“The overarching plot point of 'aliens invading earth' is pretty much left at that.”
- music122 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its upbeat techno and electronic tracks that enhance the fast-paced gameplay. While some mention that the soundtrack can be repetitive or lacks variety, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment, making it a standout feature. Many players express a desire for the soundtrack to be available for purchase, indicating its strong appeal.
“The music is one of the best features of this game.”
“Caster is an intense 3rd person action shooter experience with pulse-pounding music that will keep you wanting more!”
“The soundtrack is good and complements the fast pace of the game very nicely.”
“The combat, music, aesthetics, graphics, and general polish are all sorely lacking.”
“The soundtrack is bad.”
“If you want to sit for hours staring at a black screen with some groovy music playing... this is the game for you.”
- humor22 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it amusing and entertaining, particularly in its simplicity and nostalgic graphics reminiscent of older consoles. While some reviews note that the humor may wear thin after a short playtime, others highlight specific moments and features that elicit laughter, making it a fun experience overall. However, a few players felt the humor fell flat or was not engaging enough to keep them invested.
“This game is fun, hilarious, and just amazing.”
“The powers are amazing; shaping the land with these powers is both awesome and hilarious at times.”
“Thought it was pretty fun; the graphics are like PlayStation 1 graphics, so I thought that was hilarious.”
“I tried playing this game, but it just isn't funny and nothing connects me to it.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
“I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with many players noting its short length and lack of depth after completing the missions, which typically take around 5 hours. While some features like multiple difficulty settings and character progression offer a slight boost to replay value, the consensus is that once the levels are completed, there isn't much incentive to return. Players seeking a deeper experience or narrative may find the replayability lacking, though some enjoy the challenge of beating high scores or exploring modded content.
“While it's quite short, it still holds a bit of replayability, and I genuinely wish we could get a sequel or expansions of this little gem.”
“Beyond that, the multiple difficulty settings, unique abilities, custom character progression, and having some choice in level progression all help to create a surprising amount of replayability.”
“The game consists of approximately 40 levels with some that can be added in with mods and while not complex, provide enough entertainment and replay value while giving a summary of what was missed in the level collectibles such as orbs and enemies.”
“Completed all the missions in about 5 hours, and I would have to say the 'replayability factor' is very limited.”
“It's good clean fun while it lasts, but don't expect much in the way of replay value or depth.”
“It doesn't hold any real replay value, and the game itself is very short, but it just doesn't care about itself enough to be anything but silly fun.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game, where players may find themselves bored despite some enjoyable moments. While some players appreciate the fun of unlocking powerful spells and engaging in combat, others criticize the grind as unoriginal and lacking excitement, making it more suitable for younger audiences. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, with potential enjoyment overshadowed by monotony.
“I fully enjoyed this game though it became very grindy near the end and any enemy is easily taken care of with a few strikes from the same attack.”
“There have been moments where it gets a bit boring and tedious.”
“It's repetitive as hell, not worth grinding for the trading cards.”
- stability9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and overall poor performance, particularly on Windows 10. While a few players noted minor glitches that were not game-breaking, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is buggy and unfinished, making it difficult to enjoy. Overall, the game's stability issues significantly detract from the experience.
“No glitches.”
“Also no glitches, and runs very, very smooth.”
“I couldn't play it; after I start a new game, it freezes in the menu, and my PC restarts.”
“A distracting, buggy, unfinished mess.”
“Next is gameplay; it's 3/10. It's good but freezes every 3 seconds. I have a gaming PC, so it's hard to believe that this game is selling for 20 cents. I wish it would go for 0.01. Don't bother getting it unless you want to waste time trying to get into a new game. By the time you get in, you have to make and name your character, then go through the tutorial. After that, it's slow, and the mouse isn't sensitive at all during actual gameplay.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, particularly for low-performance PCs, running smoothly even on older systems like Windows 95. Users report no performance issues, with the game effectively utilizing modern hardware capabilities, such as capping at 144 fps on high-refresh-rate monitors.
“I recommend this game to those who like to kill their time in games with low-performance PCs (like mine).”
“It runs smoothly.”
“Performance-wise, I haven't run into any issues. This game, despite being made in 2010, knows I have a 144Hz monitor and caps at 144 fps.”
“Extremely optimized for Windows 95.”
“Performance-wise, I haven't run into any issues; this game, despite being made in 2010, knows I have a 144Hz monitor and caps at 144 fps.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotional responses, with players noting its beauty and ability to elicit tears, making it a wholesome choice for younger audiences.
“This game is so beautiful I cried when it started.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as a mixed experience, with some users finding it fun and engaging, while others rate it more neutrally. Overall, it seems to provide a unique experience that may appeal to certain players.
“8/10 new experience, fun atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any emotional response.”
“The world feels lifeless, with minimal environmental details that detract from the overall experience.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a lack of depth in character development, with limited design choices and minimal progression or growth for characters, leading to a disappointing experience for players seeking more variety and depth.
“I also wish there were more character design choices; you only get a white skin and dark skin option for a Mega Man-looking character.”
“There is no character development whatsoever.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is praised for being fair and reasonable, offering good value for the enjoyable gameplay experience, especially in contrast to many other indie games that are seen as cash grabs.