HeistGeist

About

HeistGeist is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Doublequote Studio and was released on November 11, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A story-driven RPG set in a cyberpunk version of Central Europe. Play as Alexandra, doublecrossed street-smart thief on the run after a job gone bad. Put together a team of specialists, execute highly elaborate heists, fight in card-based battles and hack into the most secure corporate systems.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews

story53 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features a beautifully stylish cyberpunk aesthetic with excellent art and music, enhancing the overall experience.
The storytelling is engaging, with well-written characters and a narrative that feels like a great heist movie, complemented by solid voice acting.
The deck-building mechanics are fun and addictive, allowing for satisfying combos and strategic gameplay that keeps players engaged throughout the heists.

There are significant balance issues, particularly in combat, where players can create overpowered decks that trivialize encounters, leading to repetitive gameplay.
The user experience has some minor flaws, such as small text on the Steam Deck and a lack of options to speed up combat animations, which can make battles feel tedious.
The game ends abruptly, leaving players wanting more, and there is no option for replaying missions or continuing after the final battle, which can be disappointing.

story
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its engaging characters, solid pacing, and immersive cyberpunk setting, reminiscent of classic narratives in the genre. While some players find the linearity and simplicity of the plot a drawback, many appreciate the excellent voice acting and the blend of humor and drama throughout the missions. Overall, it is considered a compelling story-driven experience that effectively combines narrative with deck-building mechanics, though some players express a desire for more complexity and challenge in the gameplay.
- “The storytelling is top-tier and pulls you in immediately.”
- “The story is well-crafted, with engaging characters that keep you invested throughout the approximately 14-hour playtime.”
- “Heistgeist is a Slavic-themed cyberpunk card battler game where storytelling takes precedence over deckbuilding, taking you through a series of heists told from the parallel perspectives of each crew member involved.”
- “Personally, I didn't care much for the story.”
- “The plot is fine, but sort of childish with its 'high stakes' feeling too easy to overcome with no real sacrifices.”
- “I can't recommend playing the game for the story if there's no way to make combat faster/easier and players looking for challenge are going to be sorely disappointed too.”
gameplay
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay in Heistgeist is a unique blend of card-based mechanics and cyberpunk aesthetics, offering a rewarding and engaging experience through its innovative combo systems and character-specific decks. Players appreciate the depth and strategic options available, including the ability to respec upgrades without penalty, though some note that the difficulty may taper off in later stages. Overall, the game successfully combines various gameplay elements, including hacking puzzles and narrative-driven choices, creating a captivating and entertaining experience.
- “A beautifully stylish cyberpunk heist with deckbuilder mechanics that isn't quite like anything I've ever seen before.”
- “The gameplay is engaging, the mechanics are quick to learn yet complex enough to stay fun in the later stages, the storyline has great pacing, and the aesthetics (including the audio) are top-notch.”
- “Heistgeist is a captivating indie game that delivers a thrilling experience with its striking artwork, fun gameplay, and entertaining combat mechanics.”
- “The story would have you believe the stakes are high, but the gameplay doesn't match that vibe.”
- “The hacking mechanics could benefit from added complexity, and the linear gameplay might leave some players craving more freedom.”
- “The game design clearly suggests there to be more mechanics, and it feels like some of the original ideas were cut out due to the lack of time or maybe budget.”
music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its cinematic quality and strong adherence to the cyberpunk theme, with many praising the soundtrack as immersive and fitting perfectly within the game's aesthetic. However, some users noted a lack of variety in musical themes, particularly during combat, which can lead to monotony over time. Overall, the combination of excellent music, stunning visuals, and solid sound design significantly enhances the gaming experience.
- “The soundtrack is really excellent, very cinematic - kudos to Robert Bruckmayer for this, it really elevates the game significantly.”
- “The music fits the cyberpunk vibe perfectly.”
- “Oh, and the music... the tracks are real bangers and fit the cyberpunk theme perfectly.”
- “There is little variety in musical themes, especially in combat; you get tired of it quickly.”
- “Seriously, I would let the soundtrack for battles just play on repeat.”
- “The music wouldn't feel out of place in a mainstream cyberpunk game, and the voice acting is of surprisingly high quality.”
graphics
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
21%
9%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant character designs, and immersive cyberpunk aesthetic. Players appreciate the high production quality, with detailed artwork and a cohesive color palette that enhances the overall experience. The combination of beautiful visuals and engaging music creates a captivating atmosphere that resonates well with the game's themes and mechanics.
- “The visuals are great too.”
- “As you can see from the trailers, both music and visuals are consistent and immersive, playing well with the classic neon-gloom cyberpunk palette and soundscape; I love the art style and the character design is top notch.”
- “Heistgeist is a captivating indie game that delivers a thrilling experience with its striking artwork, fun gameplay, and entertaining combat mechanics.”
- “All in all, I feel that the visuals are definitely stronger than the audio, though the latter is still pretty solid.”
- “The art style is maybe not everyone's cup of tea at first sight, but I promise you that this game is better than you think.”
- “The visuals and music totally nail the atmosphere.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful art and effective music, which together create a compelling and immersive experience. While some players feel that the lack of challenge diminishes the sense of danger and tension, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay. Additionally, there are suggestions that using original Slovak texts could further enrich the atmosphere.
- “The art is beautiful and sets the atmosphere just right.”
- “Great atmosphere and nice graphics.”
- “The visuals and music totally nail the atmosphere.”
- “I was baffled at first why you show mercy to your enemies, but it matches the atmosphere of the story.”
- “Frankly, I would not mind having the original Slovak texts instead of the Czech translation; it would add to the atmosphere.”
- “The lack of challenge detracts from the story and atmosphere - otherwise its strongest suit - by removing the sense of danger from heists.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional depth of the game to be a standout feature, with many expressing strong feelings and even tears during pivotal moments. While some critiques mention that the final heist feels less elaborate and the game ends abruptly, the emotional beats are generally well-executed, striking a balance between engaging storytelling and character development. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions while maintaining a connection to its cyberpunk themes.
- “I'm so happy I got to be part of such a fun, emotionally rich, aesthetically beautiful, and detailed game.”
- “'How could they do this to me!' I cried.”
- “I never thought I would be praising such a basic concept, but after completing a few games where the natural point was missed, Heistgeist hits the emotionally correct moment to stop perfectly, while keeping the doors open for a sequel.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The optimization of voice acting in the game is generally praised, with solid performances from most characters, particularly Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and Mike Bodie. However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the main character's voice actor, attributing it to direction rather than talent. Overall, the striking art style and well-written dialogue complement the strong vocal performances.
- “All dialog is voice acted and the voice acting performance is solid, with every character having a unique voice and vocal mannerisms.”
- “The art style is striking, and the writing is really good with awesome characters. Every line of dialogue is fully voiced with surprisingly good performances.”
- “I enjoyed the performances of Maayan Voss de Bettancourt (Zoya) and Mike Bodie (Werner/Rez).”
- “I am not happy with the overall performance of Krys Janae, who voice acted the main character.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat, where low damage output and repetitive animations lead to boredom during encounters. The deckbuilding process is perceived as simplistic, with limited opportunities for experimentation due to high costs and hidden upgrades, resulting in players feeling stuck in their strategies and reluctant to change. Overall, the grind required to unlock upgrades detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Combat gets tedious and boring in the last couple of fights. Infinite builds are easy to set up, but the combat is slow with low damage per card, and you end up watching the same animation over and over.”
- “The fights become somewhat tedious over time, and deckbuilding feels rudimentary; I hardly replaced five cards in my fighting deck during the whole playthrough.”
- “The game is actively hostile to experimentation - cards and cyberware are expensive, and money is scarce. Card upgrades are hidden until you unlock them, and unlocking upgrades takes a nontrivial amount of grinding.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its stunning art style and design, which immerses players in a vibrant cyberpunk world. While the visuals and aesthetics are praised, some players express a desire for deeper exploration of side characters, indicating that even those with minimal dialogue leave a lasting impression. Overall, the combination of fully voiced characters and striking visuals enhances the game's narrative experience.
- “As you can see from the trailers, both music and visuals are consistent and immersive, playing well with the classic neon-gloom cyberpunk palette and soundscape; I love the art style and the character design is top notch - I found myself wanting to see more from many side characters, including a bounty hunter that doesn't have a single line of dialogue in the entire game!”
- “But what truly stands out is the beautiful character design (and fully voiced too!).”
- “Gorgeous cyberpunk world and aesthetic, with some great art and character design.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-executed, providing a delightful contrast to its standard cyberpunk narrative and darker themes. Players appreciate the blend of comedic moments with the game's dramatic elements, enhanced by beautiful visuals and engaging gameplay. Overall, it successfully elicits smiles and laughter amidst its serious undertones.
- “The story is pretty standard for cyberpunk, but it’s done well - it’s got that nice mix of drama, dark cyberpunk themes, and moments of humor (good ones at that) which can get a good laugh (or at least a smile) out of you.”
- “It blends classical cyberpunk with a Central European 90s feeling and even some humor.”
- “Beautiful visuals and funny gameplay.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily through experimenting with different card combinations, but many players find the initial experience satisfying enough that they don't feel compelled to replay it extensively. Overall, it is considered a tight and engaging experience, with some players expressing interest in potential sequels.
- “There is replayability in trying new card combos, and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. It scratched that cyberpunk itch I occasionally get.”
- “My 15-hour run was such a delightful time. It has not stellar replay value, but it's a tight and engaging experience. I recommend it to anybody who enjoys the genre - I'm definitely keeping my eye out for any sequel.”
- “There is replayability in trying new card combos, but I'm very satisfied with my purchase. It scratched that cyberpunk itch I occasionally get.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Overall, users report minor card bugs and glitches that do not significantly impact gameplay enjoyment. Additionally, the game performs well on the Steam Deck, despite not being officially verified.
- “Despite it not being verified, the game runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
- “I appreciate how smooth the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
- “There are some minor card bugs and glitches that didn't spoil the fun for me one bit.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- “I encountered several stability issues that disrupted my gameplay.”