Heart&Slash

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 332 reviews

music73 positive mentions

stability21 negative mentions

Fun and engaging combat with a variety of weapons and armor that allows for different playstyles.
Charming art style and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Challenging gameplay that encourages skill development and replayability.

Camera issues and controls can be clunky, making platforming and combat frustrating at times.
The game can feel repetitive due to limited enemy variety and level design.
Bugs and glitches can lead to frustrating experiences, including game-breaking issues that require restarts.

music
122 mentions
60 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its upbeat and engaging soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and complements the gameplay. Many players find the tracks memorable and enjoyable, although some note that the music can become repetitive during extended play. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and the game's art and gameplay is full of heart.”
- “The music in this game is very memorable.”
- “The soundtrack is without a doubt the high point of the game; the tracks get you pumped, just like a good soundtrack should.”
- “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 on something you like; I recommend Carpenter Brut.”
story
92 mentions
25 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as cute and heartwarming, with engaging character interactions and a charming aesthetic, though some players feel it lacks depth and can be repetitive. While the narrative unfolds gradually through multiple runs, many reviewers note that it can be difficult to fully grasp without significant playtime, and some aspects remain underexplained. Overall, the story adds a pleasant layer to the gameplay, but its brevity and simplicity may leave some players wanting more.
- “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 the 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).”
- “The story is something.”
- “By all meaningful standards, it's a hopelessly broken game; the story is rubbish, the idea is inherently flawed, and the engine has more bugs than a cheap motel.”
gameplay
91 mentions
45 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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, particularly regarding enemy interactions and upgrades. Overall, the game offers a fun and challenging experience, though it may feel unpolished in certain areas, particularly for those new to the roguelike genre.
- “The gameplay is where the game is at its peak.”
- “The gameplay is fast and smooth, the animations are simple but powerful and the atmosphere in the game is definitely taking me back to the older days of MegaMan Legends.”
- “This game has it all; randomly generated, wonderfully varied level design, unique enemies, smooth and satisfying fighting mechanics, a wide variety of weapons and tools, an easy upgrade system that feels surprisingly balanced, and to top it off a soundtrack to end all soundtracks.”
- “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.”
- “The jumping mechanics are a pain more often than not.”
graphics
69 mentions
61 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their distinct and captivating art style, with many reviewers highlighting the charming voxel and pixel art that evokes nostalgia. While the visuals are generally considered appealing and well-crafted, some players noted issues with repetitiveness in enemy and level designs, as well as occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the combination of vibrant aesthetics and a fantastic soundtrack contributes to a fun and engaging experience, despite some gameplay and control criticisms.
- “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.”
- “The voxel-art style is crisp and colorful, giving everything a lovely cartoon aesthetic.”
- “Great graphics, great music, customization and progression with random parts and upgrades.”
- “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.”
stability
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during longer sessions. While some users find the issues manageable and the game enjoyable despite its rough edges, others have experienced significant problems, including crashes and game-breaking glitches that necessitate restarts. Overall, the game is described as charming and fun, but its lack of polish and stability detracts from the experience.
- “The game runs great, has charm, and the combat is fun, with a decent amount of weapons and items to find.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game feels; I rarely encounter any bugs or crashes.”
- “The performance is solid, allowing for an immersive experience without interruptions.”
- “Sadly, the game is very rough around the edges with many glitches and an overall lack of polish. I would highly recommend getting this game at a discount.”
- “Full of glitches and bugs that straight up ruin the game sometimes.”
- “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.”
replayability
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by a wealth of unlockables, diverse weapon options, and random elements that enhance the experience. While some modes may offer limited replay value, the game's fast-paced action and variety encourage players to return for more. Many users express a desire to explore different character builds and strategies, highlighting the game's engaging mechanics.
- “There's also plenty of unlockables for those looking for a game with plenty of replayability, outside of it being a roguelike.”
- “It's got challenge but it's not a hard game to pick up, it's quite short but the replayability is very good.”
- “It takes about 90 minutes from start to finish, with little replay value to be had on the adventure mode.”
- “The randomness makes it more replayable, and I look forward to endless dungeon mode.”
- “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.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a strong emotional response through its heartwarming story, engaging soundtrack, and unique aesthetic, creating a wholesome yet bizarre experience. While it can be unforgiving and at times frustrating, players are drawn to its charm and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges. However, technical issues may detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about recommending it.
- “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.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing moments, quirky characters, and clever easter eggs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the story and gameplay, such as the character Dr. Sympathy and his coffee obsession, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant and enjoyable aspect of the game.
- “I like it when Slash jumps through the roof never to be seen again; I think it's very funny.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, and the game's art and gameplay are full of heart (funny, I know).”
- “Characters, enemies, and even the story itself have some humor in it, especially with the guy who created Heart (you) being named Dr. Sympathy, who's practically obsessed with coffee.”
optimization
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, delivering smooth graphics and enjoyable performance, particularly on high-end machines. However, some users have experienced occasional jitters during intense moments, indicating that further optimization could enhance the experience.
- “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.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through the game's appealing character designs and vibrant art style, which contribute positively to the overall experience. However, technical issues such as z-fighting and inverted normals detract from the enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about the game's recommendation despite its strong aesthetic and musical elements.
- “I love the world, character designs, happy techno/house/rock soundtrack, huge variety of weapon play styles, and general vibe of the game.”
- “+ 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.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, particularly when facing 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.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is nostalgic, reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man Legends, and is enhanced by dynamic skyboxes that shift between various times of day and weather conditions. Players find the enchanting environment complemented by interesting quests and beautifully designed bosses, contributing to an immersive experience.
- “The gameplay is fast and smooth, the animations are simple but powerful, and the atmosphere in the game is definitely taking me back to the older days of Mega Man Legends.”
- “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!”