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Griftlands

Charm and good storytelling overcome limited, experimental deck-building.
92%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
94% User Score Based on 10,600 reviews
Critic Score 84%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

PCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SPlaystation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchLinuxCloudMac OSXbox OneXbox OneTabletNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

"In Griftlands, everything is negotiable: money, loyalty—even morality. Choose your character and make your fortune. Griftlands is the next game by Klei."

Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,600 reviews
story1.7k positive mentions
grinding102 negative mentions

  • The story in *Griftlands* is engaging, with unique character storylines and impactful choices that enhance the immersive experience.
  • The game features a vibrant art style and smooth animations, contributing significantly to its overall appeal and atmosphere.
  • The innovative dual-deck system allows for a unique blend of combat and negotiation, adding depth and strategic complexity to the gameplay.
  • The story can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs, limiting its overall replayability.
  • Some players find the gameplay less polished compared to similar titles, with a lack of variety leading to a repetitive experience.
  • The game has mixed reviews regarding stability, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and bugs during gameplay.
  • story
    5,203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in *Griftlands* is a standout feature, praised for its engaging narrative and character development, which adds depth to the gameplay. Players appreciate the unique storylines for each of the three characters, with choices that significantly impact the plot and relationships with NPCs, creating a rich, immersive experience. However, some reviewers note that the story can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs, and while the initial experience is compelling, the replayability may be limited once the main arcs are completed.

    • “Unusual gameplay mechanics, unique storytelling narrative by combining rogue-lite card game mechanics and 2 different combat scenarios that we can play with 3 sets of different cards unique to that character, absolute masterpiece of a card game.”
    • “The world/story/characters are compelling and I don't say so lightly.”
    • “The story and unique mechanics/ideas hooked me at the start and the core gameplay kept me here long term.”
    • “The story and world building sets up so much but does not delve that deep into it.”
    • “Good gameplay, poor story!”
    • “The story elements were not that compelling to justify another playthrough and it feels they will get in the way of the battles.”
  • gameplay
    3,180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Griftlands* is characterized by its innovative dual-deck system, allowing players to engage in both combat and negotiation, each with unique mechanics that enhance strategic depth. While many players appreciate the engaging story and character interactions, some critique the gameplay for being less polished compared to similar titles like *Slay the Spire*, noting that the complexity can be overwhelming and the replayability may diminish after completing the campaigns. Overall, the game offers a rich blend of narrative and mechanics, making it a compelling choice for fans of deck-building roguelikes.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and requires tactical thinking, and the blend of negotiation and combat adds a unique layer of depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The dual-deck system is a novel concept that adds layers of complexity to the gameplay.”
    • “The negotiation battles are a particularly interesting take on traditional battle mechanics ... the way it is set up is just fantastic ... intentions and arguments of the adversaries is pure fun and somehow draw you into a psychological battle that I have never seen anywhere before ... great work from the developers!”
    • “His defense is bad, his damage is bad, his mechanics are counter-intuitive, he's hard countered by several bosses, and because of these issues, he just isn't really fun to play because it's entirely possible to get rolled in the first couple of battles if you don't have good RNG.”
    • “The gameplay loop is a bit repetitive with low amount of variety which lowers its replayability.”
    • “The story and gameplay isn't anything special, but they keep the interest well enough.”
  • graphics
    998 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Griftlands" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, cartoonish art style and smooth animations, which effectively enhance the game's storytelling and immersive world. Players appreciate the unique character designs and detailed environments, noting that the visuals contribute significantly to the overall experience, despite some minor graphical bugs. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a standout feature, aligning well with Klei Entertainment's signature artistic approach.

    • “The artwork and animations are great and the world design feels complete.”
    • “Fantastic graphics, card art, character art, combat animation, etc.”
    • “The visuals are nothing short of stunning, with huge, animated sprites and a surprising variety of motions between all the different character types.”
    • “Overall, other than the graphics everything else is bad or mediocre.”
    • “While the art style and overall aesthetic of the game is good, the battles are visually quite boring and not fun.”
    • “The art style is too busy, annoying, and nonsensical.”
  • replayability
    876 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the diverse character storylines, random events, and various gameplay modes that keep each run fresh and engaging. While some reviewers note that the narrative-heavy design may limit replay value compared to more mechanically focused roguelikes, the inclusion of unlockable content, daily challenges, and different character mechanics contribute to a satisfying replay experience. Overall, players find the game offers substantial replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.

    • “This works really well, and because there are lots of different choices to make in combination with random events, the replayability is very high.”
    • “The upgrade system for future runs and the different characters make this game very replayable.”
    • “The writing, the characters, the seemingly endless combinations of negotiation and combat skills, and lots of fresh replayability, all add up for a challenging, but good time.”
    • “I'm glad I bought the game so far, and I plan to play it through, but since the story is such an important part of the experience, I doubt it will be as replayable as other games.”
    • “It was enjoyable, but lacks much replayability, which is what I really want from roguelike deckbuilders.”
    • “The game is not that replayable and the 'it's a story rogue-like' side is nothing special, but still more unique than Hades.”
  • music
    454 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay, particularly during combat and negotiation sequences. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and memorable, others describe it as repetitive or lacking standout tracks. Overall, the music is generally considered solid and fitting for the game's aesthetic, contributing positively to the immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack is a majestic synth that will make you feel chilled, and at the same time connected to the story.”
    • “The music is impeccable, particularly the battle theme which masterfully shifts in tone as combat escalates toward its conclusion; even after 60 hours of play, I haven't gotten sick of it.”
    • “The music and sounds are perfect.”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
    • “As for the presentation - the art is stylish and all, but the music is forgettable at best and annoying at worst, which is quite a flaw when taking bogged down card battles into consideration.”
    • “The music could be better for sure though, it is a little bit annoying at times and very repetitive.”
  • humor
    226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Griftlands" is widely praised for its clever and well-written dialogue, which combines dark humor with a quirky, tongue-in-cheek style reminiscent of Edgar Wright films. Players appreciate the game's ability to deliver hilarious moments through character interactions and unique storytelling, making it engaging and replayable. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The style is cyberpunk sci-fi, ala Blade Runner, except it's tongue-in-cheek and funny, like an Edgar Wright movie.”
    • “The dialogue is sharp and humorous, and the descriptions could pass for a novel.”
    • “The writing is really well done; it's humorous, but the characters still talk like people, and you're able to get immersed in the storytelling.”
    • “Sometimes the humor just doesn't land.”
  • grinding
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to replay similar storylines and dialogues. While some appreciate the depth and strategy involved in grinding for character progression, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge. Overall, the game is seen as overly grindy, with some players questioning the necessity of such mechanics in a narrative-driven experience.

    • “Only downside I can think of is that this game is a bit too grindy and runs can take a bit too long for you to get wiped before you start unlocking the cards and perks you need.”
    • “The end result is a tedious game with some unique ideas that fails to be fun.”
    • “New content is locked behind hours of grinding.”
  • atmosphere
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant art style, engaging world-building, and immersive sound design, which collectively create a unique and captivating experience. Players appreciate the distinct locales, quirky characters, and the blend of humor and tension that enhances the overall mood, reminiscent of classic sci-fi settings. The combination of well-crafted dialogue, atmospheric music, and a rich narrative contributes to a standout experience that many find refreshing compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “Griftlands has a far superior art style; it offers different locales with their own distinct atmospheres and circumstances as the adventure's stomping grounds. It does a good job of portraying how as you gain notoriety, you gain new friends, but also make new enemies.”
    • “The overall art style is fantastic, and the music and alien voice-overs make this a very atmospheric game.”
    • “The world building and atmosphere is engaging and nuanced.”
    • “Compared to Inscryption, the story and atmosphere are dull and repetitive and overstay their welcome.”
    • “It also has a more grounded atmosphere, which is definitely a question of taste.”
    • “The setting and atmosphere resembles a post-apocalyptic world with a bit of a humorous take.”
  • character development
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and variety, featuring a rich array of unique character designs and backstories that enhance the immersive experience. Players appreciate the integration of deck-building mechanics with relationship dynamics, allowing for meaningful interactions and strategic gameplay. The vibrant art style and fluid animations further contribute to the game's appeal, making character development a standout aspect that captivates players.

    • “Character development in the form of deckbuilding and relationship building.”
    • “Character development feels like it is fully implemented and is rich with a broad number of short and long term systems to explore.”
    • “Real character development, survival in a dangerous world, interact with different factions, faction-specific card decks, character development over multiple levels, role playing - I am motivated to do all this in the game.”
    • “Character designs are not the best and definitely would've helped, if that is the type of game they were going for.”
    • “Character design is largely fixed.”
    • “Somehow like the hideous character design of the 'main' characters.”
  • stability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and significant bugs, particularly on startup and during gameplay. However, others report a surprisingly smooth experience with minimal glitches, praising its polished performance for an early access title. Overall, while some users face stability issues, others find the game largely bug-free and enjoyable.

    • “The game runs great, super slick and smooth and polished, responsive, everything you expect from Klei.”
    • “Can't believe how bug free the early access is.”
    • “So far it has been completely bug free for me.”
    • “I was getting the crash on startup issue, tried running as admin, which sorted it out, then trying out the game it crashes every 20 mins or so, just freezes up and won't continue.”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs/glitches.”
    • “While never intended, visual glitches tend to be rapid flickering.”
  • optimization
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance even on low-end PCs and no issues such as bugs or lag. The balance between deck-building and narrative engagement enhances the gameplay experience, making players feel responsible for their performance rather than relying solely on optimization strategies. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and effective mechanics contributes to a well-optimized gaming experience.

    • “Beautiful graphics, smooth performance on my low-end PC.”
    • “The game is extremely optimized with beautiful and creative world-building, characters, animations, and special effects.”
    • “I've never experienced a single bug, lag, FPS drops, or any other sort of performance issue.”
    • “Also unlike Slay the Spire, you actually feel responsible for your own performance.”
    • “I love the art and worldbuilding, and I love how building your deck is how your grifter is interacting with the world on their mission—focusing on comboing cards, fighting dirty, defensive, offensive, item-focused, ally-focused etc. It's all so good and makes for a lot of fun building that I don't see in a lot of these types of games because you're wanting to build for the story and character, not just optimization!”
    • “Another nifty game mechanic is how choosing whom becomes a beloved friend and whom you assault/betray to become your hated enemies can have a big effect on your performance during these runs as well.”
  • emotional
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of *Griftlands* resonates strongly with players, who appreciate its well-written characters and the ability to craft personal narratives through gameplay. While some reviewers noted a lack of deep emotional connection to the protagonist's agenda, many found the game's humor, touching moments, and impactful choices—such as sparing or killing characters—created a meaningful experience. Overall, the game's style and emotional feedback contribute to a sense of immersion, making players feel genuinely involved in the story.

    • “I've played several deckbuilders; this is the first one that I've felt emotionally connected to the characters.”
    • “Amazing characters and art that make moments heartfelt.”
    • “It's well-written, with a wry sense of humor and the occasional touching moment.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its well-written narrative and solid mechanics, with the added benefit of having no microtransactions, enhancing the overall experience. Randomness in gameplay contributes to varied storylines and faction dynamics, making each playthrough unique.

    • “Well written, good mechanics, and no microtransactions.”

Buy Griftlands

18h Median play time
39h Average play time
10-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 96 analyzed playthroughs

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