Iron Crypticle

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 146 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Iron Crypticle Game Cover
Reinvigorating the twin-stick shooter like few before it with a veritable masterclass of design, you absolutely do not want to sleep on Iron Crypticle.
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In Iron Crypticle, players enter ancient crypts to rescue princess and treasures, inspired by classic arcade games like Smash TV and Ghosts 'n Goblins. Gameplay features upgrades to abilities and a variety of food pickups for power-ups, with a focus on collecting items and defeating enemies in a medieval setting. Iron Crypticle is an enhanced version of Iron Fisticle with improved gameplay and visuals.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 146 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The game features 4-player local co-op, enhancing the multiplayer experience.
  • There are several new additions, including redesigned items, new weapons, and variations of previous bosses, which add variety to gameplay.
  • The score-based leveling system encourages quick item collection, making gameplay more engaging and rewarding.
  • The removal of permanent upgrades makes progression feel tedious and less rewarding compared to its predecessor, Iron Fisticle.
  • Many enemies have poorly visible projectiles, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially in close quarters.
  • The game can feel overly repetitive and lacks significant innovation, making it less enjoyable for players familiar with the original.
  • gameplay42 mentions

    The gameplay is a blend of classic arcade mechanics and modern roguelite elements, offering fast-paced, responsive action that emphasizes hand-eye coordination and area control. While the removal of permanent upgrades has made progression more challenging and tedious, the game retains a satisfying item collection and scoring system reminiscent of 8 and 16-bit titles. Overall, it delivers a polished experience that appeals to both casual and seasoned players, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Extremely polished and sleek roguelite reminiscent of the old Berzerk (for gameplay) and Bubble Bobble (fruits, bonuses, etc.). Amazing if played with multiple players; it's very enjoyable played solo as well.”
    • “In short: classic arcade gameplay that exercises the player's hand-eye coordination, reflexes/reaction time, and area control.”
    • “Iron Crypticle is arcade shoot 'em up done right with decent twin-stick gameplay that changes up often enough to keep the player engaged for many runs.”
    • “Permanent upgrades are now gone, which means that casual players will have to sweat like crazy to beat easy mode, if they even understand the food to level mechanic at all.”
    • “However, the gameplay got tinkered with and now it's a broken tedious chore where difficulty and in-game gain matters little.”
    • “The gameplay and feel is very similar; nothing much has changed, but they've removed permanent upgrades, which makes progressing through the game a bit more tedious because now the only way to improve is to unlock the more powerful weapons.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their retro arcade aesthetic, featuring detailed and animated pixel art that evokes nostalgia for classic titles from the 80s. Players appreciate the cleaner and crisper visuals compared to its predecessor, with a charming artistic style that enhances the overall experience. While the graphics are well-executed and appealing to fans of retro aesthetics, some players note that the gameplay mechanics may detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The graphics and sound in this game, (and Iron Fisticle), have a really nice retro-arcade feel, and the game feels 'solid'.”
    • “Graphics are lovingly detailed and animated pixel art, and the soundtrack is satisfying synthwave.”
    • “I love the artistic vision, style, and the individual tile graphics, especially the fruit/food, which are top-notch.”
    • “This game just adds some minor graphical changes, makes each level bigger, adds maybe 3 new enemies and a few new weapons but it is essentially Iron Fisticle with no permanent character upgrades.”
    • “Yet, aside from the charm of the 8-bit visuals, there isn’t an enormous amount here to keep you dungeon running once the initial novelty wears thin.”
    • “It will definitely suit fans of retro aesthetics and arcade-esque titles, but shooting using the right stick in only eight directions is a hindering experience which is likely to frustrate players, in an otherwise solid game.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players have expressed frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that the removal of permanent upgrades has made progression feel tedious and slow. The gameplay, while familiar, has become a chore, particularly in endless mode, where the difficulty does not seem to correlate with meaningful in-game rewards. Overall, the grinding experience is perceived as broken and unenjoyable.

    • “However, the gameplay got tinkered with and now it's a broken tedious chore where difficulty and in-game gain matters little.”
    • “Level 3 of endless mode is insanely tedious and slows the game down drastically.”
    • “The gameplay and feel is very similar, but they've removed permanent upgrades which makes progressing through the game a bit more tedious because now the only way to improve is to unlock the more powerful weapons.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its trance-like intensity and satisfying synthwave style, perfectly complementing the gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of early "Ghosts 'n Goblins," enhancing the overall experience with its detailed and animated pixel art.

    • “The music is wonderfully trance-like yet suitably intense.”
    • “Graphics are lovingly detailed and animated pixel art, and the soundtrack is satisfying synthwave.”
    • “Love the sounds and music, very reminiscent of early Ghosts 'n Goblins.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game is highly praised for its replayability, offering fun and skill-based gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. Enhancements like 4-player local co-op further boost its appeal, making it an excellent choice for fans of twin-stick shooters and local multiplayer experiences. Overall, its retro presentation and engaging mechanics contribute to a strong recommendation for repeated play.

    • “With its nice retro presentation, the game still offers a lot of fun and excellent replayability with a few improvements and additions like 4-player local co-op.”
    • “If you’ve ever been into twin-stick shooters or want another game for local co-op, Iron Crypticle is a great choice; fun gameplay, high replayability, and decent presentation make this one easy to recommend.”
    • “Great game, simple, fun, replayable, and skill-based.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by its absurdly designed enemies, particularly the projectile-based foes that create chaotic and frustrating combat scenarios. Additionally, players appreciate the witty entries in the ledger, which provide a lighthearted touch amidst the challenges. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the gameplay experience.

    • “Quite a bit of work and humor went into the ledger, be sure to read the entries for a chuckle.”
    • “There is a hilarious amount of projectile enemies with poorly visible bullets, and not to mention just badly designed enemies as well. Slimes are projectile enemies that, upon death, split into 3 smaller ones, who explode into 3 paralytic bullets, making it impossible to fight them in close range and also making it impossible to collect food. The rail turrets have been given insane movement and shot speed, making them a nightmare wherever they pop up.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report a minor stability issue where the game freezes on the initial splash screen during loading, but it can be resolved by pressing the left mouse button. No other input methods appear to work in this situation.

    • “The only quirk was that when I load the game, the first splash screen freezes - pressing the left mouse button lets it continue loading as normal (no other keys or gamepad buttons seemed to work, only the LMB).”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game evokes a genuine emotional connection by capturing the innocence of the eighties, presenting itself as a heartfelt homage to that era without resorting to forced nostalgia. Players appreciate its sincerity and the nostalgic yet authentic experience it offers.

    • “The relative innocence of the eighties holds court here — the game comes across as a heartfelt throwback to the PG era, with nary a trace of the desperate stink of nostalgia-peddling opportunism.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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