Heroes of Hammerwatch II

About

"Heroes of Hammerwatch II" is a rogue-lite action RPG with randomly generated levels and deep customization. Battle through the Dark Citadel, collecting equipment and trinkets for game-changing upgrades. Upgrade your town, enchant gear, and unlock new abilities between runs, with the challenge continuing in New Game+.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,717 reviews

gameplay169 positive mentions

grinding148 negative mentions

Great sequel that builds on the strengths of the first game with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics.
The persistent town-building system adds depth and a sense of progression, making each run feel meaningful.
Fun and engaging combat with a variety of classes and subclasses that allow for different playstyles.

The game can feel grindy and repetitive, especially with the same early levels being played multiple times.
Some balancing issues exist, particularly with melee classes feeling weaker compared to ranged classes.
Multiplayer connectivity issues and bugs can disrupt the gameplay experience.

gameplay
472 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" is characterized by a satisfying and addictive loop that combines dungeon crawling with town-building mechanics, offering a sense of progression through character and town upgrades. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and variety of classes, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and certain mechanics, such as resource penalties upon death, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a solid sequel that builds on its predecessor, though it may require patience due to its grindy elements.
- “The game is inexpensive, the gameplay loop is as satisfying as it is addictive, and the gauntlet-inspired pixel art all justify purchasing this, especially if you have friends to play it with.”
- “It gives you a sense of progression as you go, and if you like Diablo-like gameplay, this game is a gem.”
- “The gameplay is buttery smooth, the meta-progression with guild & town upgrades is rewarding, and the bosses are as challenging as they are fun.”
- “The gameplay tempo is slowed down tremendously, enemies are bullet sponges with way too much health.”
- “Repeating the same content over and over again is inescapable and it makes the core gameplay loop get stale pretty fast, especially when you're trying to play online and you're also dealing with all of the issues present with that on top of the repetitive gameplay.”
- “However, for me, the repetitive gameplay and lack of compelling progression make it hard to recommend.”
graphics
217 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
3%
The graphics in "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" feature a colorful, retro-style pixel art that appeals to fans of classic gaming while also incorporating modern elements. While many players appreciate the improved visuals and lively animations, some have noted issues with readability and occasional graphical bugs. Overall, the art style is well-received, contributing to a nostalgic yet fresh gaming experience.
- “The graphics are beautiful and reminiscent of 16-bit classics from the 90s.”
- “The pixel graphics are detailed and have lively animations.”
- “The graphics in Heroes of Hammerwatch II use colorful, retro-style pixel art that feels both classic and modern.”
- “The updated graphics are supposed to be 'prettier' but they just make it hard to tell what's going on in the environment.”
- “On the downside, I can mention the very poor readability of the game text and the graphics and animations are a bit toxic to the eyes because they look too sharp/pixelated, but not soft.”
- “I almost returned the game when I saw how horrible the graphics were, but then I decided to keep going.”
grinding
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
99%
The game is widely described as extremely grindy, with many players noting that the grinding can feel tedious and repetitive, especially in later stages. However, some appreciate the sense of progression and accomplishment that comes with the grind, finding it enjoyable when played with friends. Overall, while the grinding aspect may deter some players, others see it as a core part of the game's appeal, providing a mix of challenge and fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Easily the most tedious and dull game I've ever played.”
- “Progression feels painfully slow, and it will take me another five hours of grinding before I can hope to clear the first (easily reachable) boss.”
- “It's too grindy for little payoff; the combat is that of a 2009 PS2 game, you have to upgrade your settlement to feel any amount of progress yet runs take at least an hour and if you revive you lose 5% per death.”
music
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
35%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its catchy and memorable qualities, while others find it repetitive and unremarkable. Many appreciate how well the music complements the game's art style, though some express disappointment compared to previous installments. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a decent backdrop to gameplay, but not without its flaws.
- “Game is gorgeous, music is stuck in my head all day, and the co-op is even more seamless now which makes this my go-to game to play with friends!”
- “The pixel art is beautiful and both the music and sound design fit the game very well.”
- “Music is great, I can't believe one of the negative reviews was whining about the soundtrack.”
- “The music is unremarkable and forgettable.”
- “The in-game music got repetitive, so I put on my own playlist and kept going.”
- “I didn't like the music; this is the first game I ever played where I turned the music to 0.”
replayability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse classes, customizable builds, and the inclusion of New Game+ modes, allowing players to explore various playstyles and strategies. Many users appreciate the game's cooperative features and the randomness of levels, which enhance long-term engagement. However, some players note that while the game claims "endless replayability," it can feel repetitive after extended play, particularly when reaching character development caps.
- “There is plenty of replayability between New Game+, the various classes, and various builds to explore.”
- “The replayability is quite high as the classes all play differently from each other, and I love that you can equip whichever weapon type you want with any class as long as you meet the stat requirements for it.”
- “Very addictive dungeon crawler roguelike game with great co-op features and nearly limitless replayability.”
- “Despite its claim of 'endless replayability,' the gameplay can feel repetitive.”
- “While new game+ adds some replay value, hitting the cap can make a single playthrough feel cut short, reducing the opportunity for deeper character development and experimentation.”
- “The builds players can do with them, how they change playstyle and a player's approach to tackling obstacles and enemies and replayability of the game are all determined by items in this genre having a boring item pool with boring effects, or modifiers drastically lower the rating of any game in my book especially a roguelike/roguelite.”
stability
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes and gamepad controls. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without major issues, others noted frequent freezes, lag, and unresponsive controls, suggesting that the game feels unpolished and incomplete. Despite these concerns, players remain hopeful for future patches to address these stability issues.
- “This game is very solid, runs great, load time issues are fixed.”
- “It feels great, runs great, and is worth the buy.”
- “The game is quite buggy and unpolished with a UI that leaves a lot to be desired.”
- “Yes, the game is still very fresh, so it is definitely struggling with some bugginess. If you're worried about that, I'd recommend giving it a couple of weeks; they've already patched it twice and are focusing on squashing all these bugs.”
- “Even once you're in the map, it's frozen for a minute, then it lags a lot until at some point it freezes, after which the speed is mostly fine for the first few maps.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
84%
8%
The story in "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" is generally considered minimal and generic, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point. Players progress through levels with little narrative depth, and while there are elements of subtle storytelling related to town-building, many reviewers note the lack of meaningful plot or character development. Overall, the game is more about mechanics and gameplay variety than a rich narrative experience.
- “Lore-wise, the town being built from scratch with the player's help is very much subtle storytelling and brings another layer to the means for grinding.”
- “If you played previous demos, the one I was talking about was the one with the pirate cave and spider nest (and bosses for those zones); it had NPC quests, a day/night cycle, with NPCs reacting to it, a more story-focused approach, but only the ranger and mage were playable at that time.”
- “Reminds me of the gold box games in some ways, not particularly story-rich, but it allows you to create your own narrative.”
- “The story in this game is a little light; it's not bad but very generic, and it seems you're trying to enter the dark tower.”
- “For those unfamiliar, Heroes of Hammerwatch II is a top-down cooperative roguelite that is extremely thin on plot but with robust mechanics.”
- “I haven't mentioned the story because, well, there isn't one.”
optimization
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The game's optimization, particularly on the Steam Deck, has received mixed reviews. While some players report improved performance in the full release compared to the demo, many still experience significant frame drops and long loading times, especially in later stages. Overall, the game is considered fun when it runs smoothly, but its current optimization issues may deter potential buyers.
- “Things seem to be optimized better.”
- “- feels very slick and optimized”
- “Once you have a complete set of optimized equipment, you can pass that equipment to other characters and steamroll the new game+ they are on.”
- “Great game that’s poorly optimized for the Steam Deck; constant FPS drops on the lowest settings, and loading between areas can take upwards of 30 seconds.”
- “In later stages, the optimization of the Steam Deck requires the attention of the developers.”
- “Idk, the combat loop is good, not a big fan of the massive grind and obvious the performance is a big minus.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be a highlight, often stemming from chaotic gameplay moments and the camaraderie of playing with friends. The experience is described as a "hilarious train wreck," with amusing failures and funny interactions, particularly during challenging boss fights. Overall, the humor enhances the enjoyment, making it a fun experience despite the game's difficulties.
- “It was hilarious when we finally made it to the boss, got destroyed (most of us were basically dead after reviving and forking up perma HP lol...).”
- “So far it has already been a hilarious train wreck since we all are rusty years after the first game.”
- “But if you have a great set of friends to play with, it's a blast and funny to boot.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, with players frequently pausing to appreciate the detailed environments, such as the dynamic lighting, shadows, and enchanting elements like flickering fires and golden wisps. The overall mood, particularly in darker settings like dungeons, contributes significantly to the gaming experience, earning it a strong 9/10 rating.
- “More than once I have stopped mid-level just to take in the atmosphere and enjoy the canopies under the wind, or the flickering fires in the dark, or the little golden wisps falling down as night seemingly crept in.”
- “The game also uses lighting and shadows to create a moody atmosphere, especially in dark dungeons.”
- “Mechanics are nice and the atmosphere is great.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of depth and variety, with players feeling that the character design is uninspired and leads to a homogeneous appearance among characters. The limitations imposed by reaching level caps during a single playthrough further diminish opportunities for meaningful character growth and experimentation, despite the potential for replay value in new game+. Overall, the game's approach to character design and development is seen as a missed opportunity for richer player engagement.
- “While new game+ adds some replay value, hitting the cap can make a single playthrough feel cut short, reducing the opportunity for deeper character development and experimentation.”
- “While New Game+ adds some replay value, hitting the cap can make a single playthrough feel cut short, reducing the opportunity for deeper character development and experimentation.”
- “Character design looks kind of bland, but I understand why since you can change your clothes based on what you're wearing. However, having one model for everyone makes it easy, and as a result, everyone just winds up looking the same and boring.”
- “They don't understand character design, skill design, balance, readability, or map design.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization in the game is perceived as a blatant cash grab, though players acknowledge that the advertised systems are executed well. If the monetization features appeal to you, they may enhance your experience.
- “One of my friends that played HOH2 with me described the game as 'an obvious cash grab.'”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is currently mixed, with players expressing hope for improvements and adjustments from the developers, particularly regarding gameplay mechanics. While some find the game lacks depth in emotional engagement, others are optimistic about future updates enhancing the overall experience.