Helen's Mysterious Castle
- March 18, 2016
- Satsu
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Helen's Mysterious Castle" is a challenging 2D platformer game where players control a boy on a quest to rescue a girl from a mystical castle. The game features tight controls, numerous traps and obstacles, and requires precise jumps and quick reflexes to progress. With its pixelated graphics and retro-inspired soundtrack, players will be immersed in a nostalgic adventure filled with mystery and excitement.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Unique and engaging battle system that requires strategic thinking and planning.
- Charming characters and a lighthearted story that unfolds as you progress.
- Great value for the price, providing several hours of enjoyable gameplay.
- Lack of clear direction at times, leading to confusion about where to go next.
- Some minor bugs and issues with fullscreen mode causing performance problems.
- The story starts off slow and minimal, which may not appeal to all players.
- story301 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Helen's Mysterious Castle" is initially minimal and unfolds gradually, surprising players with its depth and charm as they progress. While it starts off lighthearted and comedic, it incorporates emotional moments and unexpected twists, making for an engaging experience despite some players finding it lacking in exposition at the beginning. Overall, the narrative is described as cute and enjoyable, with memorable characters and a satisfying conclusion, appealing to fans of both RPGs and indie games.
“The story and characters are charming; the game genuinely made me laugh at points, and I truly came out of it wanting the best for everyone.”
“The plot honestly took me by surprise by starting off as yet another 'the amnesiac hero is on a quest to discover who they truly are' story, yet there are enough twists and turns throughout the story combined with simple yet enjoyable characters that it manages to be a memorable tale by the time you get to the end.”
“The story is refreshingly simple but effective, a welcome antidote to the sprawling and incoherent 80+ hour stories of modern games.”
“The story is non-existent, at least as far as I played (which was just past the first boss).”
“There was no introductory scenes prior to the title screen, no character or narrator giving you a backstory after starting a new game, nothing.”
“The story is almost non-existent and so are all important aspects of RPGs aside from the turn-per-turn combat.”
- gameplay125 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and traditional RPG elements, offering a blend of engaging combat and exploration. While some players appreciate the unique battle systems and strategic depth, others find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to grinding and a lack of clear tutorials. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, albeit short, experience that prioritizes gameplay over narrative, with a focus on clever mechanics that can be both rewarding and challenging.
“Some innovative gameplay mechanics are at work here, and while the script is nothing to write home about, it captured the typical hero arc well enough to keep me playing until the very end.”
“The gameplay is interesting and will have you pondering over the actions you choose to take in hopes of achieving the best outcome.”
“The gameplay or combat system is where the game really shines; it's a 1v1 match every time and is all about strategy and timing. It is fun and incredibly addictive.”
“The game is pretty good if you can handle repetitive gameplay trying to beat bosses multiple times and backtracking a lot.”
“The worst part is the beginning when you think there's not going to be any plot, and just gameplay.”
“Repetitive and not very engaging, despite an admirable spin on typical JRPG gameplay.”
- music103 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its charm and ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly during key moments and boss battles. However, some users experienced technical issues, such as music not playing on certain systems, which detracted from their overall enjoyment. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered good and fitting, there are concerns about its repetitiveness and the lack of customization options for volume control.
“The music is fantastic; the backdrops are evocative (a personal favorite of mine is when the sun begins to set on the castle).”
“The music weaves itself into the rest of the game seamlessly.”
“The score was a wonderful experience reminiscent of falcon music; it was a joy throughout the entirety of the game.”
“The interface is really bad and the three songs I heard were super generic.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to hear the music when I played, and that really detracted from the first impression I had of the game, as I think music plays a large part in any game since it contributes to the mood, atmosphere, and overall tone of the game.”
“Made in RPG Maker, all of the game's graphics, music, and sound use the absolute most default of its pack-in materials.”
- graphics58 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game primarily utilize standard RPG Maker assets, yet they are executed with a cohesive and charming design that elevates the overall aesthetic. While some minor graphical errors and limitations exist, the custom animations and detailed battle sprites stand out, providing a nostalgic yet appealing visual experience. Overall, the graphics are considered cute and well-crafted, successfully capturing the essence of classic RPGs.
“Incredible game, smart combat, cute graphics, and charming story.”
“The landscapes you travel in range from lively gardens to lost ruins, all of them bringing absolutely amazing amounts of graphical detail and appeal, in-battle, making basic actions or even when posing during the menu, everything is detailed and animated silky smoothly.”
“The aesthetic builds on default resources with heaps of excellent custom sprites, animation, and reorchestrated music.”
“The graphics are either for ants or people who wear bifocals.”
“Made in RPG Maker, all of the game's graphics, music, and sound use the absolute most default of its pack-in materials.”
“Other aspects are nothing special--level design, visuals/music, and story.”
- grinding41 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, while others appreciate that grinding is often optional and can be minimized. Many noted that while some battles can feel drawn-out, the combat system allows for strategic choices that can alleviate the grind. Overall, the game offers a range of experiences, from those who enjoy grinding to those who find it a chore, with varying opinions on its impact on gameplay enjoyment.
“Forcing someone to play such a tedious and repetitive game is a crime against humanity!”
“Unfortunately, it still falls into the trap of employing the worst gaming mechanic to ever be perfected by the JRPG industry: grinding.”
“The game has such potential, but at the point I am at in the game, it is just elongated grinding to no avail.”
- humor34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its charm and ability to elicit genuine laughter, with well-written dialogue that balances light-hearted moments with more serious themes. Players appreciate the quirky, self-aware humor and the entertaining character interactions, which contribute to an overall enjoyable experience. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the comedic elements and engaging writing make it a standout feature of the game.
“The story and characters are charming; the game genuinely made me laugh at points, and I truly came out of it wanting the best for everyone.”
“The humor is quirky and quite amusing, almost self-aware.”
“In a way, it reminds me of a less ambitious Undertale; it does a lot of things in a new and unique way, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, injecting humor in places and surprising you whenever it can.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Helen's Mysterious Castle" is characterized by its delicate and heartwarming storytelling, which evokes nostalgia and a sense of childhood wonder. While some players find the narrative initially vague and lighthearted, it ultimately delivers touching moments and engaging emotional depth, particularly towards the end. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with serious themes, leaving players satisfied and eager for more.
“Playing a lot of generic RPG Maker games had made me begin to worry if I didn't like JRPGs at all anymore, but Helen's Mysterious Castle made me feel like a kid again and I loved every minute of it.”
“The game isn't too long, but for a JRPG, an excellent and interesting plot full of delicate emotional expression is a must.”
“The story is often cute, relatively lighthearted and even comical at times, but it is not without touching moments and serious topics.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its variety of solutions, customizable combat systems, and multiple endings. Players can experiment with different strategies, weapon combinations, and character builds, enhancing the experience with each playthrough. While some may find the replay value limited, many reviews highlight the potential for exploration and experimentation as key factors that keep the game engaging.
“The variety of solutions also means there's a good bit of replay value, if you're the type of person to actually experiment with strategies.”
“The combat system is great; it allows for so much customization that it enhances replayability by using different weapons and combinations that may work completely differently than others.”
“The music is fantastic and enthralling, the storyline and characters are cute, the difficulty progression ramps up beautifully from smooth to challenging, and there's potentially a fair bit of replay value if you want to try and find all the hidden items and experiment with varying builds.”
“On the topic of replay value: the longest cutscene in the game is about a minute long, barring the final boss gauntlet of the good ending.”
“There is decent replay value to be found here.”
“Cheap and can have replay value for some (not much for me)”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the depth and emotional range introduced after the initial stages, others find it lacking overall, with limited growth for most characters. The main character's illiteracy and muteness hinder relatability, and while there are moments of significant development, the overall narrative may not satisfy those seeking extensive character arcs.
“At first, it starts out like an uninteresting RPG with new mechanics to get used to, but after the first boss, so much plot and character development, along with comedy and tragedy, gets thrown in that you have no idea what you're in for.”
“Character development is really great; it's really something.”
“The main character is also illiterate and mute, which doesn't help with character development or relating to them.”
“For an RPG, though, there's not much character development, with one exception, mind you.”
“There isn't really much large character development, but I'd say it works for a very simple story.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is captivating, drawing players in with its immersive world and the charming personality of the silent protagonist, Helen. While the music is noted as a significant element that enhances the mood, some players felt its absence diminished their experience. Despite criticisms regarding graphics and audio quality, the unique mechanics and overall lovable atmosphere contribute positively to the game's appeal.
“The entire world has this atmosphere about it that drew me in right away, and Helen, despite being a silent protagonist, has a ton of personality put into her shown through small actions that I couldn’t help but fall in love with.”
“This game may not have amazing graphics, audio quality, writing, or anything that might make up a more solid RPG, it still stands very well because of its unique mechanics and lovable atmosphere.”
“The composition is mostly atmospherical, holding onto enough head-bopping traits to make it catchy.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to hear the music when I played, and that really detracted from the first impression I had of the game, as I think music plays a large part in any game since it contributes to the mood, atmosphere, and overall tone of the game.”
“I've found myself lost at certain points due to how massive the dungeons become, and the backtracking that results from it just kills the atmosphere.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game effectively simplifies core RPG elements, making them engaging and easy to understand, particularly through its innovative wait system that enhances optimization strategies. However, performance issues, such as significant stuttering in fullscreen mode, have been reported by multiple users, indicating a need for further optimization.
“You have the standard weapons, items, enhancing, and all that good jazz, but this game manages to simplify core elements of RPGs while tuning them to be equally engaging and easy to understand. Special mention to the wait system, which introduces a large pool for optimization and a risk-reward formula.”
“First, fullscreen mode (accessed by holding alt and pressing enter) caused horrible stuttering on my system and I know I am not the only one.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-crafted and enjoyable, but users report occasional bugs and stability issues, with some areas prone to crashes and predictable combat as the game progresses.
“It felt fun, it was well made, though still a little buggy in some spots.”
“Cons: predictable combat later in the game, some areas are buggy, and some areas have the potential to outright crash you.”
