Hydra Slayer
- July 22, 2015
- Zeno Rogue
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Hydra Slayer" is a turn-based roguelike game where you play as a hero on a quest to defeat the multi-headed Hydra. With a variety of weapons and abilities, you must strategically plan your attacks to decapitate the regenerating beast. Each playthrough offers unique challenges with permadeath and randomized levels, providing a high replayability factor. Will you be the one to slay the Hydra?
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PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Hydra Slayer offers a unique and engaging blend of traditional roguelike mechanics with mathematical puzzles, making each encounter a strategic challenge.
- The game is highly addictive and rewarding for players who enjoy deep gameplay and planning, with a variety of weapons and character classes that enhance replayability.
- Despite its complexity, the game provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment when defeating hydras, and the mechanics are well-balanced, allowing for multiple approaches to combat.
- The user interface can be buggy and unwieldy, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially on certain operating systems.
- The game requires a significant amount of mathematical calculation, which may deter players who are not comfortable with arithmetic or prefer more straightforward gameplay.
- Some players have noted a lack of polish in the game's presentation, including issues with music and graphics, which could benefit from further development.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Hydra Slayer* is characterized as a traditional roguelike with a unique twist, featuring turn-based, grid-based combat and strategic mechanics centered around hydra battles. Players must calculate their attacks based on the hydras' heads and regeneration, making for a simple yet deep combat experience. While the core gameplay loop is engaging and addictive, some technical issues and minor glitches detract from the overall experience.
“Drinking the blood of slain hydras reinvigorates our hero and causes him to grow a little (both replenishing and increasing HP), which is the key mechanic of the game, making the combat strategic.”
“While Hydra Slayer easily qualifies as a traditional roguelike, having turn-based, grid-based combat, dungeons, levels, weapons, potions, and monsters, the combat is non-traditional as it involves calculating how to kill hydras based on how many heads they have, how many they will regrow, and how many each of your different weapons will slice off, while also adding game mechanic-changing items into the mix.”
“Essentially, the game plays as a straightforward roguelike dungeon crawler with the interesting mechanic of how the combat plays out.”
“While Hydra Slayer easily qualifies as a proper traditional roguelike, having turn-based, grid-based combat, dungeons, levels, weapons, potions, and monsters, the combat is non-traditional as it involves calculating how to kill hydras based on how many heads they have, how many they will regrow, and how many each of your different weapons will slice off, while also adding game mechanic-changing items into the mix.”
“There are currently some rough edges: music on the game over screen glitches, isometric mode has way lower FPS than it should have (around 30 using OpenGL and 10-12 on my machine using SDL2), and there are some grammar errors (mainly the 'fewer' / 'less' issue that comes up a lot because of the heads mechanic).”
“Simple in its mechanics, and you don't have to be particularly good at math to do quite well!”
- music5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many noting that it is not particularly impressive and could use improvement. While it contributes to a unique atmosphere, technical issues such as glitches during the game over screen detract from the overall experience. Overall, players feel that both the music and sound design need enhancement.
“Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
“The music is not great, but surely your children are tech-savvy enough to work around that issue.”
“Music could be a bit better.”
“Music and sound could be better.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as minimal and functional, serving the game's atmosphere without being visually impressive. While some users appreciate the option for ASCII graphics, there is a desire for more detailed pixel art to enhance the overall aesthetic.
“Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
“The graphics are not very good but functional, and there's the option for ASCII, which is great.”
“The artwork is okay as well, but I would love to see some wicked pixel art tiles!”
“The graphics are kind of minimal, but they really aren't needed to enjoy the game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, including buggy UI elements, glitches in the music during the game over screen, and notably low frame rates in isometric mode. Additionally, there are minor grammar errors that detract from the overall experience.
“The UI is irritatingly buggy.”
“There are currently some rough edges: music on the game over screen glitches, isometric mode has way lower FPS than it should have (around 30 using OpenGL and 10-12 on my machine using SDL2, which could be using DX or OpenGL), and there are some grammar errors (mainly the 'fewer'/'less' issue that comes up frequently due to the heads mechanic).”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the humor in "Hydra Slayer" as playful and self-aware, often using tongue-in-cheek remarks to engage the audience. The lighthearted tone suggests that the game embraces its complexity with a comedic twist, making it accessible and enjoyable.
“This is the point in the review where I would laughingly reassure the reader that the above gobbledegook is a misrepresentation of 'Hydra Slayer' and that it does not require a calculator to play.”
“The humor in this game is so well-crafted that even the most mundane tasks become laugh-out-loud moments.”
“I found myself chuckling at the witty dialogue and clever puns scattered throughout the game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique and uncanny aesthetic, complemented by a distinctive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
“Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
“The game tries to build a tense atmosphere, but it often falls flat and feels more like a missed opportunity.”
“Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to engage the player.”
