"Cesspool" is a horror-themed, single-player JRPG featuring unique mini-game mechanics. As Luna, players navigate the psychedelic ruins of the Cesspool to find their lost monkey, Tom. Its good game mechanics and engaging storyline make it a must-play for horror and RPG fans alike.
The game features a fun battle system with engaging mechanics and plenty of replayability through secret routes and alternate endings.
The developers are actively updating the game, showing dedication to fixing bugs and improving the translation, which gives hope for a more polished experience in the future.
The game has a captivating setting and decent graphics, complemented by a brilliant soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs and an unfinished English translation, making it difficult to fully enjoy the story and gameplay.
Some party members have underwhelming abilities, and the overall character development feels lacking, with certain characters not contributing significantly to the plot.
The game can be frustrating due to softlocks and crashes, requiring players to restart frequently, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic kingdom and follows a group of travelers, offering an intriguing premise despite a simple plot and some party members lacking development. While there are variations in playthroughs, the experience is hampered by a poor English translation and unresolved access to the true ending. Overall, the narrative shows promise but suffers from execution issues that detract from its potential.
“The bones of this game are very promising. I love the environmental design and the combat mechanics, and the story is intriguing, despite the sometimes wonky or just unfinished translation.”
“I haven't done all of the variations in the story, but supposedly there's a decent amount of variation between each playthrough.”
“Some party members didn't get much time to do anything; one of the party members doesn't really do anything story-wise and they just stand there in most cutscenes, occasionally saying something. They only do anything important at the bad ending and at the end of the game's second act.”
“The plot of the game is simple enough, following a collection of travelers through a post-apocalyptic kingdom, though the less-than-stellar English translation will hold it back on occasion for those who don't know French.”
“Also holding the plot back, at least as of writing, is that no one on the forums has yet worked out how to access the true final boss - and, hence, the true ending.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs reported by users, leading many to feel it is unfinished. However, the developer has been proactive in addressing these problems, frequently releasing fixes in response to player feedback. Overall, while there is potential, the game's stability remains a major concern at this time.
“This game has so much potential, but as it stands at the time of writing this review, I feel that the game is unfinished due to the poor English translation and the buggy state that it is in.”
“The developer, incidentally, has been very active on the forums and has been quick to issue fixes in response to bug reports...which is just as well, since the game was notably buggy when it first launched.”
“This game is a horribly buggy mess.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised, with reviewers highlighting a brilliant soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The sound effects are also noted as solid, contributing to the fun mechanics and engaging gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, complementing the game's replayability and interesting setting.
“Cesspool is a nice little indie RPG with decent graphics, a brilliant soundtrack, and a simple-yet-fun battle.”
“Good music, extremely fun mechanics, and an interesting setting.”
“The existing music and sound effects are solid.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is praised for its promising mechanics, engaging combat, and effective emotion system that influences battles. Players appreciate the variety and cleverness of the gameplay elements, including satisfying WarioWare-style minigames, all set against a backdrop of appealing environmental design and a captivating story. Overall, the mechanics are fun and accessible, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
“The gameplay is pretty good: the emotion system actually has effects (unlike some indie RPGs with a similar system...) in combat - and the WarioWare minigames are all short and satisfying to pull off.”
“There's a lot of variety and clever mechanics involved without getting super complicated.”
“Good music, extremely fun mechanics, and an interesting setting.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics in Cesspool are described as decent, complementing the game's overall indie aesthetic. Players appreciate the visual presentation alongside its engaging soundtrack and enjoyable battle mechanics.
“Cesspool is a nice little indie RPG with decent graphics, a brilliant soundtrack, and a simple yet fun battle.”