Death Must Die
- November 14, 2023
- Realm Archive
- 15h median play time
Get on SteamDeath Must Die is a roguelite RPG where you, as a hero, aim to defeat Death himself. A pantheon of gods will guide you on your quest, granting powerful blessings to aid you in your journey. Explore the Underworld, battle minions and Guardians, discover ancient shrines and creatures, and create unique builds with hundreds of god blessings. Learn why the gods have turned against one of their own and uncover the personal stories of each hero.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- gameplay2,639 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Death Must Die" is a blend of mechanics from popular titles like "Vampire Survivors," "Hades," and "Diablo," creating an engaging and addictive experience. Players appreciate the fast-paced combat, strategic itemization, and the unique dash mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay, although some feel that character variety and run complexity could be improved. While the game is praised for its visuals and overall fun factor, some users express concerns about repetitive gameplay and a lack of content, particularly in its early access state.
“Death Must Die takes significant inspiration from Hades (perhaps a little too much at times) and injects that straight into the Vampire Survivors template, making for a promising and enjoyable gameplay loop.”
“The overall gameplay loop is fun and very engaging, allowing you to sink a hefty number of hours into the game to get your money's worth.”
“The gameplay is fun and addicting - not a lot of commitment either so it's easy to pick up and put down as needed.”
“Disappointingly, the cast of characters feels very samey, especially among the 4 melee characters whose moment-to-moment gameplay feels identical.”
“In the end, what character you play, what gods you roll, and what upgrades you choose from among them hardly impacts the moment-to-moment gameplay and thus the run variety.”
“Act 2 completely ruined the game for me, completely revamping game mechanics, making it extremely grindy. Each character has a separate skill tree which you need to farm separately for skill points, not fun, avoid.”
- graphics1,288 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Death Must Die" have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, which effectively combines elements reminiscent of classic games like Diablo and Hades. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, smooth animations, and the overall aesthetic that enhances the dark fantasy theme, although some critiques mention inconsistencies in character artwork and visibility issues during intense gameplay. Overall, the game's visuals contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.
“The graphics are great, music is pretty good, and the gameplay is addictive.”
“The visuals are beautifully crafted, immersing you in a world that feels both dark and enchanting.”
“The art style is beautiful and it feels closer to Diablo 2 compared to Halls of Torment.”
“I just wish the graphics didn't look so muddy.”
“The graphics are horrible, I had to try turning off the AMD GPU scaling because I thought it was screwing up the graphics and colors, but no, that's just how it looks.”
“The artwork feels out of sync with the overall art style of the game.”
- story743 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is currently seen as underdeveloped, with many players noting its lack of depth and coherence compared to titles like Hades. While there are elements of character interactions and lore, the dialogue often feels disjointed and relies on modern slang, which detracts from immersion. However, players express optimism for future updates that could enhance the narrative and character development, as the gameplay itself is engaging and enjoyable.
“The plot line is amazing so far, all the different gods have unique amazing personalities and designs with fun lore!”
“The story is being dropped in little hints here and there which is fun without being too forceful.”
“I love the elements from Hades it has with a story being told over the course of your runs and deaths, plus your abilities and upgrades being doled out from various gods that are appearing to help you in your ultimate goal of killing death.”
“The game is a bit lacking still in terms of story, but it is updated consistently.”
“Also, the 'story' narrative is virtually non-existent here; I hope it is just an early-access thing and will be significantly improved.”
“My main issue is with the writing - I'd rather there be no lore at all, because currently the character dialogues and storytelling makes you cringe right away.”
- grinding511 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's grinding mechanics are a significant point of contention among players. Many find the character progression and gear farming excessively tedious, especially following updates that have increased the grind and diminished the enjoyment of gameplay. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge that grinding offers, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to a repetitive and frustrating loop that can overshadow the fun aspects of the game.
“These pieces start to offer huge boosts, to the point where you aren't farming enemy kills per match, you're just running from shrine to shrine trying to get decent buffs.”
“New items, achievements, and skills are acquired every third game or so for me, which is refreshing and not too grindy.”
“Act 2 completely ruined the game for me, completely revamping game mechanics, making it extremely grindy. Each character has a separate skill tree which you need to farm separately for skill points; not fun, avoid.”
“It has potential, but in its current state, it is far too grindy with not enough variety to make each run feel interesting.”
“The actual problem with this game is the horrific grinding required for progression.”
- music426 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its ability to complement the gameplay and enhance the atmosphere, while others find it repetitive or lacking in variety. Some users highlight standout tracks that elevate the experience, but there are calls for more diverse and engaging music options to prevent monotony during longer play sessions. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, there is a consensus that improvements could be made to enhance the game's audio experience further.
“The art style and soundtrack perfectly complement the game’s grim setting, making each playthrough both daunting and exciting.”
“The soundtrack complements the action beautifully, heightening the tension in critical moments and adding depth to the overall experience.”
“Hades and vampire survivor love child, awesome soundtrack and awesome, addicting gameplay.”
“The music isn't anything particularly special but it's good enough background noise while you are focused on the game.”
“The music doesn't fit the vibe of the game either, in my opinion.”
“My only issue with the game so far is that the music feels bland and boring.”
- replayability355 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the variety of builds, character classes, and itemization as key factors that enhance the experience. However, some reviewers note that the current limited content, with only a few levels available, can diminish replay value over time. Overall, while the game shows potential for high replayability, especially with future updates, some players feel it currently lacks the depth found in similar titles.
“This game has a surprising amount of depth and replayability that the screenshots don't do justice.”
“With its procedurally generated levels, a vast array of unlockable content, and multiple character classes to choose from, the game offers countless hours of replay value.”
“The replayability is off the charts and for the current price the game is a steal.”
“With only 2 levels so far, there's not enough replayability after you've gotten 1 or 2 decent pieces of gear.”
“The entire point of a survivor genre is replayability and build flexibility, and Death Must Die manages to lack in both of them, while also making the entire game dependent on RNG and being extremely grindy and repetitive after not even 10 hours.”
“There isn't enough systems in place for this game to have any sort of replayability at the moment, and the grind to beat the content that's currently there is really lackluster.”
- humor291 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the charming character dialogues, quirky item descriptions, and occasional funny quips that add personality to the experience. However, some find the humor to be cringeworthy or juvenile, often likening it to "edgelord" attempts at comedy that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the game's lighthearted tone and comedic elements are generally seen as a highlight, contributing to its charm and replayability.
“Not to mention the just delightful humor featured in just the right amounts.”
“Haven't regretted this purchase and I highly recommend it for the character conversations and the humor in the game.”
“The writers of the dialogue clearly had a sense of humor, and the various quips and one-liners lighten up extended play sessions.”
“You put so much effort into emulating a mix of the dark fantasy styles of Diablo, Dark Souls, and Hades, and then you ruin it with puns and terrible, forced, unfunny 'quirky and random' millennial writing.”
“I get that it's still in early access, and it's a good game, but man there are some unreasonable difficulty spikes. There is also a great variety of upgrades, but they somehow feel very repetitive very quickly. Last but not least, dialogues can be very cringy, and I guess it's supposed to be funny, but it really takes you out of the game when a character ends a sentence with ':3' or some other form of that.”
“Not sure if it's supposed to be funny.”
- atmosphere102 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by beautiful pixel art and a moody soundtrack that evokes feelings of despair and seriousness. While many players appreciate the blend of humor and charm, some criticize the dialogue for detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and engagement.
“With challenging combat mechanics, eerie atmosphere, and a unique blend of roguelike elements, it offers a rewarding experience for players who enjoy dark, immersive worlds.”
“The detailed environments are beautifully designed, ranging from eerie dungeons to lush forests, each with its own distinct atmosphere.”
“Incredibly addicting, cool atmosphere, likeable characters, fully voiced lines, wonderful pixel art, top notch music, and an actual interesting story, this game is really fun, and I highly recommend it if you like roguelike games.”
“Their anime character designs don't fit the comparatively masterful pixel art of everything else, and are far too horny for the current atmosphere the game sets up.”
“The atmosphere is dark and dank yet the characters talk like 12-year-old kids on social media with emojis.”
“I'm sure this dialogue was written to get this game on the front page of Reddit, but it just completely destroys the atmosphere of the game.”
- character development82 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the unique and visually appealing character designs, particularly for the gods, which enhance the gameplay experience. However, several reviewers noted a lack of depth in character development for player characters, with minimal initial growth and some dialogue described as cringe-worthy. Overall, while the art and design are commendable, there is a call for more substantial narrative and character progression to fully engage players.
“Character design is appealing as well, with each god having an excellent visual flair and some solid voice work on top, with their powers giving a clear design space that is evocative and interesting: winter slows enemies and freezes them, with a side order of burst damage based on status, while summer is all about damage over time, for example.”
“Can't wait for more maps, gameplay is epic, lore is epic, character development epic.”
“The attention to detail in the character designs and environments is commendable, making each moment visually striking.”
“If you're going for a story and character development, that really needs to start right away or you're just not invested in the character, or the story.”
“The character designs and text in this game completely ruin the experience for me.”
“With how minimal the character development is for the player characters initially, it's contrasted by the NPCs and how vibrant their personalities are in the brief instances they interact with the player.”
- optimization70 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on high-end systems, issues arise during intense gameplay, particularly on lower-spec devices and the Steam Deck, where frame rates can drop significantly. Players appreciate the developers' efforts and the game's potential, but they also note that further optimization is needed, especially regarding enemy density and loading times. As it is still in early access, many are hopeful for improvements in future updates.
“The default elements (level, enemy waves, skills, gear) are well implemented, the game runs smoothly and the art/colors blend well everywhere.”
“Due to its reasonably challenging difficulty, improvements in your performance come with an incredible sense of satisfaction and a reward in drops to help push your characters further.”
“Fantastic performance on Steam Deck from what I've played so far: 60 fps for 99% of the game, dropping to 45-48 fps on encountering the swarm of slime enemies.”
“This game seems made for the handheld, but the performance as you level up and the enemy hordes become larger isn't the best.”
“It lags quite a bit at 15+ minutes due to enemy spam; reducing graphics & display does not help. I would like to see an option to reduce animation frames by half or remove damage popups to boost performance.”
“The loading time is on the long side and needs to be optimized.”
- stability54 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is commendable for an early access title, with many users reporting a mostly bug-free experience and smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck. While a few minor glitches and crashes have been noted, they are not frequent enough to detract significantly from gameplay. Players appreciate the solid mechanics and visuals, considering the game well-polished for its stage of development.
“The fact that it's developed by a 5-person no-name team and yet mechanically and visually top-notch, let alone almost bug-free, is mind-blowing.”
“I didn't experience any technical issues either; it was buttery smooth and bug-free!”
“So far, it has been a fun and surprisingly bug-free experience.”
“I've also had it happen a few times where my game freezes and I've crashed to desktop and lost the whole run's progress without even getting the loot I got from it.”
“Aside from the meager meta-progression, the game has some issues (low inventory space, low stash space, buggy dodge mechanics, janky movement/attack mechanics) that should be easily fixable.”
“You're not having fun until your screen glitches out from too many abilities.”
- emotional27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of wholesome humor and heartfelt moments, particularly highlighted by the charming character of Kront, the orc barbarian. Players appreciate the positive tension created by strategic gameplay, which evokes feelings of both empowerment and vulnerability. However, some feel that the writing lacks the same depth as the art, detracting from the overall immersion.
“Kront is the most wholesome orc barbarian character in history, change my mind!”
“Getting all achievements almost made me want to cry... would recommend.”
“The charming and friendly chatty skeleton adds a wholesome touch to the experience, creating a delightful atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more.”
- monetization24 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with many players appreciating the absence of intrusive microtransactions and the affordable price point. However, some users express concerns about potential cash grab elements and a lack of developer communication, leading to speculation about the game's longevity. Overall, players are open to supporting the game through DLC and inexpensive microtransactions if it enhances their experience.
“For a game this affordable, I would definitely pay for DLC with new characters and a change of scenery, as well as inexpensive microtransactions to support this game while keeping me hooked.”
“A less complicated Diablo, without the microtransactions.”
“Some are excellent, some are just okay; one or two feel like cash grabs.”
“Diablo 4 without the ridiculous price tag and disrespectful microtransactions.”
“But there is, and has been so little communication/activity from the developers; I'm starting to think it was a cash grab and is now more than likely dead.”
