Lone Fungus

About

Lone Fungus is a single player platformer game. It was developed by BastiGames and was released on April 7, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"Lone Fungus" is a Metroidvania game where you explore a mushroom-built world as the last surviving mushroom. The Early Access version features 10 unique areas with distinctive enemies and obstacles, and encourages exploration with meaningful upgrades such as Relics, Emblems, Health, and Mindpoints. Join the developer's Discord to provide feedback and receive updates on future content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 819 reviews

gameplay50 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Lone Fungus features a charming aesthetic and engaging world design, with a huge interconnected map full of secrets and collectibles.
The platforming mechanics are fun and challenging, offering a variety of movement abilities that allow for creative exploration and sequence breaking.
The game provides a good balance of difficulty, with optional platforming challenges that cater to hardcore players while still being accessible to newcomers.

The combat feels basic and lacks depth, with many bosses being just larger versions of regular enemies and not particularly memorable.
Backtracking can become tedious due to the limited fast travel options and the respawning of enemies in previously cleared areas.
The abundance of abilities and spells can feel overwhelming, leading to confusion about which ones to use and when, detracting from the overall experience.

gameplay
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
68%
7%
The gameplay of "Lone Fungus" is a mix of tight platforming mechanics and combat inspired by titles like Hollow Knight, featuring a variety of movement options and abilities that can be both rewarding and overwhelming. While many players appreciate the fluidity and challenge of the platforming, some criticize the awkward implementation of certain mechanics, such as the parry system and wall jumps, which can disrupt the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a rich exploration experience with a blend of enjoyable mechanics, though it may not appeal to those who prefer simpler gameplay.
- “Overall, it's a good experience with a few minor issues, and a lot to explore in post-game if you enjoy some slightly mechanically awkward, precisely timed platforming shenanigans.”
- “With its open-ended exploration, customizable combat, and satisfying platforming, it offers players dozens of hours of thoughtful gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is solid and precise, the abilities are fun, the metroidvania itch is scratched in a satisfying way.”
- “The biggest issue with the platforming, in my opinion, is that the mechanics can be hard to use together due to the controls.”
- “The issue with Lone Fungus is that it tries to separate itself by including a zillion wacky mechanics, but they're not practical, you don't get to experiment much with them, and the game doesn't ever feel designed around them.”
- “The core mechanic of parrying is so bad; if my joystick isn't perfectly straight down, then forget it, I'm not going to parry, and trying to do that while fighting a boss is just not how the parry system should work.”
music
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
39%
5%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the visuals. While some tracks are described as catchy and immersive, others are noted to be forgettable or repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a solid aspect of the game, contributing to the overall enjoyment despite some mixed opinions on its memorability.
- “The soundtrack complements the visuals well, with ambient sound and crisp sound effects.”
- “The music is perfect and sets the mood just right.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and gameplay is truly amazing.”
- “The music kind of sucks and the map isn’t grid based and really no way of knowing if a section is explored or not.”
- “Music is a bit bland in the 4 or so areas I've been to; the plot is serviceable but nothing special so far.”
- “I think the only serious complaint with the game is that the music is kinda eh?”
story
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
75%
3%
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its charm and simplicity, while others find it lacking depth and engagement. Many describe it as basic or bare-bones, often feeling like an afterthought compared to gameplay elements, though some enjoy the lore and atmosphere it provides. Overall, while the narrative may not stand out in a crowded genre, it serves its purpose for those focused on exploration and gameplay rather than a compelling story.
- “The story is well written and the atmosphere is beautiful.”
- “The lore is super cute, you're a little mushroom trying to figure out what's happened; the world tells its story, mostly through text boxes, but it's a fun one :-)”
- “On the positive side, Lone Fungus has outstanding aesthetics, soundtrack, and story.”
- “The story is extremely bare-bones and, well, boring.”
- “The presentation of the story is dull which made me skip all the text, while the gameplay itself gradually makes less and less sense.”
- “The story is puddle-deep with no real stakes or consequences, the overall map has a very blocky, segmented design to it.”
graphics
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
49%
8%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a colorful and charming pixel art style that many players find visually appealing, though some criticize it for being simplistic or repetitive across different areas. While the aesthetic is generally praised for its cohesion and personality, opinions vary, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with the graphical settings and performance issues. Overall, the visuals are considered decent and complement the gameplay, but they may not stand out in comparison to more graphically advanced titles in the genre.
- “Visually, the game embraces a colorful, charming pixel art style that feels cohesive and rich in personality.”
- “It's a gorgeous aesthetic package!”
- “The game starts with a very pleasant presentation - the visuals are simple but very tastefully done, the soundtrack starts out quite good and gets steadily better and better as the game progresses.”
- “I don't like the graphic style; I don't like the amount of text in dialogue that's thrown at players.”
- “The graphics of the map markers should be changed because some don't make any sense and they don't help.”
- “Its visuals can't compare to modern, cinematic titles like Ori and the Blind Forest or even Hollow Knight, with larger teams and budgets.”
grinding
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
3%
91%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many describing it as tedious and frustrating due to excessive backtracking and repetitive boss fights. While some appreciate the lack of traditional grinding for experience or materials, the exploration and combat can feel laborious, detracting from the enjoyment of the game. Despite these issues, some players still find value in the game's charm and design, suggesting that it may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre.
- “The music is solid, level design feels good, backtracking isn't tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life, maybe some macros, and a will to live for grinding.”
- “Given the size of the map, you will have to traverse the same screens many times over as you explore, and they become tedious instead of fun.”
- “Sadly the execution is lacking; the level design doesn't encourage you to use all your moves and zoom through the map. Instead, you encounter corridors with hundreds of enemies all around, so your movement is very limited, and there's no reason to kill the enemies, making exploration more tedious.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as charming and unique, with a mix of funny character attitudes and whimsical elements, particularly in its cartoony world of mushrooms. While some players found the humor refreshing and entertaining, others noted a lack of humor in the writing and gameplay, which is primarily focused on exploration. Overall, the game is appreciated for its amusing moments, especially in boss names and character interactions, making it enjoyable for fans of the metroidvania genre.
- “I really enjoyed the world presented, the visuals seemed pretty unique to other games I've played in this genre, and it had a really refreshing sense of humor.”
- “Also, for giving me a laughing fit due to one of its boss names being 'the corrupted falafel.'”
- “It is also quite challenging, but in a funny way.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and cohesion, drawing inspiration from titles like Hollow Knight and classic metroidvanias. Reviewers highlight the immersive environment, complemented by atmospheric music and engaging design, which collectively enhance the overall experience. The combination of these elements creates a captivating mood that enriches exploration and gameplay.
- “The atmosphere in the game is amazing, as well as the design.”
- “The music is atmospheric and mysterious, and manages to make the exploration quite immersive.”
- “Lone Fungus takes inspiration from the best of metroidvanias and wraps them up in an atmospheric, simple bow.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and connection, with players feeling no real motivation or attachment to the characters or objectives. While some find the game to be wholesome and fun, the absence of intrigue and the frustration from optional challenges detract from the overall emotional experience, leaving players feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.
- “Super wholesome, cute, and fun.”
- “The optional challenges in this game (ladybugs and blue shard pieces) almost made me quit the game halfway through and just made me feel like I was an awful gamer in a way that I almost never feel.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviews indicate a mixed response to character development, with some users criticizing it as lacking depth and coherence, while others praise the character design as exceptional. Overall, the character design is highlighted positively, but the development of characters within the narrative appears to be a significant drawback.
- “Great character design.”
- “10/10 metroidvania, 11/10 character design.”
- “Bad world building, bad character development.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players appreciate the high level of customization in combat, which keeps the experience feeling fresh and encourages experimentation with different builds, significantly enhancing the game's replayability.
- “This level of customization makes the combat feel fresh even deep into the game, and it also adds replay value for those who enjoy experimenting with different builds.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users noting it is not broken or buggy. While some minor glitches were observed, the game performs well, particularly on the Steam Deck, and certain upgrades may feel overpowered during gameplay.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs; the stability is impressive.”
- “It's not broken or buggy, but it does have stability issues.”
- “Some things seem like glitches, and at times I rushed the bosses down without much care for dodging, which made some upgrades feel a bit overpowered.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game's overall performance is generally positive, though players have reported occasional random stuttering issues that detract from the experience.
- “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimizing performance.”
- “The frame rates are consistently high, and the loading times are minimal, showcasing excellent optimization throughout.”
- “Other than some weird stuttering that happens, which seems random, the game is great.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect has received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating it while others feel it falls short of expectations, particularly in comparison to titles like "Hollow Knight." Overall, the ads may overstate the game's value, leading to disappointment among players.
- “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the experience.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”