Gnomancer

About

Gnomancer is a single player and multiplayer casual action adventure game. It was developed by ProjectorGames and was released on April 7, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Gnomancer" is a action-packed game that allows for single-player and local multi-player modes with up to 4 players. Players traverse through the corrupted land of Gnomandia, battling evil hordes and resurrecting gnomes to fight for them. Inspired by Gauntlet and Pikmin, the game features twin-stick shooter mechanics, army management, and procedural loot, all presented in a cheerful aesthetic.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+12

Skip User Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

humor4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic feel and is best enjoyed with a controller, providing a fun and chaotic couch co-op experience.
Players enjoy the humorous elements, such as gnome puns and the whimsical graphical style, making it a light-hearted game suitable for short play sessions.
The game features engaging mechanics, including gnome recruitment and character leveling, which add depth and customization to the gameplay.

Multiplayer functionality is problematic, with issues like long loading times and difficulties in setting up split-screen play.
Player movement can be frustrating, as gnomes block paths and the camera can focus on unintended areas, detracting from the overall experience.
The game suffers from bugs and lacks polish, with reports of glitches, confusing controls, and missing features like an exit button.

gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay is praised for its accessibility and well-explained mechanics, making it easy for players to pick up and enjoy. While it offers a balance of simplicity and challenge across its levels, some users noted minor bugs and graphical issues. Overall, the gameplay is considered engaging and fun, with unique mechanics that enhance the experience.
- “The gameplay is easy to understand and controls are well explained throughout the levels. Some levels are a good mix of simple and challenging as they progress through the stages or 'chapters' of this game.”
- “I didn't bother reading the help info until I'd already played about 2 hours, but it's pretty easy to pick up the basic mechanics. Yet, it still has the promise of challenges yet to come.”
- “The gameplay is easy to understand and controls are well explained throughout the levels, some levels are a good level of simple and challenging as they go through the stages or 'chapters' of this game.”
- “I didn't bother reading the help info until I'd already played about 2 hours, but it's pretty easy to pick up the basic mechanics; yet it still has the promise of challenges yet to come.”
- “The gameplay itself works very well for me, especially for an early access title.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it hilariously entertaining, especially in the context of gnomes bouncing and attacking. Many reviewers suggest it is best enjoyed in a social setting with friends, as it combines fun gameplay with comedic elements that invite laughter and lighthearted critique.
- “Besides that, it's absolutely hilarious watching gnomes bounce and attack. I suggest this game is for people who like funny and social games to play with friends. Thank you! :>”
- “It was pathetic... but it was hilarious and I loved it.”
- “So far, it's really fun to play and funny that this is Keemstar's game, lol.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game's story is engaging and well-presented, featuring impressive voice acting and captivating animations that draw players in. As players progress through the levels, they unlock increasingly challenging difficulties, enhancing the narrative experience. However, some users have noted minor annoyances within the storyline.
- “When I started beta testing this game, probably the last thing I expected was an intro with great voice acting and a captivating story.”
- “I sat there enthralled in the story, looking behind the welcome text at the animation.”
- “I love the storyline and having an army of gnomes; it adds a unique twist to the gameplay.”
- “I love the storyline and having an army of gnomes, but there are a few things that annoy me and probably others.”
- “Each level has 4 difficulties that unlock progressively as I advanced through the game's story and crept into the more difficult versions of the levels.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The graphics feature a whimsical and charming style, highlighted by playful gnome themes and bouncy statues, which contribute to an enjoyable visual experience. While some users noted that the graphics aren't fully polished and there are a few bugs, the overall aesthetic and effects, particularly during explosive actions, are well-received and perform surprisingly well on lower-end hardware.
- “You got your gnome puns, your gnome armies, and a cute whimsical graphical style of bouncy statues.”
- “I did not expect the graphics and effects - especially with the ability to spam explosion effects by hitting two left mouse buttons at a rapid pace - to be so welcoming on my laptop.”
- “Great gameplay, fantastic mechanics to make it unique, and while it isn't quite graphically polished, it is nonetheless great fun.”
- “7/10 - great gameplay, fantastic mechanics to make it unique, a few bugs and isn't quite graphically polished either, but nonetheless great fun.”
- “The graphics and effects - especially with the ability to spam explosion effects by hitting two left mouse buttons at a rapid pace - are not as welcoming as I expected on my laptop.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for its buggy collision detection, which developers attempt to mask with excessive neon effects, resulting in a perception of a cheap and unpolished experience.
- “The developers seem to have tried to cover up the game's problems and buggy collision detection with lots of neon special effects, but it ends up just looking fake and cheap.”