Gift of Parthax
- September 12, 2018
- Foldergeist Studios
Get on Steam2D top-down arena fighter. Combine and customize your spells to increase their power to defeat waves of mobs and bosses in the arena.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a unique spell customization system that allows players to experiment with different spells and runes.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are well-received, contributing to an immersive atmosphere.
- The developer is responsive and actively working on updates to address issues and improve the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and optimization issues, making it difficult to start and play.
- Gameplay is repetitive and lacks variety, with limited enemy types and arena challenges feeling monotonous.
- Controls are clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it for being slow, clunky, and monotonous, often citing poor mechanics and hitboxes. While some appreciate the tactical elements and immersive music, others find the overall experience lacking and unengaging, suggesting that it fails to innovate or captivate. A few players do enjoy the gameplay, particularly if they are supportive of indie development, but overall, the consensus leans towards disappointment.
“It starts off easy, so you have all the time to learn about the basic mechanics of the game.”
“I like the artwork, and the gameplay is great; you definitely can have a good time with this game :)”
“The tactical part of the gameplay is fun.”
“During the gameplay itself, the movement and attacks feel slow and clunky, not fluid.”
“The gameplay is boring and monotonous.”
“Broken mechanics, the healing system is terrible; you can use as many potions as you want, and it won't be enough.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the detailed pixel art style and its nostalgic appeal, while others criticize the jerky animations, poor camera framing, and overall low effort in design. While the retro aesthetic resonates with some, many feel it falls short compared to contemporary standards, leading to a clunky gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a double-edged sword, with potential charm overshadowed by technical shortcomings.
“It looks fine with a fairly detailed pixel art style, and sounds pretty good with appropriately pitched tracks.”
“From its top-down, pixelated 2D graphics to its straightforward plot set in a medieval fantasy world, Gift of Parthax's newest creation may appear to be an ode to simpler times.”
“The art style also proves to be a boon when it could have been a detriment, elevating the game by being stunning.”
“The art and the graphics are jerky and the colors are not appealing.”
“They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“This is a really low effort game with poor graphics, stale dead twin-stick shooter gameplay, done worse than even the older games it's trying to rip off.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it shallow and unengaging, while others appreciate its depth and connection to the gameplay. The narrative is described as straightforward and set in a medieval fantasy world, with some players noting it adds to the overall experience, though many feel it lacks the substance to truly captivate. Overall, the story seems to be a secondary element, with gameplay taking precedence for most players.
“The story had some depth in it, which kept me going.”
“Cool arena game with a nice mix of story elements.”
“Gift of Parthax commences with Arif embarking on a quest to save his best friend by fighting in Parthax’s contest.”
“Come for the bugs, stay for the grind, forget about the story: the script and the monologues fit on a small sheet of paper.”
“The story is boring and not that interesting.”
“The story is nothing special; it might as well not exist.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to enhance immersion and complement the gameplay, with many players noting its motivating qualities, especially in arena settings. The soundtrack, crafted by Foldergeist Studios, is described as fitting perfectly with the game's atmosphere and contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“Foldergeist Studios absolutely nailed it with the in-game music.”
“The music fits the gameplay perfectly and really adds to a player’s level of immersion.”
“I loved the music in this game; I found it to be really motivating in the arena as the music, in combination with the surroundings, made me feel as if I was actually present in the arena.”
“The music keeps playing though.”
“The pixel graphics are good, the controls are simple to get the hang of, and the music really sets the mood.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its poor optimization and numerous bugs, leading to issues such as startup failures and freezing after difficulty selection, rendering it nearly unplayable.
“A badly optimized, buggy mess.”
“This game had potential, but it's a buggy mess.”
“Game won't start up properly and freezes after first selecting a difficulty.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for being poorly optimized, with numerous bugs that significantly detract from the overall experience.
“A badly optimized, buggy mess.”
“The game suffers from severe performance issues that make it nearly unplayable.”
“Frequent frame drops and long loading times ruin the overall experience.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the character development is marked by thoughtful design and animation, reflecting a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail in both the characters and their environments.
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
“The attention to detail in character backstories and growth adds a rich layer to the overall narrative.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's music as a key emotional element, noting that it enhances immersion and motivation, making them feel truly present in the arena.
“I loved the music in this game; I found it to be really motivating in the arena, as the music, in combination with the surroundings, made me feel as if I was actually present in the arena.”
