Flowstone Saga
- September 26, 2024
- Impact Gameworks
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Flowstone Saga" is an RPG featuring a unique puzzle-based combat system, where players control the flow of battle against monsters by clearing lines and matching link crystals on a puzzle board. Real-time or turn-based combat allows for up to 3 monsters to be faced at once, and the use of items, special attacks, and defensive maneuvers create a deep and engaging experience. The game encourages strategy and quick thinking to thwart various creatures, including Beewis, Cookie Ferrets, and Battle-Axolotls.
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Reviews
- The Tetris-inspired combat system is engaging and fun, providing a unique twist on traditional RPG mechanics.
- The game features charming pixel art, a great soundtrack, and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs.
- There is a wide range of customization options for playstyles, including different classes and equipment choices.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and crashes, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
- The story is often criticized for being generic and filled with filler content, lacking depth and compelling character development.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the Tetris elements, can feel repetitive and may not provide enough challenge as the game progresses.
- story99 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and refreshing, particularly due to its focus on personal motivations rather than typical apocalyptic themes. However, many criticized it for being generic, overly reliant on fetch quests, and suffering from pacing issues, especially in the latter half where lengthy cutscenes detracted from the experience. Overall, while some appreciated the characters and worldbuilding, others felt the narrative lacked depth and became tedious as the game progressed.
“There is a lot of people-driven plot here, and it's refreshing - there's no starting with the apocalypse, and some character motivations are amusingly personal and petty.”
“A captivating story, a dynamic battle system involving spatial management very similar to Tetris, and a cast of well-designed characters brings this game together for a fantastic experience.”
“In conclusion, I can only say that the story was just the right length, I had so much fun playing, and I would love to learn more about this world.”
“The story is more slow than anything, and could use better pacing.”
“Around 4-5 hours in, my attention started to wane and I was simply playing to get to the end and see how the story turned out.”
“The last few chapters are so story-loaded that there are periods of like 10+ cutscenes in a row that would make Death Stranding blush for their length.”
- gameplay73 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Flowstone Saga is a unique blend of JRPG elements and Tetris-like mechanics, offering a nostalgic experience with modern quality-of-life features. Players can customize their playstyle through various mechanics, including "spirit frogs" that provide gameplay modifiers, while the overall loop is described as addictive and engaging. However, some reviewers noted that the randomness in certain gameplay aspects may detract from the overall enjoyment, making it essential for players to appreciate Tetris-style mechanics to fully enjoy the game.
“Summary: a JRPG-like adventure where almost every mechanic is based on Tetris-like gameplay, with a huge amount of options to customize your playstyle.”
“The gameplay is rock solid.”
“But this game isn’t just about its stunning visuals—its strong gameplay mechanics are just as impressive.”
“If you don't like tetris-type mechanics, you will not like this game.”
“When Vivian joined my party, I thought for sure she would add some new mechanic to fights, but no, the two other people on the title screen are just there for moral support and plot.”
“Maybe 10 hours of gameplay and basic tetris mechanics.”
- music50 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and fun, with many players describing the soundtrack as "spectacular" and filled with "endless bangers." While some noted that certain tracks can feel out of place or a bit loud, the overall composition is well-received, and the ability to customize battle music adds to the enjoyment. The combination of engaging gameplay and a charming soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it a highlight for many players.
“I absolutely love it, the soundtrack is fun, gameplay is fun, and it's overall cute!”
“The combination of the interactions with enemies messing up your board, along with the amazing music, makes playing Tetris feel so epic!”
“Already in the state of 'oh just one more area - one more boss, one more and then I'll go eat' and by the gods, the soundtrack is spectacular.”
“Some songs are also a bit loud.”
“You can customize the battle music playlist.”
“You can unlock all kinds of ways to customize the game as you progress, such as changing out which pieces appear, or swapping out the battle music for other tracks (or multiple ones).”
- graphics20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a charming retro-style 2D pixel aesthetic reminiscent of classic RPG Maker games, blending modern mechanics with nostalgic visuals. While the artwork and music receive high praise, some users note minor polish issues that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and fit well within the indie gaming scene, earning a solid 8/10 rating.
“It's a huge nostalgia bomb, blending modern mechanics and quality of life aspects with an extremely charming old school RPG Maker aesthetic.”
“Graphics - 8/10, very indie but something that could have worked during the DS/PSP era of 2D games quite well.”
“Lovely artwork, fantastic music, and a fun spin on a classic game for battles and puzzles.”
“There are some polish issues, so now and then you might be a bit annoyed at a graphical choice or so on.”
“Art style: - art-style”
- grinding13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some enjoy the farming mini-games and the thrill of resource gathering, many find the rewards insufficient and the activities ultimately pointless, leading to a sense of tedium as they outlevel enemies and feel little incentive to engage with the grinding mechanics. Overall, the vibrant environments are appreciated, but they lack meaningful content to keep players invested.
“- equipment and farming seemed irrelevant.”
“- farming mode also felt pointless as eventually I had a lot of coins, and didn't see a big benefit to leveling up my frogs.”
“- fishing, farming, and mining mini-games that reward you with basically nothing useful (14 hours into the game and the only thing I can use resources for is growing food or turning in for quests, and fish are pretty much always worse than just the basic food items for the effort required to get them).”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a variety of funny easter eggs, clever wordplays, and charming character interactions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone, which is complemented by a delightful soundtrack and pixel art.
“To accompany you along the adventure are great assortments of soundtrack, charming pixel art, and various side quests/activities with varying levels of humor and character development.”
“Funny easter eggs, references, and wordplays sprinkled throughout the game.”
“Fishing is so funny!”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report experiencing genuine emotional reactions to the game's plot, describing it as an entertaining, heartfelt, and tragic tale that captivates them for hours.
“I played it for like 12 hours the week I got it - and had authentic emotional reactions to the plot.”
“It is an entertaining, heartfelt, and tragic tale.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is enhanced through a variety of sidequests and activities that incorporate humor and depth, contributing to a charming overall experience. The visually stunning design and cute character aesthetics further complement this aspect, making the characters feel engaging and memorable.
“To accompany you along the adventure are great assortments of soundtrack, charming pixel art, and various side quests/activities with varying levels of humor and character development.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized, particularly in co-op mode, where players reported bugs that rendered the fox character uncontrollable and irrelevant for player 2's gameplay.
“Co-op was a bit buggy, as the fox character sometimes couldn’t be controlled and wasn’t really relevant for player 2 to move at all.”
