Cryptmaster

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,477 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • graphics
Cryptmaster Game Cover
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"Cryptmaster" is a single-player Arcade game with a spectacular story and phenomenal gameplay. Explore mysterious underground kingdoms, interact with unique characters, and use your words to conquer battles in this game with exceptional visuals and a spectacular soundtrack. The endlessly evolving gameplay includes creature collecting, card combat, and bard rap-battles, all with the unique feature of typing or speaking any word to conquer quests. The game features a dense atmosphere and plenty of humor, making it a memorable experience.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,477 reviews
gameplay124 positive mentions
grinding36 negative mentions
  • Unique and innovative gameplay that combines dungeon crawling with word puzzles and riddles.
  • Outstanding voice acting and witty writing that keeps players engaged and entertained.
  • Charming art style and atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • Combat can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a less engaging experience over time.
  • Navigation can be confusing due to the lack of a comprehensive map, making it easy to get lost.
  • Some riddles and puzzles can be overly cryptic or frustrating, potentially hindering progress.
  • gameplay324 mentions

    The gameplay of "Cryptmaster" is characterized by its innovative use of typing mechanics intertwined with dungeon crawling and puzzle-solving elements, creating a unique experience that blends wordplay with combat. Players engage in a variety of challenges, including riddles and word-based interactions, which are complemented by witty dialogue and impressive voice acting. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, and while the core mechanics are engaging, they may not sustain interest for extended play sessions.

    • “The gameplay is fun and unique, and the style really pops for being in black and white, and there are so many details within the game that make it worth exploring and discovering every little secret.”
    • “An incredibly unique gameplay loop (Chrono Trigger meets Typing of the Dead?!) that hooks you right at the start.”
    • “The mechanics of this game are on point.”
    • “The gameplay loop is really repetitive, and the story and characters are not good enough to carry that flaw.”
    • “I loved the concept of the game, but after a couple of hours of gameplay I unfortunately discovered that the novelty of typing gets old extremely quickly, and that the whole 'say anything', 'words control everything' stuff is just a moot selling point that's neither very well designed, nor very true.”
    • “Unfortunately it ended up feeling like a chore to sit down and play - the mechanics are neat but the game never adds ways to optimize out or simplify your engagement as it goes on in order to keep the inherent repetitive nature of the combat loop fresh.”
  • humor262 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, charm, and wit, often drawing comparisons to classic British comedy and dark humor. Players appreciate the engaging dialogue, impressive voice acting, and the amusing interactions with the cryptmaster and other characters, which contribute to a consistently funny experience. While some jokes may be hit or miss, the overall comedic tone enhances the gameplay, making it a standout feature of this unique dungeon crawler.

    • “Very fun game with incredibly witty dialogue that never fails to be funny. The sheer amount of word inputs that were not only accounted for but also come with a funny line of dialogue is incredibly impressive.”
    • “The writing is genuinely funny with great voice acting, and some of the puzzles are fantastic, especially the variation on the old 'two guards' riddle.”
    • “The humor is fantastic and the voice actor for the cryptmaster knocked it out of the park for the dorky DM doing an impression you would find at any D&D session.”
  • graphics137 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their unique black-and-white aesthetic, which combines a gothic style with a charming, humorous tone. Many players appreciate the striking visuals and how they enhance the overall atmosphere, likening them to a high-end webcomic or classic RPG art. However, some critiques mention that the monochromatic palette can lead to a repetitive look and occasional confusion during exploration.

    • “Oh and the designs and visuals are *chef's kiss* amazing!”
    • “A beautifully executed black and white art style that's both stark and charming, a bleak undead cast but also so very funny and endearing.”
    • “The art style is really really cool too, pure black and white, which looked great on my OLED monitor.”
    • “Graphically speaking, the game's...serviceable.”
    • “The black and white visuals do little to redeem this and perhaps even add to the repetitive look of the dungeon.”
    • “Exploration is confusing due to the uniform art style; the map isn't very helpful.”
  • story125 mentions

    The game's story is characterized as engaging and humorous, with a unique blend of witty dialogue and colorful characters that enhance the overall experience. While the narrative is often described as simple and at times lacking depth, it effectively supports the gameplay, which includes puzzles and riddles. Many players appreciate the world-building and character backstories, though some feel the story's pacing and relevance can be inconsistent, with a focus more on gameplay mechanics than a compelling plot.

    • “A truly delightful and challenging game filled with puzzles and riddles that even someone who frequently enjoys will have to ponder, while still allowing progression through the main story should you not be able to solve them.”
    • “The writing is witty and utilizes its dark fantasy setting to be immensely funny and tells a fascinating story about resurrected heroes and their journey to reach the surface at the behest of their undead master.”
    • “The game itself is a sequence of word mini-games and riddles to solve, basically, but what glues that together into a truly wonderful adventure is a masterfully crafted story complimented by one of the best voice acting I've heard in years.”
    • “The story is simple.”
    • “The gameplay loop is really repetitive, and the story and characters are not good enough to carry that flaw.”
    • “The story is... there, but mostly as background.”
  • music96 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its eclectic and engaging soundtrack, which effectively complements the quirky and immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the variety, ranging from laid-back guitar melodies to energetic tracks that enhance gameplay, although some sections have been noted as less favorable. Overall, the combination of high-quality music, excellent voice acting, and unique art style contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music is also surprisingly well done and the game is full of thoughtful incidental experiences on every level.”
    • “The killer music soundtrack, alternately laid back/chill, electric guitar wailing during combat, and mood music in between -- just perfect for this type of game.”
    • “The soundtrack is enchanting.”
    • “The idea is great, but as the game is now, you might as well just play the demo and buy the soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack was mostly fine, but in the first chapter where there are frog babies, the music was insanely irritating to me.”
    • “The loop was too short and the music just sucked to begin with in that section.”
  • atmosphere38 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of humor, eerie visuals, and engaging sound design, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. Reviewers highlight the clever writing and voice acting, which enhance the quirky yet spooky ambiance, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the atmospheric elements, combined with thought-provoking puzzles and a distinctive art style, contribute to a memorable and addictive gameplay experience.

    • “The well-crafted combination of atmosphere and gameplay makes this game a unique experience that I highly recommend.”
    • “A game about the undead with a lot of soul that will have you engulfed in an eerie, intriguing atmosphere, racking your brain on its numerous puzzles and ferreting about for secrets lurking in the shadows.”
    • “The artwork is so striking, and the music and sound effects create the perfect atmosphere as well.”
    • “The art style is simple enough, even monochrome, but it gives a sense of walking through an illustration in some old book, and the sound design usually sets a pretty strong atmosphere.”
    • “Visually, black and white can be a cheap way to establish mood and avoid the work that providing color would offer, but given the undead theme, dark atmosphere of being underground most of the game, and Cthulhian vibe at times, the palette works.”
    • “The spooky atmosphere is complemented with pretty humorous dialogue and interactions.”
  • grinding37 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the initial novelty and charm, many report that it becomes tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages. Unlocking all secrets and abilities often requires excessive grinding, which can detract from the enjoyment of the gameplay. Despite these frustrations, some players appreciate the game's unique mechanics and humor, suggesting that grinding is somewhat optional and manageable if approached in shorter sessions.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “After a few hours, it got really tedious and didn't seem to have more to offer.”
    • “There's a good bit to love about this game, such as the art and the novelty of the combat system, but that is all drowned out by extremely tedious gameplay.”
    • “As for gripes, my biggest one is that the game is very grindy if you're looking to unlock all of the character memories and skills.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many users expressing a desire for more content or activities to engage with after completion. While some acknowledge the experience as worthwhile, the lack of replay value, particularly in a puzzle context, detracts from its appeal, especially for those seeking a more replayable dungeon crawler.

    • “That said, if it was expanded to have a bit more content or replayability, I think it's an experience you won't regret.”
    • “You know how people talk about the replay value of a game?”
    • “If you're looking for a replayable dungeon crawler with captivating mechanics, I'd rather pass on this one.”
    • “While I don't think every game needs to be replayable, I wish the game had a little more to do in it after completion.”
    • “No replay value (it's a puzzle game) coupled with achievements that require replaying the game (at least partially).”
    • “I don't see much replay value here unless I'm missing something.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its seamless integration of typing mechanics, art, and voice performances, which collectively enhance the overall experience. The efficient use of diverse characters and memorable voice acting contributes to a captivating and immersive atmosphere, making the gameplay feel polished and engaging.

    • “Everything from the casting to the performances to the vocabulary used all fit each face flawlessly, and although some see barely a few minutes of screen time, the impressions they leave far outlast them, resulting in a wonderfully memorable, diverse, and altogether mesmerizing cast created and cycled with astounding efficiency.”
    • “The music, art, and voice-over performances combine to create a world wholly weird and endearing.”
    • “I love the typing mechanics for basically every part of gameplay, and I like the campy spooky vibes, especially in the incredible voice performance of the cryptmaster.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional depth, praising its clever humor and touching moments that foster a sense of companionship among characters. The blend of light-hearted jokes and meaningful narrative elements contributes to a unique experience that resonates on both intellectual and emotional levels.

    • “Beautiful, clever, funny, and even a little bit touching.”
    • “I cannot thank the devs enough for their hard work; I was really pleasantly surprised by the light-hearted jokes, the wholesome and touching moments, and the whole companionship this party has.”
    • “What really put this game into my top 5 of this year is the surprising emotional depth and narrative buried in the character lore.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its fun and varied designs, complemented by rich voice acting that adds humor and depth. The art style and character design are highlighted as standout features, enhancing the overall experience with engaging writing and a vibrant aesthetic.

    • “The character designs were really fun and varied.”
    • “I absolutely love the art style and character design.”
    • “The voice acting and character design are both rich and full of humor.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game features appealing graphics and runs well on Proton, but it suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches and bugs that can hinder gameplay. Players have reported frustrating experiences with unclear puzzle mechanics and buggy elements that disrupt the overall experience.

    • “It runs great on Proton, which is always a huge plus, even if it's becoming common.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience throughout.”
    • “I've encountered very few bugs, making for a stable and enjoyable gameplay experience.”
    • “I will say that Cryptmaster isn't perfect – I experienced two buggy chests, the ways that puzzles are presented in the later game without much context can feel daunting, and more than once I found myself walking in circles because I was unclear about how to find something that was needed to continue.”
    • “It's extremely buggy right now.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has raised concerns among users, with some feeling that the advertising may be misleading or deceptive. Players are wary of potential discrepancies between the game's promotional material and the actual experience. Overall, there is a sense of skepticism regarding the game's monetization practices.

    • “The game's monetization system feels exploitative and heavily favors players who are willing to spend money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
7-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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