Delver
- February 1, 2018
- Chad Cuddigan
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Delver" is a single-player, fantasy hack and slash roguelike game with 90s FPS combat and classic RPG mechanics. The procedurally generated dungeons and permadeath system make for tough, yet engaging gameplay, with no grinding to save you. Despite some bugs, the exceptional visuals and music create a dense and immersive atmosphere, offering lots of replayability. Your mission: delve into the shifting dungeons, find the Yithidian orb, and survive.
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Reviews
- Charming pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
- Gameplay is simple yet engaging, with a variety of weapons and items to discover.
- Randomly generated dungeons provide a fresh experience with each playthrough.
- Limited content and enemy variety can lead to repetitive gameplay.
- Permadeath mechanic can be frustrating, especially with cheap deaths from traps.
- Lack of meaningful progression or unlockables between runs diminishes replay value.
- graphics430 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which combines retro aesthetics with modern lighting effects, creating a visually appealing experience reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers. Many reviewers appreciate the game's unique art direction, vibrant colors, and the nostalgic feel it evokes, likening it to beloved titles from the 90s. However, some players note that while the graphics are enjoyable, they can also be simplistic and may lead to occasional visual confusion during gameplay.
“The graphics and art style are gorgeous, and the game has a lot to offer for the small compact game it is.”
“The art style is cute and crisp, and there's plenty of post-processing effects to choose from to alter the vibe of the game to your liking.”
“It's graphics style, although simple, is remarkably beautiful and is a nice change from the endless pursuit of realistic graphics even at the cost of performance that we so often see today.”
“Unfortunately, the game's graphics are so pixelated that even with everything turned all the way up, it is very hard for me to discern between the different objects, making navigation through the passages quite irritating.”
“The graphics, while charming, did little to be immersive or even interesting after just a little bit of playing.”
“The visuals are simple and remind me of Minecraft, but the sprite style is deceptively innocent; colors are vibrant and the lighting is very complimentary to the atmosphere.”
- gameplay356 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Delver is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it easy for players to pick up and enjoy. While many appreciate the charming pixel art and engaging mechanics, some critiques highlight a lack of depth and variety, leading to repetitive experiences after a few hours. Overall, the game offers a solid roguelike experience with enjoyable combat and loot mechanics, but it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay elements.
“It's very easy to pick up, with simple game mechanics, but the execution of how weapons and death work means it never gets repetitive.”
“There are many fun mechanics to play with, the levels of the dungeons are different enough, the loot is diverse and it feels like the game gives you more loot around your specific build.”
“The gameplay is simple but satisfying, combined with its charmingly cozy presentation, making Delver a delightful little dungeon-crawling experience.”
“The gameplay feels very responsive, but the mechanics seem a little simplistic and lack depth.”
“The gameplay can be repetitive, but it also has that 5 minutes or 50 minutes sort of gameplay too.”
“The problem of the game lies in its lackluster and shallow gameplay mechanics.”
- music243 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many players praising its atmospheric and nostalgic qualities, often likening it to classic titles. However, some reviewers noted that the looping nature of the tracks can become repetitive and fatiguing over time, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is generally considered a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the immersive dungeon-crawling atmosphere.
“The music is fantastic.”
“The music is quite simple, but really suits Delver, and I love how it slowly sounds more corrupted as you go down the levels.”
“The music is absolutely fantastic.”
“My only gripe is that the looping music does get a little fatiguing.”
“The music is very limited and loops constantly, so even though it sounds nice at first it gets tiring quickly.”
“Per level there is a loop of what feels around 45 - 60 seconds of music that just feels very very repetitive and out of place for the gameplay and is completely unable to create a good mood for the game.”
- replayability117 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its procedural generation and fun mechanics that encourage repeated play, while others criticize it for becoming repetitive and lacking depth after a few runs. Many agree that while it offers a charming experience and decent replay value, it falls short compared to other roguelikes in terms of content and variety, leading to a sense of diminished replayability over time. Overall, the game has potential for replayability, especially with modding, but currently lacks the robust features that would keep players engaged long-term.
“But what really sets Delver apart is its sheer replayability.”
“The dungeons, items, and potion effects are all randomized, so there is a lot of replayability.”
“Incredibly accessible roguelike with extremely high replay value and gorgeous graphics.”
“This game has almost no replayability whatsoever, is way too easy and unfair at the same time, unbalanced and overall lacking.”
“For a roguelike, I found this game to have very little replay value beyond what you as the player want to accomplish in terms of score, or how many times in a row you can make the run.”
“An interesting and somewhat fascinating first-person dungeon crawler marred by boring and repetitive dungeons and a simplicity that, while it makes the game easier to get into and lowers the price of admission, ultimately makes the replayability of the game low.”
- atmosphere82 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining excellent sound design, captivating visuals, and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create tension and evoke nostalgia through its pixel art and atmospheric environments, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging. Despite some minor flaws, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The sound design is flawless, the movements responsive and smooth, environments are atmospheric, overall playing this game is a treat for the senses.”
“The atmosphere, the lighting, the music, and the art are all spot on.”
“The retro pixel art style is exquisite and the environments and atmosphere add so much more to the experience.”
“It runs great on any computer made this century, I have never had any sort of technical difficulty, 10/10 in every single department except for music and atmosphere, 11/10 music, and 12/10 atmosphere.”
“The combat is pretty simple and there isn't a whole lot of content at the moment, but the atmosphere mostly makes up for it.”
“It gets a tad old with time, but I always ended up crawling back to it for its challenge and raw atmosphere.”
- story74 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered minimal and fragmented, primarily conveyed through NPC interactions and scattered notes, which some players find frustrating to piece together. While there are hints of a larger narrative involving undead and treasure, many reviewers express a desire for a more fleshed-out storyline and additional lore to enhance the experience. Overall, the story serves as a basic framework for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative, leaving players wanting more depth and context.
“All the areas feel unique and have their own bits of story through notes you can find from previous explorers of the dungeon.”
“This combined with the many notes scattered throughout the levels adds a strange bit of lore to the Delver universe and really makes you intrigued to find them all and learn of every little secret and story that the dungeon has to offer.”
“The storyline is just full enough to keep you interested and immersed; very artfully done.”
“The story doesn't really have much depth, but it has a story, and a randomly generated dungeon with simple controls and leveling up... worth the $5 I paid for it, but just barely.”
“Combat is clunky and off, sounds are ear-grinding, and the story is basically non-existent.”
“Honestly, I think it needs multiple dungeons; it's also lacking as far as any form of a storyline goes.”
- stability33 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report a smooth experience with minimal bugs, others encounter significant issues such as freezing, glitches, and controller malfunctions. Many reviews highlight that the game is still in a buggy state, particularly in its early access phase, with frequent crashes and gameplay interruptions. Despite these problems, some users express optimism for future improvements as developers address the reported issues.
“Delver is exactly what I was looking for, a super-rad, first-person, pixel art roguelite that runs great on my (admittedly) not-so-great setup.”
“It runs great on any computer made this century; I have never had any sort of technical difficulty. 10/10 in every single department except for music and atmosphere, 11/10 music, and 12/10 atmosphere.”
“The game freezes at the 'press any key to start' screen.”
“Loaded.... I have never been able to use it since it freezes at loading.”
“Way too buggy (even for early access).”
- grinding23 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in extensive gold-grinding to afford necessary upgrades and potions. While some players find enjoyment in the challenge of combat and exploration, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the clunky mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony over time. Overall, the game is seen as fun in short bursts but can become tiresome with prolonged play due to its grinding elements.
“Getting the orb may be the easy part. No grinding can save you. No two runs are the same. Delver makes a lot of bold claims about its gameplay, fit for memetic mocking of the old 'I've played Dark Souls' clichés.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“But quite soon you start to realize just how tedious the gameplay is and the flaws of the game rise to the surface.”
“There are no chests to open so far, only crates/pots to bash, and bashing them gets tedious real fast.”
“Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the game and the flow of the game, but I feel like it is the most tedious game I have ever played!”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its clever writing, amusing character expressions, and whimsical physics that contribute to a lighthearted experience. However, some reviewers note that the repetitive nature of gameplay can diminish the initial comedic charm over time, suggesting that the lack of unlockables leads to a sense of monotony. Overall, while the game offers a fun and quirky atmosphere, its humor may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.
“If you're looking for a random-gen roguelike dungeon crawler that's more about getting lost and laughing your way through, Delver is your ticket to pixelated mayhem.”
“It's very clever and the notes often have me laughing a bit.”
“Special mention goes to the utterly hilarious, 80-90s anime styled facial expressions the human enemies make when hit.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it features a beautiful art style and generally runs smoothly, players have reported issues such as stuttering, hitbox mismatches, and occasional crashes during extended play. Despite these drawbacks, many users have noted that it performs well even on older hardware, suggesting that further optimization updates could enhance the experience. Overall, while the game has a solid foundation, it still requires attention to its technical issues for a more polished experience.
“The game is meant to be played as a multi-run rogue-lite that rewards not just character level-ups and build optimization, but also encourages players to figure out the rules and learn how to use them to their advantage.”
“Seems like a great game, with excellent performance even in 4K on an 8-year-old Intel graphics laptop.”
“It runs smoothly with very few glitches/bugs, and has a great art style and enemy design with excellent semi-randomized levels.”
“Enemies get stuck inside walls, hitboxes don't match their sprite, weird lighting and geometry, stuttering and hitching despite the game running on a modern system, water extinguishing bombs and burning entities but not lit candles, movement made possible with the inventory screen open but not the map UI, sprite work making it hard to gauge whether you can hit an enemy or not, seeing and going through map bounds, etc.”
“Edit: forgot to mention that the game invariably crashed if I had it open for too long, and there was constant stuttering with my mouse movements.”
“At the very least, it needs some optimization updates.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth in the late game, with players feeling that enhancements to attack or magic become ineffective. However, the charming music and character design contribute positively to the overall experience.
“The music and character design are very charming.”
“For character development, as far as I can tell, in the late game, increasing your attack or magic seems worthless.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that while the emotional impact of loss in the game is significant and heart-wrenching, it does not deter them from continuing to play, indicating a strong connection to the game's narrative and characters.
“But no lost life is so heartbreaking that I could not find it within myself to start another.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users expressing disappointment in the advertising approach, suggesting it could be improved despite recommendations from others.
“The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
“I was disappointed to see that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
“It seems like the game prioritizes profit over player satisfaction, with constant prompts to purchase in-game currency.”
