Keeper's Toll

About

Keeper's Toll is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Stingbot Games and was released on October 28, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Keeper's Toll," become a skilled undead hero in this methodical roguelite RPG, with slow-paced, ARPG-style combat against unique enemies and bosses. Choose from six distinct characters, each with specialized abilities and progression trees, to purge a dark fantasy world across multiple runs. Master each hero's skills and face ferocious bosses in this retro-infused, challenging experience. Character count: 232 Directly related info: 105 characters Indirectly related info: 127 characters

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 462 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game features good visuals and a charming pixel art style that enhances the overall experience.
Each character has unique abilities and playstyles, providing a satisfying variety in gameplay.
The game offers a challenging experience with meaningful boss fights and enemy mechanics that require strategic movement.

The balance between characters is inconsistent, with some classes feeling significantly weaker than others, leading to a lack of variety in viable builds.
There is a lack of visual clarity regarding certain mechanics, such as curses and item effects, which can lead to confusion during gameplay.
The game currently has limited content, with only a few classes and maps available, which may lead to repetitive gameplay over time.

gameplay
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay of "Keeper's Toll" has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating its tactical depth, unique character mechanics, and engaging boss battles, while others find it lacking in variety and innovation compared to other titles in the genre. The game blends roguelite elements with ARPG mechanics, offering a satisfying core loop that emphasizes strategy over mindless action, though some players feel it can become repetitive and lacks a rich narrative. Overall, it appeals to fans of the survivor genre looking for a challenge, but may not meet the expectations of those seeking extensive customization or complex gameplay systems.
- “At the center of the experience is a gameplay loop that emphasizes tactical awareness over frantic button-mashing.”
- “Every hero has their own skillset, unique mechanics, and upgrade trees that provide a strong incentive for experimentation.”
- “The gameplay is deeper with a dodge-stamina mechanic, special enemy/boss attacks, much cooler boss fights, combo moves, special attacks, and much more varied mechanics for each.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay and mechanics are a bit lacking compared to other games in this genre.”
- “As much as I'd like to like this game and its 'borrowed' inspirations from other titles, the core gameplay loop is tedious and boring compared to competitors in the same genre.”
- “It makes the gameplay feel dull, like you're waiting for an actual challenge to arrive, but when it does, it overstays its welcome.”
music
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
34%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm, variety, and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many reviewers noting that the soundtrack is catchy and well-composed. While some sound effects can be distracting, the overall aesthetic, including the music, is considered top-notch and fitting for the game's themes. However, a few players felt that certain tracks did not align perfectly with the game's medieval adventure vibe, though the majority found the music to be a standout feature.
- “The music is very well written and captures the vibe of the different levels.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing, no complaints there.”
- “The difficulty is above average, but doesn't feel unfair; the music is very good, synth/electronic and orchestral with nice instrumentals that fit the thematic level design.”
- “The in-game music, however... that got turned off really quick.”
- “The music is decent, the graphics and aesthetic look pretty good, but the overall gameplay is a slog.”
- “Has some good things going for it, in the art and music, but everything else is just so mediocre compared to what is out there.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
25%
7%
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback for their clean and appealing aesthetic, with many players appreciating the retro pixel art style and cohesive design that enhances the overall experience. Updates have improved the visuals, including lighting and animations, contributing to an engaging atmosphere that complements the gameplay. While some players noted that the visuals can be overwhelming during intense moments, the art style and music are frequently highlighted as standout features that elevate the game's charm.
- “From an art standpoint, I like the aesthetic and music a lot; that's really on point.”
- “The graphics work quite well for this type of game, and the developers made it prettier with their updates, including lighting and animations.”
- “The gameplay is a little more slowed down, and the enemies have actual mechanics, which is a refreshing change from most survivor-style games, pairing nicely with the grim retro graphics to give a very satisfying game feel.”
- “I needed to turn off the visuals near the end of runs in order to see things to dodge.”
- “Keeper's Toll doesn't stand out for any particular reason besides the Dark Souls/Elden Ring aesthetics, but it's decent and cheap.”
- “The graphics get that retro itch, and the setting and enemy variety are impressive, at least to me.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the variety of classes and character builds that encourage multiple playthroughs, others feel that once the content is fully explored, the experience becomes shallow and lacks longevity. Despite some community-driven updates enhancing replay value, many reviewers note that the game ultimately falls short of offering the depth and variety found in other titles within the genre. Overall, while there are elements that promote replayability, significant limitations hinder its long-term appeal.
- “This diversity is central to the game’s replayability, offering markedly different approaches to both moment-to-moment combat and long-term survival strategy.”
- “Replayability is high, with higher-tier upgrades within character skill trees incentivizing one more run to get the XP you need, along with changing level challenges to make them feel fresh even after conquering them the first time around.”
- “Devs have fleshed out a pretty good 'vampire survivors-like' with plenty of replayability, especially considering the price.”
- “No offense to the developer since they clearly do care, but it becomes obvious after a few hours that the game lacks replayability or a unique identity beyond the superficial soulsborne homages.”
- “It's fun, easy to pick up but is deep as a bucket; once you max the characters and unlock the maps, replayability drops to 0.”
- “Its biggest negative point is the longevity and replay value: with just a couple of characters really fun to play and only 3 worlds (4 in the next 1.0 release), you can't squeeze more than 10/15 hours out of it.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The game's story is delivered through a mix of mission narratives and environmental storytelling, with minimal dialogue and character development. Players appreciate the engaging side quests and the integration of familiar enemies and bosses, which enhance the overall experience. While the main quest line is simple, it is enjoyable and well-structured, contributing to a rewarding meta progression system that encourages exploration and mastery.
- “I like the mission narrative and little side quests you can do during a run.”
- “The story interweaved between maps is nice to follow.”
- “Story elements are sparsely delivered, with minimal dialogue and no major character arcs or world-building outside of environmental storytelling.”
- “It doesn’t chase genre trends like procedural storytelling or open-world exploration—instead, it focuses on doing one thing extremely well: providing an intense, skill-based survival experience that rewards knowledge, timing, and build mastery.”
- “But the addition of a followable in-game quest is a huge plus and makes the first playthrough amazing, much better than similar games with far more loose quests.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of "Keeper's Toll" is widely praised for its haunting and immersive dark fantasy setting, reminiscent of the "Dark Souls" series. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a compelling world filled with danger and mystery, enhancing the overall experience with its visceral combat and engaging gameplay. The atmospheric elements are considered a core strength, contributing to the game's captivating roguelite experience.
- “Keeper's Toll offers a deep and engaging roguelite experience for those who enjoy a good challenge and a dark, atmospheric setting.”
- “The dark fantasy setting is beautifully crafted, immersing you in a world filled with danger and mystery.”
- “Rather than chasing trends or overloading the game with feature creep, it leans into its core strengths: visceral combat, compelling hero variety, and an oppressive, haunting atmosphere that reinforces its dark fantasy setting.”
- “I noticed many elements from Dark Souls, including the atmosphere, in-world elements, characters, and enemies.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game. While some players find the grind tedious and boring, others appreciate the balance of challenge and enjoyment, noting that the grind is manageable and complemented by fun achievements. However, there are concerns about the limited content and the desire for more rewards and variety to enhance the grinding experience.
- “As much as I'd like to like this game and its 'borrowed' inspirations from other titles, the core gameplay loop is tedious and boring compared to competitors in the same genre.”
- “It means it got tedious pretty fast for me, not gonna lie.”
- “Something to reward me for playing other characters and make playing another character less grindy at the start.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is visually appealing, featuring intuitive designs that evoke nostalgia for other titles. However, some players find the lack of animation in character actions, such as the warrior's static pose, to be unsettling and detracting from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game is praised for its fun gameplay and potential for future character additions.
- “It's simple and intuitive with character designs that are reminiscent of other games I enjoy.”
- “Overall this is a fun game, good music, pixel art, boss design, character design; it's very playable as is and has more characters and levels in the works.”
- “Visual and character design looks good.”
- “Additionally, what unsettles me more than it should are the visual character designs: for example, the warrior is an unanimated sprite who has permanently lifted his sword ready for a swing, but he never swings; instead, some little drip shoots forward from his pants.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While some players seek deeper emotional engagement and narrative depth, many in the roguelite community prioritize gameplay over emotional investment. There is a desire for improvements in user experience elements to enhance overall enjoyment and emotional resonance.
- “The emotional depth of the characters truly resonated with me, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the story arcs; they added a layer of emotional investment that kept me engaged.”
- “The game masterfully balances gameplay with emotional storytelling, creating moments that linger long after playing.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding it genuinely funny and engaging throughout their experience.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game incorporates humor into its gameplay; the quirky characters and funny situations make every moment enjoyable.”
- “The comedic timing in the cutscenes is spot on, and the absurd scenarios had me in stitches!”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game runs smoothly and reliably on the Steam Deck, indicating strong stability across this platform.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
- “Oh, and runs great on the Steam Deck!”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's monetization approach, noting it feels genuine and crafted with care rather than being a mere cash grab. The enjoyable gameplay and exploration contribute to a sense of value, distinguishing it from other titles that prioritize profit over player experience.
- “I can already tell this is one of the few that was a project made with love and not just a copy-paste cash grab.”
- “It feels like a full game and not a cheap cash grab.”