Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition
- August 15, 2023
- Crackshell
Get on Steam"Hammerwatch is a Fantasy Hack and Slash game with outstanding graphics, stellar music, and exceptional gameplay. Play solo or with up to four players in local, online, or LAN co-op. Customize your experience with adjustable difficulty, character development, and unlockable skills. With mod and editing support, there's lots of replayability in this action-adventure game."
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition is a visually stunning remaster that enhances the original game with improved graphics, new content, and quality of life changes.
- The gameplay is engaging and fun, with distinct classes, challenging boss fights, and a well-designed level structure that encourages exploration and puzzle-solving.
- The game supports cooperative play, making it a great experience for friends to enjoy together, and it retains the charm of the original while introducing new mechanics.
- Some players have reported frustrating bugs and issues, particularly with controller support and navigation, which can detract from the overall experience.
- The game can be tedious at times, with some mechanics and objectives poorly explained, leading to confusion and unnecessary backtracking.
- The control scheme has shifted from the original, which may not appeal to fans of the first game, as it feels different and less intuitive for some players.
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received significant praise for their modernization and aesthetic appeal, enhancing the overall visual experience while maintaining elements of the original art style. However, some players have noted that the updated visuals can compromise clarity and readability, making gameplay more challenging. Overall, the graphical improvements, including enlarged character models and new effects, contribute positively to the remake's charm and enjoyment.
“I think they represent a perfect modernization of Gauntlet, bringing in elements from many other top-down and isometric RPGs and just creating something really aesthetically pleasing and fun to play.”
“The biggest and most obvious difference you will notice is the graphics update.”
“This is an exceptional remake of the first Hammerwatch game and it only benefits in every way from the work put into it: excellent visuals and sound, re-balanced effects, and new content.”
“My biggest issue is the updated graphics are a lot harder to read, visually, so the game loses a lot of clarity, as well as a bit of its charm.”
“But I also want to point out something subtle about the graphics update that most people will not really notice because they don't think about these things - the graphics update also enlarges everything, so your character is like 2x as big on your screen as it was in the original.”
“The gameplay is update enhanced as the graphics.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Hammerwatch Anniversary is a refined and enhanced experience, featuring updated mechanics and improved controls that make it more accessible for new players. While the game successfully integrates elements from both Hammerwatch and Heroes of Hammerwatch, some basic mechanics are not clearly explained, which can lead to confusion. Overall, it offers a tight and enjoyable gameplay loop, appealing to both veterans and newcomers alike.
“Hammerwatch Anniversary is the definitive way to play Hammerwatch 1 and even includes the main campaign from Heroes of Hammerwatch, all upgraded to the visual style and gameplay feel of Hammerwatch 2.”
“I found it to be a tight, enjoyable gameplay loop.”
“Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition is a great example of a team that wanted to make an honest attempt at remastering their now 10-year-old game, making quality of life improvements and balance tweaks to refine the gameplay, and to give veteran players something to return to.”
“Some of the most basic mechanics are never told to you and you're left wandering for hours until you figure it out.”
“Maybe explain the mechanics.”
“Everything feels a little different mechanically.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story in this remaster is praised for its engaging Shaftlocke Tower campaign, which effectively retells the narrative of the original game while encouraging strategic resource management. Players appreciate the depth and richness of the content, making it a compelling experience that enhances their interest in related titles like Hammerwatch 2.
“This is a brilliant remaster, the cherry on top being the Shaftlocke Tower campaign which retells the story of Hoh.”
“I was going to get Hammerwatch 2 after playing through this for a refresher of the story - I did not expect to be confronted with this vast wealth of content.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving me feeling disconnected from their motivations.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its nostalgic quality, complementing the pixel art and enhancing the overall experience.
“I love the pixel art and the music.”
“The music filled me with nostalgia.”
“The music, which filled me with nostalgia.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game visually appealing, but they criticize it for being excessively tedious due to its grinding mechanics.
“This game looks nice, but is extremely tedious to play.”
“The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it just became boring.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often perceived as frustrating, with some players feeling that glitches detract from the experience, while others suggest that the creators may intentionally aim to irritate players as a form of comedic expression.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's great replayability, indicating that it offers enough variety and engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The game offers great replayability, with multiple paths and choices that keep each playthrough fresh.”
“I love how the different character builds and strategies make every run feel unique, enhancing the replayability.”
“With various endings and side quests, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
