Heroes of Hammerwatch II

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Heroes of Hammerwatch II is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Crackshell and was released on January 14, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Heroes of Hammerwatch II is a rogue-lite action RPG featuring randomly generated levels, deep customization, and persistent progression. Players battle through the Dark Citadel, collecting powerful gear and trinkets that unlock game-changing upgrades. With town-building and New Game+ modes, each run offers new challenges and continuous growth.

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,914 reviews

gameplay219 positive mentions

grinding191 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay loop with satisfying progression and character customization.
Fun to play with friends, offering a cooperative experience that enhances enjoyment.
Beautiful pixel art and charming visuals that evoke nostalgia.

Repetitive gameplay with limited variety in runs and environments.
Technical issues, including crashes and save file losses, detracting from the overall experience.
Balancing issues with classes and difficulty scaling, making some classes feel underpowered.

gameplay
612 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its addictive core loop and engaging mechanics, particularly the town-building and character progression systems. However, criticisms highlight a lack of content variety, repetitive gameplay, and frustrating mechanics like the shadow curse, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers enjoyable combat and customization options, some players feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, leading to a grindy experience that can become stale over time.
- “Great game, very strong core gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the builds can be varied, multiplayer is fun, and the game is being heavily worked on and updated/improved.”
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying, the pixel art style is superb, the classes and their skills and specializations feel varied and engaging, genuinely a 10/10 must play title.”
- “It feels like it should still be early access with the complete lack of content, gameplay diversity, and cheat time-gating.”
- “The gameplay is very limited.”
- “The gameplay loop can get a bit repetitive if you play the same character and really find your niche build that really works.”
graphics
231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The graphics of "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" are characterized by charming pixel art that evokes nostalgia while offering a modern touch. While many players appreciate the improved visuals and detailed animations, some have noted issues with clarity and readability, particularly in complex environments. Overall, the art style is well-received, though opinions vary on its effectiveness in enhancing gameplay.
- “The visuals are crisp, and the game's performance is solid, even on less powerful systems.”
- “Visually, Heroes of Hammerwatch II continues the series’ signature pixel-art style, which is both nostalgic and beautifully detailed.”
- “The pixel graphics are detailed and have lively animations.”
- “The graphics downgrade from the first is insane.”
- “The updated graphics are supposed to be 'prettier' but they just make it hard to tell what's going on in the environment.”
- “But between butt-ugly pixel graphics that make it actively hard to understand what is going on, imprecise controls with tiny weapon reach that require precision for (at least boss) fights, I can't recommend this.”
grinding
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the endgame where players must repeatedly farm the same maps and enemies to progress. While some players find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the overwhelming difficulty spikes that make the grinding feel like a slog. Overall, the game's grinding mechanics are a divisive aspect, appealing to those who enjoy incremental progress but potentially alienating players seeking a more dynamic experience.
- “With the first patches after the release, a few new annoying game mechanics have been introduced to further slow down player progression and make you waste even more time, as if the progression was not grindy enough already.”
- “There is nothing fun in this game after a few hours, unless you happen to like endless grinding without real progress.”
- “The meta progression feels tedious as hell too, you're basically running every zone from the beginning over and over and over again to get some wood, stone, and iron to upgrade your town, one piece at a time, just over and over and over... all the same content, all the same enemies, over and over.”
- “Grinding for resources is way too tedious, so getting upgrades feels like a slog, the stats feel unimpactful and thus leveling starts feeling pointless.”
music
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its charm and nostalgic retro vibe, while others find it repetitive and inferior to the soundtrack of the previous installment, "Heroes of Hammerwatch." Many appreciate the ambiance it creates, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, but a significant number of users express disappointment, noting that it lacks variety and memorability. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it does not consistently meet the expectations set by its predecessor.
- “The atmosphere is enriched by a lively soundtrack and fitting sound effects that immerse players in a classic fantasy adventure setting.”
- “The music score for this game is just amazing given that it's going for that retro sound.”
- “The pixel art is beautiful and both the music and sound design fit the game very well.”
- “The music is way inferior to HOH1, but not terrible.”
- “My only real criticism is that the music sucks and is repetitive.”
- “The music, frankly, is lackluster.”
replayability
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, bolstered by recent content updates, procedural generation, and diverse class options that encourage experimentation. While many players appreciate the depth and variety offered, some express concerns about repetitive gameplay and a lack of memorable level designs. Despite these criticisms, the game remains a strong choice for those seeking a rich, replayable experience, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “Heroes of Hammerwatch II builds impressively on the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering players a richly detailed and highly replayable action-RPG experience that perfectly blends hack-and-slash combat with intricate exploration and character progression.”
- “The game’s procedurally generated levels ensure that no two playthroughs are identical, enhancing its replay value and keeping the exploration fresh and unpredictable.”
- “This pixel-art, rogue-lite action RPG provides virtually endless replayability through 7 classes, 21 subclasses, and multiple tiers of 'new game+' with ever more dangerous enemies and higher level caps.”
- “No, it is sadly lacking in terms of content/replay value (aka, the most important part of a loot grind game)”
- “It seems like there's lots of depth and replayability, until it becomes clear there isn't a huge variety of weapons, each class has limited skills with a linear skill upgrade line, and the maps are large tile random generation so it's the same rooms 80% of the time on each map, just in a slightly different layout.”
- “Once you kill the final boss the game is over and there's zero replay value.”
story
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
77%
13%
The game's story is largely criticized for being nearly nonexistent, with many players noting its generic and repetitive nature. While some appreciate the classic fantasy elements, the overall narrative is considered shallow, lacking depth and meaningful character interactions. Players often recommend focusing on gameplay mechanics rather than expecting a compelling storyline, as the game primarily serves as a casual dungeon crawler with minimal plot engagement.
- “On top of that, it follows a really good fantasy storyline that feels classic in a way.”
- “The dragon felt more satisfying to fight and beat with the background set up story-wise.”
- “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.”
- “Nearly zero story.”
- “There's not much explanation, not much story, and a lot of grinding that doesn't get much more fun over time.”
- “Just no story and the gameplay mechanics aren't unique.”
stability
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users note improvements over its predecessor, many still experience crashes, freezes, and UI problems that hinder gameplay. Despite ongoing patches, the game is often described as feeling incomplete and overly buggy, making it challenging to recommend for those sensitive to technical issues.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck at 120fps!”
- “The game runs great; controller and keyboard/mouse control schemes work beautifully.”
- “This game is very solid, runs great, and load time issues are fixed.”
- “Hoh2 has an absurd number of stupid mechanics and game-breaking glitches; from starting an online game to just reading item descriptions, players will be dealing with trash gaming at its worst.”
- “Crashes, freezes, and FPS drops make it unplayable.”
- “After 7 post-launch bug-fix-focused patches, this game is still too buggy to be considered anything but early access.”
optimization
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
70%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag. While it runs smoothly on a range of systems and performs well during intense combat, players have reported significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where gameplay deteriorates over time. Some users noted bugs and memory leaks that affect performance, suggesting that further optimization is needed, especially for portable devices.
- “Performance is stable and smooth, even during intense combat sequences with multiple enemies and effects on screen.”
- “The visuals are crisp, and the game's performance is solid, even on less powerful systems.”
- “Optimized for a range of systems, Heroes of Hammerwatch II runs smoothly even on older PCs.”
- “This game is a lot of fun, but it’s held back a bit by a bug or memory leak that tanks performance and is only solved by closing and reopening the game.”
- “It starts off fine but the longer you play the more it'll stutter, chug, and lag making later areas more a fight against the game's performance than against enemies.”
- “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.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
30%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its relatability through clever contrasts and absurdities, such as the "red dust" and the antics of funny weapons. Many reviews highlight the game's comedic moments, especially during cooperative play, where chaotic situations lead to laughter despite the challenges faced. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable even amidst the grind.
- “Specifics + humor: calls out oddities (red dust) and contrasts highs/lows, making it relatable.”
- “Absolutely wonderful and funny game.”
- “It was hilarious when we finally made it to the boss, got destroyed (most of us were basically dead after reviving and messing up perma HP lol...).”
- “The game has a lot of good mechanics, but it's too grindy, and the final locations and bosses lack humor.”
- “While there are some clever moments, the overall humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “The jokes often miss the mark, making the experience less enjoyable than it could be.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a lively soundtrack, detailed spritework, and effective use of lighting and sound effects. Players appreciate the blend of classic fantasy elements with a fast-paced RPG roguelite vibe, often taking moments to enjoy the richly crafted environments and atmospheric details. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere is enriched by a lively soundtrack and fitting sound effects that immerse players in a classic fantasy adventure setting.”
- “Biggest plusses are the music as usual, the sprite work which carries this game like no other, and the entire atmosphere this game does so very well.”
- “More than once have I 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 lighting and shadows in the game are also used to make the atmosphere dark, especially in the dark tunnels.”
- “Biggest plusses are the music as usual, the spritework which carries this game like no other and the entire atmosphere this game does so very well.”
- “Love the fast yet extensive RPG roguelite atmosphere this game has.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
Character development in the game is hindered by a lack of diverse character design and limited progression options, leading to a sense of sameness among characters. While resource collection allows for some upgrades, players feel that the cap on development opportunities can make the experience feel truncated, reducing the potential for deeper experimentation and enjoyment. Overall, the character development system is seen as a weak point, with many players expressing dissatisfaction with its limitations.
- “This is a great game if you'd enjoy a hybrid of rogue-like ARPG with progression upgrades and character development, and also love drop-in/drop-out co-op.”
- “- Resource collection is used to upgrade the town for more options for character development.”
- “Character design is perhaps the game's weakest point.”
- “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.”
- “In general, the limits of character development are felt very soon and there is no fun in building a character.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a nostalgic emotional connection to the game, reminiscent of their childhood gaming experiences, particularly highlighting moments of excitement and engagement. However, frustrations with multiplayer issues may hinder their overall enjoyment and prevent them from fully experiencing the game's content. Despite these challenges, there is optimism for future improvements based on developer feedback.
- “Makes me feel like how games made me feel when I was a kid.”
- “Touching everything I see.”
- “The good thing is, the game has only been out for just over a week and the developers have already mentioned adjusting elements to improve the experience.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a mixed perception of the game's monetization, with some players labeling it a "cash grab" due to perceived shortcomings in execution and co-op features, especially for its $18 price point. However, others appreciate the game's fun mechanics, suggesting that the value may depend on individual expectations and experiences.
- “Half-baked by a developer that is obviously just trying to pump out cash grabs.”
- “Yes, I get that it is supposed to be a little indie game, but still, no excuses on that crappy co-op issue while advertising it like it will work, especially for $18.”
- “One of my friends that played HOH2 with me described the game as 'an obvious cash grab.'”