Loop Hero

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 14,889 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Loop Hero Game Cover
Regardless of whether or not you enjoy the sound of a “top-down rogue-like deck & dungeon-building auto-battler”, Loop Hero will graciously guide you along its path - only to ensnare you in its devilishly addictive short gameplay loops.
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In Loop Hero, you are a lone hero on a journey through a constantly changing loop. Plan and build the best path to defeat monsters and collect resources, using cards to shape the landscape and control enemy encounters. Strategize and optimize your equipment, skills, and camps to survive and deepen the loop, uncovering more of the mysterious world.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,889 reviews
gameplay1,144 positive mentions
grinding959 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,827 mentions

    The gameplay of "Loop Hero" is characterized by its unique blend of mechanics, combining elements of roguelikes, deck-building, and idle games. Players engage in a captivating loop where they strategically place cards to shape the world around their hero, who automatically battles enemies along a looping path. While the game offers an addictive experience with a satisfying progression system, many players note that it can become repetitive and grindy over time, with some mechanics lacking clear explanations, which may hinder the overall enjoyment for some.

    • “Loop Hero is an incredibly addictive and unique game that masterfully combines roguelike mechanics with strategic deck-building and resource management.”
    • “From the moment I started playing, I was immediately drawn in by its distinct gameplay loop, where you lay down cards to create a dynamic world full of dangers and opportunities.”
    • “The gameplay loop is engaging and rewarding, and I really enjoyed the aesthetic the devs went for.”
    • “It all contributes to a slow, depressing gameplay loop that just isn't fun or exciting to interact with and leaves you with no sense of accomplishment.”
    • “The gameplay is just resource management, but there is strategy to it, and it's able to stay fun while being a fairly idle style of game.”
    • “The gameplay loop quickly becomes boring and repetitive.”
  • music1,387 mentions

    The music in "Loop Hero" has been widely praised for its captivating and atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers describing it as a standout feature of the game. The chiptune soundtrack effectively complements the game's retro aesthetic and enhances the overall experience, evoking nostalgia while also creating a unique ambiance that fits the game's themes of despair and adventure. However, some players noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over extended play sessions, though the quality of the music remains highly regarded.

    • “The music complements the gameplay beautifully, evoking haunting desperation and mystery, tinged with a glimmer of hope and serenity that will have you humming along.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally impressive, complementing the atmosphere with eerie, captivating tunes that keep you engaged for hours.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, the sound design, the art, the little figures on the map, everything is in such harmony.”
    • “The music is so repetitive that you'll find yourself humming the same three notes for hours after you've uninstalled the game.”
    • “Soundtrack has many highlights, sadly the heavy chiptune distortion and the static effect over the tracks wears out its welcome fast.”
    • “The music is starting to get too repetitive.”
  • graphics1,180 mentions

    The graphics of "Loop Hero" are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic games, with many players praising its unique aesthetic and atmospheric visuals. While some find the graphics simplistic or difficult to interpret, especially in later stages of gameplay, the overall presentation is often described as cohesive and engaging, complemented by a fitting chiptune soundtrack. Despite mixed opinions on the clarity and detail of the visuals, the game's art style is generally appreciated for its creativity and ability to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The pixel art style is stunning, invoking a sense of nostalgia while still feeling fresh and detailed.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful & extremely detailed.”
    • “The art style is charming, the sound effects are on point, and the music is good.”
    • “The graphics are a sad excuse for nostalgia.”
    • “The retro aesthetic is so overused that it's practically a meme at this point, and Loop Hero doesn't do anything to make it feel new or interesting.”
    • “The graphics are so bad that it's difficult to distinguish objects.”
  • story1,094 mentions

    The story of "Loop Hero" is described as intriguing and mysterious, with a unique premise that unfolds gradually through gameplay, engaging players with its blend of lore and mechanics. While many reviewers appreciate the depth and philosophical themes woven into the narrative, some criticize it for being minimalistic or repetitive, often feeling like an afterthought amidst the gameplay. Overall, the combination of compelling pixel art, a captivating soundtrack, and a well-integrated story keeps players invested, even if the narrative may not satisfy everyone.

    • “The story is mysterious and keeps you hooked.”
    • “Its combination of strategic depth, stunning pixel art, and an enigmatic story make it one of the most unique games I've played in a while.”
    • “The story, while shrouded in mystery, is intriguing.”
    • “The story, or lack thereof, is a snooze-fest.”
    • “You play as a hero trying to rebuild the world, but the plot is as thin as the paper it's written on.”
    • “The game is a slog, the story is nonexistent, the graphics are a throwback to the days of dial-up internet, and the sound design is enough to make you want to pull your hair out.”
  • grinding974 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Loop Hero" has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting that while it can be enjoyable and satisfying, it often becomes excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game. Players frequently mention the necessity of grinding for resources to upgrade their camp and progress, which can lead to frustration due to the high stakes of losing resources upon death. Overall, while some appreciate the grind as part of the game's charm, others find it detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than a rewarding challenge.

    • “There is an inevitable degree of repetition, especially when starting a new expedition again, but the speed sliders make this not really tedious.”
    • “Not that grindy despite what other reviews may say.”
    • “Fun and not too grindy, unlike 95% of idle games.”
    • “The resources you gather from a run (if you make it out because the punishment for dying is stupid, it makes the farming process even more obnoxious) can be used in camp to upgrade your class's effectiveness in combat and survivability or to unlock more ways to ensure survival in the wild, but personally, it just doesn't do it for me.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun but far too grindy to play for long stretches of time.”
    • “The game is very, very grindy, and that is what makes me give it a downvote.”
  • replayability250 mentions

    Overall, "Loop Hero" is praised for its high replayability, offering diverse strategies and unique gameplay experiences with each run. However, many players note that once the game is mastered and all content is unlocked, the replay value diminishes significantly, leading to a sense of repetitiveness. While the game provides an engaging initial experience, its long-term replayability may be limited without additional content or challenges.

    • “This game offers hours of replayability due to each run/loop being different.”
    • “Incredibly fun and endlessly replayable.”
    • “The gameplay provides RNG-based replay value, while also having casual strategic potential with the various build options.”
    • “Only negative thing I have to say is that once you discover everything and beat the final boss a few times, the replayability kind of falls off.”
    • “The replay value is not very high though; the game is very easy at the end due to the vertical scaling, and there's not much endgame to explore.”
    • “There is very little replayability once you have discovered the basics, and that is done fairly soon.”
  • atmosphere99 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of dark, gothic elements, captivating pixel art, and an immersive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the oppressive yet engaging ambiance, which effectively complements the gameplay and narrative, creating a memorable and addictive environment. The combination of well-crafted visuals, sound design, and thematic depth contributes to a rich atmosphere that keeps players invested.

    • “The soundtrack is equally impressive, complementing the atmosphere with eerie, captivating tunes that keep you engaged for hours.”
    • “The atmosphere it creates is just a little oppressive and immersive, drawing you into its unique world.”
    • “The art style is unique and atmospheric, perfectly blending with the gameplay to create a captivating experience.”
    • “The atmosphere it creates is just a little oppressive.”
    • “The existential dialogue that's scattered throughout also adds to the depressing atmosphere that keeps sucking me back in.”
    • “The only thing the game has going for it is the art style and atmosphere.”
  • humor79 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by clever writing, absurd dialogues, and a playful tone that often pokes fun at gaming tropes. Players appreciate the blend of dark humor and lighthearted moments, with many finding joy in the repetitive gameplay loop and quirky character interactions. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making the grind feel more enjoyable and engaging.

    • “The story is compelling, the characters funny, the visuals retro, and the music perfectly right.”
    • “What absolutely floored me was a rich sense of world building, genuinely funny dialogue, and a much deeper plot than I would've imagined from such a simple presentation.”
    • “The game has a plot, funny characters, awesome 16-bit music, and it's incredibly addicting and funny, perfect combination for a great indie game.”
    • “The writing is terrible, unfunny drivel; I almost wish there was no plot like in other roguelikes because it just makes me mad.”
  • optimization48 mentions

    The game's optimization mechanics are a central focus, offering players a satisfying loop of resource management, character progression, and strategic tile placement. While many players enjoy the depth and variety of optimization strategies available, some express frustration with the reliance on RNG for gear drops and the repetitive nature of optimized builds, which can diminish the excitement of subsequent runs. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive gameplay and intricate systems, appealing particularly to fans of optimization and strategy.

    • “An excellent more laid-back rogue-like that encourages optimization in a fun Bloons Tower Defense kind of way.”
    • “The gameplay boils down to a satisfying optimization loop.”
    • “A great ~40 hour experience from start to finish with systems and gameplay optimizations that feel great to learn, gorgeous pixel art, and a surprisingly fleshed out lore and plot.”
    • “And since achieving an optimized build depends on RNG, you are going to waste a lot of time.”
    • “I could just see the extra 10 hours of grinding ahead of me to finish the game (after already putting in 20) and realized that I would get no joy out of it, especially when I had already optimized my runs as much as possible.”
    • “In a game that's almost entirely about optimization, this is just not excusable.”
  • character development19 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted through its stunning and varied character designs, which are praised for their creativity and detail, particularly in the bosses. While the gameplay is straightforward, it gradually unveils new combat and character development elements that enhance both the story and mechanics, providing a deeper experience as players progress. Overall, the art style and character designs contribute significantly to the game's ambiance and enjoyment.

    • “Beyond its great gameplay experience, Loop Hero offers a somewhat unique pixel art style deliberately emulating the 8-bit era, with its limited color palettes and black void backgrounds which, when combined with its great character designs, makes the game a treat for the eyes.”
    • “At a surface level, the game is straightforward, but continuously reveals new and interesting combat and character development aspects that progress both story and gameplay mechanics, subsequently creating new paths for enjoying the game as the story continues.”
    • “From music to character design to even the color palette, this game oozes with a sort of ambiance that just provides such a good experience.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a bug-free experience and smooth performance, while others encounter minor glitches and bugs that detract from gameplay. Overall, many users appreciate the game's execution and aesthetics despite the presence of some issues, leading to a generally positive reception regarding stability.

    • “This game has great presentation and a neat concept and isn't buggy.”
    • “Thumbs up for being on the better side of forgettable and a playable, working, and seemingly bug-free game.”
    • “The game runs great and doesn't even require Wine (I use Kubuntu 20.10 for those interested).”
    • “The game is plagued with bugs and glitches, making you wonder if they ever playtested it.”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
    • “Although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same and has a really great aesthetic.”
  • monetization15 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy a satisfying progression experience without the pressure of in-game purchases. However, some users find the progression pace slower than typical mobile games that rely on monetization, leading to a sense of confusion about the game's design. Overall, players appreciate the absence of cash grabs, likening the game to a mobile title without the monetization pitfalls.

    • “What I will do is thank the devs profusely for creating an incredibly fun game that doesn't have microtransactions, doesn't require a persistent online connection, and most importantly, doesn't nerf my effing necromancer build with every patch.”
    • “Loop Hero is what happens when you take a clicker/idle/progression game, add some sim/management elements, add some style, add some story, and get rid of microtransactions.”
    • “Firstly because it's not stinging you for microtransactions, and secondly because there is creativity behind it.”
    • “The most fun part of this game is just the satisfaction you get from making progress, but the progression is slower than most microtransaction-ridden mobile games, which is especially confusing for a game that doesn't even have microtransactions.”
    • “This game feels like it's been designed as a free-to-play mobile game with in-app purchases designed to lure you in, get you hooked, and then take your money, but this game already took my money; just let me enjoy playing it.”
    • “As much as the simple mechanics are fun, I can't stop seeing this as a mobile game that would sell packs of building materials or extra lives/hp for ads.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    Players report a deeply emotional experience with the game, highlighting the pride and satisfaction from overcoming challenges and making impactful decisions. The blend of a subtle, wistful narrative touching on themes of loss and faith, combined with soothing gameplay, creates a unique emotional roller-coaster that resonates with many, evoking feelings of nostalgia and connection. However, some find the gameplay can also feel dull and emotionally taxing at times, leading to mixed feelings about engagement.

    • “The decisions you make about where to place cards, which items to equip, which structures to build between loops, and even whether or not to retreat or go for the boss will have you on an emotional roller-coaster of the best kind.”
    • “10/10 a heartfelt experience”
    • “I honestly can't remember the last time something /some game made me feel this way.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Loop Hero

Play time

14hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
29hMain story
55hCompletionist
7-41hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 137 analyzed playthroughs

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