HRDINA

About

HRDINA is a single player action game. It was developed by Bartoš Studio and was released on June 26, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

The game is about a hero that goes from game to the real world. Levels are generated by the music which is provided by Czech band Zrní.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 177 reviews

music49 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

The game features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and is often highlighted as the best aspect.
The visual style effectively conveys a dark atmosphere reminiscent of old Slavic legends, creating an engaging setting.
As a free game, it offers a unique and interesting concept, combining platforming with music-driven level generation.

The gameplay is often criticized for being repetitive and buggy, with issues such as poor enemy hitboxes and frustrating level design.
The story lacks clarity and depth, making it difficult for players to fully engage with the narrative.
Optimization problems lead to performance issues, including FPS drops, which detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

music
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised as its standout feature, with many players highlighting the soothing and engaging soundtrack by the Czech band Zrní. The gameplay is intricately linked to the music, with levels dynamically generated based on the rhythm and intensity of the tracks, creating a unique and immersive experience. While some players noted challenges with the platforming mechanics, the overall consensus is that the music elevates the game, making it enjoyable even for those who do not understand the lyrics.
- “The soundtrack is easily the best part of the game, at least in my opinion.”
- “It's a platformer, but the ground is generated with the music; intense songs make it bumpier and calm songs make it smoother.”
- “The soundtrack is so good and heartwarming even though I don't understand what they are singing about.”
- “It's not an original soundtrack, but it is a licensed (as far as I know) soft rock album by a Czech band named Zrní.”
- “The music's language didn't do anything for me since I don't understand it.”
- “There is a distinct contrast between the fast-paced action and the soothing music with Czech lyrics, severely limiting the intended experience for the international audience.”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
76%
10%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the concept is intriguing and the music enhances the experience, the execution is often marred by bugs, unpredictable mechanics, and simplistic design. Some find the gameplay engaging enough to complement the soundtrack, describing it as a "playable album," while others criticize it as boring and lacking depth. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by the game's musical elements.
- “A nice game in which the music interacts with the gameplay, creating a really relaxing gaming experience.”
- “The gameplay side of it is decent, and the elements they introduce keep the gameplay engaging enough. The soundtrack carries everything else, which, even if you don't understand the language, allows you to feel the overarching narrative.”
- “Overall, the gameplay does enough to keep you listening to that soundtrack, so I'd say this is a pretty great 'playable album' if you're into the music.”
- “It feels like the game is fairly buggy, with weird enemy hitboxes and the chance of breaking through the floor, so gameplay is probably not a strong point for the game.”
- “Great experience hindered by poor and frustrating gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is boring, and there seems to be no point to it.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The story in the game is primarily conveyed through the lyrics of the background music and the protagonist's monologues, which can be confusing and vague, especially for non-Czech speakers. While some players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and engaging soundtrack, many find the narrative lacking in clarity and depth, leading to a sense of disconnection from the plot. Overall, the story is seen as an underdeveloped aspect of the game, overshadowed by its gameplay and visual elements.
- “The story is told by the lyrics of the background music, with quotes from the protagonist throughout the game to help non-Czech speakers understand the story.”
- “Game itself is good (a normal platformer) but music is the most important part; it's basically telling the story.”
- “Just like some other comments stated, Hrdina is an interactive game in which the main character (a 'figure') monologues about his harsh life and existence as he progresses through the unusual story.”
- “The story is confusing, and the dialogue makes no sense, and the ending is strange.”
- “The protagonist has English versions of what the story is supposed to portray, but even then, it's vague and ends on a note of making you wonder what the point even was.”
- “The game is simple but entertaining, but there is no context explaining the story.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
53%
18%
The graphics in the game are a mix of basic pixel art and simple 3D designs, creating a cozy atmosphere, though they are often described as lacking depth and innovation. While some players appreciate the aesthetic and how it complements the music, others find the visuals to be underwhelming and reminiscent of older styles. Overall, the graphics are functional but do not significantly enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Hrdina was created using Unreal Engine, so the graphics are very polished.”
- “The graphics are comprised of a lot of pixel graphics translated to one block deep 3D figures, with some assets having actual depth.”
- “The graphics are rather basic 3D pixels and the music...is okay.”
- “About the graphics, I do not have much to comment: the idea of putting 3D merged with 2D is interesting, even though it has been saturated for a long time; and this gives a very cozy atmosphere to the game.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been criticized for its stability, with users reporting numerous bugs, including issues with enemy hitboxes and unexpected gameplay mechanics like falling through floors. While the concept is intriguing, the execution suffers from these stability problems, leading to an overall frustrating experience.
- “Apart from winning the contest for the best Slovakian game of 2019 and not having Slovak audio or translation at all, it's the most buggy experience I have had so far.”
- “The concept driving the gameplay is interesting, but the execution is a bit buggy.”
- “It feels like the game is fairly buggy, with weird enemy hitboxes and the chance of breaking through the floor, so gameplay is probably not a strong point for the game.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful ending and a heartwarming soundtrack that resonates deeply with players, even if they don't understand the lyrics. Many reviewers emphasize the impressive vocal performances and dramatic moments that enhance the overall emotional experience, suggesting that the music alone makes the game worth recommending.
- “The soundtrack is so good and heartwarming even though I don't understand what they are singing about.”
- “The trailer doesn't exactly do the music (the strongest part) of this game much justice, but the actual vocals in the game are amazing. I would recommend it just for the soundtrack alone; far more impressive than the trailer may lead you to believe. The soundtrack is solid with plenty of emotional, passionately sung and performed tracks and some dramatic moments that felt at times somewhat surreal.”
- “We want Hrdina 2, the ending was emotional <3”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a cozy blend of 3D and 2D graphics, which, despite being somewhat overused, contributes positively to the overall experience. Additionally, the enjoyable music enhances the ambiance, making the game more engaging and atmospheric, even if the gameplay itself isn't particularly innovative.
- “The idea of merging 3D with 2D is interesting, even though it has been done before; this gives a very cozy atmosphere to the game.”
- “I had a lot more fun in this game than I thought I would. The music was way more enjoyable than I expected, even without understanding the lyrics. The game had a few different play styles as it progressed. Nothing super innovative about the gameplay, but it was still neat and pretty atmospheric. Give it a try!”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Many users feel that the game lacks replayability, with some expressing a reluctance to return due to a perceived absence of engaging content or mechanics that would encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “I don't see myself returning to this one as replayability just doesn't seem to be there.”