Haque

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 141 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Haque Game Cover
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"Haque" is a single-player fantasy role-playing game with a good story, solid mechanics, and vibrant graphics. As a glitch fantasy roguelike, players journey through pixelated landscapes, battling monsters and completing quests with the help of a trusty pet. The game features charming and unusual character classes, engaging enemies, and a suspenseful narrator with a sense of humor, making for a unique and enjoyable experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 141 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Haque offers a charming and unique roguelike experience with a variety of character classes and races, allowing for diverse gameplay styles.
  • The game features a delightful soundtrack and engaging writing, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
  • The mechanics are accessible for newcomers while still providing depth and strategy for veterans, making it a great entry point into the genre.
  • The user interface can be confusing, with unclear HUD elements and a lack of proper tutorials, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics.
  • Some players have reported performance issues, including crashes and problems with V-Sync, which can detract from the experience.
  • The game can feel overly reliant on starting loadouts, leading to frustration when runs are heavily influenced by initial character choices.
  • gameplay58 mentions

    The gameplay of "haque" is characterized by its accessible mechanics that offer depth beneath a simple surface, making it suitable for both newcomers and seasoned players. The game features engaging turn-based mechanics, a charming aesthetic, and a unique integration of music and narrative that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the mechanics less complex compared to other roguelikes, the intuitive design and rewarding learning curve keep the gameplay enjoyable and replayable.

    • “Probably the prettiest roguelike with beautiful CRT pixel graphics and straightforward gameplay, with more depth to it than meets the eye.”
    • “The gameplay itself is perfectly refined, with much of the fat that hurts most roguelikes trimmed off.”
    • “This game oozes with so much charm and humor, awesome unique mechanics, while still being super accessible to people that aren't hardcore turn-based roguelike fans.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are a bit simple for a game that technically qualifies as an actual roguelike, but that makes it ideal for a newcomer or someone looking for a more laid-back game.”
    • “Really lovely visuals and effects are really the only notable features; mechanically, the game is half-baked and it falls apart after a few replays.”
    • “It's actually rather frustrating mechanically to feel like I'm avoiding gameplay, if that makes sense.”
  • music49 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and thematic integration, with many praising the acoustic and classical guitar-centric soundtrack as well as its ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some players noted a desire for more variety and found certain tracks repetitive or less engaging, the overall sentiment highlights the soundtrack as a standout feature that complements the game's aesthetic and charm. The composer, Joe Kenneally, is particularly recognized for crafting a memorable and fitting score that resonates well with players.

    • “The soundtrack is simply outstanding; Joe Kenneally did a great job. It fits perfectly with the game, its intensity depends on your character's status and the place you are on the map. It's hard to explain it; I think the best way to experience it is simply by playing the game!”
    • “What makes Haque stand out is its gameplay, aesthetic charm, and incredible soundtrack.”
    • “While this title has many high points, the music is easily my favorite part.”
    • “I had to mute the music and just rely on the beeps and boops, which honestly suits a game that looks like this much better anyway.”
    • “My only complaint is the terrible song that plays during the first 5 floors... not sure how a noodly, slow folk-sounding song is supposed to pump me up to fight enemies and such but I usually mute the game until I get past the first boss and the music changes.”
    • “Well, the soundtrack can be quite repetitive sometimes and there are few character options.”
  • graphics49 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro aesthetic, featuring beautiful CRT pixel art that evokes nostalgia while incorporating modern effects like sprite rotation and screen shake. Players appreciate the cohesive integration of visuals with gameplay and sound, although some find the simplistic style occasionally challenging to interpret. Overall, the unique art style and customizable visual options contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “Probably the prettiest roguelike with beautiful CRT pixel graphics and simple, straightforward gameplay, with more depth to it than meets the eye.”
    • “Even aside from the creativity of that angle, the faux-CRT graphics complete with monitor smudges and scan lines do a lot to enhance the chunky pixel art of the game.”
    • “The visuals are charming and unique, with a highly customizable look—shaders, filters, and post-processing effects to make it look however you want—dirty, beat-up CRT with after-images, clean and crisp, glowing; it's pretty neat.”
    • “With that large pixel, low palette, it feels like some version of this game could run on DOS with VGA graphics.”
    • “Simple 'bad' graphics (like I'm all down for stylized pixel art - I love it. But I want to be able to tell what I'm looking at at minimum), 'you hit me I hit you' combat, no diagonal movement, no real XP or leveling system, sounds that are just above PC speaker in quality - how is this so recommended by roguelike players?”
    • “I started playing and the inscrutable interface very much irritated me, and I felt the designers' want to remain true to the aesthetic... much to the detriment of clear communication to the player.”
  • story30 mentions

    The story in this game is praised for its unique and charming narrative, which cleverly integrates with gameplay mechanics and enhances the overall experience. While it may start slowly, players find that the plot deepens and becomes increasingly engaging, with intriguing twists and a whimsical tone reminiscent of titles like "Pony Island." The combination of humor, art, and music further enriches the storytelling, making it a standout feature that encourages replayability and exploration.

    • “What appears to be just another roguelike at first, eventually turns into something actually interesting and different (in terms of the storytelling and world-building).”
    • “I won't spoil the story for you, but I will say that I love the way it uses devices like the narrator to make you reflect on being a player playing a game that isn't just something that has washed up on a beach or appeared out of a vacuum... the game is a place out there, somewhere, that people have lived in and are living in still.”
    • “It has all of the deep gameplay mechanics and challenging learning curve that you'd expect from its genre, but its story and the intensely clever writing therein will keep you coming back for repeat plays long after you've beaten the game.”
    • “While it certainly takes its time, waiting for the story to kick in, I could definitely see the stylistic choices (especially the cutesy format) being a turnoff for some folks.”
    • “This game doesn't have any of that - the driving force to keep playing is to experiment, see how far you can get, and try and figure out what is actually going on story-wise.”
    • “While I love character creation in roleplaying games, this isn't what Haque is built around - it's all about the combat and its incredibly cute story.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in Haque is widely praised for its quirky and charming nature, with players highlighting the amusing character and item descriptions, as well as the witty narration that adds depth to the gameplay. The game features a variety of unique race/class combinations and companions that contribute to its lighthearted tone, making it accessible and enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players. Overall, the humor is described as heartfelt, clever, and integral to the game's appeal.

    • “From the unique race/class combos (such as an eagle werewolf, a gelatin-based bandit, a djinn sorceress, etc.) to the companions (cats, dogs, cacti, jackalope, turtles, etc.) to the flavor text that genuinely tickles my funny bone, everything is just fun and crafted with love.”
    • “The game is filled with quirky humor that's right up my alley, and you can see it's made with love through and through.”
    • “Item and character descriptions are brimming with quiet biting humor and self-aware observations.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as a beautifully glitchy and unique experience that evokes nostalgia, blending melancholic and peaceful moods with moments of cheerfulness. Players appreciate its ability to create a captivating ambiance reminiscent of classic horror games, enhancing the overall gameplay with its clever and whimsical design.

    • “Haque has a gorgeous glitchy atmosphere in a tiny roguelike package.”
    • “Atmospheric, beautiful, unique to each level, it creates a mood both melancholic and peaceful.”
    • “The atmosphere generated as the game progresses makes me nostalgic for horror games I grew up playing like Silent Hill and Diablo 1.”
    • “The atmosphere generated as the game progresses makes me nostalgic for horror games I grew up playing, like Silent Hill and Diablo 1.”
    • “Within a very short span of time, the game has endeared me with its nostalgic visuals, 'one more run' gameplay, and overall clever and whimsical atmosphere.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its diverse class and race combinations, crafting systems, and adjustable difficulty levels, allowing players to explore various builds and secrets. While some players find it lacking in depth, many appreciate the charm, humor, and unique mechanics that keep the experience fresh across multiple playthroughs. Overall, it successfully engages both hardcore and casual roguelike fans.

    • “The replayability is the sheer difference in style each class/race combo generated offers.”
    • “Lots of replayability with different classes, races, pets, a fun crafting system, etc. Not a perfect game by any means, but I've really enjoyed the time I've put into it this far.”
    • “Not great seeing as this is a roguelike, which is meant to be replayable.”
    • “It's not overly complicated but offers replayability due to its options to adjust difficulty, little secrets to be found, and a forging & upgrade system with branching paths that allow for diverse builds.”
    • “This is a quite good little roguelike; deep enough to provide for actual replayability (as opposed to getting bored on your first couple of playthroughs), with some interesting but predictable story elements.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with players noting that glitches may be intentional features rather than mere technical issues, leading to confusion about whether they stem from design choices or actual bugs. The presentation, including retro-style loading screens, adds to the overall experience, but the frequent glitches can detract from gameplay.

    • “The issues I keep finding... I do not know if they are glitches, poor design choices, or just confusing me.”
    • “I won’t spoil how the presentation of the game ties into the game itself, but the glitches when you get low on life and the initial DOS-esque loading screens aren’t just there for kitsch factor.”
    • “When a game about glitches is actually glitchy.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express high praise for games that evoke strong emotional responses, highlighting how seamlessly the elements come together to create a heartwarming experience that resonates deeply.

    • “Praise and excitement for those that left a lasting emotional impression on your soft gamer brain.”
    • “Everything just blends perfectly in an organic fashion in such a way that the experience is heartwarming.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious over time, potentially influenced by their chosen strategies.

    • “At the end, it became somewhat tedious, but this may be because of my cheesy strategy.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel monotonous.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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