Heart&Slash

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 677 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Heart&Slash Game Cover
Heart & Slash is an unforgiving but rewarding entry into the brawler genre.
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Heart&Slash is a single-player Science Fiction Hack and Slash game, where you play as Heart, a robot fighting to escape the grip of the evil machine QuAsSy. The game features 3 worlds, unique enemies and weapons, and perma-death with persistent progression. Despite its small development team, Heart&Slash boasts ingenious graphics, spectacular gameplay, and a beautiful soundtrack, though it is known to be buggy.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 677 reviews
music148 positive mentions
stability42 negative mentions
  • Heart&Slash features a fun and fast-paced combat system with a wide variety of weapons and armor, allowing for diverse playstyles.
  • The game's art style is charming and visually appealing, reminiscent of classic games like Mega Man Legends.
  • The soundtrack is engaging and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game, enhancing the experience.
  • The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, particularly with the camera and jumping mechanics.
  • The game lacks sufficient variety in levels and enemies, leading to repetitive gameplay after multiple runs.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with clipping and freezing during combat.
  • music246 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its upbeat and engaging soundtrack, which many players find memorable and enjoyable, often enhancing the overall gaming experience. While some users note that the tracks can become repetitive, especially in longer play sessions, the majority appreciate the energetic vibe that complements the gameplay. However, a few critics feel that certain music choices do not fit the game's tone and suggest muting it in favor of personal playlists.

    • “The soundtrack is without a doubt the high point of the game; the tracks get you pumped, just like a good soundtrack should.”
    • “I could play the game and listen to the accompanying soundtrack all day long and not get tired of it.”
    • “The music is phenomenal that I just can't wait to get to the next area just to hear the theme, and it's a pretty nice game overall.”
    • “However, I cannot recommend the music. I bought this game a long time ago, gave it a try and dropped it, only to pick it up again recently and think, 'Why didn't I play more of this?' Then the music started playing.”
    • “It's charming music but gets grating extremely quickly, and it really doesn't fit the tone of the game.”
    • “Personally, I recommend muting the music immediately and putting something you like; I recommend Carpenter Brut.”
  • story184 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as cute and heartwarming, with engaging character interactions and a charming aesthetic, though it is often criticized for being underdeveloped and lacking depth. Players appreciate the gradual unfolding of the narrative across multiple runs, but many feel that the plot could benefit from more substantial content and clearer explanations. Overall, while the story adds a pleasant layer to the gameplay, it is seen as somewhat simplistic and repetitive, with some players wishing for more complexity and variety.

    • “The writing between the two characters, the relationship they have, and the story within the game is so cute and perfect.”
    • “There are little storylines you can find that progress from run to run as heart is put back together again and again, and they are very sweet.”
    • “The story is pretty engaging, especially the way things carry over and continue between runs, helping you feel like you're progressing even when you're stuck.”
    • “A lot of the nuances of the plot are never really fleshed out nor explained, despite the tutorial and narratives implicating that more will be told later on (spoiler: it won't).”
    • “But the way the game ultimately handles the story is, well... disappointing.”
    • “Story and idea behind the whole thing isn't worth your time.”
  • gameplay182 mentions

    The gameplay of Heart & Slash is characterized by fast-paced combat, a variety of weapons, and engaging mechanics that encourage strategic decision-making, such as recycling gear for health. While many players appreciate the fluidity and depth of the combat, some criticize the clunky controls and vague mechanics that can hinder the experience. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of roguelike elements and satisfying action, though it may require some adjustment for new players.

    • “The gameplay is where the game is at its peak.”
    • “The combination of good visuals and fantastic music, and solid gameplay makes for a great package.”
    • “With a great and fairly lengthy story, excellent gameplay, and tons of content, this is probably the first game where I've felt really compelled to complete the whole game and try out every weapon.”
    • “Heart & Slash as a concept has great potential, but it sadly falls flat in terms of gameplay.”
    • “It was okay while it lasted, but this game is plagued with gameplay problems that make it borderline unplayable.”
    • “Visuals, premise, and music are really nice, but the gameplay is clunky as hell.”
  • graphics139 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their distinct and captivating art style, featuring charming voxel visuals and meticulous enemy designs that evoke nostalgia for classic titles like Mega Man Legends. However, some players note issues with repetitiveness in level and enemy design, as well as occasional graphical errors that detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the vibrant aesthetics and engaging soundtrack contribute to a fun and enjoyable gameplay atmosphere.

    • “The graphics have a very distinct and captivating style, the enemies are meticulously crafted, and the environments - though a bit repetitive - are varied enough to not bore you.”
    • “Gorgeous voxel visuals, tight combat and a gradual learning curve that isn't too steep to be discouraging, but still enough to give you something to strive for!”
    • “The voxel-art style is crisp and colorful, giving everything a lovely cartoon aesthetic.”
    • “However, odd hit boxes, some game design choices, and some graphical errors hold it back.”
    • “Not even touching upon the multitude of z-fighting, and inverted normals, among other things with stages that as a 3D modeller myself, I find absolutely infuriating for various reasons. It all just piles up the longer you play, and as someone who loves the music, art style, and character designs, the gameplay, and all of these ridiculous problems make it something I just cannot recommend.”
    • “Presentation cons: visuals can make the levels a bit hard to navigate as the textures all kind of blend together in some stages, the mini map can feel a bit too vague at times.”
  • stability44 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes, visual errors, and problematic mechanics. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these flaws, many recommend waiting for a discount due to the lack of polish and the potential for frustrating interruptions. Overall, the game's charm and fun elements are often overshadowed by its instability.

    • “The game runs great, has charm, and the combat is fun, with a decent amount of weapons and items to find. It's everything you expect from a solid roguelite.”
    • “The game operates smoothly, providing a stable experience that enhances the overall enjoyment.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; it allows me to focus on the gameplay without worrying about crashes or glitches.”
    • “If you play it for any longer than an hour or two, you will see just how buggy it is.”
    • “However, the only thing that truly deters my opinion on this game is just how buggy it is; for reference, I initially played the Nintendo Switch version first, but moved to the Steam version shortly after due to how often it was subject to crashes, not even being able to reach the second level.”
    • “Black loading screens between levels, stuck camera on boss fights, bosses that fail to enter a 'damage phase', bosses that fail to start, bosses that fail to open the door on completion, 'forever falling' glitches, doors and platforms that fail to open up the path forward, the list goes on.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive unlockables, diverse weapon variety, and dynamic gameplay, making it appealing for players who enjoy collecting and experimenting with different parts and characters. While the adventure mode offers limited replay value, the randomness and additional modes, such as endless dungeon, enhance the overall experience. Many players find themselves eager to return for more, highlighting its fun and engaging nature.

    • “Plays smoothly, and has one of the highest replayability values of any indie game I've played thus far.”
    • “There’s at least 100 parts to collect, so there is replay value to be had in terms of collecting and using different parts to make your preferred robot design.”
    • “The randomness makes it more replayable, and I look forward to endless dungeon mode.”
    • “It takes about 90 minutes from start to finish, with little replay value to be had on the adventure mode.”
    • “Part of me hopes that the devs can resolve these issues and update the game to a more playable state, but considering its age and lack of continued support, I doubt that'll be likely.”
    • “I've only played this game for about three hours on the alpha's release date, but I'm already enjoying it for its fast-paced action, dynamic combat, and strong emphasis on variety and replayability.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The game evokes a strong emotional response through its heartwarming story, captivating soundtrack, and unique aesthetic, creating a wholesome yet bizarre experience. Players appreciate the blend of fast-paced gameplay with moments of both joy and heartbreak, encouraging perseverance despite its challenges. However, technical issues can detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about recommending the game.

    • “It can be unforgiving (and heartbreaking) like other dungeon crawlers/rogue types but makes you want to keep trying, because it feels so good to get good.”
    • “Truly wholesome playing the game.”
    • “It's touching.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing moments, quirky characters, and clever easter eggs that enhance the overall experience. Notable comedic elements include the character Dr. Sympathy, who has a humorous obsession with coffee, and the entertaining antics of characters like Slash. The combination of a charming soundtrack and heartfelt art design further contributes to the game's lighthearted tone.

    • “It has good design, very few bugs, a huge upgradeable weapon arsenal, and some very funny easter eggs.”
    • “This game has some pretty funny moments in it.”
    • “Characters, enemies, even the story itself has some humor in it, what with the guy who created heart (you) being named Dr. Sympathy, who's practically obsessed with coffee.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game is generally well-optimized, providing a smooth experience with great graphics and music. However, some users have reported occasional performance jitters during intense moments and noted that further optimization could enhance gameplay, particularly on less powerful machines.

    • “I've been playing on Mac, and have always had excellent performance from this game.”
    • “The game is fairly well optimized, though I hit a couple of jitters when there was a lot on screen at times.”
    • “Performance-wise, with my beast of a machine, the game runs almost perfectly.”
    • “Could use some optimization.”
    • “[awkward camera, dodge feels useless, performance issues]”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as enchanting and reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man Legends, featuring diverse and dynamic skyboxes that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the interesting quests and beautifully designed bosses, contributing to a captivating and immersive environment. Overall, the atmosphere is highlighted as a strong point, complementing the fast-paced gameplay and solid action.

    • “[good selection of upgrades, intriguing atmosphere, solid action]”
    • “One level taking place in the outdoors turned out to have a number of randomly selected skyboxes, varying between night and day, dusk and dawn, and even a foggy/smoggy atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is enchanting, the quests are interesting, and the bosses are beautifully designed!”
  • character development7 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its cute designs and engaging world, contributing to a fun and light-hearted atmosphere. However, technical issues detract from the overall experience, leading some players to struggle with the gameplay despite their appreciation for the art style and character variety.

    • “I love the world, character designs, happy techno/house/rock soundtrack, huge variety of weapon play styles, and general vibe of the game.”
    • “[set-up and character design, varied weapons and enemy types, fun, light-hearted and humorous].”
    • “+ cute character designs”
    • “Not even touching upon the multitude of z-fighting, and inverted normals, among other things with stages that, as a 3D modeler myself, I find absolutely infuriating for various reasons. It all just piles up the longer you play, and as someone who loves the music, art style, and character designs, the gameplay, and all of these ridiculous problems make it something I just cannot recommend.”
    • “Not even touching upon the multitude of z-fighting, and inverted normals, among other things with stages that, as a 3D modeler myself, I find absolutely infuriating for various reasons. It all just piles up the longer you play, and as someone who loves the music, art style, and character designs, the gameplay, and all of these ridiculous problems make it something I just cannot recommend.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, particularly due to the presence of armored enemies that prolong encounters. While some enjoy the character upgrade process, the overall experience can feel repetitive and unengaging.

    • “The game is pretty boring and tedious right now.”
    • “Some enemies have armor on, and honestly, they just get tedious to deal with.”
    • “I had a really good playthrough going so far, and did quite a bit of grinding to upgrade my character, so I was excited to get back into the game after my meal.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

Buy Heart&Slash

Play time

15hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
10-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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