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 captivating story, making it a standout in the roguelike deckbuilder genre.
- 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 with memorable and fitting music for both exploration and combat.
- The English translation can be awkward and poorly worded at times, which may detract from the storytelling experience.
- Some mechanics and character abilities are not clearly explained, leading to confusion and a steep learning curve for new players.
- Runs can be lengthy, often taking 2-3 hours, which may not appeal to players looking for quicker gameplay sessions.
- story1,656 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Chrono Ark" is a standout feature, praised for its depth and engaging narrative that unfolds through multiple runs, reminiscent of visual novels. Players appreciate the intricate character backstories and the emotional weight of the plot, which includes philosophical themes and unexpected twists. While some find the storytelling occasionally verbose or cliché, the overall consensus is that the game successfully integrates its narrative with gameplay, making it a compelling experience for fans of both roguelikes and story-driven games.
“Chrono Ark is a phenomenal roguelike deckbuilder RPG with incredible OST, a story that will progress as you do runs, and fantastic gameplay!”
“The story is very well written, with a lot of plot twists and surprising dark tones which is reinforced by the blue-ish palette of the game and the beautiful art design of the characters.”
“The story is surprisingly good, considering the premise for the story and its setting.”
“The story is filled with intrigue and mystery as to how things ended up the way they are, and each character has a unique personality, motivations, and synergies with other characters.”
“The story is dark, gritty and throws you for a literal loop with every playthrough.”
“The story is a tad convoluted, but the 2D fighting cutscenes were some of the most intense I have ever seen from a game that utilizes this sort of presentation.”
- gameplay1,122 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Chrono Ark" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, combining roguelike deck-building mechanics with RPG elements and unique character abilities. Players appreciate the variety of strategies available through diverse character synergies and the challenging boss mechanics that require careful planning and adaptation. However, some reviews note that the learning curve can be steep due to the numerous mechanics and insufficient explanations, which may lead to initial frustration before the gameplay becomes more enjoyable and rewarding.
“The gameplay is complex enough to keep interest, especially considering there's a ton of characters to choose from.”
“The mechanics are varied and there are a lot of synergies between cards of both individual and other characters you have in your party.”
“The gameplay loop is engaging and the cast of 24 characters adds in a lot of replayability.”
“Gameplay looks deep but is shallow.”
“After losing a few runs, you can find yourself doing the same paths and gameplay loop that you have previously gone through with minimal differences, which can be tedious at times.”
“While fans of roguelikes will probably be able to keep going without an issue, newcomers or RPG fans could feel a dull loop that can burn them out of the game; once bosses' mechanics are learned, they are no longer challenging and it can feel like a waste of time trying to reach the area you were in before.”
- music409 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the overall experience through dynamic transitions between exploration and combat themes. The soundtrack is described as "banger," featuring memorable tracks that elevate boss fights and create an immersive atmosphere, although some players noted a desire for more variety in the music over extended play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and emotional impact.
“The soundtrack is also very fitting and matches the sinister and tense atmosphere of the world.”
“The music, on the other hand, is great.”
“The music is fantastic and the art is pretty solid throughout.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack complements the mood well but lacks the variety to remain engaging over extended play sessions.”
“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, all of the music is forgettable.”
- graphics190 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful anime art style, well-designed characters, and engaging environments, which enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and animations, noting that they contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. However, some critiques mention that the aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who are not fans of anime.
“Chrono Ark also has a very good art style - the environment, the characters, and the enemies are very well designed and fitting for the setting of the game.”
“The graphics are solid, the soundtrack is amazing, and unlike many roguelikes, it has an interesting meta-plot that develops over multiple runs.”
“The visuals are very nice, especially the locations, which make the atmosphere ten times better.”
“The aesthetic is dull, but strangely effective at just the right times.”
“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.”
- replayability107 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, driven by its deck-building and roguelike mechanics, diverse character options, and randomized elements that keep each run fresh. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop, meaningful choices, and the gradual unraveling of the story, which encourages multiple playthroughs. While some note that replayability may diminish after completing the story, the variety of characters and strategies available ensures that many players will continue to find enjoyment long after the initial experience.
“Replayability is the name of the game, and as you continue through, you'll unravel more and more of the story on each run.”
“Very deep combat, with a large cast of characters, each with their unique playstyles, combined with synergies within a four-person party brings an incredible amount of replayability and variety to the mix.”
“The gameplay loop is engaging, and the cast of 24 characters adds in a lot of replayability.”
“The replayability of this game is story linked instead of just wanting to play again.”
“One of the primary strengths of roguelikes and 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.”
“I personally don't recommend it for the story, but I do for the gameplay - just don't expect the same levels of difficulty, polish, or replayability.”
- character development43 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and creativity, with many reviewers highlighting the charming and varied character designs that enhance gameplay and storytelling. While some found the writing and character development to be shallow or overly reliant on anime tropes, others appreciated the unique abilities and synergies that each character brings, contributing to a rich and engaging experience. Overall, the combination of strong character design, engaging storylines, and innovative gameplay mechanics has resonated well with players, making it a standout feature of the game.
“While I bought it for the roguelite gameplay, I ended up staying for the existentially dreadful story and character development.”
“Excellent character development and theme.”
“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.”
“I think the character development was shallow, and the writing was on the weaker side.”
“It actually gripped me a lot more than I expected at first, but the character design and dialogue is painfully 'anime' and a lot of the plot is dropped in bits of lore that you might not feel like reading.”
“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.”
- emotional33 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players reporting deep connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. The writing, while occasionally flawed, is described as heartfelt and complex, allowing players to become invested in the narrative arcs of a diverse cast. The game's music enhances the emotional experience, contributing to a rich, immersive journey that resonates long after gameplay.
“I was emotionally moved by the vocal track that played during the endgame/boss fight.”
“Without spoiling anything, the story of Chrono Ark was an emotional roller coaster.”
“The developers have crafted a truly special experience that offers both strategic depth and a surprisingly emotional narrative.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong, immersive qualities, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements the sinister and melancholic visuals. While the music effectively sets the mood, some players note a lack of variety that can diminish engagement over long play sessions. Overall, the combination of compelling character design, thematic depth, and atmospheric storytelling creates a captivating experience that draws players into its world.
“Horror-driven lore combined with a beautiful atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack is also very fitting and matches the sinister and tense atmosphere of the world.”
“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.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the lore-driven necessity to build friendships for the true ending, many feel that the repetitive gameplay and limited enemy variety can lead to tedium. Although there are moments of enjoyment in the grind, especially with character progression, the lack of significant rewards and the repetitive nature of runs can make the experience feel excessive and less engaging over time. Overall, while some players embrace the grind, others see it as a drawback that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Having to build friendship with each character to get the true ending makes sense lore-wise, but can be quite grindy, so I view it as a bit of a negative.”
“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.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly with minimal bugs, players report significant issues with controller support and resource usage. Some experience occasional freezes and frame rate drops, particularly during intense moments, indicating room for improvement. Despite these concerns, many still find the gameplay enjoyable and recommend the game, hoping for future optimizations.
“From a technical standpoint, the game runs smoothly, with minimal bugs or performance issues.”
“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.”
- stability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- -15 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes, particularly during level loading and menu navigation. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable and the story engaging, the overall experience is marred by technical issues that suggest it is not yet polished for a full release. Early access status is acknowledged, but many feel that the game still requires significant improvements in stability and save system functionality.
“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 stable experience that enhances gameplay.”
“I've experienced minimal bugs, and the overall stability of the game allows for an immersive experience.”
“Still does not quite feel 1.0 - it has some minor technical glitches here and there.”
“It's a buggy mess and the save system is very poorly implemented and not explained at all.”
“Fun game with great story, but keep in mind that in its current state it's pretty buggy (frequent crashes) and the gameplay itself can get very repetitive.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its cute character designs and engaging interactions, often blending hilarity with heartfelt moments. Players appreciate the funny mechanics and character skits, particularly those involving Joey and Merlant, which add depth and charm to the gameplay. However, some users note that while the humor is strong initially, it can become repetitive over time.
“Interesting gameplay and great graphics, very cute and funny main character!”
“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.”
