City of Brass

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 436 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
City of Brass Game Cover
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City of Brass is a first-person perspective actionPublishing game set in a procedurally generated Arabian Nights-themed city. Players must navigate through the city's many districts, fighting off enemies and collecting treasure, while dealing with traps and hazards. With a whip and sword in hand, players must use their wits and reflexes to survive and defeat the game's challenging rogue-lite gameplay.

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Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 436 reviews
gameplay64 positive mentions
story8 negative mentions
  • The setting is visually stunning, with gorgeous graphics and an interesting Arabian Nights theme.
  • The combat mechanics are engaging and fun, particularly the use of the whip for both offense and environmental interaction.
  • The game offers a good level of challenge with the ability to customize difficulty through blessings and burdens.
  • The roguelike nature can lead to repetitive gameplay, as levels and enemy types may feel similar over time.
  • The lack of permanent progression or meaningful upgrades can make runs feel less rewarding.
  • The game can be frustrating due to the abundance of traps that can lead to cheap deaths, often requiring players to be overly cautious.
  • gameplay178 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of mechanics such as whip-based combat, exploration, and environmental interaction that can be engaging and fun. While many players appreciate the fluidity and variety of gameplay options, some criticize the clunky controls, inconsistent hit detection, and a lack of depth in certain mechanics, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the game offers a solid roguelike experience with potential for enjoyment, especially for those who invest time in mastering its systems.

    • “Great whip and parkour mechanics make City of Brass stand out from other first-person action roguelikes.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid, the challenge is high, and the environments are diverse and full of interesting enemies and items.”
    • “The gameplay loop here is simple... hack and slash your way through a randomly generated Arabian city, gathering all kinds of treasure to cash in, buy items and get more powerful.”
    • “I like the idea of looting gold and the game is beautiful at times, but the general gameplay is so mediocre and bland.”
    • “Unfortunately the mechanics of this game are half-baked... when you get hit by enemies it feels like the game's fault, not yours; hit registration and overall control feels a bit off sometimes.”
    • “Overall, it's a really cool concept ruined by horrible hit detection and inconsistent gameplay.”
  • graphics90 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning art style and attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of the Arabian Nights aesthetic. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful environments, smooth animations, and vibrant city design, contributing to an immersive experience. While some mention minor visual bugs or performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, the sound is good, the challenge is very customizable, and the game has tremendous replay value.”
    • “The game has some really beautiful environments and the graphics are really well designed and laid out.”
    • “The graphics, sound, and atmosphere are all fantastic.”
    • “The combat is janky as all hell, the movement is iffy and it's kind of graphically unappealing even if I like the setting.”
    • “And while I’m sure the devs will improve graphics at least to the level shown in their gameplay trailer, the very design of the game would not let you appreciate the beauty of the Arabic city.”
    • “Although, I must admit that the graphics when on medium to high settings were not very sharp or pretty.”
  • story33 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that it does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. While some appreciate the potential of the game's setting, they feel it deserves a more developed narrative to engage players beyond mere action. Overall, the consensus is that those seeking a rich story should look elsewhere, as the game prioritizes gameplay over narrative.

    • “The backstory of the world is great.”
    • “I feel that this setting is more deserving of a game that involves deep lore and story, that inspires the player to keep progressing because they want to learn more of the world they are in, not simply to reach the end of a stage and kill more enemies.”
    • “Hopefully, the level design of the game will become less repetitive and there will be more light shone upon the story behind the city, the character, the enemies, and the motive for exploring this beautiful but deadly location.”
    • “The game is nearly devoid of story, and thus plays as a rapid action-fest, which allows you to kill time for a level or two, or sit down for a constantly evolving nightmare session.”
    • “There is almost no narrative or story of any kind, aside from the intro captions on the character selection menu.”
    • “While the game's story is somewhat lacking, with just a few scraps of text and audio floating around to provide context for the player's actions, it's not really the focus of the game.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability, particularly due to its randomized levels, diverse character options, and unique combat mechanics typical of roguelikes. While some players feel that runs can become repetitive despite self-imposed challenges, many appreciate the variety and depth that encourage multiple playthroughs. The combination of beautiful graphics and customizable challenges further enhances its replay value, making it a recommended choice for fans of the genre.

    • “It's a game that you can sink a lot of time into, with a lot of replayability thanks to its randomized levels and loot system.”
    • “It has a unique setting, very satisfying and unique combat, and as a roguelike, replayability is naturally quite high with a lot of variables making each run unique and exciting.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the sound is good, the challenge is very customizable, and the game has tremendous replay value (which is expected with roguelike/roguelite games).”
    • “The store page claims 'eternal replayability', but in practice every run plays out the same, even if you decide to challenge yourself with self-imposed limitations, try to find certain weapons/equipment, or hunt for specific achievements.”
    • “I watched a 10-minute speedrun of the game and the runner didn't really do anything more than I had done in my few minutes in the game, so I'm not particularly inspired to master its systems or see its later content for myself -- two things roguelikes/lites need to do to deliver the dozens/hundreds of hours of replayability needed to make permadeath & procedural generation worthwhile design choices.”
    • “While I might play it a little bit more, that's pretty much it in terms of replayability for me.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in "City of Brass" receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and integration into the game's aesthetic, while others criticize the lack of a substantial soundtrack during gameplay. Many noted that the game features minimal music outside of boss fights and the main menu, leading to a sense of emptiness in the experience. Overall, while the sound design is praised for enhancing the setting, there is a strong desire for more engaging and varied music throughout the game.

    • “From the sound of the player's footsteps echoing through the city's streets, to the atmospheric and immersive background music, City of Brass delivers an eargasmic experience that truly brings the game world to life.”
    • “The musical score fits the game perfectly and enhances the mood of the Arabian desert setting.”
    • “I think the gameplay is good, the aesthetic is great, and the music is fantastic.”
    • “This game has no music.”
    • “I'll stop with the irony and sarcasm, except for the boss fights (which all share the same minute-long loop of a 'song', I might add), and the main menu, the real meat of the game, getting through the city, has no music at all.”
    • “There is no music to press you forward; you don't get in frantic chaotic combat but rather methodical whip-smack takedowns from one enemy to the next as you do your best to avoid traps along the way to the exit.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere in "City of Brass" is widely praised for its immersive sound design, detailed environments, and engaging lore, effectively capturing the essence of an Arabian desert city filled with mythical elements. While many reviewers highlight the game's gorgeous visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, some express a desire for more dynamic audio to enhance the experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a significant draw, complementing its solid combat mechanics and gameplay loop.

    • “From the sound of the player's footsteps echoing through the city's streets, to the atmospheric and immersive background music, City of Brass delivers an eargasmic experience that truly brings the game world to life.”
    • “The levels are very detailed and fit the atmosphere; the lore is quite engaging and all the mechanics tie into the universe nicely.”
    • “The overall flow of combat, and the incredible atmosphere that comes straight out of a fantasy tale in the middle of Egypt.”
    • “Well, the game seems void of atmosphere; there needs to be an improvement in ambient sounds and background music to help set the scene.”
    • “The sound design is kind of mediocre; they could have done much more with the atmosphere but rather went for a cartoony, not-really-fitting approach.”
    • “Give players time to feel the atmosphere.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the repetitive nature of gameplay detracts from the overall experience. While some acknowledge that grinding is typical for the roguelike genre, the overwhelming presence of traps and slow mechanics contribute to a sense of annoyance rather than enjoyment. However, a few players found moments of satisfaction once they became familiar with the controls and gameplay, suggesting that the grind can lead to rewarding experiences if endured.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “An extremely tedious and frustrating roguelike.”
    • “The sheer volume of traps placed everywhere makes the game very tedious and annoying to play.”
    • “But tedious repetition makes it as uninteresting to experience as it is severe to endure.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The game features a surprisingly humorous tone, blending elements of fun and challenge reminiscent of classic titles like Prince of Persia. While the humor shines through in gameplay, particularly with the amusing sounds of characters, it tends to wear off after a few runs. Overall, it strikes a good balance between humor, difficulty, and engaging moments, making it a unique experience in the roguelike genre.

    • “It is surprisingly funny FPP roguelike with Prince of Persia vibes (oh man, I miss these games), but only for a few runs until one or two completions.”
    • “It has just the right length with just the right difficulty curve and just the right balance of badass moments, scary moments, and funny moments.”
    • “There is no speech in the game, only grunting, laughing, and cackling.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance and minimal hardware demands. While some minor adjustments, like disabling anti-aliasing, may enhance performance, the game runs well across different systems, including Manjaro Linux, and delivers a visually appealing experience without significant issues.

    • “The game is not very taxing in terms of hardware and is well optimized.”
    • “Performance is surprisingly good.”
    • “Graphics and performance are top notch.”
    • “The game struggles with optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “Despite having a high-end PC, I still experience significant lag and performance issues.”
    • “The optimization is so poor that it makes the game nearly unplayable at times, even on lower settings.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with minimal bugs reported, though some players have experienced minor glitches related to hit detection and item clipping. The gameplay remains smooth, and the developers have only released one update so far, suggesting potential for further improvements.

    • “The game looks and runs great, but the real winner here is the excellent gameplay.”
    • “I haven't picked up on many of the mechanics, but the whip mechanics work incredibly well. Considering the game has only had one update, it seems to be relatively bug-free from the short time I played it.”
    • “I haven't found any bugs so far, but there have been a few glitches with hit detection and items clipping through walls. It's nothing a few patches can't fix.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as lacking depth, with in-game vendors providing only minor enhancements that do not significantly impact gameplay or player experience. The mechanics, such as needing to be close to enemies to effectively engage, contribute to a sense of frustration rather than emotional engagement.

  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of the game is viewed positively, especially when purchased during sales, as players feel they receive good value for their money and that the game delivers on its promises.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
4-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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