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Have a Nice Death

Have a Nice Death is one of my new favorites. Between its engaging gameplay, fun characters, and fantastic art design, HaND is sure to go down as one of the best roguelikes I’ve ever played, and a game I’ll be talking about for a long time.
Have a Nice Death Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
grinding, stability
88% User Score Based on 4,481 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 27 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXbox Cloud GamingSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Have a Nice Death Game Cover

About

Have a Nice Death is a single player arcade platformer game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Magic Design Studios and was released on March 21, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Have a Nice Death" is an action-packed roguelike game where you play as the Grim Reaper, tasked with maintaining balance in the afterlife. Traverse through procedurally generated levels, battling quirky characters and Nemesthesises while upgrading your abilities to become a more efficient reaper. Face the chaos caused by your overzealous management and prove that death can indeed be a pleasant experience.

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88%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,481 reviews
graphics518 positive mentions
grinding55 negative mentions

  • The game features a stunning art style and smooth animations that enhance the overall experience.
  • Combat is fast-paced and fluid, providing a satisfying gameplay loop with a variety of weapons and abilities.
  • The humor and quirky characters add charm to the game, making it enjoyable and engaging.
  • The game suffers from significant balancing issues, with some bosses being overly difficult compared to regular enemies.
  • There is a lack of meaningful progression, as most upgrades and abilities do not carry over between runs, leading to a repetitive experience.
  • The RNG elements can make runs feel frustratingly luck-based, with players often relying on random drops to succeed.
  • graphics
    821 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Have a Nice Death" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style and smooth animations, often compared to the aesthetics of Tim Burton and other beloved animated works. Players appreciate the charming character designs and vibrant visuals, which enhance the game's dark humor and overall atmosphere. However, some critiques mention that the color palette can feel bland at times, leading to a lack of variety in environments, despite the overall visual appeal.

    • “Every frame is lovingly animated with an eerie, gothic cartoon style that brings to mind Tim Burton’s aesthetic but filtered through a sleek, modern lens.”
    • “Have a nice death is a visually striking roguelike with a fantastic art style and smooth, satisfying gameplay.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, the animations are crisp, and everything about the graphics, in general, is quite satisfying.”
    • “The environment stays the same colors and graphics for all the randomized rooms until you move onto a new location, which all suffer from the same problem.”
    • “Art style: the art is good, too bad you'll be seeing it over and over and over and over again until you are sick of it.”
    • “The visuals and the sound design are so mediocre.”
  • gameplay
    773 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Have a Nice Death" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fluid mechanics, engaging combat, and charming art style. However, criticisms often focus on the repetitiveness of the gameplay loop, lack of variety in enemies and bosses, and frustrating healing mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay satisfying and addictive, others feel it lacks depth and can become tedious over time, especially due to the reliance on RNG for weapon and upgrade availability.

    • “The gameplay loop is fun and has interesting and unique mechanics.”
    • “Have a nice death ultimately succeeds by offering a tightly designed, aesthetically rich roguelike experience with razor-sharp gameplay and a distinctive voice.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, fun, and challenging, but gets repetitive too quickly.”
    • “The gameplay itself is not that fun; to be honest, I would prefer to play any other roguelikes.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so tedious that I cannot recommend this game.”
    • “There is honestly a good game buried in here, but the balancing of mechanics and systems just sinks it, which is a shame because the art style is beautiful.”
  • humor
    349 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Have a Nice Death" is a standout feature, blending dark and whimsical elements that resonate well with players, particularly those familiar with office culture. While many find the writing and character interactions genuinely funny and charming, some critiques point to moments where the humor can feel repetitive or fall flat. Overall, the game's witty dialogue, engaging characters, and clever satire contribute to a unique and enjoyable experience, making it a delightful addition to the roguelike genre.

    • “The narrative premise is as humorous as it is dark: in an effort to automate the soul-harvesting process, death’s employees (the sorrows) have run amok, tipping the balance of the afterlife and forcing their reluctant CEO to take up the scythe once more.”
    • “There’s a sense of personality infused in every character and backdrop, and the game’s humor—dry, sardonic, and self-aware—gives it an identity that feels unique among its contemporaries.”
    • “The humor mixed into the game is a wonderful touch.”
    • “It's just a never-ending spam of unfunny jokes; it feels like a Rick and Morty episode.”
    • “The basic attack is so unusable it's not funny.”
  • music
    305 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its variety and ability to complement the gameplay, with many reviewers highlighting the catchy elevator music and thematic tracks that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some found the soundtrack to be somewhat repetitive or lacking in variety, others described it as a standout feature that adds charm and personality to the game. Overall, the music is considered a strong element, contributing significantly to the game's engaging experience.

    • “One of the most polished elements of the game is its soundtrack, which pairs beautifully with the tone and pacing.”
    • “The music never overpowers the action but always complements it, reinforcing the dark yet playful mood that defines the game’s identity.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing; I could just sit here and listen to this without playing the game.”
    • “The music is also nothing to brag about.”
    • “My other complaint is about the soundtrack, as I sometimes feel like it's not even there; it's too smooth to notice. If I have to remember one, it must be the elevator song, which says a lot.”
    • “I just want to say that it could really use some more music variety; let's say the elevator music on each stage could be different, maybe some randomization to the bosses or a way to not expect everything any given stage, and this game could be among my favorites.”
  • story
    284 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Have a Nice Death" is characterized by its humorous and light-hearted take on the concept of death as a bureaucratic figure managing a corporation for souls. While the narrative is often described as simple and sometimes repetitive, it features clever dialogue and engaging character interactions that add charm to the gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic elements and the way the story unfolds through various runs, though some feel it lacks depth compared to other roguelikes like Hades.

    • “The story is told in a compendium as you play runs, the same way Hades is done.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, and overall controls are great and this has quickly become one of my most favorite games of all time.”
    • “The story is simple, but very funny.”
    • “A majority of the NPCs that you interact with in the background story are forgettable, with the exception of the pumpkin, who is thrown at you at every available moment, but even that became boring after a few hours.”
    • “The story was serviceable, but unfortunately in the replayability department-- especially for a 'roguelite' is quite lacking.”
    • “The story and dialog don't make a lot of sense (and yes, I have a desk job).”
  • grinding
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding the process tedious and unfulfilling. Achievements and unlocks require extensive grinding, often involving repetitive gameplay and reliance on RNG, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the challenge and the potential for powerful builds, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind feels excessive and punishing, leading to a frustrating experience rather than a rewarding one.

    • “The visuals are stunning, the combat is super smooth, and the progression feels just right—not too grindy and super fun. I never get bored, and the story and lore are really interesting. Overall, the gameplay is fantastic.”
    • “Grinding in this game is engaging and rewarding, making it feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.”
    • “The balance of grinding and progression keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, allowing me to enjoy the journey without feeling overwhelmed.”
    • “The levels are repetitive and grindy, the unlocks are unsatisfying, and the gameplay explanations are obfuscated under pages of puns that make it hard to find the actual information.”
    • “Achievements for getting all curses and all first bestiary entries are grindy.”
    • “It's tedious and boring.”
  • replayability
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the variety in builds, weapons, and upgrades that encourage experimentation, while others criticize the repetitive gameplay and lack of meaningful progression. While many find the combat engaging and the potential for different playstyles appealing, others feel it falls short compared to other roguelikes, leading to a sense of limited replay value after initial runs. Overall, the game offers decent replayability, but improvements are needed to enhance long-term engagement.

    • “The variety in builds and loadouts offers strong replayability, and there's genuine excitement in discovering synergies between curses, weapons, and upgrades.”
    • “There's a lot of replayability to it, to experiment with different builds and paths, and the combat is fast-paced and fun.”
    • “An excellent roguelike with massive replayability.”
    • “Replayability might be a problem with this game, as you always go through the same path (more or less), which I believe can get pretty repetitive real fast.”
    • “However, I feel there isn’t much replayability once you’ve beaten the game.”
    • “Game is very repetitive, very challenging and not much replayability due to the fact that there is no replayable progression - you will be stuck on the same level over and over again and if you die you start all over again until you learn the boss's pattern or give up and uninstall.”
  • atmosphere
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of charming visuals, engaging music, and thematic depth, creating a unique and immersive experience. Players appreciate the distinct ambiance of each area, from lighthearted and quirky to haunting and intense, which enhances both the gameplay and storytelling. Overall, the game's art style, sound design, and humor contribute to a memorable atmosphere that resonates with players, drawing them into its world.

    • “The atmosphere of each biome is near perfect; the music, the enemies, and the thematic changes between each are wonderful.”
    • “Beautiful and quirky atmosphere mixed with a fun but grim office grind theme to the afterlife.”
    • “The game's art style is beautifully cartoony, and the music and sound effects are incredibly atmospheric and immersive.”
    • “The cute, well-detailed graphics create a lighthearted atmosphere, helping players overlook the game's darker themes about accidents and death.”
    • “I just got sucked in by the atmosphere, the visuals, the music/sounds, and of course the desire to teach those who work for death a lesson or two.”
    • “So far it feels like a mix and monster mash of some of the elements from Hollow Knight, Hades, and Dead Cells with the charming characters and atmosphere from the Luigi's Mansion series.”
  • stability
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and freezing issues that detract from the overall experience. Common problems include music skipping, characters getting stuck, and game freezes, particularly during critical moments like death or interactions. While some players still find enjoyment in the game despite these issues, many recommend waiting for further patches and improvements before fully committing.

    • “This is a great side scroller game that runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “But other than that, so far bug free.”
    • “Love it, almost no glitches and bugs.”
    • “The game is a bit buggy as it is in early access.”
    • “This game was a buggy mess on release; you could clip through the floor, become invincible, do infinite damage, etc. If you're expecting it to be perfect, you're silly.”
    • “Game is very very buggy at the moment, just needs to be patched up and this game will be incredible.”
  • character development
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive art style and unique character designs, which are praised for their creativity and humor. However, many players feel that the gameplay lacks depth and variety, leading to a repetitive experience that diminishes the potential for meaningful character growth. While the animations and overall aesthetic are celebrated, the absence of substantial character progression systems leaves some players wanting more.

    • “The character designs are unique and play along with the character's punny names or defining features.”
    • “I love the character designs as well; some favorites are Death, Pumpquin, Harriet, Camille (Thanager), and both the bosses in the natural disasters area (Thundercloud and Catherine Imamura) but honestly, I love all the characters.”
    • “The artwork alone is amazing, coupled with unique character design, great animations, and a fluid fighting system; this game has immense potential.”
    • “I love the character designs, but this game has some of the most god-awful writing I have ever tried to read.”
    • “No character development.”
    • “I'd like to see a wider variety of drops from enemies and loot boxes, perhaps even a couple of extra systems for new types of loot to add to the complexity of character development.”
  • optimization
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and accessibility for low-end PCs, there are notable issues such as crashes, bugs, and balance problems that can hinder gameplay. Some users have experienced performance hiccups, but updates have improved the experience for others. Despite these challenges, the gameplay remains enjoyable, and players are hopeful for future optimizations.

    • “Performance-wise, it usually runs really well.”
    • “Also, the game is highly optimized so even people with low-end PCs can easily play the game and enjoy it.”
    • “Performance is good, gameplay is fun and satisfying.”
    • “But there are balance problems, performance issues, huge bugs that can make the game unplayable, and the story doesn't end up being as interesting as you'd think, at least 6 hours in.”
    • “My only issue is with performance; I had the game crash two or three times, and I by no means have a bad PC; I can comfortably run Baldur's Gate.”
    • “Basically, it's a bit of a buggy mess, but a really fun buggy mess. I hope optimizations come soon and that the full release will one day let this game fully shine!”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally uplifting, praising its wholesome characters, cute design, and lighthearted yet poignant themes. While it balances humor with deeper issues, it evokes a range of feelings, from joy to heartache, enhancing the overall gaming experience. However, some comments veer off-topic, reflecting a mix of sentiments within the community.

    • “I think a lot of folks have already said a lot about how this game plays, but my review is about how it made me feel.”
    • “The characters are really wholesome, and the game lights up my mood every time I decide to boot it up.”
    • “It's adorable yet heart-wrenching in a way that makes me enjoy the game more and more.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features no microtransactions, making it accessible for newcomers to the roguelike genre, while its engaging art style and minimal bugs enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the absence of intrusive monetization strategies, allowing for a more enjoyable gameplay focus.

    • “If this is your first roguelike, the game is more than good enough to give you an idea if you want to keep investing in the genre, not to mention its amazing art style and personality, or how it has very few bugs and no microtransactions.”
    • “I saw the ads, and I loved it immediately.”
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8h Median play time
22h Average play time
5-21h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 27 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a Nice Death is a arcade platformer game with comedy theme.

Have a Nice Death is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 22 hours playing Have a Nice Death.

Have a Nice Death was released on March 21, 2023.

Have a Nice Death was developed by Magic Design Studios.

Have a Nice Death has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its grinding.

Have a Nice Death is a single player game.

Similar games include Skul: The Hero Slayer, Curse of the Dead Gods, ScourgeBringer, Rogue Legacy 2, Astral Ascent and others.