Kalevania

About

Kalevania is a single player platformer game with fantasy and violence themes. It was developed by Games By Michi and was released on May 3, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"Kalevania is a single-player Fantasy Platformer game inspired by Finnish mythology and retro-style Japanese console games. Explore seven diverse locations, combatting over 50 enemy types using various weapons and runic powers. Immerse in the authentic retro gaming experience, complete with an original nostalgic soundtrack by Ilari Hannula."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+21

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 35 reviews

music7 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Kalevania offers a fun and engaging experience with a charming retro aesthetic and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the gameplay.
The game cleverly incorporates elements of Finnish mythology, providing a unique cultural backdrop that adds depth to the platforming experience.
Players appreciate the satisfying gameplay mechanics, including the ability to upgrade equipment and utilize various spells, which contribute to a rewarding sense of progression.

The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks content and depth, making it less appealing at full price.
There are issues with level design and enemy variety, as some players noted a reliance on recycled assets and a decline in creativity in later stages.
The life system can be frustrating, as losing all lives results in losing collected currency, which can lead to a negative gameplay experience for some players.

music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
33%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its uplifting and engaging qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the excellent soundtrack that complements the gameplay. While most players find the music enjoyable and fitting, some have reported technical issues, such as tracks not looping properly during extended boss fights. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, despite a few glitches.
- “Witty humor, swift controls, and uplifting music draw you right in from the get-go.”
- “A really fun albeit short platformer with an absolutely banging soundtrack.”
- “Solid gameplay and excellent soundtrack.”
- “Sometimes if you fight the boss for too long, the music stops looping.”
- “I somehow managed to have two music tracks playing at the same time; I'm not sure if alt-tab had anything to do with it or the faulty mute feature.”
- “You need to figure out what to do about all the stutter; you don't want it to feel like you're constantly changing speed in mid-air, fix the music problems, and maybe rework some color coding and visuals in the levels.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The gameplay is praised for its satisfying mechanics, combining elements from various games into a cohesive experience, reminiscent of titles like Shovel Knight. Players appreciate the variety of spells, weapon switching, and unique mechanics such as the DuckTales pogo jump, although some technical issues like stuttering have been noted. Overall, the gameplay is solid and engaging, enhanced by a great soundtrack and humor.
- “It combines a bunch of mechanics from different games into one great experience.”
- “The gameplay feels satisfying and punchy, and most spells are quite varied in function.”
- “Amazing vania game with good music, rock solid gameplay mechanics and Finnish humor!”
- “The game’s mechanics do not make the experience any easier.”
- “At first, it felt like the gameplay was decent; I mean you can change between multiple weapons, bounce on the sword, and use various spells, plus all of the upgrades.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it might resemble Shovel Knight somewhat; you control the old hero Väinämöinen who sets out to recover the Sampo (a mythical McGuffin) and find a bride.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics feature a charming and unique art style that balances abstract and representational elements, though some users note that it can appear primitive at times. While many appreciate the overall aesthetic and sound design, concerns have been raised about performance issues such as stuttering and visibility in gameplay, which detract from the visual experience.
- “The art style may be primitive in places, but it is extremely charming.”
- “An art style focused on limited space and palette, no single pixel representing anything in particular, perfect compromise between abstract and representational art.”
- “The graphics are extremely good so far at least, and the music is really good too.”
- “I think you guys need to figure out what to do about all the stutter; you don't want it to feel like you're constantly changing speed in mid-air. Fix the soft lock, fix the music problems, and maybe rework some color coding and visuals in the levels so you can see what the hell is hitting you.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by witty and uplifting elements that enhance the overall experience, complemented by swift controls and engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of epic and Finnish humor, which adds a unique charm to the game.
- “Witty humor, swift controls, and uplifting music draw you right in from the get-go.”
- “Kalevania is equally epic in its humor.”
- “Amazing 'vania' game with good music, rock-solid gameplay mechanics, and Finnish humor!”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be challenging yet rewarding, as it provides a clear sense of direction and accomplishment after overcoming difficult sections.
- “The grinding feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “While the game has its moments, the excessive grinding can be a major turn-off for players looking for a more streamlined experience.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story is described as somewhat unclear but intriguing, with elements that evoke the themes of the Kalevala, making it enjoyable for those seeking fun and nostalgia.
- “Highly recommend for just some good fun, and throwbacks to the story of Kalevala.”
- “I'm not sure what the story was about, but it seemed neat.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players appreciate the game's focused and rich experience, suggesting that adding a more difficult mode could enhance replayability by encouraging deeper engagement with the content and boss fights. The recent patch has improved overall playability, making the game more enjoyable for repeated playthroughs.
- “Ultimately though, the fun and spectacle of the very focused and rich experience is great to play through. I can only recommend to the developer to create a more difficult mode for replayability, so that the incredible content can be enjoyed in more detail by having to learn boss fights more precisely.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences significant stability issues, particularly freezing near the final boss, which prevents players from completing it after several hours of gameplay. Additionally, there are glitches such as the music stopping during prolonged boss fights.
- “The game freezes at what I assume is the last boss or close to the ending, so I was unable to finish it. I would say it's around 3 to 4 hours to get there.”
- “Other glitches: sometimes if you fight the boss for too long, the music stops looping.”