Devil Daggers

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,338 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Devil Daggers Game Cover
Devil Daggers is the demon spawn of 90’s dark first person shooter Hexen, reborn as an arena shooter. A simple, intense game that will either turn you away or – drag you in.
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"Devil Daggers" is a single-player horror shooter game with compelling gameplay, awesome visuals, and fantastic music. Armed with versatile magic daggers, players face endless legions of demons and harvest crystals to increase their power in an abyssal arena. The game features fluid movement, advanced techniques, 13 horrifying enemies, leaderboard rankings, and a custom-built engine with 90's-style rendering. The lackluster story and grinding aspects are overshadowed by the fast-paced and hilarious dense atmosphere, making it highly replayable.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,338 reviews
gameplay226 positive mentions
story26 negative mentions
  • gameplay611 mentions

    The gameplay of "Devil Daggers" is characterized by its fast-paced, chaotic, and highly addictive mechanics that draw inspiration from classic 90s first-person shooters. Players engage in a simple yet challenging loop of shooting enemies while mastering movement techniques, with a steep learning curve that rewards skill and precision. The game emphasizes a minimalist design, focusing on pure gameplay without unnecessary distractions, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy competitive high-score chasing and intense action.

    • “The gameplay loop is singularly unique and addictive, leaving you to chase the same kind of power-high that something like a roguelite may entice you with, but dependent entirely on your skill and understanding of the deeper framework of the game without the element of luck on top.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, movement-based, and intensely satisfying.”
    • “Devil Daggers merges a truly horrifying atmosphere with gorgeous visual design, phenomenal sound, and gameplay that quake fiends will find familiar.”
    • “Some mechanics aren't explained, like how there's an alt-fire and upgrade system.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, 'Devil Daggers' is pure, unadulterated chaos.”
    • “If the repetitiveness of the gameplay is not an issue for you and you want to test your skills, I'd recommend buying this game.”
  • graphics534 mentions

    The graphics of "Devil Daggers" are intentionally retro, drawing heavily from 90s first-person shooters like Quake and Doom, featuring a low-poly aesthetic that evokes nostalgia while creating a dark, atmospheric experience. While some players appreciate the simplicity and charm of the visuals, others find them outdated and unappealing, leading to mixed opinions on their overall impact on gameplay. The game's art style, sound design, and fluid mechanics are often praised, suggesting that the graphics serve to enhance the game's unique, hellish ambiance rather than detract from it.

    • “The graphics are spooky and appealing with their sort of PS1 aesthetic, but the real star of the game is its fantastic sound design.”
    • “The art style of this game is absolutely phenomenal.”
    • “The graphics and sound do well to build the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are worse than MS-DOS Doom, which leads to severe eye-sore after playing more than 5 minutes, which is probably around the same time it took to make this arena and enemies.”
    • “You run around a flat open floor, monsters are randomly spawned, there is 1 weapon, the graphics look 30 years old, and everything is brown.”
    • “The graphics look kind of shitty, the premise doesn't sound too fun, and all the screenshots look basically the same.”
  • music144 mentions

    The game's music aspect is characterized by a notable absence of in-game music, with most players appreciating the atmospheric sound design that enhances the gameplay experience. While the main menu features a dark and gritty soundtrack, many recommend playing with personal music playlists, particularly heavy metal or classic game soundtracks, to complement the intense action. Overall, the sound effects and ambient noises create a unique auditory landscape that some find more engaging than traditional music would be.

    • “I leave the main menu music on in the background sometimes to focus; it gives a very nice atmosphere and primes me to focus, because that's what the game is all about.”
    • “The music and sounds cover all of your surroundings; the game, through its sound design, wants to show you that in order to survive, you need to always be aware, while at the same time transporting you to a very dark area, where you can barely see the arena's limits.”
    • “The sound design is phenomenal, but I feel like it needed some kick-ass music, and I recommend using the Quake II soundtrack as a perfect supplement to this game's rough, spartan, and devilish design.”
    • “No music except for the main menu screen, and it's metal af.”
    • “The only gripes I had with this game were there was not really any noticeable music (I turned the Doom (2016) soundtrack on, works pretty well.) and I wish I could bind the auto fire to another key, as there are moments I go to do a shotgun blast but end up tossing a pellet at an enemy (ended a few runs that way).”
    • “There is no music, which I initially found odd but the inclusion of background sound would distract from being able to hear approaching enemies, so I feel that was a good tradeoff.”
  • atmosphere112 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its haunting, hellish quality, effectively combining minimalist visuals and exceptional sound design to create an immersive and intense experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic nod to classic shooters like Doom and Quake, with many noting that the dark, oppressive environment enhances the gameplay's challenge and adrenaline rush. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and addictive, drawing players into its nightmarish world.

    • “Despite its simplicity, the game's visuals create a nightmarish atmosphere that is both unsettling and captivating.”
    • “The atmosphere is built up pretty well, and if you're into this sort of style it'll draw you in and won't let you go.”
    • “Devil Daggers merges a truly horrifying atmosphere with gorgeous visual design, phenomenal sound, and gameplay that Quake fiends will find familiar.”
    • “The overall atmosphere feels exactly as hellish as a game that took me 58 hours to beat 500 seconds sounds like, even if there is no music.”
    • “With Devil Daggers, there are simply no environments, no enemy weight, no gravitas, no tone, and no atmosphere.”
    • “Outside of the art style and atmosphere, I don't get the appeal.”
  • story86 mentions

    The consensus among users is that "Devil Daggers" lacks a traditional story, focusing instead on pure gameplay mechanics and survival against relentless enemies. While some players appreciate the absence of narrative as it emphasizes the game's challenge, others express a desire for a more developed storyline or campaign mode. Overall, the game is characterized by its minimalist approach, prioritizing gameplay over narrative depth.

    • “It tells a story of determination, fear, and self-loathing as it resembles life, how failing constantly can make you better over time by approaching things slightly differently.”
    • “It's worth it for the story alone.”
    • “Deep, immersive storyline.”
    • “This game has no story at all that I know of.”
    • “There is no narrative or story of any kind.”
    • “There's zero story or context, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, here there isn't even a feeling of progression.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay that encourages repeated attempts to improve scores. While some reviews note a lack of depth and content, the addictive nature of the mechanics and the challenge presented keep players returning for more. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience for those who appreciate skill-based gameplay and leaderboard competition.

    • “Great style, amazing sound, smooth movement, infinite replay value.”
    • “This is great for replay value, as no two runs are quite the same.”
    • “What amazes me the most is the replayability: the game is never different, however, you probably won't even live long enough to see everything it has to offer, which only makes you want to throw more daggers at 'devils' in order to improve your high score and progress!”
    • “Its replay value is that of clicking a pen over and over, and by that I mean it's fun and never gets old haha.”
    • “The game is okay, but the replayability is low.”
    • “It has some positives, but is extremely unbalanced, and has no replay value.”
  • grinding42 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it satisfying and rewarding, especially when aiming for high scores and mastering gameplay mechanics, others view it as tedious and frustrating, particularly in the early stages. The game encourages skill development through repeated play, but many feel that the grind can become overwhelming and detracts from overall enjoyment, especially for casual gamers. Ultimately, it appeals to those who thrive on challenge and leaderboard competition, but may alienate players seeking a more casual experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Don’t buy if you’re a casual game enthusiast, as this isn’t for people who don’t like grinding out a new skill.”
    • “But frankly, the repetitive, grindy gameplay and lack of any sort of progression feels highly unrewarding.”
    • “The game does some work to help this issue by layering new gameplay and enemies as you progress into a run; however, if you aren't focused on improving your score from the beginning, you won't see this as the point where this begins to occur, which requires at least an hour of grinding to reach.”
  • humor36 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and dark comedic elements, particularly through the recurring motif of laughing skulls that both mock and challenge players. Many reviewers find the humor to be a blend of clever and chaotic, with references to existential themes and a playful take on the game's difficulty. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gameplay experience, despite some inconsistencies in execution.

    • “As someone who is generally against achievements, I find this one hilarious, especially considering how little people have actually attained it.”
    • “Try to get off Mr. Bones' wild ride, in this hilarious new adventure.”
    • “If there is a god, or a devil, then they have a most twisted sense of humor.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    Overall, the game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, boasting impressive performance metrics such as 5.4k fps and smooth gameplay on a variety of systems. Players appreciate the tight controls and the ability to analyze and improve their performance, although some note occasional performance issues. The custom engine used for the game contributes to its well-optimized experience, setting it apart from many contemporary titles built on more common engines like Unity or Unreal.

    • “Wonderful if you are a fan of optimization and chaotic surroundings.”
    • “This game also has very good performance and can play on pretty much any PC/laptop.”
    • “Well optimized, running on a custom engine instead of a hackjob Unity game.”
    • “Crazy how such a mechanically simple game being available for so long can be analyzed by players and optimized with several different strategies.”
    • “Furthermore, the game's performance is rather iffy at times.”
    • “Exe to high performance.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, eliciting strong feelings of frustration, accomplishment, and even tears from players. Many describe it as a blend of wholesome yet challenging experiences that evoke deep emotional responses, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on a personal level despite its minimalistic content. Overall, it is seen as a triumph in evoking targeted emotional reactions, making players feel both mentally and physically engaged.

    • “This game makes me want to cry.”
    • “This game hurts me mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
    • “Seeing even a tiny bit of progress towards the achievement (and past it) is emotionally rewarding.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The game's monetization model is praised for its absence of loot boxes, DLC, and microtransactions, creating a straightforward experience reminiscent of classic titles like Doom. Players appreciate the lack of ads and in-game purchases, which contributes to a more authentic gameplay experience. However, some users humorously suggest that the game could benefit from microtransactions, highlighting the contrast with typical mobile game monetization practices.

    • “No loot, no DLC, no in-app purchases, no padding.”
    • “It kinda plays like a mobile game, only without the ads, microtransactions, or rigged failures.”
    • “Hoping maybe this guy stops the cash grabs or whatever, it's really shady and not professional. It's just not worth paying this guy or helping him.”
    • “No microtransactions or tomfoolery within sight.”
    • “They really need to add microtransactions to this game!”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, users report a stable experience with minimal glitches or bugs in the game, although there are occasional issues with the system during transactions. Most players find the game runs smoothly without significant problems.

    • “Little to no glitches or bugs.”
    • “No problems with the game; it runs great.”
    • “I asked the cashier to take a few items off, but the system was being buggy and they said they had to run me through again.”
    • “Bugs or glitches?”
    • “Haven’t you ever noticed after people have some of my barbeque sauce, after a while when it kicks in they get all huggy-buggy.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is a crucial aspect of gaming that significantly impacts the overall experience, with many players emphasizing its importance for engaging storytelling. Poor character development can detract from a game's quality, particularly in the AAA market, where expectations for narrative depth are high.

    • “A game can be great or terrible for a number of reasons; recently we've seen examples of games failing in the AAA market due to horrible stories, bad character development, etc.”
    • “I am well aware that I enjoy my games mostly for the storyline and character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

Buy Devil Daggers

Play time

17hMedian play time
38hAverage play time
5-55hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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