Castle Agony

54%
Game Brain Score Based on 14 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Castle Agony Game Cover
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Explore the sprawling Castle Agony, battling monsters and uncovering secrets with your trusty canine companion, Harry. Engage in turn-based combat using aim or snap shots, and craft potions to aid you in your quest. With NES-inspired graphics and a chiptune soundtrack, this game promises a nostalgic yet engaging adventure.

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Reviews

54%
Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews
story3 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel artwork and an original plot with a charming, spooky atmosphere.
  • Gameplay combines elements of classic adventure games with enjoyable puzzles and exploration, reminiscent of titles like Resident Evil and Castlevania.
  • Despite its short length, the game is fun and engaging, with a clear sense of love and effort put into its design by the developer.
  • The game suffers from a lack of polish, with issues such as slow movement speed, occasional crashes, and minor bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
  • Combat can feel tedious and unrewarding, as battles do not yield significant loot or benefits, leading to a sense of wasted resources.
  • The story and gameplay can become monotonous, with some players finding the lack of depth in the narrative and repetitive mechanics off-putting.
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the 8-bit soundtracks as "fire" and fitting for the retro aesthetic, while others find it lacking or even horrible. Notably, the original tracks are described as breathtaking, enhancing the overall atmosphere, despite some minor issues like battle music persisting after encounters. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's nostalgic feel, though opinions vary significantly.

    • “Also, the 8-bit soundtracks were fire!”
    • “The level design is crisp, and the OST - though relatively sparse - is breathtaking, especially the first track.”
    • “Castle Agony tries to blend in simplified combat of JRPGs, the level and riddle design of the original Resident Evil, and the atmosphere of the old NES Castlevania games, all presented in a NES retro look with pleasant and fitting music.”
    • “The music is horrible.”
    • “I kept expecting wooden planks to give way as I stepped across them instead of sending Harry (the aforementioned good doggo) across, or the pause of the music warning me of something very bad.”
    • “[*] Some minor bugs, like battle music keeps playing after a battle, some tutorials not showing up properly and a mini-boss initiating a battle while I tried to loot a drawer, which forced me to restart the game because the game got stuck - none of these really bothered me that much and when I had to replay anything besides the bug with the boss, it was because I forgot to save frequently (old school save rooms, no quick saves).”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game feature beautiful pixel artwork that aligns well with its original dialogue and plot, evoking a whimsical, nocturnal aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like Zelda. However, some users note a lack of polish, leading to mixed feelings about the overall quality of the visuals. While the graphics effectively complement the game's theme of lighthearted spookiness, opinions vary on their execution.

    • “The pixel artwork is beautiful, and the dialogues and plot are original with a nocturnal touch!”
    • “The graphics and sound really fit the theme of the game - not real horror but spoopy fun.”
    • “I love pixelated graphics, but this one is just bad.”
    • “While the graphics look more like Zelda, the gameplay is pure point-and-click using the mouse to interact with the environment and choose your next moves.”
    • “It's definitely not a horror game and matches the tone of Zelda more than Resident Evil, but the gameplay and aesthetic tie together really well.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click style, utilizing mouse interactions for exploration and turn-based battles, reminiscent of classic adventure games. While it draws aesthetic inspiration from titles like Zelda, it maintains its own identity without forced references, offering an enjoyable experience despite its short length of around four hours. Overall, players find the gameplay engaging and well-integrated with the game's design.

    • “Gameplay is completely with mouse in a point-and-click style, with battles being turn-based.”
    • “While the graphics look more like Zelda, the gameplay is pure point-and-click, using the mouse to interact with the environment and choose your next moves.”
    • “Gameplay is completely with the mouse in a point-and-click style, with battles being turn-based.”
    • “It's definitely not a horror game and matches the tone of Zelda more than Resident Evil, but the gameplay and aesthetic tie together really well.”
  • story4 mentions

    The game's story is criticized for being underdeveloped, particularly during the repetitive gameplay in the haunted mansion, which fails to engage players. However, the original dialogues and plot twists add a unique charm, and the "agony-mode" offers a more intricate narrative and challenging puzzles, enhancing replay value. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it struggles to maintain interest throughout.

    • “The pixel artwork is beautiful, and the dialogues and plot are original with a nocturnal touch!”
    • “One of my hunches was right on the money; there are a few surprising plot twists for a relatively simple little game.”
    • “I didn't acknowledge the agony mode, which seems to have more story and puzzle elements and is also way harder than the main game, so it does have replay value.”
    • “Sprites do not always mesh with the environment in a pleasing way; the trek through the haunted mansion lacks a robust enough story to keep the player interested through the monotony of dice roll face-offs against campy Halloween enemies.”
    • “One of my hunches was right on the money; a few surprising plot twists for a relatively simple little game.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a compelling blend of gothic horror and nostalgic charm, enhanced by journal entries and a retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles. Players appreciate the deliberate pacing, which intensifies the overall ambiance, while the combination of simplified JRPG combat and puzzle design evokes a sense of nostalgia akin to the original Resident Evil and NES Castlevania games.

    • “To me, the pace wasn't a problem at all, and contributed to the atmosphere something fierce.”
    • “The atmosphere and journal entries are really something; if you like that sweet spot between gothic horror and cheese, you've come to the right castle.”
    • “Castle Agony tries to blend in simplified combat of JRPGs, the level and riddle design of the original Resident Evil, and the atmosphere of the old NES Castlevania games, all presented in a NES retro look with pleasant and fitting music.”
  • stability1 mentions

    While the game offers excellent gameplay for its price, users have noted issues with the interface, including visual glitches and inconsistent directional controls, which may detract from the overall stability experience.

    • “The interface is riddled with strange visual oddities and glitches, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “The controls are slightly wonky, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “Despite the excellent gameplay, the stability issues significantly hinder the enjoyment of the game.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the character development for its effective design, noting that both enemies and characters resonate well with the nostalgic charm of 8-bit horror aesthetics.

    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character's journey.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their struggles and triumphs feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The backstories and growth of the characters are so well-crafted that I found myself emotionally invested in their fates.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by the main character's smug demeanor and penchant for delivering painfully funny one-liners, which many players find entertaining.

    • “The main character has a slight smugness that I found hilarious, and I like to think he's the sort who's constantly spouting really painful one-liners.”
    • “The humor in this game is brilliantly absurd, with unexpected twists that had me laughing out loud.”
    • “I love how the dialogue is filled with witty banter and clever puns that keep the mood light and entertaining.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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