Girl Genius: Adventures in Castle Heterodyne
- September 5, 2023
- Rain Games
Get on Steam"Girl Genius: Adventures In Castle Heterodyne" is a gaslamp fantasy game where you play as Agatha Heterodyne, the lost heir to a mad family, navigating through the treacherous halls of Castle Heterodyne. Your goal is to restore the castle and claim your rightful place as the True Heterodyne, facing challenges such as a corrupted AI, deadly traps, and other power-hungry enemies. Gameplay includes building and using tools at the Workbench to explore and solve puzzles within the castle.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game captures the charm and humor of the 'Girl Genius' comic series, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
- Puzzles are engaging and rewarding, with a good balance of challenge that encourages exploration and experimentation.
- The inclusion of unlockable comics as a bonus adds significant value for fans of the series, enhancing the overall experience.
- The combat mechanics can feel clunky and simplistic, with some boss fights presenting a steep difficulty curve that may frustrate players.
- The story may be confusing for those unfamiliar with the comics, making it less accessible to new players.
- Quality of life issues, such as awkward controls and a lack of polish in certain areas, detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- gameplay26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally engaging and enjoyable, featuring a mix of satisfying combat mechanics and puzzle-solving elements, though some players found certain boss fight mechanics frustrating. The absence of excessive mechanics and side quests allows for a more streamlined experience, while the lore adds depth to the gameplay. Overall, players appreciate the solid and smooth execution, despite some timing issues and specific combat challenges.
“A fun re-envisioning of the castle Heterodyne arc, with lots of neat lore tidbits and engaging gameplay!”
“The gameplay is solid and smooth.”
“Because of this, I didn't care too much about the story and lore, but despite that, I still had a blast with it through fun and engaging gameplay, and I can appreciate the sheer amount of lore there is.”
“Fighting mechanics were a bit frustrating; Zola has this thrust she does with a delayed and long-lasting hitbox that is pretty tricky to dodge.”
“This is a 3D action/puzzler that, mechanically, really regrets not being Hob.”
“I didn't much care for the mechanics of the first boss fight, but thankfully each boss fight had some different mechanics to them.”
- story19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story adaptation in the game has received mixed reviews, particularly from fans of the original comic, who feel that it may confuse newcomers due to its reliance on prior knowledge of the source material. While the game features engaging gameplay and clever references, it modifies key events and characters, leading to a rushed narrative that may not resonate with those unfamiliar with the comic universe. Overall, the storytelling approach has been criticized for not effectively translating the comic's depth into the gaming medium.
“Tricky puzzles, dizzying mazes, and delightful references to the comic storyline.”
“As stated, it starts with Agatha entering the 'der kestle' itself; it skipped/modified certain story events, but most key characters remain.”
“The story, characters, and details make sense for us who have read the comic, but for someone stumbling into this game without knowing anything, it'll be a confusing mess.”
“It has enough changes to the storyline that it doesn't feel like a particularly interactive visual novel, but it might feel a bit rushed for someone unfamiliar with the comics.”
“For what it's worth, I am a fan of the webcomic on which it's based, and I don't think this kind of game was really the way to go in terms of adapting that story into the medium of video games.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is praised for its cleverness and nostalgia, reminiscent of classic PlayStation titles, featuring excellent lore drops and background gags. Players appreciate the incorporation of comic references and amusing anecdotes, which enhance the overall experience and vibe. The soundtrack also complements the humor effectively, contributing to a well-rounded comedic atmosphere.
“It has the same humor and ingenuity of the original, the same excellent lore drops and background gags, wrapped up in a polygon package that makes me nostalgic for the PlayStation games of my childhood.”
“It has many references to the comics themselves, with collectibles containing nice, informative, and funny anecdotes from Kestle and/or Agatha's reaction to her extended family.”
“The humor and overall vibe were on point, and I loved the soundtrack.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their beauty and engaging art style, which enhances the overall experience and evokes a desire to revisit the comics. The family-friendly tone complements the visuals, making the game appealing to a broad audience.
“The graphics are so beautiful, they make me want to re-read the comics (yet again) every time I play.”
“I like the art style and family-friendly tone the game takes.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting its beautiful design and engaging soundtrack. The combination of humor and a captivating vibe contributes to a strong emotional connection, reflecting a clear passion for the source material. Overall, the soundtrack is a significant highlight that draws players into the adventure.
“The ding bots are so cute, and the music throughout is also a large draw for me.”
“The humor and overall vibe were on point, and I loved the soundtrack.”
“I found myself getting lost in the beautiful design and wonderful soundtrack several times throughout my adventure, and while I haven't read the source material myself, it seems like there is clear passion for it here.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is viewed as somewhat high in relation to the time required to complete the game, but it offers players access to a streamlined version of the comic through an in-game vendor for a low cost in-game currency. While the comic is available for free online, it includes ads and interruptions, making the paid version more appealing for those seeking an uninterrupted experience. The artist effectively uses the free online comic as a promotional tool, generating revenue through merchandise sales.
“The price paid for the time it takes to complete may be a little high, but they also give you access to read the paid versions of their comic through a hidden vendor that sells them for cheap in-game currency. However, the comic is available for free online, which includes ads, requires clicking through each page, and has intermissions as they took breaks or had guest artists. The in-game version has none of this, allowing for easy scrolling using the W/S or arrow keys.”
“For those unaware of the comic itself, the artist has made it available on their own website for free, which serves as a successful form of advertisement. They primarily receive funding from other merchandise, such as physical comic books.”
“The price paid for the time it takes to complete may be a little high, but they also give you access to read the paid versions of their comic through a hidden vendor that sells them for cheap in-game currency. However, the comic is available for free online, which includes ads, requires clicking through each page, and has intermissions as they took breaks or had guest artists. The in-game version has none of this, allowing for easy scrolling using the W/S or arrow keys.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Replayability is generally considered low, as the game offers a static experience with little variation after the initial playthrough, making it less appealing for those not deeply invested in the source material.
“Replayability is probably low unless you are really into the material it is based on, as everything is fairly static. After playing through once, there's nothing new to see or do.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised as its standout feature, creating an immersive and engaging experience for players.
“Where this game really shines is the atmosphere.”
