Crymachina

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 121 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Crymachina Game Cover
Crymachina serves as a visually striking and thematically intriguing action RPG that is dripping with style yet feels a bit too small for the story it wants to tell.
Starting at €59.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"CRYMACHINA is a single-player Science Fiction Action RPG where players control mechanical girls fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world to become "Real Humans." The game features fast-paced combat, tactical weapon customization, and a heartwarming story of love and perseverance. The journey begins with the protagonist, Lebel Distel, who is granted a second chance at life and must navigate through the mysterious Eden structure."

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 121 reviews
story41 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The story and character development are exceptional, with deep themes and emotional moments that resonate with players.
  • The music and audio design are outstanding, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the game.
  • The art style and visuals are appealing, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere throughout the game.
  • The gameplay is often criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, with combat mechanics that feel clunky and unsatisfying.
  • The game is considered overpriced for its content, with many reviewers suggesting it should be purchased at a discount.
  • Level design is linear and lacks variety, leading to a feeling of emptiness and missed potential in exploration.
  • story139 mentions

    The story of "Crymachina" is widely praised for its depth, character development, and emotional impact, often described as the game's strongest aspect. While the narrative can be convoluted and requires some grinding to fully appreciate, it features memorable twists and themes that resonate with players, particularly regarding humanity and existentialism. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay is mediocre, which may detract from the overall experience for those primarily seeking engaging mechanics.

    • “Crymachina goes surprisingly deep in character development and character elements of the story, although a fair part will require you to grind to unlock all the records.”
    • “While many of the points following this may seem negative, I cannot stress enough how much the story is worth playing for, with one twist in particular being one of the most memorable and impactful I've seen in media, let alone a video game.”
    • “The story is truly touching and I fell in love with the characters.”
    • “The story is a bit hard to grasp on the first run, and just going through it will leave you with a lot of missing information.”
    • “The story doesn't flow very well and its pacing feels off.”
    • “The story is convoluted but with purpose, and it's definitely one that will leave you thinking.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, often described as mediocre or bland, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of depth. While the progression is generally smooth and the story engaging, the combat mechanics are seen as simplistic and unbalanced, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, some players found the gameplay tolerable enough to continue due to the compelling narrative and impressive soundtrack.

    • “The good point of the gameplay is that overall, the progression is fairly smooth; you need few grind to go through the main story's ~12 hours of content, and the game features difficulty spikes only through optional content.”
    • “I'm happy to report that gameplay, this time around, while still far from ideal, is very much improved, having much simpler level design, faster stages, boss fights that aren't HP sponges, and way better combat mechanics overall.”
    • “At the end of the day, looking past the issues with the gameplay, you will find a pretty interesting story with many twists and turns, excellent voice acting, and accompanied by a perfect soundtrack.”
    • “The gameplay is the very definition of the 'meh' grade.”
    • “If you are here for the story, then get it; if you are here for the gameplay, then don't because it's very bland.”
    • “In short: a fantastic story and the best soundtrack of the year, but it is sadly held back by uninteresting level design, minimal enemy variety, and shallow gameplay with unrealized potential.”
  • music49 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the exceptional soundtrack by sakuzyo, which enhances the overall atmosphere and storytelling. While some noted that the gameplay may be lacking, the combination of beautiful art, engaging characters, and a memorable score makes the music a standout feature that many players enjoy even outside of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's highlights, contributing significantly to its emotional depth and appeal.

    • “Music-wise, Crymachina is marvelous.”
    • “The soundtrack by Sakuzyo is actually how I originally found out about this game, and I spent months listening to it on repeat before actually playing the game.”
    • “God-like soundtrack (courtesy of Sakuzyo), exceptionally endearing characters, a sorrowful but ultimately optimistic story full of twists & turns that'll keep you guessing, beautiful artwork/environments and fun action RPG combat.”
    • “Most of the music is not 'gotta listen to them forever' grade, but all of them are absolutely appropriate to the writing style of the game and its setup.”
    • “I'd rather throw the $40 on Bandcamp for the soundtrack than pay $60 for this again.”
    • “The story is generic and combat feels repetitive as you don't really unlock any new combos, and while the music and character designs are surprisingly good, the whole story takes about 12 hours to beat unless you want to 100% it.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received high praise for their unique art style and beautiful character designs, contributing to a visually stunning experience. Players appreciate the detailed environments and overall aesthetic, although some noted issues with technical performance. Overall, the visuals, combined with a compelling soundtrack, create an engaging atmosphere that enhances the gameplay.

    • “First thing first, this game piqued my interest because of its art style; it looks really cool and fairly unique.”
    • “In general, the music and visuals of the game are phenomenal.”
    • “The levels, while mostly similar in general aesthetics, are likewise wonderful to look at, and I never found myself growing tired of seeing the extensive mechanical interiors of Eden as I progressed through them.”
    • “And you can cope as much as you want and call it 'art style' and stuff like that, but when I see a valve with 6 sides in a 2023 game for 80 euros, I am just at a loss for words.”
    • “I've had two crashes while playing, one of which took down my AMD graphics driver along with it.”
    • “I really, really wish I could give Crymachina five stars, with the story, art, visuals, and general atmosphere deserving more than that on their own.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting the depth and relatability of the main characters, which contribute to a heartwarming and memorable narrative. Many reviewers noted that the story is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with touching moments that elicited strong feelings, including tears. However, some expressed a desire for more dynamic cutscenes to enhance the emotional impact during critical moments.

    • “Every character is memorable, the story is an emotional rollercoaster that comes with many twists and turns, with a lot of references to some well-known sci-fi titles.”
    • “The story is truly touching, and I fell in love with the characters.”
    • “Never have I played a game that made me cry every time I played it, and never have I loved a group of characters more than I love these. Crymachina is something very special.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in Crymachina is noted for its depth and unique character designs, reminiscent of titles like Nier: Automata, though some players feel the story and character arcs are rushed and lack authenticity. While the artwork and soundtrack receive high praise, the gameplay is criticized for being simplistic and repetitive, requiring grinding to fully explore character elements. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with memorable characters, but the narrative execution leaves some players wanting more.

    • “Crymachina goes surprisingly deep in character development and character elements of the story, although a fair part will require you to grind to unlock all the records.”
    • “This game reminds me a lot of Nier: Automata: exquisite character design, unforgettable soundtracks, unique story.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit simplistic but I really liked the story, characters, and the character design.”
    • “Character development and plot feel rushed, artificial, and unnatural.”
    • “Crymachiina goes surprisingly deep in character development and character elements of the story, although a fair part will require you to grind to unlock all the records.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit simplistic, but I really liked the story, characters, and the character design.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players note that while the game features some grinding, particularly in post-game content, it avoids excessive filler and repetitive dungeon layouts. The grind is generally manageable and tied to character progression, with most achievements being easily obtainable, though some may find the experience points and resources required for leveling up to be frustratingly sparse. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a minor inconvenience in an otherwise engaging experience.

    • “The post-game content is where this game falls a bit short, as it is mostly just grinding away to increase your character's level to actually do post-game levels.”
    • “The problem is the experience and ego you need to empower your characters is given very sparingly; it becomes a tedious grind.”
    • “While farming the same cookie-cutter dungeon layouts and bosses repeatedly can get old, the bits of lore you can get from them are fantastic and paint a world I want to see more of.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of Crymachina is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting its deep characters, impressive art and visuals, and an emotionally resonant soundtrack by Sakuzyo that enhances both the story and combat. Despite some criticisms of the combat and level design, the overall ambiance significantly elevates the gaming experience.

    • “I really, really wish I could give Crymachina five stars, with the story, art, visuals, and general atmosphere deserving more than that on their own.”
    • “Deep characters, music, and atmosphere outweigh its simple combat and linear level design.”
    • “Sakuzyo brought a whole suite of bangers with him to enhance the atmosphere, and it gives the game much-needed emotion in both story and combat.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a campy tone and a focus on "gals-being-pals" dynamics, which some players find enjoyable despite the overall lack of emotional depth in cutscenes. While the story may not be groundbreaking, its themes of existentialism add a unique layer to the experience, making it worth considering for those who appreciate its quirky charm.

    • “The story won’t win any awards; it’s kind of campy and the models in cutscenes don’t emote much, but it does present themes of existentialism and purpose in its own way, and I’d say it’s worth buying just for the story and gals-being-pals humor alone.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the replayability of Crymachina, noting its respectful approach to time management, which motivates them to complete the game multiple times. This aspect enhances the overall experience, making it a refreshing choice in the JRPG genre.

    • “It's also refreshing to play a JRPG that respects your time for once. This is why I was motivated enough to play through it a second time from start to finish. Yes, in my opinion, Crymachina has great replayability.”
    • “The game offers so many different choices and paths that I found myself wanting to replay it immediately after finishing. Each playthrough feels unique and engaging.”
    • “With multiple endings and character arcs, I love how replaying the game reveals new layers to the story. It keeps me coming back for more!”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highlighted by the exceptional performance of tono hikaru as enoa, who not only delivered a compelling portrayal of her character's development but also contributed vocals for the majority of the game's tracks, enhancing the overall experience.

  • stability1 mentions

    Players express frustration with the game's stability, citing issues such as random crashes and freezes that force them to replay entire levels, including collecting items and defeating enemies again after dying at boss encounters.

    • “It would be very nice if there were no need to walk through the whole level again and collect all of the items and defeat all of the enemies every time I die at the boss or the game randomly crashes or freezes.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it incredibly frustrating to progress.”
    • “I can't believe how often the game freezes; it's ruining the experience for me.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

Buy Crymachina

Videos

Similar Games