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
- gameplay1,447 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Death Must Die" has been widely praised for its addictive and engaging mechanics, blending elements from popular titles like "Hades," "Vampire Survivors," and "Diablo." Players appreciate the dynamic combat, which includes a dash mechanic and a variety of character builds, allowing for strategic gameplay and replayability. However, some critiques highlight issues with repetitiveness, balance, and a lack of content, suggesting that while the core gameplay loop is enjoyable, it could benefit from further development and refinement.
“Every run feels fresh and rewarding, thanks to its addictive gameplay, meaningful progression, and dynamic upgrades.”
“Death Must Die brilliantly fuses the chaotic fun of bullet heavens like Vampire Survivors with Diablo's deep loot mechanics and Hades-style god upgrades.”
“The gameplay loop is ridiculously satisfying and is an absolute blast.”
“The gameplay itself is nothing captivating or satisfying.”
“The core gameplay loop is very repetitive, even for a bullet heaven game.”
“The actual gameplay is painfully generic unless you're willing to grind.”
- graphics725 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 45 % 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 II and Hades. Reviewers highlight the game's vibrant visuals, detailed character designs, and atmospheric effects that enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some note inconsistencies in the art style, particularly with the character designs of the gods. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's immersive charm, making it visually appealing despite some critiques regarding clarity during chaotic moments.
“The world of 'Death Must Die' is filled with eerie environments and grotesque creatures, all brought to life with stunning visuals and atmospheric effects.”
“The game's captivating art style, satisfying gameplay mechanics, and immersive world make it a must-play for fans of roguelite RPGs and bullet heaven games.”
“The graphics are pixel stylized, so keep that in mind. The art style is beautiful and it feels closer to Diablo 2 compared to Halls of Torment.”
“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 pixel art is great but the gods don't match the pixel art aesthetic at all.”
“The art style is simple and effective, grimness cut with color, and a real sense of mood.”
- story419 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is often compared to "Hades," with many players appreciating its character interactions and humor, though they note it lacks depth and coherence. While some find the narrative engaging and the character backstories intriguing, others criticize the dialogue for being campy or using modern slang, which detracts from immersion. Overall, players express hope for future updates to enhance the story and character development, as the current narrative feels underdeveloped and simplistic.
“The general story is really interesting and I can't wait for the next act to release.”
“Great game, good story, and a good way to waste 2 hours in a blink.”
“The story and character interactions are a nice touch.”
“The story is painfully rushed.”
“The dialogue is jank, the story is jank, the combat is okay but the options for perks seem limited and boring.”
“There is no meaningful storytelling; it is there because 'let's do like in Hades' but without any story, it is an imitation.”
- grinding283 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, which many players find tedious and repetitive, especially after recent updates that have increased the grindiness. While some players appreciate the depth and potential for character progression through grinding for gear and skill points, others feel that the lack of variety and the slow pace of progression detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the grinding aspect is a double-edged sword, appealing to dedicated fans of the genre while alienating those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“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.”
“Grind for many hours to get a 1% damage upgrade; there is just no satisfaction or dopamine hit from farming best-in-slot items here.”
“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.”
“Act 2 made the game a grindy, garbage mess and I uninstalled and haven't looked back.”
- music234 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some describe the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting, others find it repetitive or lacking in variety, suggesting a need for more diverse tracks. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's immersive charm, but there are calls for improvement and expansion in future updates.
“The music kicks nuts, the game is incredibly fun and addictive, but what truly makes it shine is its phenomenal soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack complements the action beautifully, heightening the tension in critical moments and adding depth to the overall experience.”
“With its stunning visuals, dynamic soundtrack, and limitless replayability, this game is hard to put down and easy to get lost in.”
“The music doesn't fit the vibe of the game either, in my opinion.”
“The one thing the game is really lacking is a solid soundtrack, in my opinion.”
“The music is bland and forgettable.”
- replayability207 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game "Death Must Die" is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse character builds, unlockable content, and procedural generation, despite currently having limited stages. Many players find the gameplay addictive and engaging, with the potential for even greater replay value as more content is added in future updates. However, some reviews note that the replayability may diminish once players exhaust the available content and character options.
“The dynamic gameplay, dark atmosphere, and high replayability make it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
“Amazing roguelite, with a crazy number of character unlocks/upgrades and great replayability!”
“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 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.”
“With only 2 levels so far, there's not enough replayability after you've gotten 1 or 2 decent pieces of gear.”
“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.”
- humor168 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its quirky dialogues, funny character interactions, and whimsical references that add charm to the experience. However, some find the humor cringeworthy or juvenile, often feeling out of place or forced, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the game's lighthearted tone and comedic elements resonate well with those who enjoy a blend of dark humor and playful banter.
“Good time killer, funny dialogues and nice voice acting.”
“Hilarious shout outs to dozens of other games.”
“The writing is hilarious and amateur; it doesn't take itself too seriously, but the art is amazing.”
“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.”
“Not sure if it's supposed to be funny.”
“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, the 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.”
- atmosphere65 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Death Must Die" is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by stunning visuals and a blend of eerie environments and grotesque creatures. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke nostalgia through its Y2K aesthetic while maintaining a high-stakes, engaging experience. However, some critiques mention that the character dialogue and soundtrack occasionally detract from the otherwise compelling atmosphere.
“The world of 'Death Must Die' is filled with eerie environments and grotesque creatures, all brought to life with stunning visuals and atmospheric effects.”
“The game's aesthetic pulls players into its world, amplifying the high-stakes atmosphere as you fight to survive against overwhelming odds.”
“The detailed environments are beautifully designed, ranging from eerie dungeons to lush forests, each with its own distinct atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is dark and gritty, but while it looks good, the soundtrack doesn’t do much to stand out.”
“The atmosphere is dark and dank yet the characters talk like 12-year-old kids on social media with emojis.”
“Most of the voice acting is pretty bad, character dialogue is absolutely awful and takes away from the atmosphere.”
- character development49 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive character and god designs that enhance visual appeal and gameplay variety. However, criticisms arise regarding the dialogue and writing, which some find flat and unengaging, detracting from the overall narrative experience. While the character designs are often highlighted as a strong point, the depth of character development and storytelling is seen as lacking, with calls for more engaging dialogue and richer character arcs.
“The character designs are equally impressive, with each hero and enemy designed to stand out.”
“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.”
“The attention to detail in the character designs and environments is commendable, making each moment visually striking.”
“The writing, dialogue, and character design all seem like they're done by a woke person with minimal experience; the voice acting is also quite bland and not very convincing.”
“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.”
- optimization39 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on modern PCs and commend the developers' efforts, there are notable issues, particularly on lower-spec systems and during intense gameplay moments. Some users experience significant frame drops and lag when enemy counts increase, especially on the Steam Deck, indicating that further optimization is needed. Despite these challenges, the game remains enjoyable, with players expressing hope for future improvements.
“The default elements (level, enemy waves, skills, gear) are well implemented, the game runs smoothly and the art/colors blend well everywhere.”
“These devs really know their influences and everything runs smoothly.”
“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.”
“The performance of a normal quality vs master and all the wasted level ups to rank it up... well, that's a real killer when you end up that far behind the damage curve in any build.”
“This game seems made for the handheld, but the performance as you level up and the enemy hordes become larger isn't the best.”
“The game is still rough around the edges, but it has a lot of room for improvement and optimization.”
- stability27 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is commendable for an early access title, with most players reporting a mostly bug-free experience and smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck. While a few minor glitches and issues have been noted, such as occasional screen freezes and minor mechanics quirks, they do not significantly detract from gameplay. Many users express surprise at the game's technical polish given its development by a small team, highlighting it as a solid choice for early access.
“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.”
- emotional14 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 through charming characters like Kront, the orc barbarian, and a friendly skeleton. Players appreciate the balance of tension and strategy, which evokes a sense of achievement and experimentation, while the lighthearted dialogue and engaging art style contribute to an overall delightful atmosphere. However, some players feel that the gameplay mechanics detract from the emotional immersion, suggesting a disconnect between the game's writing and its artistic presentation.
“Kront is the most wholesome orc barbarian character in history, change my mind!”
“If you like the games it so heartfully pulls from, I think you'll truly love this title.”
“The charming and friendly chatty skeleton adds a wholesome touch to the experience, creating a delightful atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more.”
- monetization12 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 skepticism about the game's longevity. Overall, players are open to supporting the game through DLC and inexpensive microtransactions if they enhance the 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.”
“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.”
