Krum: Edge of Darkness
- November 24, 2015
- HA Studio Ltd.
"Krum: Edge of Darkness" is a hardcore action RPG set in a fantasy world, where players must survive and reach the end of the story by fighting their way through gruesome enemies and blood-thirsty bosses. The game features a unique combat system that is simple to learn but tricky to master, with each weapon having a few brutal combos. The nature of the fights requires players to plan their timing and wait for the perfect moment to strike, resulting in perilous and gritty combat encounters.
Reviews
- The game has a unique combat system that is simple to learn but tricky to master, providing a fun experience for players.
- Some players found the game charming and reminiscent of late '90s-early '00s graphic styles, likening it to classic titles.
- Despite its flaws, the game shows potential and is an admirable effort from a single developer, with some enjoyable environments and level designs.
- The game suffers from severe performance issues, with low frame rates and clunky controls that detract from the overall experience.
- Graphics are outdated and unappealing, making the game feel like a poorly executed title from the early days of 3D gaming.
- Many players reported numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in later levels, leading to a feeling of an unpolished and rushed product.
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players criticizing them as outdated and unappealing, while others appreciate the unique artistic style reminiscent of late '90s and early '00s games. Despite the visuals being described as "bad" by some, others find the artwork charming and entertaining, contributing positively to the overall experience.
“Overall, it's a pretty simple hack and slash with tons of cool artwork, that kept me entertained for hours.”
“I didn't really like the combat, but I have to recommend the game just in appreciation of an indie game not having a retro pixel art style, or even worse an Apple App Store look.”
“And it really is a waste... with such bad visuals and gameplay, nobody is going to get into the story.”
“Graphics are bad, gameplay is bad... just bad all around.”
“A charming 'souls-like' game with late '90s-early '00s graphic style.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story in Krum is noted for its engaging lore and adventurous quests, reminiscent of classic games like Rocko's Quest. However, many reviewers feel that the effort put into the narrative and level design is undermined by poor technical execution, which detracts from the overall experience and may prevent players from fully appreciating the story. Despite these criticisms, some players still find the adventure enjoyable and the story compelling within the game's context.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“It is a neat and fun adventure, role-playing, open-world game with a good story within its lore and gameplay.”
“In this case, it seems a huge amount of effort went into map design, level design, plot, and quest elements.”
“In this case, it seems a huge amount of effort went into map design, level design, plot, and quest elements that were completely wasted on a craptastic technical implementation.”
“And it really is a waste... with such bad visuals and gameplay, nobody is going to get into the story.”
“The player goal is to do quests with his adventurers and kill enemies and bosses.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been widely criticized for its poor visuals, janky mechanics, and lack of polish, leading to an unsatisfying experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Many users feel that the control scheme is unresponsive and poorly tested, resulting in a frustrating experience for players. Overall, the gameplay is considered a significant weakness of the game, earning a low rating.
“The handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“And it really is a waste... with such bad visuals and gameplay, nobody is going to get into the story.”
“It's janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, this is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant performance issues and clunky combat that affects gameplay, while others have experienced no crashes or major performance problems. Overall, the optimization appears to be inconsistent, particularly impacting those who rely on steady frame rates for combat.
“Also, no crashing or performance problems for me.”
“Combat is clunky and performance is not very good either.”
“To start with the disadvantages, the game has some performance issues.”
“Well, this game is terribly optimized and it solely revolves around combat which requires steady FPS.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as both relaxing and unconventional, likened to a quirky party atmosphere. While it may not be universally appealing, it contributes positively to the overall experience once players become familiar with the gameplay.
“This is like throwing a party and hiring Insane Clown Posse to cover Nickelback songs for you.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“The music is just okay; it doesn't really stand out or enhance the gaming experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely attributed to the voice acting, which many users find amusing and entertaining.
“The voice acting is hilarious and adds a lot of charm to the game.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
“The humor is spot-on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy in the game industry is criticized for exploiting others' work, often resulting in low-quality products being sold on platforms like Steam as quick cash grabs. This practice raises ethical concerns about the treatment of original creators and the overall integrity of the marketplace.
“The industry has shown a repeat pattern of unethically dumping other people's work onto Steam as a cheap, nasty cash grab, either through this account or through closely linked/alternate accounts.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”