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"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.

Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
Chrono Ark screenshot
+10

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,660 reviews
story1.3k positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions

  • Engaging gameplay with a unique party-based deckbuilding system that allows for diverse strategies and synergies between characters.
  • Compelling story that unfolds over multiple runs, featuring interesting characters and plot twists that keep players invested.
  • High replayability due to a large roster of characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, as well as various difficulty settings and challenge modes.
  • The game can be overly complex for newcomers, with many mechanics and keywords that are not well explained, leading to confusion.
  • Runs can be lengthy, often taking 2-3 hours, which may deter players looking for quicker gameplay sessions.
  • Some characters are unbalanced, with a few being significantly stronger or weaker than others, affecting overall gameplay experience.
  • story
    3,312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 philosophical themes woven into the gameplay, although some find the pacing slow and the translation quality inconsistent. Overall, the game successfully integrates its story with roguelike mechanics, making it a compelling experience for fans of both genres.

    • “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.”
    • “Chrono Ark is a roguelike deck builder that combines engaging and enjoyable gameplay with a fascinating story that is pieced together as you find fragments of what happened before the start of the game.”
    • “The story is exceptional and had my jaw agape at multiple points, the graphic design is up there, if not my favorite direction the artists could have taken, out of any others, and the rewarding aspect of the gameplay is ridiculously fun.”
    • “The end story reminds me of Soma, whereas the real big bad boss is just so annoying; I just want to finish the fight and shut him up, no sympathy for him at all (and I have to endure the lengthy final fight cut-scenes, geez...).”
    • “It can be very frustrating to lose because of two things: runs are very long (around 1.5 hours), and the story is locked behind them.”
    • “The story is presented largely through dialogue-heavy cutscenes and lore dumps, which seemed to drag on far too long for my liking.”
  • gameplay
    2,244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Chrono Ark" is characterized by its deep and engaging mechanics, blending deck-building with RPG elements, allowing players to create unique party compositions and strategies. While the game offers a variety of characters and complex boss mechanics that require careful planning, some players find the learning curve steep due to the lack of clear explanations for certain mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its addictiveness and replayability, though it can feel overwhelming at first, especially for newcomers to the genre.

    • “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 is addicting, the story is gut-wrenching and tense, the OST is memorable, and some of the only criticism I could give the game is a lack of vocal talent anywhere; it is direly needed to break up the monotonous tones of combat or the long text-scrolls of the main story.”
    • “These mechanics can be overwhelming though and hard to pick up.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    818 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. The soundtrack features a variety of engaging tracks that seamlessly transition between exploration and combat, often elevating boss fights to memorable heights. While some players noted a desire for more variety in the music, the consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “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 specially in the later stages is amazing, they basically have 2 versions of every song a mellow and an upbeat version, when you enter combat it seamlessly switches between the mellow to 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 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 (which atm is the 4th) all of the musics are forgettable.”
  • graphics
    380 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful anime art style, well-designed characters, and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and animations, which contribute to the game's engaging atmosphere, although some note that the aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who are not fans of anime. Overall, the combination of stunning artwork and solid graphical execution makes it a standout feature of the game.

    • “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 story is exceptional and had my jaw agape at multiple points; the graphic design is up there, if not my favorite direction the artists could have taken, out of any others, and the rewarding aspect of the gameplay is ridiculously fun.”
    • “The visuals are very nice, especially the locations, which make the atmosphere ten times better.”
    • “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.”
    • “Character portraits are high quality, but overworld/map art is poor and the overall anime aesthetic is... cringy.”
  • replayability
    214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, driven by its diverse cast of characters, unique synergies, and randomized elements that keep each run feeling fresh. Players can expect to invest significant hours exploring different strategies and combinations, with many noting the engaging gameplay loop and story progression that encourages multiple playthroughs. While some may find the initial learning curve steep, the depth and variety offered ultimately lead to a rewarding and addictive 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 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 development
    86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and engaging storytelling, with many players appreciating the unique and charming character designs that enhance gameplay. While some reviews note that the writing can be weak or the character development shallow, the overall consensus highlights a strong connection between character design, gameplay mechanics, and the narrative, making it appealing to fans of both roguelike deckbuilders and visual novels. However, a few players found the character designs to be overly anime-styled or common, which may detract from the experience for some.

    • “Excellent character development and theme.”
    • “You can really tell the developers put tons of work into character design, story/campaign, and uniqueness of cards/abilities.”
    • “Yeah, it is a roguelike RPG deckbuilder game with waifus and a deep interesting story, character development, and worldbuilding that I didn't expect, 11/10.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players reporting strong connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. While some writing may falter, the heartfelt narrative and complex character arcs create an engaging experience that resonates deeply with players. The combination of a compelling soundtrack and well-crafted emotional scenes enhances the overall impact, making it a memorable journey for those who invest in its story.

    • “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 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.”
  • atmosphere
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its strong, immersive qualities, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements the sinister and melancholic tone. Players appreciate the engaging visuals and character designs, which contribute to a captivating world that draws them in. However, some reviews note that the soundtrack could benefit from more variety to maintain engagement during longer play sessions.

    • “The soundtrack is also very fitting and matches the sinister and tense atmosphere of the world.”
    • “Horror-driven lore combined with a beautiful atmosphere.”
    • “From the music to the gameplay and the atmosphere, it's a masterpiece.”
    • “The atmosphere is strong, and you quickly become attached to Lucy and her party.”
    • “Sharp writing, strong atmosphere, and plenty of mechanical depth, but a game with small, shallow character vignettes instead of a single driving narrative.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the repetitive gameplay loops and limited enemy variety, which can lead to a lack of engagement over time. While some appreciate the lore-related reasons for grinding, many feel that the rewards for repeated runs are insufficient to justify the effort, making the experience feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Despite these criticisms, a few players still find themselves immersed in the grind, enjoying the game overall.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Having to gold 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 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.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 users experience freezing and stuttering during fights, particularly towards the end of the game, indicating that further optimization is needed. Despite these concerns, many still find the gameplay enjoyable and hope for improvements in future updates.

    • “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.”
  • stability
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is reported to be quite unstable, with frequent bugs, crashes, and issues such as laggy loading times and unintuitive controls. Players have experienced soft locks and a poorly implemented save system, indicating that it still feels unfinished despite its engaging gameplay and story. Overall, while the game shows promise, its current state is marred by technical glitches that detract from the experience.

    • “If you like JRPGs and card builders, this is a great addition to your collection, and it otherwise runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players highlighting the cute and funny character interactions, particularly those involving Joey and Merlant, which are described as both hilarious and heartwarming. While the initial comedic elements are engaging, some users note that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game's funny mechanics and character-driven skits contribute to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience.

    • “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.”

Buy Chrono Ark

37h Median play time
75h Average play time
14-93h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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