Coldfire Keep
- May 9, 2014
- Steve Jarman
Get on Steam"Coldfire Keep" is a first-person dungeon crawler game. The player must navigate through the keep, fighting monsters, solving puzzles, and collecting treasure to progress. With permadeath and randomized dungeons, each playthrough offers a new challenge.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Level design is generally good, with some enjoyable puzzles and exploration elements.
- Despite its flaws, the game can be fun once you start leveling up and finding better gear.
- The game feels incomplete, lacking essential features like an options menu and a proper tutorial.
- Combat and character leveling are repetitive and uninteresting, leading to a lack of challenge as the game progresses.
- Graphics and textures are uninspired, and the overall presentation feels more suited for mobile devices than PC.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally considered weak and simplistic, often described as lacking depth and coherence, with many players feeling it serves merely as a backdrop for combat rather than a compelling narrative. Complaints include awkward fourth-wall breaks and a failure to engage players, leading to a consensus that the story feels more like an early draft than a polished element of a full-fledged RPG. Overall, those seeking a rich narrative experience may find this game lacking.
“If you liked the older style games (1980's and 1990's) before they became all graphical fluff but don't want to waste time with a story (beyond 'I'm here to kill stuff'), then you may like this game too.”
“It is definitely not for a PC gamer who is expecting the depth (whether story or mechanics) that comes from real PC RPGs.”
“The story is...meh.”
“The biggest complaint I have is the map is atrociously bad and the story is a bit awkward and breaks the fourth wall a bit.”
“There is no story beyond 'hey I'm in a dungeon, let's kill stuff' and it feels more like someone's early work rather than a polished full-fledged CRPG.”
“Introduction story is poor and it gets worse from then on.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as smooth and enjoyable, reminiscent of older dungeon crawlers, though some players feel they lack polish and modern flair. While the visuals may not meet contemporary standards, they are considered acceptable for fans of retro-style games. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the gameplay experience, despite some criticism regarding the uninspired dungeon design.
“I found it enjoyable to play through with very nice smooth graphics, pleasant ambient sound effects, and easy intuitive controls.”
“If you liked the older style games (1980's and 1990's) before they became all graphical fluff but don't want to waste time with a story (beyond 'I'm here to kill stuff') then you may like this game too.”
“So I hope the resolution, graphics, keymap, and sounds are to your liking.”
“Its all the features of an old-fashioned dungeon crawler, and the graphics may not be 'up to par' but who cares!”
“Graphics are fine, style not so much.”
“If you liked the older style games (1980s and 1990s) before they became all graphical fluff but don't want to waste time with a story (beyond 'I'm here to kill stuff') then you may like this game too.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is enjoyable for fans of grid-based dungeon crawlers, offering a fun experience as players explore and uncover secrets. However, it starts slowly and lacks depth in mechanics and story, which may disappoint those seeking a more complex RPG experience. Additionally, the game suffers from sluggish mechanics and insufficient guidance for new players.
“If you enjoy the grid-style gameplay, or if you just like a fun little dungeon crawl, then go ahead and check out this title.”
“The game starts off quite slow, but once you start exploring and getting better gear, the gameplay speeds up and you'll be finding more secrets and solving cool puzzles.”
“The gameplay offers a unique blend of exploration and puzzle-solving that keeps you engaged as you uncover hidden secrets.”
“It is definitely not for a PC gamer who is expecting the depth (whether story or mechanics) that comes from real PC RPGs.”
“The lack of any sort of re-readable help files, and not giving basic information about the game's mechanics really sucks.”
“The game mechanics are sluggish and not intuitive.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is criticized for being unmanageable, as there are no in-game options to turn it off or adjust the volume, forcing players to rely on external volume controls. This lack of accessibility can lead to a frustrating experience right from the start.
“The music in the game is incredibly immersive and sets the perfect tone for the gameplay experience.”
“I love how the soundtrack evolves with the game, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.”
“The variety of musical styles keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, making each moment feel unique.”
“You cannot turn off the music in the options, because there are no options available.”
“When you first open the game, the music is blasting, and you have to go to the volume mixer in Windows to lower it.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including numerous low-level bugs and visual glitches, particularly during combat. Many users feel it lacks the polish expected from a finished product, especially given its design for tablets and phones.
“The game is buggy, designed for tablets and phones, and lacks polish.”
“The game still has plenty of very low-level bugs that you wouldn't expect for many games, even in a beta status, with visual combat glitches being the most obvious from early on.”
