Critadel
- October 12, 2021
- Pixelian Studio
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store"Critadel" is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with good mechanics. As one of three playable characters, players must navigate through the levels of the giant mechanical tower, Babel, fighting off enemies and upgrading abilities to reach the top for ancient knowledge. With 360-degree aiming, continuously reconfigured paths, and a variety of weapon and item options, each playthrough is unique. The game features retro-inspired graphics and a pulse-pounding techno soundtrack.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The gameplay is fun and responsive, with a wide variety of weapons and synergies that keep each run feeling fresh.
- The pixel art and animations are beautifully crafted, reminiscent of classic games while maintaining a modern polish.
- The game offers a good balance of skill and luck, with challenging bosses and a high skill ceiling that rewards player improvement.
- The RNG can be frustrating, as runs can sometimes feel unfairly difficult due to a lack of good items or weapons.
- The control scheme can be awkward, with inconsistent menu navigation and aiming mechanics that detract from the overall experience.
- There are issues with visibility during chaotic moments, making it hard to distinguish between enemy projectiles and background elements.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun, fast-paced action and variety, catering to different playstyles with a solid mix of emergent and strategic elements. While the core mechanics are polished and enjoyable, some players note issues with weapon durability and a lack of diversity in artifacts, which can detract from the overall experience. The game features challenging bosses and a responsive control scheme, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, despite some minor quality-of-life concerns.
“The gameplay feels good and there's enough items to make you feel as though there's plenty of variety for all playstyles.”
“It's action-based gameplay combined with a lot of player choice, making it the perfect mix of emergent gameplay and strategic choices for the player.”
“The core gameplay is very fun and works flawlessly.”
“- while you can eventually skip floors, it's never worth it since you lose so many resources and possible drops/artifacts, etc. I'm always running full runs only; floor teleport mechanics feel bad.”
“- the weapon balance issue is complicated by the presence of an annoying weapon durability mechanic.”
“This is frustrating because there are many mechanics (character upgrades, elements, relics, familiars, etc.) that you'll miss, and you can't reach your potential.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, detailed anime art style that evokes a nostalgic neo-geo feel, though some players find it lacks originality compared to other titles in the genre. While the visuals are generally well-executed with clear animations, the weapon designs can be inconsistent, ranging from appealing to confusing. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their cuteness and consistency, contributing positively to the game's overall aesthetic.
“The graphics have this old school Neo Geo feel to them, in a good way.”
“The visuals are slick and very well-made.”
“I really love the art style, and there is a decent variety of guns to mess around with.”
“It's done in a vaguely chiptune-y 'fakebit' style that suits the visuals well enough but has been done to death by other games of this type and just doesn't stick out at all.”
“It's hard to explain, but all of the artwork is in the foreground, making it hard to see what would actually hit you and what is just 'exploding scenery'.”
“The weapon graphics range from 'cartoony sci-fi gun' to 'what am I even looking at', with more trending toward the latter.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, others describe it as forgettable and not particularly memorable. Overall, it seems to enhance the gameplay experience for some, but others prefer to disable it for a more immersive feel.
“Audio feedback is solid and has a nice soundtrack which never gets old (at least for me).”
“A generally well-executed roguelite shooter that has very fun gameplay, art style, and an incredible soundtrack.”
“Fun little side scroller, love the graphics and the music is upbeat and keeps you going.”
“The music is very forgettable.”
“I often disable music to enhance the feeling of immersion, but the musical offerings are quite good.”
“The music.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be manageable and tolerable, with some noting that while it requires effort to unlock everything and rank up characters, it is less tedious compared to other roguelikes. Overall, the fun gameplay helps mitigate the grind for many users.
“This is kind of grindy to unlock everything, but I don't hate it too much.”
“I dislike grinding in roguelikes, but the game is fun enough here that it's tolerable.”
“There is some grinding to rank up characters, but I didn't feel it was too bad, especially compared to other roguelites.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, with little narrative depth beyond the main plot, which some players feel is undermined by the inclusion of whimsical weapons that clash with the overall tone. After completing the main story, players can access additional modes, but these offer no further storytelling elements.
“The game's story is engaging and keeps you invested from start to finish.”
“The character development throughout the narrative is impressive and adds depth to the gameplay.”
“The plot twists and turns are well-crafted, making for an unforgettable experience.”
“Many of the weapons in the game are very silly and don't seem to suit the tone of the game's story at all.”
“Little to no story aside from that.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is positively highlighted through appealing character designs, which enhance the overall experience and engagement with the characters.
“The character designs are incredibly cool and add depth to the overall experience.”
“The character development is rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, showcasing their growth and personal struggles.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability with numerous discoveries to be made, though some players note minor balance issues with certain items that may affect the overall experience.
“I love this game! It has a lot of replay value and many things to discover.”
“The game offers a wealth of replayability, with new experiences waiting to be uncovered each time.”
“There are countless ways to approach the game, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
“I love this game and it has a lot of replay value and things to discover; however, it often feels like there are some minor balance problems with some of the items.”
