Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 177 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition Game Cover
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"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
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 177 reviews
graphics5 positive mentions
story2 negative mentions
  • The game is a fantastic remaster of the original, featuring improved graphics, new mechanics, and additional content that enhances the overall experience.
  • The gameplay is engaging with distinct classes, fun co-op mechanics, and a variety of challenging boss fights, making it a great dungeon crawler.
  • The new Shaftlocke Tower campaign adds significant depth and complexity, providing a fresh and enjoyable experience for both new and returning players.
  • The game suffers from significant bugs and issues, including frustrating level design and unclear mechanics that can lead to confusion and hinder progression.
  • Controller support is lacking, with complaints about the control scheme and issues like desynchronization in multiplayer, making it less user-friendly.
  • Some players feel that the game deviates too much from the original, leading to disappointment for those expecting a direct remake rather than a new experience.
  • graphics21 mentions

    The graphics update has received praise for significantly enhancing visual quality, with many users appreciating the modernized art style and effects like bloom and CRT curves. However, some players have noted that the enlarged character models can lead to reduced clarity and readability, detracting from the overall charm of the game. Overall, the remake is seen as a successful modernization that improves upon the original's visuals while maintaining its aesthetic roots.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is update enhanced as the graphics.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay in Hammerwatch Anniversary Edition features enhanced mechanics and improved controls, creating a more accessible and enjoyable experience. While some basic mechanics are not clearly explained, leading to initial confusion, the overall gameplay loop is tight and refined, making it a definitive version for both new and returning players. The remaster successfully integrates new features and visual upgrades, appealing to fans of the original game.

    • “The gameplay is updated and enhanced alongside the graphics.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is updated and enhanced, but it feels a little different mechanically.”
  • story8 mentions

    The story in this remaster is praised for its depth and engaging narrative, particularly highlighted by the Shaftlocke Tower campaign that retells the tale of "Hoh." Players are encouraged to strategize and manage resources carefully, enhancing the overall experience. The abundance of content has pleasantly surprised many, making it a compelling choice for those looking to revisit or explore the story further.

    • “This is a brilliant remaster, the cherry on top being the Shaftlocke Tower campaign which retells the story of Hoh.”
    • “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.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its nostalgic quality, complementing the pixel art style and enhancing the overall experience. Players express a strong emotional connection to the soundtrack, contributing to their enjoyment of the game.

    • “The music, which filled me with nostalgia.”
    • “Love the pixel art and the music.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment despite its appealing visuals.

    • “This game looks nice, but is extremely tedious to play.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely criticized, with players feeling that it either stems from glitches or a lack of effort from the creators, leading to a frustrating experience rather than genuine amusement. Many users suggest that the intention behind the humor may be to irritate players, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.

  • replayability2 mentions

    Users consistently highlight the game's excellent replayability, indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game offers great replayability, keeping me engaged for hours.”
    • “With its diverse choices and outcomes, the replayability is fantastic!”
    • “I love how each playthrough feels fresh, showcasing excellent replayability.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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