Cthulhu's Reach: Devil Reef
- April 14, 2024
- The Fine Arc
Get on Steam"Cthulhu's Reach: Devil Reef" is a 1920s-set roguelike game where you, driven by debt and drawn by rumors of hidden treasure, venture to the cursed town of Innsmouth and the treacherous maze of Devil Reef. With up to four player online co-op, explore the labyrinth, battle eldritch horrors, and unlock powerful weapons and upgrades to survive the perilous journey. Isometric action and challenging gameplay await in this Lovecraftian adventure.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is very fun to play with friends and offers a nostalgic old-school vibe reminiscent of classic games.
- The graphics and music are well-received, contributing to an engaging atmosphere that captures the Lovecraftian theme.
- The developers are responsive to feedback and show potential for improvement, making it a promising title in early access.
- The game suffers from bugs, including crashes that can result in losing progress, which can be frustrating for players.
- There is low replayability due to permadeath and a grindy gameplay loop, requiring breaks between matches.
- Controller support is limited, making it unplayable for some users, particularly on platforms like Steam Deck.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a repetitive dungeon exploration loop that is occasionally interrupted by enemy hordes, creating a sense of urgency. However, it suffers from various bugs, including issues with hit detection and item pickups, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game's ambiance and the developers' commitment to improvement are noted as positive aspects.
“Totally worthy, the game feels awesome, gameplay as well and of course the dev dedication to the game.”
“The gameplay loop really suffers when it comes to the actual dungeon exploration - every so often a horde of enemies will spawn, providing a subtle sense of urgency as you explore the stage.”
“The game suffers from many bugs (milestones that don't update, poor pickup mechanics, poor hit detection) that will hopefully be ironed out because the game's ambiance is fantastic.”
“Hammerwatch had a similar mechanic which would, on certain floors, add unique effects (like temporary darkness) which were more threatening or at the very least interesting.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their appealing pixel art style, reminiscent of classic titles from the Diablo and Wolfenstein era, which resonates well with old-school gamers. Reviewers appreciate the captivating visuals, including unique sprite designs and environmental elements like invisible walls, contributing to the overall charm of the game.
“Promising action rogue-like game with really cool music, really dangerous barrels, and awesome pixel graphics.”
“If you are an old school gamer like I am, who was born in the Diablo and Wolfenstein era, then you will love this graphic style.”
“The graphics are captivating, especially the pixel art that adds a unique charm to the game.”
“If you are an old school gamer like I am, who was born in the era of Diablo and Wolfenstein, then you will love this graphic style.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, described as "really cool" and effectively enhancing the overall experience. It complements the action-packed gameplay and pixel graphics, contributing to the game's promising atmosphere.
“Promising action roguelike game with really cool music, really dangerous barrels, and awesome pixel graphics.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its low replayability due to permadeath mechanics and a grindy gameplay experience, which necessitates breaks between matches. Despite this, players find it captivating and appreciate its graphics.
“It seems like a game with low replayability, meaning that after a match there's permadeath and it's quite grindy against the mobs, requiring a break in between matches. Overall, it seems like a captivating game, and I even like the graphics, which have a bit of a sprite feel, along with those invisible walls.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be significant, as it involves repetitive battles against mobs and permadeath, leading to low replayability. This grind can necessitate breaks between matches, although many still appreciate the game's captivating graphics and overall design.
“It seems like a game with low replayability, meaning that after a match there's permadeath and it is quite grindy against the mobs, requiring a break in between matches. Overall, it seems like a captivating game, and I even like the graphics, which have a bit of a sprite feel, along with those invisible walls.”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with multiple users reporting smooth performance.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
