Eldest Souls

The game's story is generally perceived as sparse and underdeveloped, often taking a backseat to the gameplay, particularly in its boss rush format. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling through environmental design and item descriptions, many find the narrative vague and lacking in depth, with minimal character development and confusing quest mechanics. Overall, the story is seen as a missed opportunity, leaving players craving more context and emotional engagement amidst the challenging combat.

The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style and charming aesthetics, which enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion. Many reviewers highlight the stunning environments and unique boss designs, although some note issues with hitbox accuracy and visual clarity during combat. Overall, while the art style is a standout feature, it is sometimes undermined by gameplay mechanics that can detract from the visual experience.

The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its orchestral quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its effectiveness during boss fights. While some found the soundtrack to be memorable and fitting, others felt it could be generic or repetitive at times. Overall, the combination of music and art contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience, making it a standout feature despite mixed opinions on gameplay.

The game offers significant replayability through features like New Game Plus, arena modes, and diverse skill trees, allowing players to experiment with different builds and strategies. While some reviewers noted that the game's shorter length and focus on boss fights might limit replay value compared to similar titles, many still found the challenging encounters and customization options engaging enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is designed with replayability in mind, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that boss fights are overly long and reliant on memorization rather than skill. The lack of meaningful progression and the punishing difficulty contribute to a sense of monotony, making the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. While some appreciate the challenge, the overall sentiment leans towards the grinding being a tedious slog rather than a rewarding experience.

The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful pixel art, evocative music, and a blend of ancient and apocalyptic themes, creating an immersive backdrop for gameplay. While many players appreciate the intriguing and atmospheric world, some note that the execution can feel empty or restrictive at times. Overall, the atmosphere significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms.

The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, including issues with hitboxes, unresponsive controls, and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as being pushed out of arenas or encountering dark screens. While some players appreciate the challenging gameplay and concept, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish, making it frustrating at times.

Players have mixed feelings about the emotional impact of the game; while some appreciate the minimal storytelling and find moments of deep frustration and triumph, others feel a lack of emotional connection to the bosses and world, comparing it unfavorably to titles like Dark Souls. The challenging gameplay elicits strong reactions, with some moments evoking tears, but overall, many players express disappointment in the emotional depth and narrative context.

Players find the humor in the game largely stems from its absurdities, such as the slow character movement and the comically overwhelming boss mechanics, which lead to laugh-out-loud moments during intense battles. The juxtaposition of serious gameplay with ridiculous elements, like the impracticality of an obsidian sword, adds to the overall comedic experience, making even frustrating encounters enjoyable. Overall, the humor enhances the game's appeal, particularly during boss fights that are both challenging and entertaining.

Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with some players appreciating the art and design of the characters but criticizing the absence of a compelling narrative or character growth. While there are positive remarks about the lore and NPC interactions, many feel that the simplistic storyline and minimal character arcs detract from the overall experience.

Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some players report a lack of polish, others experience smooth performance without issues. The ability to swap boss crystals and classes encourages experimentation, suggesting that optimization can enhance gameplay experience.

The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as challenging, with players noting that the New Game Plus (Ng+) mode increases damage taken and reduces healing, alongside introducing new boss moves, which may lead to a feeling of unfair difficulty rather than a balanced experience.