Heidelberg 1693

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 38 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Heidelberg 1693 Game Cover
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Black magic in the age of pike and shot! Reload your musket after every blast in “Heidelberg 1693”, a challenging 2D action adventure set in a dark and twisted vision of Germany in the late 17th century.

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

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel art and animations, creating a visually stunning dark fantasy atmosphere.
  • Gameplay is challenging yet fair, with mechanics that allow for strategic enemy interactions and quick respawns.
  • The soundtrack enhances the experience, with a mix of atmospheric synth music that complements the game's gothic theme.
  • The controls can feel imprecise and slippery, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during chaotic combat scenarios.
  • Players start with only one health point upon respawning, which can be discouraging and lead to repeated deaths in enemy-heavy areas.
  • The story lacks depth and coherence, making it difficult for players to engage with the narrative.
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of tactical combat and platforming, with a focus on firearm diversity and exploration, reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania. However, players have noted issues with combat mechanics, including burdensome reload times and simplistic design, leading to a somewhat linear experience. While the aesthetic and unique elements like hidden rooms are praised, many feel the overall gameplay lacks depth and can be frustrating due to poor design choices.

    • “The slow to reload but powerful musket is a nice gameplay element, and adds a feeling of tactical decision making.”
    • “Both in terms of gameplay and aesthetic, this is a game about tight platforming, difficult enemy encounters, and a gothic horror locale.”
    • “Enemies tend to bullet hell you with a lot of projectiles, but the dev added in friendly fire, which adds a new layer to gameplay where instead of just trying to find the right moment to dodge and attack, there are also a lot of opportunities to line up a situation where one enemy will kill another, allowing you to progress with less hassle.”
    • “But combat mechanics are burdensome.”
    • “Unfortunately, outside of the presentation and gameplay, there isn't a lot of meat on the bones. An average playthrough should take 3 hours and potentially even less if you're not looking for unique weapons or secret levels.”
    • “I am sincerely disgusted by the gameplay and what the game offers in combat: weird patterns for bosses, bad game design, weird movement, starting with one HP!”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art that balances comical and horrific elements, creating a captivating gothic atmosphere. However, players have reported significant performance issues, including lag and low frame rates, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are considered beautiful and unique, some find the busy screen action challenging to navigate.

    • “The first thing you'll notice are the aesthetics: pixel art that perfectly walks the line between comical and horrific, while still being totally clear and readable.”
    • “Aesthetics-wise, I'll voice no complaint, save perhaps for the fact the music is pretty forgettable droning synth stuff, but visually the game is a gorgeous pixel art display of grotesque horrors set in the European Enlightenment.”
    • “The aesthetic for this game is simply outstanding and I love, love, love the mood the game presents--it's dark and bleak but it doesn't take itself too seriously and isn't afraid to have a little fun a la gallows humor in the enemy animations and types.”
    • “The game looks amazing, beautiful art, but the FPS when playing it on any graphics setting doesn't seem to change, and it lags a lot. I really hope this game gets optimization options in the future. When I first joined, I could only make it to the first checkpoint because of the immense lag, but this game surely is worth the money if you have a good PC.”
    • “Aesthetically, I'll voice no complaint, save perhaps for the fact that the music is pretty forgettable droning synth stuff, but visually the game is a gorgeous pixel art display of grotesque horrors set in the European Enlightenment.”
    • “Using graphics settings to 'simple.' I've seen a couple of reviews here that say the controls feel a little slightly off, mainly referring to using the double jump.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it confusing and lacking clarity, despite its intriguing premise involving a mission from the king of France to kill the moon king. While the narrative may not be the game's strong point, the evocative setting and impressive artwork have been praised, suggesting that the visual experience may outweigh the story's shortcomings. Overall, the storyline is seen as underwhelming and somewhat disjointed, leaving players wanting more coherence and depth.

    • “Style is pretty cool and the story seems fascinating, but the game is super clunky.”
    • “As for the story, I didn't really understand what was happening or what led to all this madness. Just that the king of France sent me to kill the Moon King, but narrative isn't as important as how evocative the setting is.”
    • “The story, on the other hand, is kind of confusing.”
    • “You can get the general gist of the story but might be a little confused about the details until the end of the game.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is a standout feature, with a captivating blend of dark synth and harpsichord elements that enhance the overall experience and atmosphere. While some players find certain tracks to be forgettable, many appreciate the chilling and immersive quality of the soundtrack, which complements the chaotic action and visually stunning pixel art. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's artistic appeal and emotional impact.

    • “Great Castlevania-style game, the action gets pretty chaotic as the levels progress, but then you start realizing it's not about you simply killing all the enemies head-on, but by planning your movement. Many of them kill themselves off in spectacular fashion; when the flow hits you, combined with the excellent music score, you really have to love this crazy piece of art.”
    • “And the soundtrack - I wasn't expecting to really enjoy it so much. More often than not, a soundtrack becomes background noise for me, but the dark synth and hints of harpsichord elevate the whole experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, too - lots of chilling, atmospheric synth music.”
    • “Aesthetically, I have no complaints, except that the music is pretty forgettable droning synth stuff.”
    • “The music lacks variety and fails to create an engaging atmosphere, making it easy to tune out.”
    • “While the visuals are stunning, the soundtrack is underwhelming and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its artistic and dark aesthetic, reminiscent of titles like Blasphemous, with a unique setting inspired by the era of Louis XIV that enhances its decadent and eerie vibe. The level design and chilling synth soundtrack further contribute to an immersive experience, although some reviewers feel that the overall challenge needs better tuning to fully recommend the game.

    • “It's reminiscent of Blasphemous with its artistic, dark, pseudo-historical horror atmosphere, but it's not a metroidvania type game--there's no exploration, leveling up, gaining equipment, upgrading weapons, or crafting.”
    • “Setting a punishing action platformer in the era of Louis XIV is an inspired choice, because the imagery and costume of his court has a bizarre, decadent profanity which suits the atmosphere of this game perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, too - lots of chilling, atmospheric synth music.”
    • “It's reminiscent of Blasphemous with its artistic, dark, pseudo-historical horror atmosphere, but it's not a metroidvania type game—there's no exploration, leveling up, gaining equipment, upgrading weapons, or crafting.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game features stunning visuals and beautiful art, but players report significant lag and unchanging frame rates across different graphics settings. Many hope for future optimization options, as performance issues can hinder gameplay, especially for those without high-end PCs.

    • “The game looks amazing with beautiful art, but the FPS when playing it on any graphics setting doesn't seem to change, and it lags a lot. I really hope this game gets optimization options in the future. When I first joined, I could only make it to the first checkpoint because of the immense lag, but this game is surely worth the money if you have a good PC.”
    • “The optimization in this game is crucial for enhancing the overall experience. I believe that with some adjustments, it could run smoothly on a wider range of systems.”
    • “I appreciate the developers' commitment to improving optimization. It's clear they are listening to player feedback, and I look forward to seeing how they enhance performance in future updates.”
    • “The game looks amazing, beautiful art, but the FPS when playing it on any graphics setting doesn't seem to change, and it lags a lot. I really hope this game gets optimization options in the future. When I first joined, I could only make it to the first checkpoint because of the immense lag, but this game is surely worth the money if you have a good PC.”
    • “The performance issues are frustrating. Even on lower settings, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I was really excited to play, but the optimization is lacking. The game frequently stutters and crashes, which ruins the experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game effectively balances its dark and bleak aesthetic with a playful sense of humor, incorporating gallows humor in enemy animations and types that adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “The aesthetic for this game is simply outstanding, and I love, love, love the mood it presents—it's dark and bleak, but it doesn't take itself too seriously and isn't afraid to have a little fun with gallows humor in the enemy animations and types.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Replayability is considered strong due to the presence of alternate paths, allowing players to experience different outcomes and choices in the game.

    • “Replayability is great because there are alternate paths you can take.”
    • “The game offers multiple endings, encouraging you to play through it again.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of choices and outcomes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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