Loot River
- May 3, 2022
- straka.studio
- 6h median play time
Loot River offers a challenge for the most sadistic of players. While the combat elements are enjoyable and the moving platforms give it a new spin that really works, I just always felt cheated with the lack of progress I was making.
Get on SteamAwake as a lone traveler in the mysterious, perilous world of Loot River. Befriend Iphis. Fight. Reach the Opulent Sanctum. Control the world beneath your feet. Cleanse the infinite universe plagued with the power of the relic. Be reborn upon your death. Grant the gift of eternal death to countless tortured souls or abandon your duty and attempt to escape the impenetrable keep. Master many …
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Innovative mechanics that combine puzzle-solving with combat, creating a unique gameplay experience.
- Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric design that enhance the overall vibe of the game.
- Engaging combat system that rewards strategic thinking and platform manipulation.
- Serious balancing issues, with some items trivializing the progression system and making encounters feel less challenging.
- Combat can feel unresponsive at times, with hit detection issues and a lack of clarity in enemy attacks.
- The game suffers from bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including soft locks and wonky camera controls.
- gameplay90 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title features innovative mechanics, particularly the movable platforms that add a unique twist to combat and exploration, creating engaging puzzle-like encounters. However, many players find the core gameplay loop inconsistent and unpolished, with issues such as clunky controls, bugs, and a lack of meaningful progression detracting from the overall experience. While the game offers a refreshing take on the roguelite genre, its execution leaves room for improvement, particularly in balancing challenge and player satisfaction.
“The tetris-like mechanics of moving platforms in both combat and puzzles build up to a fantastic feeling while playing.”
“Lots of playstyles, fast or slow, diverse weapons, and above all else a very fun gameplay loop.”
“A fun and different take on the rogue-lite genre with an interesting puzzle platform mechanic.”
“The combat itself can range from being very engaging when you are using platforms to your advantage in large puzzle-like encounters to mindless attack mashing, which I think is a sign the gameplay loop wasn't fully explored.”
“Unfortunately, the basic movement and combat mechanics feel unpolished, resulting in clunkiness, inconsistency, and unpredictability that often lead to frustration rather than the punishing-but-fair challenge the developers are aiming for.”
“The lack of meaningful meta progression is a bummer because the gameplay is just not that fun without the ability to get stronger.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with many praising the unique art style and beautiful visuals that create a captivating atmosphere. However, several players find the visuals can be unclear and difficult to interpret during combat, which detracts from the overall experience. While the aesthetic appeal is strong, the lack of clarity in gameplay mechanics may hinder enjoyment for some players.
“Absolutely beautiful graphics.”
“Pixel art graphics are very well done.”
“Fantastic soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, solid gameplay.”
“The game has its unique art style at a glance, but it can be hard to focus on your tiny character and what the nearest enemy is doing.”
“The art style is made by someone talented but makes it very hard to see what's going on, especially in a game like this that requires fast instincts and correct timing and movement.”
“It's obviously attempting souls-like combat with heavy and deliberate movesets, parries, and counters, but the view and the 3D-model-to-pixel-art aesthetic makes it very hard to see what's going on.”
- story13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it uninteresting and lacking major progression between runs, while others appreciate its intriguing world-building and integration of gameplay mechanics into the narrative. The storytelling is described as cryptic yet compelling, drawing comparisons to titles like Hyper Light Drifter and Blasphemous. Overall, while the main focus is on combat, many players enjoy the hints of plot and the immersive world.
“On top of all that, the story is very intriguing.”
“I haven't finished it yet, but I really want to. They've done a great job integrating dying into the story, and the world-building is very compelling.”
“I liked the world-building and the hints at the plot dropped as you progress along.”
“NPCs and the story didn't seem that interesting.”
“Although there's a small plot, don't expect it to be lavish; the main focus is the combat.”
“For example, there is no major story progression between runs like there is in Hades.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable but is marred by various bugs, including issues with hit detection, input processing, and AI glitches. While these problems can be distracting, they rarely detract significantly from the overall gameplay experience. Players should be aware of these stability concerns, as they are present from the start.
“Game is buggy right off the bat.”
“While there are a fair bit of glitches and annoying bugs, they don't ruin runs or anything.”
“There are also some minor glitchy issues with the AI and platforms that don't really impact the gameplay but are clearly buggy.”
- music8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and engaging quality, contributing to a poetical atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as "bangin'" and "fantastic," and express a desire to support the developers by purchasing the soundtrack. Overall, the combination of impressive music and visuals significantly elevates the gameplay.
“A nice roguelike with a stunning pixel look and an epic soundtrack creating a poetical atmosphere with a really interesting playstyle somewhere between a top-down Dark Souls and shifting 'Tetris' platforms.”
“Fantastic soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, solid gameplay.”
“This is a really fun game and the soundtrack is amazing.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety.”
“The music feels generic and doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
“I found the audio to be underwhelming and forgettable.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning pixel art and epic soundtrack, creating a unique and poetic vibe that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers note the intriguing blend of mechanics reminiscent of both Dark Souls and Tetris, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a novel roguelike experience.
“The artwork and atmosphere are fantastic, and it's worth at least trying this game out for the vibe and novelty of the mechanics.”
“A nice roguelike with a stunning pixel look and an epic soundtrack creating a poetical atmosphere with a really interesting playstyle somewhere between a top-down Dark Souls and shifting 'Tetris' platforms.”
“I still think this game is worth checking out for its unique movement system, souls-like feel, atmosphere, and visual style.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the variety of weapons, spells, and armor that can be unlocked through repeated runs, others feel that the process can become tedious and frustrating, lacking sufficient incentives beyond knowledge accumulation. The introduction of unique abilities adds some excitement, but the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a chore for many.
“Yes, subsequent runs of Loot River can easily become tedious, and there isn't any incentive to do so besides grinding knowledge to expand your arsenal.”
“Some players may enjoy this, but I found it sadly tedious and frustrating.”
“Abilities such as creating a temporary platform that will decay over time or charging the platform you are standing on to knock enemies off will vastly breathe new life into the tedious runs.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability thanks to its engaging loop system and appealing concepts, complemented by enjoyable music. Players find value in revisiting the game for a fresh experience.
“It's got some replay value due to how the game's loop system works.”
“Nice music, cool concepts, good replayability.”
“The game lacks significant replayability; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
“While the game has a few different endings, they don't feel distinct enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
“After finishing the main story, I found myself with no motivation to explore the game further.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by occasional bugs that lead to amusing situations, such as characters walking on water or enemies with comically inaccurate hitboxes. While these moments can be entertaining, they are infrequent and do not significantly impact the overall gameplay experience.
“The game can be a bit buggy at times, like becoming Jesus and walking on water or encountering enemies with funny hitboxes, but those moments are rare and don't really affect the overall experience.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with plenty of silly moments and absurd scenarios that make every playthrough enjoyable.”
