Chasm

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,442 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Chasm Game Cover
Beautiful pixel art and tight controls make Chasm a fine, if reserved, modern take on the Metroidvania.
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"Chasm is a single-player Fantasy Platformer game with a good plot, stunning visuals, and delightful music. Embark on an epic journey as a new recruit for the Guildean Kingdom, rescuing townspeople and battling monsters in procedurally-assembled areas. With hand-designed rooms and unique world maps, each player's experience is one-of-a-kind, making for a highly emotional and immersive adventure."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,442 reviews
gameplay123 positive mentions
grinding148 negative mentions
  • Beautiful pixel art and animations that evoke nostalgia.
  • Engaging combat that requires learning enemy patterns and timing attacks.
  • Decent variety of weapons and spells, allowing for different playstyles.
  • Procedurally generated levels lead to repetitive and uninspired room layouts.
  • Combat feels clunky due to attack animations locking the player in place.
  • Limited save points and backtracking can make progress feel tedious.
  • gameplay433 mentions

    The gameplay of Chasm is a mixed bag, drawing heavy inspiration from classic titles like Symphony of the Night, but often falling short in execution. While it features familiar metroidvania mechanics and a tight gameplay loop, many players find the controls clunky, enemy variety lacking, and procedural generation leads to repetitive environments. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience for genre fans, but may not satisfy those seeking innovation or depth.

    • “I like a lot of the mechanics at play here, especially the item drops and build potential as well as the rarity of those items.”
    • “Gameplay loop is very tight and engaging, controls are responsive and I enjoyed playing it a lot.”
    • “The gameplay was fluid, the upgrades you find actually add elements to the game and unlock new areas along with allowing you to reach secrets you couldn't before, giving a reason to backtrack to the earlier levels.”
    • “It could've been something good, but the mechanical 'level design' and boring enemy variety make the gameplay simply not very fun.”
    • “Overall I was hyped when I saw Chasm in the store, it looked appealing, but after some hours into the game, it just got boring and frustrating due to the poorly made gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is slow and clunky.”
  • story344 mentions

    The game's story is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it fails to engage players emotionally or offer substantial character development. While some appreciate the basic premise and the lore scattered throughout the game, others criticize it for being generic and uninspired, often relying on fetch quests and minimal narrative progression. Overall, the story serves its purpose but is not a standout feature, leaving players wanting more in terms of depth and engagement.

    • “Overall, loved the combat system and the movement, liked the story and characters, loved the visuals and will make sure to follow future releases from this developer!”
    • “The story is both simple and cryptic, so it feels good to piece it together.”
    • “The pixel art is beautiful, the soundtrack is good, and the story is enjoyable.”
    • “The biggest knock against this game is just that the story lacks gravitas and the world lacks mystique.”
    • “The story was not engaging in any way but it serves well enough to play through the game at least.”
    • “The game's story seems to start strong, but quickly dies off.”
  • music327 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be repetitive and unmemorable, often failing to leave a lasting impression. While some tracks are praised for their atmospheric qualities and fitting the game's environments, others describe the overall soundtrack as generic and lacking variety, leading to a sense of monotony during extended play sessions. The option to switch to a chiptune version is a highlight for some, but overall, the music is seen as a weak point in an otherwise visually appealing game.

    • “I had so much fun playing this, this is truly an underrated metroidvania, perfect music, perfect design and challenging and fun boss fights.”
    • “The music is excellent!”
    • “The pixel art is colourful and varied, the animation is smooth as heck, and it's all accompanied by some catchy music that's pleasant to listen to as you adventure through several different environments and biomes.”
    • “The soundtrack is terribly bland, nothing ever excites you; quite the opposite, it feels like it's trying to lull the player to sleep.”
    • “The music runs on a constant loop for each area, and given how backtrack heavy the game is, the tunes begin to wear on the player's patience.”
    • “The music is absolutely horrible and tedious.”
  • graphics237 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and detailed animations, often described as beautiful and reminiscent of classic 16-bit titles. However, some users reported technical issues, such as glitches in fullscreen mode, and noted that while the visuals are impressive, they sometimes overshadow gameplay mechanics that could use improvement. Overall, the art style is a significant highlight, drawing players into the game's atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Stunning 2D visuals, love the controls.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful!”
    • “Great graphics, animation, music... really draws you into this world.”
    • “I play the game in full screen mode and click away and then come back; the graphics glitch out and everything gets big black blocks around it, making it almost impossible to play.”
    • “Seems like the developers focused more on the visuals than the actual gameplay.”
    • “Sadly, graphics are not enough for a game to succeed, and combat is way too basic to fill the level design void.”
  • grinding150 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming due to excessive backtracking and low drop rates for items. While some enjoy the grind for experience and crafting materials, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making exploration and combat feel monotonous. Overall, players who appreciate grinding may find enjoyment, but those who dislike it may find the game frustratingly slow and repetitive.

    • “If you don't want to go through maps a few times (which isn't too tedious on easy), then maybe this isn't the game for you.”
    • “This game is the very definition of bullshit: an infinite load of grinding going back and forth.”
    • “The failure lays entirely on whoever decided to construct the game as a criminally slow slog through grindy monotonous content.”
    • “Combat is tedious and boring.”
  • replayability95 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the procedural generation and randomization features that offer fresh experiences, while others feel these elements do not significantly enhance replay value. Many reviews highlight that despite the potential for varied gameplay, the overall experience can feel repetitive, leading to a lack of incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, while there are aspects that could encourage replayability, such as hidden challenges and new game+ options, many players find the execution lacking.

    • “The ng+ class update increases replayability, while the hidden items you get by defeating the bosses without taking damage provide a fun challenge.”
    • “Graphics and music are great, the story is as interesting as it needs to be and there is a fair amount of replayability since most of the dungeons are procedurally generated and you can share seeds or keep track of your favorite ones.”
    • “This game definitely falls in the metroidvania category and it's incredibly enjoyable so far, not to mention the replayability with a different randomly-generated seed for each save file to keep the dungeon generator fresh.”
    • “Despite the supposed selling point of 'seed-based roguelike randomization,' replayability is low.”
    • “The highly vaunted replayability of this game isn't really much to speak of.”
    • “Hung themselves up on the promise of a procedurally generated experience that should increase replayability, but there's no real reason to play it a second time.”
  • atmosphere30 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its detailed graphics, dark tone, and immersive soundtracks, reminiscent of classic titles like "Diablo" and "Castlevania." Players appreciate the rich art direction and the game's ability to evoke a sense of exploration and lore, although some feel the music could be improved. However, titles like "Chasm" have been criticized for lacking a memorable atmosphere and personality, highlighting a disparity in atmospheric quality across different games.

    • “Finished it 3 times to get all achievements, but I've been enjoying every playthrough because of great atmosphere and challenging enemies.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is pretty consistently dark, just how I like it, though you do get bits of humor here and there and a beautifully rich color palette and art direction.”
    • “I would say this game plays more like 'SOTN' than anything with a charming art style more reminiscent of 'Momodora' and an atmosphere that, to me, was just as dark as these and also reminded me a bit of 'Diablo I' at times.”
    • “The music and atmosphere is fine, but not stand-out.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is generally perceived as lacking depth, with players noting a passable story and unmemorable characters that fail to foster emotional attachment. While some appreciate the nostalgic challenge and the sense of accomplishment from gameplay mechanics, the overall experience does not evoke strong feelings or memorable moments, leaving many players indifferent. However, for those familiar with retro gaming, the game offers a familiar yet original experience that can resonate on a nostalgic level.

    • “As someone who grew up on the NES and the SNES, I remember all the ups and downs and skills needed to deal with overbearing situations where the controls aren't 'fluid.' The odds are stacked against you, and everything just kind of wants to kick you in the gut repeatedly until you stop twitching. But you come out of it forged with skills and reflexes today's 'triple A' games can't compare to. This fantastic little gem delivers that in all its heart-wrenching gut-punch glory. It's a 'vania' style game in essence but with originality so that it doesn't really look like anything else. At the same time, you still feel familiar. Grueling bosses, simple controls that require you to use your head to dodge instead of just mashing a button, and a story that starts simple but turns deep before you realize what happened make this a game I'll recommend to anyone who asks. In short, if you've never touched anything older than a PS3 or Xbox 360, stay away from this game as you're liable to break a controller. For the rest of us retro junkies, it's the SNES game I didn't know I wanted.”
    • “The only thing that really got to me was that touching enemies damages you.”
    • “There's no deep meaning or touching moments, but it's definitely worth playing.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a smooth and bug-free experience, while others have encountered significant glitches, particularly related to XP and currency. Overall, the game's performance appears to vary widely among users, indicating potential issues that could affect gameplay.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “Ran smoothly and bug free, well made.”
    • “Glitches, bugs, and crashes.”
    • “It seems crystal clear that the developers have XP and currency glitches in this game.”
    • “A bad game is one with faulty mechanics, poor controls, bugs, glitches, etc. A bad game is a game that fails to deliver on its promises.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The game's humor is described as subtle and sporadic, often contrasting with its dark atmosphere. While some players appreciate the well-structured and amusing dialogues, others find the overall experience lacking in humor, particularly due to repetitive gameplay elements that detract from the comedic moments.

    • “The atmosphere of this game is pretty consistently dark, just how I like it, though you do get bits of humor here and there and a beautifully rich color palette and art direction.”
    • “In any case, the dialogues are well-structured and funny to read.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and progression in the characters' arcs. While some appreciate the writing and character design, they feel that these elements are underutilized and do not contribute to meaningful character growth. Overall, the consensus is that the game falls short in delivering a compelling narrative or character development.

    • “+ good writing/character design/story”
    • “The writing and character design is somewhat cool but does not present itself very often.”
    • “There is no character development to speak of.”
    • “There is no character development to speak of.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization is criticized for causing random freezes and lag, even on systems that exceed the recommended specifications. Players noted that while optimizing their builds can make spells powerful, the late-game equipment drops often feel redundant and less impactful. Overall, the optimization appears inconsistent, affecting gameplay experience.

    • “There was something a little strange with the spells - I felt like unless I optimized my build for them, they were almost not worth using. But once I did optimize my build for them, they were overpowering.”
    • “Chasm does randomly freeze up and lag sometimes (poorly optimized???), which is ridiculous since my computer is well above the recommended specs necessary.”
    • “There was something a little strange with the spells - I felt like unless I optimized my build for them they were almost not worth using, but once I did optimize my build for them they were overpowering.”
    • “Meanwhile in the late game, I already had my preferred and optimized equipment; most drops felt a bit useless.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy is perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling misled by advertising that suggested a more engaging combat experience than what was delivered. Overall, there is a sentiment of disappointment regarding the originality and value of the game in relation to its monetization practices.

    • “It's just a cash grab in my opinion; if these guys dreamed this up, they are unoriginal.”
    • “From their clever advertising, I thought the combat would be much more fluid and integrated than it actually was.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy Chasm

Play time

8hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
6-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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