Heroes of Hammerwatch II

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 512 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Heroes of Hammerwatch II Game Cover
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"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+.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 512 reviews
gameplay23 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • Heroes of Hammerwatch II builds on the strengths of the first game, offering improved graphics, a deeper combat system, and a more engaging progression loop.
  • The addition of a town-building mechanic and persistent equipment upgrades enhances the gameplay experience, making each run feel rewarding.
  • The game is highly enjoyable in both solo and multiplayer modes, with a variety of classes and customization options that keep the gameplay fresh.
  • The game can feel grindy and repetitive, especially in the early stages, which may deter some players from fully engaging with it.
  • There are reports of bugs and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer, which can disrupt the gaming experience.
  • Some players have expressed dissatisfaction with the character customization options, particularly the lack of female character models.
  • gameplay57 mentions

    The gameplay of "Heroes of Hammerwatch II" is characterized by a satisfying and addictive loop that emphasizes progression and character development, making it enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings. While the game features improved graphics and mechanics over its predecessor, some players find the repetitive nature of the levels and grindy elements can lead to a sense of tedium. Overall, it offers a solid action roguelite experience with engaging combat and town-building mechanics, though opinions vary on its pacing and depth.

    • “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 top notch; the only problem you could find is that it appears to be just as grindy as the first one, which in my opinion is by far the grindiest roguelite I've ever played, but for me, it's not a bad thing, as it really creates a sense of progression and accomplishment.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics42 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received a generally positive reception, with many players praising the pixel art style and vibrant animations that evoke nostalgia for 16-bit classics. While some users noted issues with readability and sharpness in certain graphical elements, the overall aesthetic and improvements over previous installments were highlighted as significant strengths. The game runs smoothly on various hardware, including the Steam Deck, and the developers have been responsive to feedback regarding graphical options.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and reminiscent of 16-bit classics from the 90s.”
    • “The pixel graphics are detailed and have lively animations.”
    • “Amazing game, great graphics, very fun, lots of customization.”
    • “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.”
    • “A lot of games with similar aesthetics tend to have options to swap the typeface for a more readable one; I hope the developers can implement it (or that it can be changed by modding, at least).”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it memorable and well-suited to the game's aesthetic, while others describe it as repetitive and unremarkable. Many appreciate the combination of music and art design, noting that it enhances the overall experience, though a few opted to mute the soundtrack in favor of their own playlists. Overall, the music is generally seen as a positive aspect, contributing to the game's charm despite some criticisms.

    • “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.”
    • “I think the music is pretty good, I turn it down to about 25% but it's nice in the background and unlike most game music these days, you could probably remember it and hum it to yourself.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    The game's grinding aspect is a polarizing topic among players; while some find it excessively tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the sense of progression it offers. Many reviews highlight that the grinding is integral to the gameplay experience, with some praising it for being engaging rather than mindless. Overall, players who enjoy grinding may find it rewarding, while those who dislike it may view it as a significant drawback.

    • “This game is extremely grindy.”
    • “Easily the most tedious and dull game I've ever played.”
    • “At first seems really good, but then you realize how grindy the game is and how much the designers bottleneck all the resources.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a smooth experience with no significant glitches or loading issues, some have encountered bugs, particularly with gamepad controls and multiplayer functionality. Despite these concerns, the game is generally considered solid and enjoyable.

    • “This game is very solid, runs great, and load time issues are fixed.”
    • “It feels great, runs great, and is worth the buy.”
    • “Cons: seems slightly buggy and could have used a little more QA.”
    • “Gamepad controls are also buggy, but I hope this will all get fixed in the future.”
    • “One negative critique is that the multiplayer still seems to have some glitches that HH1 was plagued by.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers high replayability through its diverse classes, unique builds, and the ability to equip various weapon types across classes, enhancing player choice and experience. Additionally, improvements from its predecessor, such as better graphics and quality-of-life features, further contribute to its replay value, making it a worthwhile investment even before potential DLCs.

    • “There is plenty of replayability between NG+, 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.”
    • “I'm expecting DLCs, but it already offers generous replayability for its price.”
    • “Great continuation of the first game 'Heroes of Hammerwatch' with better graphics, big quality of life features, and some tweaks to gameplay, which improve variation and replayability.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game's story is minimal and somewhat generic, revolving around the quest to enter a dark tower, reminiscent of classic gold box games. While it allows players to create their own narrative, it lacks depth and is not essential for understanding the gameplay, making it accessible for newcomers.

    • “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.”
    • “Reminds me of the gold box games in some ways; not particularly story-rich, but it allows you to create your own narrative.”
    • “For non-HOH1 players, HOH2 is a game that does not require you to have played the previous; it doesn't really have a story to speak of.”
    • “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 non-HOH1 players, HOH2 is a game that does not require you to have played the previous one; it doesn't really have a story to speak of.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game faces significant optimization issues on the Steam Deck, with users reporting constant frame rate drops even on the lowest settings and lengthy loading times of up to 30 seconds. While some improvements have been noted, overall performance remains a concern.

    • “Things seem to be optimized better.”
    • “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.”
    • “Finally, it seems this game has some performance issues on the Steam Deck.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game's chaotic moments, particularly during challenging boss fights where their lack of experience leads to comical failures. The overall experience is described as a "hilarious train wreck," highlighting the fun derived from their collective rustiness since the previous installment.

    • “It was hilarious when we finally made it to the boss, got destroyed (most of us were basically dead after reviving and forking up permanent HP lol...).”
    • “So far it has already been a hilarious train wreck since we are all rusty years after the first game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization in the game is perceived negatively, with players labeling it as a "cash grab," suggesting that the game's financial strategies prioritize profit over player experience.

    • “One of my friends who played HOH2 with me described the game as 'an obvious cash grab.'”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

12hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
3-21hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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