Gremlins, Inc.

Starting at €19.99Buy now

Gremlins, Inc. is a digital board game set in a steampunk world, where players take on the roles of scheming gremlins in a madcap race for power. Make deals, outsmart opponents, and collect precious plasma in this animated, strategy-filled experience. Engage in multiplayer matches or play against AI, with optional House Rules for even more replayability. A Freeplay mode also offers a casual, no-stress gaming experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,151 reviews

gameplay73 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Unique blend of strategy and board game mechanics, providing a fresh take on the genre.
Engaging art style and sound design that enhances the overall experience.
High replay value with a variety of strategies and character abilities.

Steep learning curve for newcomers, which may deter some players.
Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences, especially when plans are thwarted.
Limited player base can result in long wait times for multiplayer matches.

gameplay
210 mentions
35 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of strategy and board game mechanics, featuring competitive, card-driven elements that encourage player interaction and strategic planning. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, some find the reliance on RNG and certain punitive elements can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game offers a rich, engaging experience with high replayability, though it may require a learning curve to fully grasp its intricacies.
- “Offering a unique blend of strategy and board game mechanics, it provides a fresh take on the genre with its competitive, card-driven gameplay.”
- “The gameplay captures the essence of a tabletop board game perfectly, with its beautifully designed cards, intricate mechanics, and engaging gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is both complex and easy to grasp, with a lot of room for crazy, rewarding turns and many options to choose from at most points.”
- “I wanted to like it - the aesthetics are nice and it has a quirky goblin feel to it, but the mechanics are so frustratingly bad and the board is designed so confusingly that I just can't recommend anybody buy this game unless you like aggravating your ADHD.”
- “While very good matches do happen, a large portion of them are not that entertaining, mostly due to the lack of mechanics to speed up the gameplay towards the end - the malice system makes it slowly harder for everyone to score points as time passes, and some games are just painful to end.”
- “It's extremely frustrating and unfair, as there's absolutely no balance among the cards, events, misfortunes, etc. while the gameplay is absolute garbage; the theme, visuals, and audio are pretty pleasing though, I'll give it that.”
music
125 mentions
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its catchiness, thematic appropriateness, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. While some users express disappointment over certain tracks being locked behind a paywall or the limited in-game music, the majority appreciate the soundtrack's quality and its integration with the game's art style and humor. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and replayability.
- “Fantastic game: the cards are beautiful, clever, and funny; the music is excellent; easy to understand rules.”
- “Has a fantastic soundtrack that perfectly complements the gameplay.”
- “The music is catchy as hell, too.”
- “Amazing game and I would recommend it if it wasn't for the fact that there is no music while playing the game.”
- “Whether you like that or not is really up to your own personal preference, but the fact they're selling the music as DLC when, really, the music is subpar, brings to attention just how lacking the music is.”
- “On Linux, where I played it for instance, the background music is replaced by random noise, and clipping is often off marking wrong cards and effects.”
graphics
111 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, which effectively captures a whimsical steampunk aesthetic and enhances the overall atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the attention to detail in the artwork and animations, contributing to a unique and immersive experience. While the visuals are generally considered excellent, some players note that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the enjoyment, despite the appealing graphics.
- “The artwork and atmosphere are really well done; I highly recommend it!”
- “The attention to detail in the artwork and animations is commendable, adding a delightful touch of personality to each character and event.”
- “Beautiful, hand-drawn graphics make this game a joy just to look at.”
- “It's extremely frustrating and unfair, as there's absolutely no balance among the cards, events, misfortunes, etc. while the gameplay is absolute garbage the theme, visuals and audio are pretty pleasing though, I'll give it that.”
- “Minor cons...newer set of avatars annoys me since it's not matching the graphic style and atmosphere...being teamed up against in ranked multiplayer is annoying but still manageable, just more of a challenge and perhaps focusing on 2nd place recommended in such scenarios.”
- “A variety of DLC that is cheap but looks mostly cosmetic (new art styles for player tokens, etc).”
humor
48 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with players enjoying the satirical and whimsical elements that enhance the gameplay experience. The combination of funny mechanics, entertaining sound effects, and a vibrant art style contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a hit among friends. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with strategy, creating memorable and enjoyable moments during play.
- “The countless hours spent strategizing, plotting, and laughing with friends remain etched in my mind, reminding me of the joy that gaming can bring.”
- “It has a fantastic sense of humor which shines through the music, sound effects, and powers.”
- “A hilarious fast-paced board game with a great fantasy steampunk theme, amazingly detailed art, music, and sound effects.”
replayability
20 mentions
65 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, offering a fun and flexible gameplay experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the blend of luck and skill, along with the engaging aesthetics and atmosphere, making it a favorite for both casual and competitive play. Overall, the game's design and mechanics contribute to its rich replay value, ensuring players remain engaged over time.
- “This is a super fun board game with lots of replay value.”
- “Overall it's a fun board game with a lot of flexibility in gameplay and great replayability.”
- “The problem is: if some cards are playable for free, the most profitable ones (that bring us close to victory) require a lot of resources, not to mention the fact that our opponents will try to do the same, forcing us to preempt their behavior as much as possible and fool them before they fool us.”
- “Replayability: that yes comes from the ability to learn how to play the game; it is addictive.”
- “Tons of possibilities, many ways to play, and hours of replayability!”
atmosphere
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning graphics, engaging music, and effective sound effects that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique art style and thematic depth, particularly the intriguing steampunk elements, which contribute to a captivating mood. Overall, the atmosphere is described as cheerful, humorous, and deeply engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The sound effects and voiceovers also contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, making every action and event feel significant.”
- “The artwork and atmosphere are really well done; I highly recommend it!”
- “Great atmosphere, gorgeous art style, sweet music and sound, keen humor, not too complicated but deep enough.”
- “Minor cons...the newer set of avatars annoys me since it's not matching the graphic style and atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are really well done and the music/background sounds really help add to the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The game captures the atmosphere.”
story
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its slow progression and tedious quest mechanics, leading to a frustrating experience for players. While some enjoy the PvP elements and the strategic planning involved in missions, others feel misled by the game's promises of control and customization, as random elements often dictate outcomes. Overall, the narrative is seen as overshadowed by the game's reliance on luck and the challenges posed by AI opponents.
- “Make some money, plot your rival gremlins' demise, and when they least expect it, send their little pointy-eared posteriors to jail!”
- “This game is pure fun, RNG and strategy meet with brutal plot twists.”
- “Can seem quite intimidating with its variety of systems and mechanics, but the tutorial and single player missions help first-time players understand the concepts better.”
- “It takes forever to get to locations and achieve the quest rewards, and progression is incredibly slow and dull.”
- “Sorry, but I have better things to do than sit around hoping to draw the right cards, roll the right numbers, and pray there isn't some troll pairing up with his buddy to plot against you.”
- “The developers straight up mislead players into thinking that through planning ahead and choosing certain characters and wisely cultivating the cards in your deck (which you can't do because it's random) that you can plot and fabricate new scheme hatcheries against an unsuspecting computer that will succumb to your wily prowess. Everything in the game is just going your absolute way the entire time, and the computer is just no match for your special little deck of cards that you have intricately 'customized' to defeat your opponents on your terms.”
grinding
10 mentions
10 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and uninteresting, with players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Many express frustration with exploitative farming mechanics that negatively impact server performance and gameplay balance, leading to a sense of randomness and capriciousness that can make progress feel frustratingly slow. Overall, while some players appreciate the potential for income generation through grinding, the consensus leans towards it being a burdensome aspect of the game.
- “This board game utilizes the strength of the electronic medium for bookkeeping, allowing games to be fast and not tedious.”
- “Capricious, random, spiteful, and tedious all come to mind.”
- “Ultimately tedious and uninteresting.”
- “If you like random events just grinding you into oblivion and just wasting time as the CPU dog piles every debilitating card on you so you just spin around between jail and nightmare events, then this is the game for you.”
monetization
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for being purely optional, with no pay-to-win mechanics or microtransactions, ensuring a fair experience for all players. However, some users noted a disconnect between the game's advertising and its actual content, particularly regarding the absence of certain features highlighted in promotional materials.
- “In-game purchases are purely optional, and there are no pay-to-win mechanics.”
- “There are no microtransactions or card collection.”
- “In-game purchases are purely optional and there is by no means any pay-to-win mechanics.”
- “That cute intro music accompanying the advertisement of this game isn't in the game itself.”
optimization
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is well-regarded, with effective AI and attentive performance management by the developers. However, exploitative activities, such as farming for marketplace chests, negatively impact server performance.
- “This game is one of the best-designed board games with excellent AI optimization.”
- “The owners give a lot of attention to the game's overall performance.”
- “The optimization in this game significantly enhances the overall experience.”
- “Additionally, there is more exploitative activity (farming for marketplace chests, etc.) that has a detrimental effect on the server performance as well.”
- “The owners give a lot of attention to the game performance overall.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, creating a touching experience that combines heartfelt artwork and immersive ambient sounds. Players describe it as an emotional rollercoaster, balancing moments of connection with the thrill of unpredictability and chaos.
- “All in all, it makes the game touching.”
- “The artwork is gorgeous, the attention to detail is heartfelt, and the little ambient noises really set the tone.”
- “The endless fun and the possibility to disrupt people's plans, however, is a big plus in this game and makes it an emotional rollercoaster to play and experience.”
stability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability, performing well on both Linux and SteamOS platforms.
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “Runs great on SteamOS.”