Fights in Tight Spaces

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,107 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Fights in Tight Spaces Game Cover
We find out how well card battling, roguelikes, and Daredevil-style corridor brawls mix with Fights in Tight Spaces.
Starting at $9.63Buy now
Get on Steam

"Fights in Tight Spaces" is a tactical lap-based game that combines deck-building and turn-based combat with animated fight sequences in a classic action-movie setting. You must carefully balance your hand, momentum, and positioning to emerge victorious in intense battles. The game features over 150 cards to choose from, allowing you to build a deck to suit your play style and adapt to changing circumstances. Control the space, upgrade your agent, and make critical decisions in this thrilling card-based fight simulator.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,107 reviews
gameplay144 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of deck-building and tactical combat, reminiscent of Slay the Spire and Into the Breach.
  • Satisfying gameplay with a focus on positioning and using the environment to your advantage.
  • Stylish art design and engaging soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
  • Some decks and cards feel underpowered or less viable, leading to a lack of balance.
  • Repetitive gameplay due to limited variety in levels and enemy types.
  • Difficulty spikes, especially in the final boss encounters, can feel unfair and frustrating.
  • gameplay398 mentions

    The gameplay of this roguelike deckbuilder is characterized by a blend of tactical positioning and card mechanics, drawing comparisons to titles like "Slay the Spire" and "Into the Breach." While many players find the core gameplay loop engaging and addictive, some express concerns about repetitiveness, balance issues, and the impact of RNG on strategy. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing and rewarding experience, though it may require patience to fully grasp its mechanics and overcome its challenges.

    • “The gameplay is so simple but gets so deep and rewarding; it's all the best parts of Into the Breach + all the best parts of Slay the Spire.”
    • “Not only is the gameplay clean and polished to the point of a glossy sheen, but it has the stylistic smoothness to create one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences ever.”
    • “Gameplay is smooth and engaging, very understandable, and the reward system is very gratifying. You always want to try a run again with a different approach, and the deck-building option opens you up to any playstyle you can come up with.”
    • “The gameplay loop isn't fun enough to keep me sustained through several attempts.”
    • “Great concept and amazing design, but has too many problems with gameplay and replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is so simple but gets so deep and rewarding; it's all the best parts of Into the Breach + all the best parts of Spire.”
  • story223 mentions

    The game's story is largely considered minimal and simplistic, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. Players note that while the premise involves a spy on various missions, the narrative lacks depth and fails to engage, with only brief interactions between the protagonist and their handler. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes mechanics and combat over storytelling, which may disappoint those seeking a rich narrative experience.

    • “The story is light, barely existent, but hits the appropriate beats for your James Bond-styled protagonist.”
    • “As to be expected of a game that seems to try to emulate and pay homage to James Bond-style action movies, the story is merely a justification for why cool things are happening, and it does that job wonderfully.”
    • “The last mission is an amazing spy action movie with you as the main character and I love it.”
    • “Unlike Cobalt Core and Inscryption, there is no plot here.”
    • “A few negatives to mention are that the story is very bare bones and there isn't much there.”
    • “The 'story' is lacking; a few chats between your handler and your agent is the extent of it.”
  • graphics211 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist and stylized aesthetic, often compared to the visuals of "Superhot," which enhances the overall gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the bold and clean art style, some note that the simplicity can lead to confusion regarding gameplay elements, and there are calls for more visual variety and polish. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, contributing to the game's engaging atmosphere and fluid animations.

    • “The art style is simple but bold and arresting, and it's generally just fun to play.”
    • “The visuals are stylish, the gameplay loop is really clean, and it has a similar rewarding style to other great deckbuilders where as you get better you are able to make more and more different playstyles work.”
    • “The aesthetics are gorgeous, I just love the art style - there's not much more to say.”
    • “This game is very poorly optimized for such minimal aesthetics.”
    • “While the graphics aren't the greatest, it captures what you really need to play this style game.”
    • “Graphics are missing from many cards, some animations are incomplete or missing, sound effects don't play sometimes, and there are bugs present.”
  • music159 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that complements the gameplay beautifully. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, enhancing the game's stylish aesthetic and providing a motivating backdrop for combat. Additionally, the contributions from artist nervous_testpilot have been highlighted as particularly noteworthy, making the soundtrack a key aspect of the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The combos hit hard, the animations are fluid, and the overall aesthetic and absolute banger of a soundtrack really help you get into the groove of punching, kicking, and yeeting your enemies.”
    • “The soundtrack makes you want to keep playing, which is why I've bought the soundtrack and you should too!”
    • “The music, sound effects, and visual style are all perfect.”
    • “The music was fun at first but it gets annoying after a while, since there aren’t many songs.”
    • “However, the soundtrack for me felt distinctly lacking, and painfully average, though this obviously isn't a game played for the soundtrack, so I'll let it slide.”
  • replayability116 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its variety and addictive nature due to randomized card drops and different deck strategies, leading to a highly replayable experience. However, some reviewers noted limitations, such as repetitive node layouts and similar boss fights, which can diminish long-term replay value. Overall, while the game offers significant replayability, especially in its early stages, there are calls for more content and variety to enhance the experience further.

    • “The card-based fight dynamics keep this game interesting for replayability.”
    • “The reward system, different decks, and various combo styles make for an addictive replayability.”
    • “The game is randomized so that it essentially has infinite replayability - each round you'll find different cards, different upgrades, different enemies, different random encounters, different path layouts, etc.”
    • “Replayability was not the focus for this one.”
    • “The scenarios are a bit repetitive, so I think replay value is a little diminished.”
    • “Cons: replayability is somewhat provided by different deck builds but you play the same 5 missions every playthrough, against the same bosses and mini-bosses every time.”
  • humor22 mentions

    The game is praised for its charming and humorous elements, with players enjoying the comedic aspects of ragdoll physics, absurd character builds, and funny interactions during gameplay. The humor is consistently integrated into the experience, from entertaining mini-movies at the end of puzzles to amusing enemy behaviors and quirky card mechanics. Overall, the blend of strategy and humor creates a fun and addictive atmosphere that resonates well with fans of action and roguelite genres.

    • “And getting to see a whole mini movie of you knocking guys out cold at the end of each puzzle is just hilariously fun.”
    • “Watching replays after each fight is actually super fun and the dumb ragdoll physics just add to the enjoyment as I find myself laughing at each replay.”
    • “The visuals and style are top-notch and the ragdoll effects of each kill can range from satisfying to hilarious.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive effort to unlock cards and build decks, which can extend gameplay sessions to over four hours. While some enjoy the repetitive nature of grinding, many feel it detracts from the overall experience, making combat feel slow and monotonous. Overall, the grind is seen as a double-edged sword, offering depth for dedicated players but frustrating for those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The unlock system is tedious, requiring huge amounts of grind to unlock all the cards which you seem to be able to get before you unlock them anyway.”
    • “Building perks and decks from scratch every time can extend a full game run to over 4 hours, which is unusually long for a roguelike and tedious.”
    • “On one hand, it has a very high ceiling, and tight play can have a great deal of reach, which is something I value, but on the other hand, at its worst, this game is obnoxious, slow and tedious.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is currently a mixed bag, with numerous glitches and bugs reported, some of which can disrupt gameplay significantly. While some players find the bugs amusing and not overly detrimental, others have experienced serious performance issues, including softlocks and freezes. As the game is in early access, many users hope for improvements in future patches to address these stability concerns.

    • “It actually runs great under Wine.”
    • “Originality, replayability, bug-free, and just right on balance and difficulty.”
    • “There are also some glitches and bugs in the game, some of which can end a run.”
    • “Very buggy at the moment, with real problems in the RNG department for now.”
    • “Adding to that, I encountered several horrible performance issues (and I can play Elden Ring perfectly fine on second highest setting), soft locks and freezes in the short hours when I wrote this review and I can't say I'd recommend the game right now as it is.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, including softlocks and freezes, despite its minimalistic graphics. Many players note that it consumes excessive CPU and GPU resources, lacks customizable settings, and suffers from general performance inconsistencies. While some improvements have been acknowledged, ongoing optimization and balancing are necessary for a smoother experience.

    • “Wall-to-wall banger soundtrack, visuals that ooze style, and a refreshing puzzle of not just the gameplay, but card selection and deck optimization in the context of the isometric space.”
    • “General performance issues persist (at least on my machine), and I'd still advocate tightening many of the animations, but the game is in a better place now and it seems like the developers are going to keep trying to keep that going.”
    • “What it needs, apart from the standard re-balancing and optimization and enemy-tweaking that you'd expect, is a better deck-building experience.”
    • “This game is very poorly optimized for such minimal aesthetics.”
    • “Adding to that, I encountered several horrible performance issues (and I can play Elden Ring perfectly fine on second highest settings), soft locks, and freezes in the short hours when I wrote this review, and I can't say I'd recommend the game right now as it is.”
    • “Despite small disk space requirements and simple graphics, the game is unoptimized and memory-hungry.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as abstract and minimalistic, lacking immersion in certain combat scenarios. However, it effectively captures the tension of tight-quarters combat through its mechanics and visuals, drawing comparisons to the stylish action of films like "John Wick" and "James Bond." Overall, while some find it less immersive, others appreciate the game's graphical and atmospheric elements.

    • “Atmospheric mechanics: the game mechanics adeptly encapsulate the tense, strategic atmosphere of tight-quarters combat.”
    • “Deckbuilding, tactics, cool graphics, and atmosphere... I am happy I discovered this gem.”
    • “I wouldn’t call the atmosphere immersive, as it is very abstract and minimalistic.”
    • “I wouldn’t call the atmosphere immersive, as it is very abstract and minimalistic.”
    • “The moves, the atmosphere, and everything make you remember close combat fights like in John Wick and the elegance of the fighting like with James Bond.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The game features no advertisements or microtransactions, providing a straightforward experience without additional costs. Players appreciate the intentional design choices that enhance gameplay, such as card mechanics that influence damage avoidance, contributing to a strategic and engaging experience.

    • “The game makes no advertisement or mention of this fact; but the game will intentionally draw cards that minimize your potential to avoid damage.”
    • “No microtransactions or other nonsense.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Reviews on the emotional aspect of the game are mixed; some players experience a sense of emotional detachment, while others find it to be a punishing yet deeply engaging experience that evokes heartbreak. Additionally, recent updates from the developers have instilled a sense of optimism among fans.

    • “I love, love this game, but let me tell you, it is punishing and heartbreaking.”
    • “The devs released a roadmap recently and it made me feel even more optimistic about the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Fights in Tight Spaces

Play time

22hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
9-62hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News