Children of Morta

A whimsical, nostalgic journey that explores family, loyalty, isolation, and community.

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"Children of Morta" is an action-RPG with rogue-lite elements, where you control the Bergsons, a heroic family with unique abilities, facing procedurally generated dungeons to defeat the Corruption. The game now features online and local co-op modes, allowing you to team up with friends in your battle against the Corruption.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,125 reviews

story3,816 positive mentions

grinding614 negative mentions

story
7,637 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Children of Morta* is widely praised for its emotional depth and focus on family dynamics, with many players finding it engaging and heartwarming. The narrative unfolds through beautifully narrated cutscenes and character interactions, providing a compelling backdrop to the gameplay, although some critiques mention that the story can feel predictable or clichéd at times. Overall, the combination of a touching storyline, charming pixel art, and solid gameplay mechanics makes it a standout title in the roguelike genre.
- “I play this game with my wife and it is one that we both enjoy because the story is about family and working together and the way the story is interwoven between the deaths is great.”
- “The characters, their motivations, story progression, and the obtaining unlockable characters felt organic and properly paced.”
- “The story is captivating and the game play is top notch.”
- “The story clips are unskippable and boring.”
- “But especially at the start there's a couple times it feels like they're just waiting for you to die so they can progress the story, which makes dying feel forced.”
- “The narration inhibits connection, the procedural dungeon generation adds little replayability while also making emergent storytelling much harder, the schizophrenic tone shifts... it's just one terrible decision after another.”
gameplay
3,770 mentions
48 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Children of Morta* is characterized by its blend of action RPG mechanics and roguelite elements, featuring a variety of characters, each with unique abilities that encourage players to switch between them due to a "corruption fatigue" mechanic. While many players appreciate the engaging story and beautiful pixel art, some criticize the gameplay for becoming repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in combat mechanics and enemy variety. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay, though it may not meet the expectations of players seeking a more complex or challenging roguelite experience.
- “The gameplay is as tight as Hades and the amount of variety is achieved through playing different characters, each having a unique play style.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, with just the right difficulty to make you work for those victories and learn to be smart with managing your resources and investments between runs.”
- “The gameplay loop is fun, surprisingly involved, and fantastic for two-player co-op.”
- “I'm not sure why, but the gameplay gave me the impression the game doesn't know what pace it wants to work at.”
- “Combat is kind of fine, except it's full of annoying mechanics and turns into a mess quite fast; lots of punishing mechanics and tons of monsters with high HP makes it quite a slog.”
- “Oddly, even in single-player or offline mode, the game includes 'free-to-play' elements like character fatigue (which will lock you from playing your favorite character/weapon!), which feels unnecessary and adds no real value to the gameplay experience.”
graphics
2,176 mentions
64 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Children of Morta" have been widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, intricate details, and smooth animations, creating a visually captivating experience that enhances the storytelling. Many players appreciate the charming aesthetic and vibrant colors, although some have noted occasional graphical glitches and a preference for higher resolution options. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and immersive atmosphere.
- “Also we really appreciate the artwork, I think it's the best pixel art I've ever seen - the game is beautiful!”
- “The animations in this game are awesome, they really nailed their aesthetic.”
- “Children of Morta is one of the most uniquely beautiful aesthetic games I've ever experienced.”
- “Audio glitches, graphical artifacts, and frame rate drops ruined the experience for me.”
- “While Children of Morta aims to charm with its pixel-art graphics, the execution can sometimes feel inconsistent.”
- “The graphics are so bad it is hard to tell what is an enemy and what is a treasure chest.”
music
788 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Children of Morta" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beautiful and atmospheric qualities that enhance the game's emotional storytelling and immersive experience. While some players find the soundtrack enchanting and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive or forgettable, particularly during combat. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its aesthetic and narrative, despite some calls for more variety and engagement.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Hamidreza Ansari, is a standout feature, blending orchestral and traditional instrumentation to create a hauntingly beautiful score.”
- “The music dynamically shifts to match the intensity of the gameplay, from serene, melodic tunes during moments of respite at the Bergson home to intense, adrenaline-pumping tracks in the heat of battle.”
- “Through its exceptional soundtrack, dynamic gameplay, and heartfelt narrative, Children of Morta offers a unique and compelling experience that stands out in a crowded genre.”
- “Children of Morta is a fantasy action RPG with a pixel art style that is quite pretty, colorful, and detailed, accompanied by music that is present but not particularly remarkable.”
- “The music was forgettable and I honestly would be hard pressed to remember any of the tracks at all.”
- “The soundtrack is okay although a bit repetitive and sometimes you'll barely notice it outside the story/boss sequences.”
grinding
640 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Children of Morta" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and slow, particularly in the early and late game stages. While some appreciate the grind as a necessary part of character progression and enjoy the challenge it brings, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making gameplay feel repetitive and unfulfilling. The game's beautiful art and engaging story are often noted as redeeming qualities that can help mitigate the grind for those who enjoy leveling up characters.
- “Not too grindy, difficult enough.”
- “Its fun, and not grindy.”
- “Gameplay is fun, and the roguelite progression mechanic isn't that grindy.”
- “Children of Morta requires too much grinding, making progression feel like a chore.”
- “It can be exceptionally tedious, especially when, over the course of an hour or two, you simply aren't getting the drops or item rolls you need to make serious progress.”
- “The upgrades get expensive way too fast and require ridiculous amounts of grinding.”
emotional
526 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Children of Morta" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling centered around family bonds, with many players finding the narrative touching and engaging. The game effectively combines beautiful pixel art and a compelling soundtrack to enhance the emotional experience, making players feel invested in the characters and their journeys. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in the story, the overall sentiment highlights the game's ability to evoke genuine emotional responses, creating a memorable and wholesome experience.
- “In addition to the sensational writing and dedicated effort to build a cohesive and emotionally complex story, the world is brimming with symbolism and wisdom that spur you onward as any good motivational speech could.”
- “The interactions between family members are genuine and heartfelt, making players care about their fate.”
- “Children of morta is a beautiful and surprisingly wholesome roguelite game about the family of Bergsons, who stand guard against the corruption seething from the title mountain - Morta.”
- “What really killed this game for me was the contrived, boring story.”
- “Long, boring story scenes.”
replayability
300 mentions
30 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging mechanics and character variety, particularly through modes like New Game+ and local co-op, which enhance replay value. However, many reviewers express disappointment in its overall replayability, citing repetitive gameplay, a lack of endgame content, and a story-driven focus that limits motivation for multiple playthroughs. While some find it enjoyable for short sessions, the consensus leans towards a moderate to low replayability rating overall.
- “The game also includes additional challenges and modes that provide replayability.”
- “With its replay value and local co-op mode, 'Children of Morta' is a must-play for anyone seeking a satisfying and immersive gaming experience.”
- “An addicting and gorgeous roguelike that is endlessly replayable.”
- “Being story-driven, its replayability is also quite poor.”
- “The characters are all pretty interesting, the only letdown in this game is that it has pretty much no replay value.”
- “The most egregious issue that absolutely needs to be addressed, however, is there is virtually 0 replayability.”
atmosphere
224 mentions
66 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and captivating narration, which together create a rich and engaging experience. While many players appreciate the emotional depth and cozy elements of the setting, some note a lack of visual variety and dynamic audio that could enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully draws players into its world, making the atmosphere a standout feature that complements its storytelling and gameplay.
- “The atmosphere created in the game through the visuals--and for me, especially through the music--is fantastic.”
- “The aesthetics and the atmosphere in the game are just amazing, as you progress you will see the world change along the way of the storyline and it will feel like you live in this world.”
- “The writing and atmosphere are fantastic, and the variation in the playable characters keeps the gameplay fresh.”
- “However, we have run into a few graphical bugs (obvious clipping, black spots on the map where no textures have loaded), which I can forgive, but it does ruin the atmosphere a little.”
- “The atmosphere is nice, but not nice enough to save you from boredom.”
- “But I would have liked slightly more dynamic audio or a varying atmosphere to keep things fresh.”
stability
126 mentions
6 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, including audio glitches, graphical artifacts, and frequent freezes, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users found the game to run smoothly and enjoyed the experience, others described it as "buggy as hell," with issues that can severely disrupt gameplay. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game has potential, its stability issues detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “It's beautiful, accessible, bug-free, and simply a fun game to play.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck too!”
- “I experienced no glitches nor bugs to speak of.”
- “Audio glitches, graphical artifacts, and frame rate drops ruined the experience for me.”
- “The game suddenly freezes and I disconnect from the host's game; however, for me, I'm still in the lobby, so I have to re-launch the game.”
- “Buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
character development
78 mentions
51 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the depth and progression tied to the narrative, particularly in "Children of Morta," where returning from dungeons yields meaningful story and character growth. While some players appreciate the distinct character designs and satisfying mechanics, others criticize the lack of development for certain characters and find some designs uninspired. Overall, the game successfully blends roguelike mechanics with engaging storytelling, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its character development.
- “For those seeking an engaging rogue-lite experience that prioritizes narrative depth and character development, Children of Morta is a journey worth undertaking.”
- “The story and character development with the whole family in between runs is really well done.”
- “As someone used to the roguelike mechanics from games like Risk of Rain 2 and Dead Cells, Children of Morta is a breath of fresh air because it manages to seamlessly blend the challenge of dungeon runners with an actual feeling of progression, in both story and in character development.”
- “Character design is the blandest I've seen in any game.”
- “Very limited or even no character development at all... :( biggest letdown of this game for me!”
- “Eldest daughter Linda has no character development whatsoever.”
optimization
72 mentions
28 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering, lag, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users noted good graphical performance and smooth gameplay at times, the overall experience is marred by frequent frame drops and bugs, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite these issues, there are hopes for future updates to improve optimization.
- “Optimized so good.”
- “I love this game to death, perfect soundtrack, amazing pixel art, optimized gameplay for controller and mouse/keyboard.”
- “It also runs smoothly with gratifying animations in combat and charming idle animations in the hub.”
- “Game runs so poorly, with consistent lags, timeouts, stuttering, and other connection issues.”
- “While the story, sound, graphics, and everything look great, the game has pretty severe stuttering issues on both the Steam Deck (no settings changed) and my desktop PC that I have not been able to resolve.”
- “There are also visual bugs like stuttering frames and missing ground textures beneath diagonal walls; audio bugs like loud crackles and static during narration; and gameplay bugs like the game refusing to recognize a controller once another input is detected...bugs that are frankly surprising to see so far after release and after so much bonus content was added.”
humor
48 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as both intentional and unintentional, with players finding amusement in the simplicity of boss fights, awkward character interactions, and quirky narration. Many moments, such as the absurdity of character dynamics and the comedic nature of certain plot reveals, contribute to a lighthearted experience, especially in cooperative play. Overall, while the game has its dark and serious moments, it balances them with a variety of funny situations that resonate well with players.
- “Then we got to the reveal of why the bad guy is bad... and I started laughing.”
- “It's kind of hilarious in a way as my wife is playing the big burly patriarch of the family, and I've been using his daughter, which leads to me making conversations slightly awkward by calling her 'daddy' and such, in the deepest voice I can muster (and I can muster a real deep voice).”
- “With its visuals and great voice acting by the narrator, it generates a lot of heartbreaking and funny moments that make you feel at home with this family.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the monetization strategy, particularly criticizing the intrusive advertisements that disrupt gameplay, especially during cooperative play. There are calls for the developers to address these issues or reconsider their advertising practices.