Goblin Dungeoneer
- February 4, 2021
- CrackedGhostGames
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StorePrepare for "Hell in Video Game Form" in this brutal, tough as nails, retro, platforming-adventure game! Save your starving tribe by collecting riches within a spike filled dungeon!
PC
Windows
Zx Spectrum
Reviews
- The pixel art and retro aesthetic are visually appealing, with great music that enhances the experience.
- The game has potential and could be a top-tier platformer with some improvements.
- It's a challenging platformer that appeals to fans of difficult gameplay.
- The controls are frustrating, lacking d-pad support and leading to issues with character clipping and getting stuck in walls.
- Level design is poor, particularly with timed platforms that don't sync well with the music, making gameplay tedious.
- There are no save options, which can lead to frustrating experiences when players get stuck or need to restart.
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its catchy and engaging soundtrack, contributing to the retro aesthetic with its 8-bit style. However, players express frustration that the rhythm of the music does not align with the gameplay mechanics, particularly with platform switches, making it difficult to navigate levels effectively. Overall, while the music is a highlight, its integration with gameplay leaves much to be desired.
“The music (ooof), even the short cinematic at the beginning, really grabs my attention.”
“The soundtrack is indeed a banger, but I don't know if there are more than the one track that plays on loop.”
“The platforms that switch in between need to change with the song rhythm, or at least at the same beat.”
“The platforms that switch in between need to change with the song rhythm, or at least at the same beat. It's so hard to slowly count to 3 when the music beat is so fast.”
“I wouldn't mind if the background music matched up with the blocks, but it doesn't.”
“The soundtrack is indeed a banger, but I don't know if there are more than the one track that plays on loop (I only made it to 1-5 before giving up).”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users criticizing the poor quality and lazy retro pixel art typical of GameMaker Studio creations. While one reviewer appreciated the art style, the overall consensus highlights a lack of graphical options and a significant deficiency in visual quality, leading to an unpleasant experience.
“I like the art style, and that's pretty much it.”
“It's great work, the aesthetic is there, the gameplay is precise, which was the goal so I'll allow it despite precision gameplay not being my top preference.”
“It's a very poor quality 'difficult' precision platformer with extremely poor quality graphics.”
“Like most GameMaker Studio construction kit games, this features lazy 2D retro pixel art instead of professionally done, contemporary PC graphics.”
“There's no graphics tweaks or any options at all to correct the craptastic, eye-damagingly bad visuals on this train wreck.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay is noted for its precision and aesthetic appeal, aligning with the developers' goals, though it may not cater to all players, particularly those who prefer a more casual experience. Some users suggest implementing a mechanic to save progress in casual mode, indicating a desire for more accessibility in gameplay. Overall, while the execution is commendable, it may not attract players who are not fans of precision-based mechanics.
“It's great work, the aesthetic is there, and the gameplay is precise, which was the goal, so I'll allow it despite precision gameplay not being my top preference.”
“And for casual players like myself, maybe implement a mechanic where collecting the 'trinkets' in each room saves the progress of that room?”
“I do like what you've done here, but I can't say I'll be coming back to this since I'm just not too big a fan of pixel precision gameplay.”
“And for filthy casuals (casual mode) like myself, maybe implement a mechanic where collecting the 'trinkets' in each room saves the progress of that room?”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of games made with Gamemaker Studio is often criticized for resulting in shovelware and lazy cash grabs, despite the platform being free to use.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
“It seems like the game is designed more for profit than for player enjoyment, with constant prompts to purchase in-game items.”
“The reliance on microtransactions makes it hard to progress without spending real money, which is frustrating.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the need to maintain a consistent rhythm for extended periods, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Having to keep the correct rhythm going in my head for over half the playtime is just tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which quickly becomes boring.”
