Charming art style and humorous writing that effectively parodies JRPG tropes.
Short and enjoyable gameplay experience, making it a fun way to pass time.
Free to play, providing good entertainment value for its length.
Combat mechanics are simplistic and can feel repetitive, lacking depth.
No save or quick load features, making it tedious to replay for achievements.
Some achievements are frustratingly difficult or seemingly impossible to obtain.
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its self-aware parody and lighthearted dialogue, while others find it cringy or unfunny. The short, cute pixel art complements the comedic elements, making it a charming experience for those who enjoy quirky humor, though some suggest it may be better enjoyed through a video rather than direct gameplay. Overall, the humor is a significant draw for many, despite its uneven reception.
“Sincerely play for 10 minutes and if you like the humor, then you're golden; it's free, no strings attached.”
“It's a short story with short and somewhat funny but unskippable dialogues, colorful pixel artwork, and a pretty simple combat system.”
“This game is short, it will take maybe 45 minutes to play through, but it is hilarious, making fun of itself and all sorts of JRPG and RPG tropes.”
story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
21%
16%
The story of the game is generally described as short and entertaining, with a mix of charm and humor, though opinions vary on its depth and quality. While some players appreciate the engaging dialogue and pixel art, others criticize the lack of character development and repetitive gameplay. Overall, it offers a lighthearted narrative experience, but may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial story.
“The story and dialogue are great.”
“[u]Charming storytelling:[/u] masterfully blends JRPG battles with visual novel storytelling.”
“Great pixel art and a cute story that I really enjoyed.”
“This wouldn't be bad if there was some variety in the gameplay adding some replay value, but there is absolutely no variety in the story, events, or encounters.”
“If the sequel's story is as bad as this, I won't support the Kickstarter for it.”
“Yes, this is nonsensical, lazy writing... but it is supposed to be that way! Hey, this story makes absolutely no sense... but it is supposed to be that way! What, you are complaining that the characters are not developed at all, the humor is not even remotely funny, and the battles are boring and uninspired?”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The graphics of the game are characterized by charming and colorful pixel art that evokes nostalgia while offering a fresh appeal. Players appreciate the cute and whimsical visuals, although some note the limitations in resolution and control customization. Overall, the art style is a standout feature, enhancing the game's fast-paced and humorous narrative.
“Lovely visuals: adorable and cute visuals transport players to a whimsical realm.”
“The pixel graphics evoke nostalgia while maintaining a fresh appeal.”
“Fun game with tons of humor and cute pixel-art graphics.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“Resolution and controls are locked, and can't be changed or customized to improve the visuals or the control experience.”
“The only thing that this title really has going for it is the art style.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay features a unique grind-o-meter mechanic that adds strategic depth, but overall, it is criticized for being shallow and lacking variety, with battles resembling puzzles rather than traditional RPG encounters. Many players find the combat mechanics simple and unengaging, suggesting that the game is more suited for passive observation than active play. Overall, the gameplay experience is seen as underwhelming, with calls for improvement in potential sequels.
“The grind-o-meter adds depth to the gameplay, making each battle strategic and rewarding.”
“Much more of a puzzle game than an RPG; the mechanical loops are tightly tuned, and any player not fully invested in performing the prescribed actions will not be able to proceed.”
“Ok, so this is pretty much just a parody RPG; the gameplay isn't hard, the bosses (and there's only bosses) play more like a puzzle than an RPG battle.”
“Ok, so this is pretty much just a parody RPG; the gameplay isn't hard, and the bosses (and there's only bosses) play more like a puzzle than an RPG battle.”
“This wouldn't be bad if there was some variety in the gameplay adding some replay value, but there is absolutely no variety in the story, events, or encounters.”
“The actual gameplay takes a backseat to other aspects.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as pleasant and satisfying, complementing the charming pixel art and character design. While some reviewers note that it may not be the best, it effectively enhances the overall experience, especially considering the game's short development time. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The background music is pleasant and the characters are charming in their own way.”
“Good music, cute art, and simple combat.”
“The music is fine, not the best but it's fine.”
“Charming pixel art and music as expected.”
“Came for the witch, neat music and it's free so why not.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game offers a mix of replayability, primarily driven by its achievements, which can challenge players to revisit it for completion. However, the lack of variety in gameplay, story, and encounters limits its overall replay value, making it feel repetitive despite the potential for multiple playthroughs. While some players may find enjoyment in chasing achievements, the short duration of the game (around 45 minutes) may not sustain long-term interest.
“Being extremely short and cute, not particularly challenging (unless you're an achievement hunter, at which point a few I'm not yet ready to try for will probably make you sweat, and one might drive you insane trying to get it), I'm currently thinking this has near-infinite replay value.”
“There's a bit of replay value here as well.”
“This wouldn't be bad if there was some variety in the gameplay adding some replay value, but there is absolutely no variety in the story, events, or encounters.”
“Took me 45 minutes to beat it, but it does have some replay value since you can't get every achievement on the first go (since some require you to lose fights while one requires you to never lose).”
“Being extremely short, cute, and not particularly challenging (unless you're an achievement hunter, at which point a few I'm not yet ready to try for will probably make you sweat and one might drive you insane trying to get it) I'm currently thinking this has near-infinite replay value.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy for "Ignis Universia: Eternal Sisters Saga DX" is primarily focused on promoting a Kickstarter campaign for a sequel, which has seen mixed success; the first attempt failed, but the second succeeded. However, the game's status as more of a demo raises questions about the viability and future of the advertised sequel.
“Ignis Universia: Eternal Sisters Saga DX is more of a demo/advertisement for a 2D retro JRPG than a full game.”
“It's advertising a Kickstarter for a 'sequel' of the same name.”
“They failed their first Kickstarter attempt but succeeded in the second one, although it's too early to determine if the game this is advertising will ever be made.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the unique "grind-o-meter" mechanic that adds meaning to the grind, others criticize the tediousness of achieving 100% completion due to reliance on RNG, which can lead to repetitive actions that detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Missing especially the last one makes getting 100% really tedious since you need a lot of RNG, so needing to close, re-open, and click through the intro takes more time than actually trying for the achievement.”
“The unique grind-o-meter mechanic makes grinding feel meaningful in the game!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is noted to be somewhat lacking, with the story described as "meh" but still entertaining. However, the character design is praised for featuring appealing fantasy characters, contributing to the overall visual appeal of the game.
“The character design is very good, featuring a diverse group of fantasy characters that are visually appealing.”
“The character development is engaging, allowing players to connect with the characters on a deeper level.”
“The story may be simple, but the character arcs are well-crafted and add depth to the overall experience.”