Crystal Story: The Hero and the Evil Witch
- May 29, 2020
- lan14n
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Storei The Hero and the Evil Witch An evil witch has stolen the Crystal of Power. It’s up to one brave hero to save the world... by hiring four mercenaries to do the job for him. Play as the members of Mercenary Inc as you explore randomly generated dungeons, battle fierce monsters, befriend a vibrant cast of characters, and collect loot in this 2.5D dungeon crawler/turn-based RPG. Experience class…
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original Crystal Story, with enjoyable turn-based gameplay and customizable controls.
- The updated graphics and character artwork are visually appealing, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the game.
- The game is quick and simple, making it a good option for casual play or for those looking to kill some time.
- The character progression and skill systems feel shallow compared to the original and its sequel, leading to a less engaging experience.
- The game lacks additional challenges and content, such as mini-games and varied dungeons, making it feel repetitive and grindy.
- Technical issues, such as sound settings not saving and a cumbersome menu, detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story33 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 85 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Crystal Story" is a remake of the original game, which some players feel lacks the charm and depth of its sequel, "Crystal Story 2." While the game offers an open-ended quest structure and nostalgic elements for fans, many reviewers express disappointment in its execution, citing issues with character expressions, quest clarity, and overall engagement. Despite these criticisms, dedicated fans still appreciate the game's nostalgic value and hope for future installments in the series.
“Crystal Story is honestly a fabulous game you did an amazing job in developing it, and I am overjoyed to be able to give you a fraction of the joy you have given me. Crystal Story is one of my favorite games; I remember the long hours I spent playing it when I was younger.”
“That being said, this remake of Crystal Story 1 is still fun.”
“This is a remake of the old Crystal Story, and somehow the original is much better.”
“I tried my best to give this game the benefit of the doubt; I did the side quests, I tried to progress quickly and go through the story, I overlooked the first several blunders, but there just really isn't anything salvageable here.”
“It's essentially a remaster of the very first Crystal Story game, rather than a sequel.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have seen notable improvements, particularly in character artwork and battle art style, which users find appealing. However, some reviewers feel that while the visuals are decent, they do not significantly elevate the overall experience compared to previous versions or similar games. Overall, the updated graphics are appreciated, but they are not enough to fully recommend the game.
“The game play is fine, the story is okay, the graphics are decent, and I really like how easy it is to do everything with just the keyboard controls.”
“I loved the updated graphics compared to the previous installments (6 years!), more sounds, a stable battle system, and an appropriate post-game final boss.”
“The art style is very clean.”
“It's improved graphically, but the rest, well, not so much.”
“Hard to recommend when the flash game is a tad better than this, just graphically worse.”
“The graphics are decent, but the overall experience falls short.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively repetitive and tedious, often involving the same dungeons, which detracts from player engagement. While some players appreciate the character customization and find the game enjoyable overall, the grind can feel soul-crushing and demotivating, particularly in the post-game content.
“What I got was characters about as interesting as mildly wet cardboard that were more two-dimensional than their actual 2D sprites, and a game that is so unbelievably grindy and repetitive with the exact same dungeon over and over. It's still an absolute slog even if you do said soul-crushing amount of grinding.”
“I spent about 1 hour grinding and did a small amount of the post-game, but it's just some new boss battles, essentially. I can't work up the motivation to come back and complete the post-game or achievement hunt.”
“Basic but great, can be grindy at times, and a bit samey the way through. It's an indie game and it's great for what it is; the customization of the characters is good too.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is polished and free of bugs, but many players find it lacking in memorable elements, likening it to a poorly executed experiment. However, the developers have been responsive to feedback, implementing updates that have significantly improved the overall quality of the gameplay.
“The gameplay is incredibly polished, with no bugs or issues, making for a smooth experience.”
“The developers responded quickly to criticism, leading to substantial improvements in gameplay quality.”
“The mechanics are engaging and provide a unique experience that keeps players coming back for more.”
“It feels like an experiment that went poorly and was just shipped out, but to give full credit, updates were made in response to criticism very quickly and the quality of the gameplay improved substantially as a result.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a classic turn-based style that resonates well with players, evoking nostalgia and enjoyment as they engage with its mechanics.
“I played this and its sequel when they were still on websites. I'm only a few hours in right now, but so far I'm enjoying the game's classic turn-based atmosphere.”
