Crystal Rift

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 91 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Crystal Rift Game Cover
A really bad experience that should be left in the Dungeon from once it came.
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"Crystal Rift" is a first-person dungeon crawler game that features grid-based movement and puzzles. Players explore a series of mysterious, ancient ruins filled with traps, secrets, and challenges. With its emphasis on problem-solving and exploration, the game offers a unique and immersive experience for fans of the genre. However, some players may find the graphics and gameplay dated.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 91 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Crystal Rift has brought a father and son closer together, creating memorable experiences and quality time spent together.
  • The game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers, with engaging puzzles and a unique atmosphere.
  • The graphics and sound design are well-executed, enhancing the immersive experience, especially in VR.
  • The game suffers from poor controls and movement mechanics, leading to frustration and motion sickness for some players.
  • There are significant bugs and design flaws, such as a one-hit kill mechanic and limited save points, which can hinder progress.
  • The lack of RPG elements, such as character leveling and inventory management, makes the gameplay feel shallow and repetitive.
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its old-school first-person grid-based dungeon crawling style, but it suffers from a lack of tutorials and frustrating mechanics, such as a one-hit kill system and cumbersome object interactions. While there is a variety of enemies and challenges that keep the experience somewhat engaging, the combat is generally deemed unsatisfying and the controls can induce nausea. Overall, the game feels more like an early prototype in need of significant refinement, despite some fun moments and nostalgic elements.

    • “Cool old-school-style first-person grid-based dungeon crawler, with simple non-RPG gameplay.”
    • “+ each level seems to add completely new enemies, challenges, and mechanics to the game that really made me excited as to what I'd find next.”
    • “Immersion is excellent, overall gameplay/fighting is reminiscent of an old 2D dungeon crawler.”
    • “There's no tutorial during gameplay.”
    • “The combat was lacking, the game mechanics interacting with objects was a hassle, and it just wasn't interesting.”
    • “Combat is not fun or satisfying, which is surprising since it is the game's only mechanic.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the attention to detail and HD visuals that enhance the classic dungeon crawler experience. While some players appreciate the polished and optimized graphics, others criticize the outdated design and interface issues, suggesting that the visuals alone cannot compensate for gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the graphics are generally regarded as a strong point, but they are not without their flaws.

    • “The one place where this game truly shines is the graphics and the attention to detail to the classic genre.”
    • “It's like the old classic dungeon crawlers you remember, only with improved, gorgeous HD graphics.”
    • “Fun gameplay that builds up over time, and beautifully optimized graphics.”
    • “The interface is horribly slow and the graphics are worse.”
    • “Was clever when it was the only real game for the Oculus, but now it really needs an update and is almost impossible to play due to the poor graphics.”
    • “Graphically, the game is okay if you can put up with the limitations.”
  • story11 mentions

    The game's story is described as a mix of engaging lore and amateurish elements, with players finding the written notes from past inhabitants particularly intriguing. While some players may not prioritize the narrative, the breadcrumb storytelling and the anticipation for future acts suggest a compelling experience for those who enjoy piecing together the plot. Overall, the story is seen as an enjoyable aspect that enhances the gameplay.

    • “Tells a great background story and in some ways reminiscent of the old style games like Dungeon Master.”
    • “I look forward to the future acts and to see more of the interesting story I have started to piece together.”
    • “- The story is rather amateurish and silly.”
    • “Currently, only Act 1 of 3 is available to play through in the story.”
    • “The lore or story that you find written on paper from 'staff' or workers who once inhabited these dungeons is very interesting and well written.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive graphics, effective music, and a strong sense of creepiness, creating a claustrophobic and eerie environment. Players appreciate the well-placed entities that enhance the feeling of isolation and tension, contributing to a compelling atmospheric experience. Overall, while some users note the need for minor improvements, the atmosphere remains a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game is quite atmospheric and it can get a bit spoopy at times, so I give it that.”
    • “Overall it is a nice experience that creates a good sense of creepiness and a great atmosphere.”
    • “They will stalk you through the game and are well-placed to really give the atmosphere of you being alone, and having an unknown number of entities watching your every move.”
    • “It feels very claustrophobic which only adds to the eerie atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Love the graphics, love the atmosphere, love the music - but it needs a little TLC.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with players praising its quality, atmosphere, and ability to enhance the gaming experience. While many find the soundtracks to be epic and relaxing, some note that transitions between tracks can be abrupt. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance and enjoyment.

    • “As soon as I entered the game, I liked its music as it is well played and quite relaxing.”
    • “The music is good and the atmosphere is well set.”
    • “I really, really enjoy the music and reading the quirky notes while solving puzzles.”
    • “Love the graphics, love the atmosphere, love the music - but it needs a little TLC.”
    • “Music has hard cuts from room to room.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, particularly for Oculus Rift users, offering enjoyable gameplay that gradually enhances and features beautifully optimized graphics.

    • “This game feels like it is more optimized for someone who owns an Oculus Rift (which I think it is).”
    • “Fun gameplay that builds up over time, and beautifully optimized graphics.”
    • “This game feels like it is more optimized for someone who owns an Oculus Rift, which I think it is.”
    • “The performance issues make it clear that the game wasn't optimized for a wider range of hardware.”
    • “I constantly experience frame drops, indicating that the optimization is lacking for mid-range systems.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users report significant stability issues, including unresponsive controls, frequent menu glitches that hinder gameplay, and a mismatch between on-screen indicators and input devices. While the graphics are praised, the gameplay experience is negatively impacted by these technical problems.

    • “The graphics are amazing, don't get me wrong, but the controls feel unresponsive. My character dies with one hit, but I need to kill enemies with two or more hits. Realism isn't everything; I still want to feel like I'm playing a game. Additionally, the on-screen indicators are designed for a controller, not a keyboard, and the menu glitches often, preventing me from resuming the game.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience. I find myself losing progress due to these stability issues, which is incredibly frustrating.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my gameplay. The frame rate drops and random freezes make it hard to stay immersed in the game.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is polarizing; while some players find it difficult to engage with due to its intense themes, others may appreciate the depth it offers.

    • “I can't say I liked the way it made me feel, but I know there are others out there with stronger stomachs who can handle it.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, characterized by monotonous dungeon crawls, uninspired puzzles, and lackluster combat.

    • “It is a tedious dungeon crawl with boring hopping puzzles, boring combat, and generally just sort of dull.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

25% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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