Gloomhaven

The story aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, particularly in the context of personal quests and the overarching campaign, others find the story to be generic and lacking depth. The difficulty of early missions often detracts from the enjoyment of the story, as players struggle to progress, leading to frustration and a sense of repetitiveness in mission objectives. Overall, the game offers a rich tapestry of lore and character interactions, but the execution can feel uneven, especially for newcomers.

The graphics of the game have received a mixed reception, with many praising their high quality, immersive art style, and faithful representation of the original board game. However, some users have reported performance issues, including lag and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end machines. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered impressive and enhance the gameplay experience, there are calls for optimization and options to reduce graphical demands for smoother performance.

The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many describing it as "extremely buggy" and a "buggy mess." Common issues include frequent crashes, desynchronization in multiplayer, and various glitches that disrupt gameplay, particularly during cooperative sessions. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, the overall sentiment indicates that the developers need to address the persistent bugs to improve the experience.

The reviews highlight a significant consensus that the game is excessively grindy and tedious, often leading to a frustrating experience for players. While some appreciate the automation of tedious aspects from the board game, many feel that the overall gameplay is slow, repetitive, and lacks meaningful rewards, making it a challenging and time-consuming endeavor. Players seeking a more streamlined and engaging RPG experience may find this game lacking in enjoyment due to its grind-heavy mechanics.

The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, slow AI actions, and frequent crashes, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users noted improvements in performance over time, the overall consensus is that the game is still plagued by optimization issues that hinder gameplay experience, especially in multiplayer settings. Despite its engaging mechanics and visuals, the lack of adequate optimization options makes it challenging for a broader audience to enjoy.

The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it pleasant and fitting the game's tone, while others criticize it for being repetitive and forgettable. Many users appreciate the atmospheric quality of the soundtrack, though some express a desire for more variety and dynamic changes to enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the ambiance, it often lacks memorability and can lead players to mute it in favor of their own playlists.

The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a diverse array of characters, classes, and customization options that encourage players to experiment with different strategies and combinations. Many reviewers highlight the dynamic gameplay and the introduction of modes like Guildmaster, which enhance replay value by offering new scenarios and character progression. Overall, players find the depth and variety of content to provide a nearly endless gaming experience, making it a must-play for fans of tactical RPGs.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by impressive graphics, haunting music, and well-designed environments. Players appreciate the blend of tactical gameplay with a rich, atmospheric narrative that evokes the essence of classic dungeon crawlers. Overall, the game's aesthetic and sound design significantly contribute to a deeply engaging experience, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.

The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding amusement in its absurd mechanics, quirky character interactions, and witty dialogue. Many reviews highlight the hilariously illogical elements, such as the character's quick fatigue and the nonsensical treasure system, which contribute to a lighthearted experience, especially when played with friends. While some aspects can be frustrating, the overall comedic tone and unexpected moments of hilarity keep players engaged and entertained.

Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and variety offered through card selection and tactical choices, while others criticize the slow progression and lack of meaningful changes in characters over time. The addition of guildmaster mode enhances the narrative and character interactions, but some users feel that the overall character development is limited, especially compared to other tactical games. Overall, while the game excels in character design and offers satisfying development mechanics, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a rich, overarching narrative or rapid character growth.

The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for being perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling misled by advertising that suggests a different gameplay experience. Users express frustration over mandatory DLC purchases to avoid constant advertisements, while some appreciate the absence of microtransactions, noting that upgrades can be earned through in-game currency. Overall, the monetization approach has left many players disappointed and feeling that it detracts from the overall experience.

Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply engaging, as they form attachments to characters that can lead to poignant moments when they retire or reappear later in the story. The campaign mode's wholesome narrative, combined with the thrill of completing challenging scenarios, evokes strong feelings, often resulting in tears of joy or sadness. Overall, the emotional journey enhances the gameplay experience, making it memorable and impactful.