Chrono Ark
- May 2, 2024
- Al Fine
- 37h median play time
Get on Steam"Chrono Ark" is an action-adventure game where players explore various timelines to rescue historical figures from alien abduction. Utilize unique weapons, gadgets, and abilities to overcome challenges and uncover the truth behind the Chrono Ark. With vibrant pixel art graphics and a synth-pop soundtrack, this game offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience for players.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Chrono Ark combines engaging gameplay with a compelling story, making it one of the best deckbuilding roguelikes available.
- The game features a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities and synergies, allowing for a variety of strategies and team compositions.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the overall experience and making battles feel more intense and exciting.
- The English translation can be awkward at times, leading to confusion about certain mechanics and card effects.
- Some players may find the runs to be lengthy, often taking 1-2 hours to complete, which can feel tedious.
- The UI can be clunky and unintuitive, particularly when navigating menus and managing inventory.
- story1,221 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in "Chrono Ark" is a standout feature, offering a rich narrative that unfolds through multiple runs, engaging players with its intriguing plot twists and character development. While some players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the story, others find it overly verbose or disconnected from the gameplay, leading to mixed feelings about its pacing and execution. Overall, the game successfully integrates its story with roguelike mechanics, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay.
“Unlike a lot of games in this genre, Chrono Ark does have an elaborate story and it's very good.”
“The addicting gameplay mixed with a very unique story that is executed really well just makes it an absolute blast to experience and leaves you really craving for more.”
“The story is elegantly told and presented.”
“The story, which I'm now realizing, I don't actually care about.”
“The story isn't necessarily bad per se, I just felt like there was way too much unnecessary dialogue that you were expected to read through.”
“The main issue is honestly the story fights; as a whole I didn't find any of the story boss fights enjoyable, they do have fun mechanics and gimmicks but the problem is just that, they tend to have too many gimmicks and become more of a nuisance and chore to get through than a challenge to enjoy.”
- gameplay891 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Chrono Ark" is characterized by its intricate mechanics and engaging deck-building system, combining elements of roguelikes and RPGs. Players can choose from a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities and synergies, leading to a rich variety of strategies and replayability. While the game offers a steep learning curve due to its complex mechanics and sometimes unclear explanations, many players find the gameplay rewarding and addictive once they grasp the systems at play.
“The gameplay and build variety is engaging from start to finish, and I've yet to even try out all the different options.”
“Each character is distinct in mechanics, each boss does too, and there are tons of combinations and builds that give the game amazing replay value.”
“The addicting gameplay mixed with a very unique story that is executed really well just makes it an absolute blast to experience and leaves you really craving for more.”
“The gameplay is unfair and unforgiving to the player.”
“A lot of gameplay mechanics and interactions aren't explained the best, if at all, and it made the process of learning the game a lot more difficult.”
“The tutorial consists of 1 short battle that explains extremely simple things like attacking and healing, but misses complicated mechanics and many keywords you will see when playing.”
- music329 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its seamless transitions between exploration and battle themes, creating an immersive experience. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, featuring a variety of engaging tracks that enhance the gameplay and atmosphere, particularly during boss fights. Overall, the music is considered exceptional, with many players expressing a desire for a soundtrack release due to its high quality and memorability.
“The music, especially in the later stages, is amazing. They basically have two versions of every song: a mellow and an upbeat version. When you enter combat, it seamlessly switches from the mellow to the upbeat, no matter where you are in the song, and switches back after combat to the mellow. This gives it a real immersion effect.”
“The soundtrack is killer as well. It transitions smoothly from exploration to combat without a break in the music while still allowing an increase in intensity.”
“The music is genuinely good, and I find myself listening to it for leisure, which is a rarity from a video game OST for me.”
“The soundtrack is alright I guess, but it's rather repetitive at times, which is a shame because it does have bangers.”
“The OST is kinda bland; outside of the final stage (which at the moment is the 4th), all of the music is forgettable.”
“Could add more music, or maybe better music.”
- graphics145 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant anime art style and character designs, which enhance the overall experience. While some players find the visuals appealing and well-executed, others feel that the aesthetic may not resonate with everyone, particularly those who are not fans of anime. Overall, the artwork and animations are generally regarded as strong points, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and engagement.
“Chrono Ark is a sharp game, with a great art style, high replayability, and a rewarding cycle.”
“The devs were very creative with their use of 2D sprites and particles to create different visual effects, so you'd be surprised by how great the game looks with such limited graphics.”
“An incredible deck-building roguelite experience, featuring a great soundtrack, spectacular artwork, and a very unique gameplay system!”
“The art style is a bit bland and the game doesn't visually stand out in your memory (the chibi card-art is really cute though).”
“I almost refunded this game after seeing the art style and thinking it was poor quality.”
“I understand that this is a stylistic choice, it feels very much like RPG Maker horror games, except the art style just makes it come across like a bad anime.”
- replayability83 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Chrono Ark boasts exceptionally high replayability, driven by its diverse cast of characters, unique mechanics, and various build combinations that keep gameplay fresh. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop and the ability to experiment with different strategies, while the inclusion of mods and unlockable content further enhances replay value. Although some players express concerns about the game's investment requirements, the overall consensus is that the game's depth and variety make it a compelling choice for repeated playthroughs.
“Each character is distinct in mechanics, each boss does too, and there are tons of combinations and builds that give the game amazing replay value.”
“The gameplay loop is engaging and the cast of 24 characters adds in a lot of replayability.”
“With so many different characters and each providing a different playstyle, pretty much every run feels new, which is awesome for replayability.”
“One of the primary strengths of roguelikes & deckbuilders is the replayability inherent in the runs...but by making them such tiring investments...I think anyone with a busy life will just be hard pressed to put the type of investment into this game needed to get the rewards.”
“The game's replayability is immense, and as soon as you figure out how a character works you immediately want to test it out with different combinations and builds.”
“Gameplay as a roguelike: decent, 7/10, not enough replayability and randomness.”
- character development29 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in "Chrono Ark" is generally praised for its depth and creativity, with players appreciating the unique and well-designed characters that enhance the gameplay experience. The game successfully combines engaging character backstories with a cohesive storyline, making it appealing to fans of both deckbuilders and visual novels. However, some reviewers noted that the character development could feel shallow at times, particularly in comparison to the game's strong visual and musical elements.
“You can really tell the developers put tons of work into character design, story/campaign, and uniqueness of cards/abilities.”
“Most games either skimp on gameplay or skimp on story/character development and I'm pleased to say that Chrono Ark is very strong on both fronts.”
“This game brought me in with interesting character design that was both varied and charming, and I have stuck around for the amazing soundtrack, engaging and thoughtful gameplay, and beautiful storytelling.”
“I think the character development was shallow, and the writing was on the weaker side.”
“Multiple characters give you variety in terms of gameplay and character development; however, given each run will take 1:30 - 2 hours, it can be tough to feel justified in trying all the combinations for synergy since getting through full runs requires a lot of free time in a sitting and, in my opinion, is tiring.”
“I think some of my frustrations with 'complex' character designs might have been alleviated with a better UI, and maybe a touch more information shown to the player, particularly with the discard pile.”
- emotional27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt narrative and character development, which draws players in and fosters deep emotional investment. Many reviewers noted that the story evolves significantly, culminating in impactful moments that can evoke strong feelings, including tears. The combination of engaging character interactions, a well-crafted score, and a thoughtful sci-fi setting contributes to a rich emotional experience that resonates with players throughout their journey.
“The game is a charm to play, and to look at, with plenty of cute, real, and heart-wrenching moments for all characters involved in the story.”
“While I won't go into detail on this to avoid potential spoilers, just know that the more you play, and the more runs you clear, the better the story will get, until you reach the end and it delivers an emotional gut-punch.”
“I love getting the flashback logs that explain how the world ended up like this, and I teared up like crazy with Leryn's recruitment sidequest - it's a beautiful little story that comes out of nowhere and instantly made me feel connected to her and Phoenix.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as creepy, melancholic, and immersive, enhancing the overall experience with strong visuals and well-integrated music. Players appreciate the engaging world and character connections, noting that the atmospheric elements significantly contribute to their enjoyment and immersion in the gameplay. Overall, the combination of a compelling narrative and atmospheric design creates a captivating environment that resonates with players.
“The atmosphere is strong, and you quickly become attached to Lucy and her party.”
“Creepy and melancholic atmosphere.”
“The music alone builds up and maintains the game's atmosphere and helps to pull me in and keep me wanting to play another round.”
“From the jump, I felt more engaged in the world because of the atmosphere.”
- grinding17 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can feel tedious, with many players noting repetitive runs and limited rewards for effort, leading to a sense of monotony. However, some appreciate the strategic elements and variety in challenges, suggesting that while grinding exists, it may be less burdensome than in other titles. Overall, the experience varies, with some finding enjoyment in the grind while others feel it detracts from the game's polish and engagement.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It might feel a bit tedious to do many runs just to level up character friend points.”
“After a time or two completing runs with each character, it just gets tedious repeating the same song and dance over and over for an additional taste of a decent storyline.”
“The game becomes tedious very quickly.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant issues, particularly with controller support and resource usage. While some aspects of gameplay run smoothly, there are frequent freezes and performance drops, especially during fights and transitions. Players express hope for future improvements, as the current optimization is seen as lacking compared to the game's graphical quality.
“Overall 9.8/10 would recommend, I just hope it gets optimized better in the future.”
“No bugs or inconsistencies in performance that I have seen in the few days I've played.”
“The controller... this game is poorly optimized for controller use.”
“On the downside, it could use some optimization; I think it uses more resources than it should.”
“Gameplay is good, but the optimization is still lacking; there's more room to improve.”
- stability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting frequent bugs, including freezing during level loads and issues with the controller. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these glitches, others describe the experience as a "buggy mess," particularly criticizing the poorly implemented save system. Overall, the game shows promise but requires significant stability improvements, especially given its early access status.
“If you like JRPGs and card builders, this is a great addition to your collection, and it runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“The game maintains a solid performance throughout, providing a smooth experience even during intense moments.”
“I've experienced minimal bugs, and the overall stability enhances my enjoyment of the gameplay.”
“It's a buggy mess and the save system is very poorly implemented and not explained at all.”
“Also, my game freezes a bit when loading a new level or viewing my deck.”
“Also, the controller is buggy and you will get softlocked occasionally.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through its funny card mechanics and character interactions, which range from hilarious to heartwarming. Players appreciate the grounded nature of the younger protagonist and the comedic skits involving characters like Joey and Merlant. While the humor is engaging initially, some users feel it can become repetitive over time.
“Funny card game.”
“The character interactions are grounded and can be hilarious, heartbreaking, and adorable. It makes me appreciate having a younger protagonist who is not battle-hardened or always ready to make tough decisions. The interactions with Joey's potions are hilarious and super cute.”
“My favorite characters are Joey and Merlant (Charon), as they're having very funny skits at the moment.”
