Endhall
- November 6, 2018
- Heartbeast
"Endhall is a single-player, turn-based roguelike game built with the Godot engine. As an artificial intelligence, navigate through a challenging hallway by utilizing tactical actions and strategic planning to defeat enemies. With its position-based mechanics and ingenious soundtrack, Endhall offers depth and enjoyment for fans of small, tactical games."
Reviews
- Endhall offers engaging turn-based gameplay with strategic depth, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are well-crafted, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- For its low price, the game provides a satisfying experience that can be completed in a single sitting, making it a good option for casual play.
- The game is very short, typically taking less than two hours to complete, which limits its replayability and overall value.
- There is a lack of content, including limited enemy types and abilities, which can lead to a repetitive experience after a few runs.
- Some mechanics and UI elements can be unclear, making it difficult for players to fully understand the game's systems.
- gameplay30 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring engaging mechanics that are easy to grasp yet offer strategic depth, particularly in the turn-based format. However, many players note the game's short length and low replay value, expressing a desire for additional content such as longer campaigns, new mechanics, and unlockables to enhance the experience. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable and supported by appealing graphics and music, it lacks sufficient incentives for repeated playthroughs.
“Refreshing puzzle game with interesting mechanics.”
“Endhall is a fun ride while it lasts, with fun, modular, turn-based gameplay that requires a good amount of strategy.”
“The gameplay loop is challenging yet rewarding to the point that it makes you feel good when you chain together some moves and attacks that clear the board, the music is soothing, catchy and reminiscent of FTL, and the art is really cute.”
“My only complaints are that some of the UI elements and game mechanics were a little opaque, and the game is very, very short.”
“However, without any added incentives to replay the game, such as unlockables and new mechanics, consecutive runs lose their charm after having beaten the game a handful of times.”
“It has turn-based gameplay, permadeath, and new abilities that you can gain after each level, but you should not confuse it with an actual RPG.”
- music26 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, often compared to the works of Disasterpeace, while also maintaining an original feel. Players appreciate the atmospheric chiptune-inspired soundtrack that complements the pixel art and enhances the overall gameplay experience, although some express a desire for more variety and additional tracks. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that adds significant value to the game.
“The pixel art is very appealing, and I really love the music, which has heavy Disasterpeace vibes but still feels very original!”
“The music in this game is perfectly relaxing; you will almost forget that you must kill robots to survive!”
“The gameplay loop is challenging yet rewarding, making you feel good when you chain together moves and attacks that clear the board. The music is soothing, catchy, and reminiscent of FTL, and the art is really cute.”
“Given the length of the average run, it's vital that the music doesn't grate on the player.”
“The music suits the game for what it is, and I found myself humming some of the main melodies even while not playing.”
“However, I was really enjoying its aesthetic, including a pretty decent soundtrack.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find enjoyment in random level generation and multiple character options that enhance replay value, many others criticize it for being too short and lacking sufficient content to warrant multiple playthroughs. The consensus suggests that while the game can be fun for a brief period, its low difficulty and limited variety ultimately diminish its long-term replayability.
“It's short, but also very replayable; I keep coming back to it to play through all the levels yet one more time.”
“Fun game for a few hours; random level generation makes it pretty replayable.”
“I would recommend this game at the current price point, since it is quite enjoyable and has some replayability value (although more content would definitely not hurt).”
“Works well from a gameplay perspective, even though the replay value is low once you have completed the game the first time.”
“The main draw, as others mention, is that there's relatively little replay value.”
“It may be pretty fun the first time through but the replayability, low difficulty, and lack of content makes this game a bit of a waste of money.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their charming retro 16-bit style, which effectively complements the overall atmosphere and sound design. Players appreciate the clean and enjoyable 2D visuals, noting that the aesthetic is a significant draw, although some desire more variety in content to enhance replayability. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of classic gaming.
“The overall atmosphere, graphics, story, and sound design are really well put together, leading me to grow surprisingly attached to what is essentially a very bare-bones protagonist.”
“The 2D graphics are really nice and enjoyable to see move on screen.”
“Graphically, Endhall is a throwback to the retro 16-bit era.”
“It's probably not that hard to change the aesthetic and add a few more worlds to the game (since they already have the mechanics down), so I definitely want to see more content in order to justify $5.”
“The clean graphics and retro-synth soundtrack convinced me to play through one more time after that first victory, but there's not enough variety in the learned abilities to keep me coming back for many more runs down the hall.”
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as minimal and straightforward, with some players appreciating its simplicity and emotional resonance despite its brevity. While the narrative does not feature significant twists or depth, it is considered enjoyable and leaves potential for future expansions. Overall, many players feel that the story could benefit from additional content to enhance the experience.
“I loved the little story behind it.”
“The story is nice, short as it is, but it leaves room for future upgrades or added levels.”
“The overall atmosphere, graphics, and sound design are really well put together, leading me to grow surprisingly attached to what is essentially a very bare-bones protagonist.”
“The plot is exactly what it looks like, so don't expect a big twist at the end.”
“You don't play this for the story.”
“The whole story is way too short in my opinion and needs a boost to be more justified as a complete game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Endhall is highly praised for its cohesive integration of graphics, sound design, and minimal storytelling, creating an engaging experience that fosters player attachment. The retro visuals and chiptune-inspired music enhance the game's fun and strategic elements, making it a recommended choice for those seeking an atmospheric puzzle experience, despite its brevity.
“The overall atmosphere, graphics, story, and sound design are really well put together, leading me to grow surprisingly attached to what is essentially a very bare-bones protagonist.”
“Overall, I can recommend Endhall for people who are looking for a fun, atmospheric strategy experience that doesn't mind having this enjoyable experience being cut a bit short.”
“Endhall is a turn-based roguelike puzzle game, with retro graphics and atmospheric chiptune-inspired music.”
“The overall atmosphere, graphics, limited story, and sound design are really well put together, leading me to grow surprisingly attached to what is essentially a very bare-bones protagonist.”
“The game tries to create a haunting atmosphere, but it often feels empty and lacks the depth needed to truly immerse the player.”
“While the visuals are striking, the atmosphere feels disjointed and fails to evoke the intended emotions.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The lack of new content and optimizations in Endhall may hinder its ability to make a lasting impact on players, suggesting that improvements in this area are necessary for a more engaging experience.
“However, without any new content or optimizations, Endhall will struggle to leave a lasting impression on many players.”