Crypterion
- November 17, 2020
- Roencia
- 20h median play time
Crypterion is a single-player Simulation game with an intriguing story. As a Visual Novel / Story Based Adventure, players meet characters, discover powerful artifacts, attend TV shows, and develop relationships. The Tycoon aspect involves exploring planets, buying goods, passengers and stocks, attending auctions, and managing wealth. The game features tons of choices impacting the story and CG artwork for significant moments.
Reviews
- Delightful blend of visual novel and economic simulator with engaging characters and a charming story.
- Beautiful retro-inspired pixel art enhances the nostalgic experience while keeping gameplay fresh and entertaining.
- The humor and character development add depth, making the game enjoyable and memorable despite its simplicity.
- Currently lacks content and depth, leaving players wanting more as it is still in Early Access.
- Gameplay mechanics can be basic and some features, like the auction system, are reportedly bugged.
- Typos and punctuation errors detract from the overall experience, and the single save file system can be frustrating.
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, with praise for its engaging narrative, interesting characters, and beautiful artwork. However, some reviewers noted issues with pacing and incomplete content, particularly regarding the ending and certain gameplay elements that detract from the storytelling experience. Overall, the blend of visual novel and economic simulation is appreciated, but players are eager for further updates to enhance the narrative depth.
“A very interesting mix of visual novel and economic simulator with a good story, interesting characters, and beautiful art for an extremely low price.”
“The real heart of the game is the story.”
“You start out deep in debt and scraping by, and this flavors the story, which is fairly engaging with likable characters.”
“For now I would say I recommend it, though I will have to wait until the final update to be sure as the content when I tried it was still a bit lacking to fully carry the game until the story is finished.”
“It's a male-centered harem story where most of the characters automatically like the protagonist, but that's par for the course with this genre.”
“Right now (Apr 2021) you can get several hours of entertainment out of it before you hit the (currently incomplete) end of the storyline.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of retro-inspired pixel art and engaging mechanics that emphasize trade, negotiation, and strategic decision-making, offering 10-20 hours of playtime depending on the player's style. While straightforward, it features enough variety and depth to maintain player interest, with a gameplay loop that effectively ties into the narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of easy reloading serves as a helpful tool for navigating ambiguous choices and enhancing the overall experience.
“The game combines retro-inspired pixel art with engaging gameplay mechanics, allowing you to build your empire through trade, negotiation, and strategic decisions.”
“While the gameplay is straightforward, it’s packed with enough variety and depth to keep you invested.”
“The best visual novels are those with a gameplay loop that ties into the story, and actions in one realm affect the other.”
“Easy reloading isn't just used to save-scum dialogue choices; it's also a failsafe for when mechanics or ambiguously worded choices have implications the player couldn't have anticipated but was meant to.”
“Cute feel-good story with hilarious characters and decent gameplay.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with witty character interactions and a charming narrative that enhance the overall experience. Players find the comedic elements not only entertaining but also forgiving, as they can enjoy the humor even in moments of failure. Overall, the blend of cute storytelling and hilarious characters contributes to a feel-good atmosphere.
“The humor and charm woven into the narrative and character interactions add a unique flavor, making the experience both entertaining and memorable.”
“Cute feel-good story with hilarious characters and decent gameplay.”
“Oftentimes, the humor was so good that I wasn't even mad when the game 'punished' me for making the wrong choice.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their artistic quality and visual appeal, contributing positively to the overall experience. Users appreciate the artwork and storytelling, although some find the gameplay elements less engaging. Overall, the visuals are a highlight, enhancing the game's charm.
“So far it's a basic trading sim with some very lovely graphics and an interesting storyline.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
“Character models are poorly designed and animations are stiff, making the game visually unappealing.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall immersion.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a fun and wholesome experience, set within a sci-fi context, which resonates positively with players.