Maraka

About

Maraka is a single player hack and slash game. It was developed by madsheepstudios and was released on February 14, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Maraka is an action dungeon-crawler that features physics based combat. Delve into a procedurally generated cave system on an alien planet. Harness the power of magnets and the environment to wield as your weapon: defeat opponents by physically manipulating objects and the enemy itself. The gameplay is focused on action-packed exploration and collection of resources within a complex system of ca…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 15 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Maraka features an innovative physics-based gameplay mechanic that allows players to creatively manipulate the environment, making combat dynamic and engaging.
The game has a unique art style reminiscent of retro sci-fi comics, which enhances its atmospheric and immersive experience.
Players appreciate the potential for experimentation and the satisfaction of mastering the game's mechanics, which can lead to creative and rewarding gameplay moments.

The game suffers from a lack of meaningful progression and content, leading to repetitive gameplay and a feeling of sameness across runs.
Technical issues, such as unpredictable physics behavior and performance drops, can disrupt the flow of combat and immersion.
Many players find the overall experience lacking in depth, with limited upgrades and unclear objectives, making it difficult to stay engaged over time.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay of Maraka is centered around innovative physics-driven mechanics involving a magnetic device that allows players to manipulate their environment, encouraging experimentation. While the audio-visual design enhances immersion, some players find the overall experience lacking depth and variety, leading to mixed feelings about its value given the price. Despite its engaging mechanics and potential for customization, the gameplay is described as somewhat barebones and repetitive, with a need for more content and features to fully realize its potential.
- “What makes Maraka immediately stand out is its focus on physics-driven gameplay.”
- “The central mechanic revolves around a magnetic device that allows the player to attract, repel, and manipulate objects in the environment.”
- “Because the magnetic mechanics are so central, the gameplay rewards experimentation rather than repetition.”
- “A really neat mechanic without much of a game attached.”
- “But as it exists at the point of writing, its price tag is a bit high for what feels like a very bite-sized amount of gameplay.”
- “But the general mechanic of magnetism with upgrades in what seems to be systematically generated levels is just boring.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The graphics are characterized by a bold, high-contrast art style reminiscent of 1960s and 70s sci-fi comics, effectively capturing a retro-futuristic aesthetic. While the visuals are generally praised for their beauty, some players feel that they alone do not compensate for the gameplay experience. The audio design further enhances the visuals with immersive soundscapes that complement the overall atmosphere.
- “I like the art style, though the gameplay loop isn't my cup of tea.”
- “The art style reminds me of 1960s and 70s sci-fi comics.”
- “Its bold, high-contrast visuals capture the retro-futuristic energy of the space age.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story in maraka is non-linear, focusing on gradual discovery and player isolation amidst a hostile environment, with environmental storytelling revealing fragments of a past catastrophe. Subtle lore is conveyed through ruins and symbols, allowing players to engage their imagination while prioritizing gameplay. Overall, it presents a unique blend of physics, action, and narrative within the indie roguelike genre.
- “Rather than presenting a linear story, Maraka frames its narrative as a gradual discovery, revealing fragments of a past catastrophe while emphasizing the player’s isolation and resilience in a hostile environment.”
- “The environmental storytelling, though subtle, gives glimpses of a broader lore through scattered ruins, strange symbols, and remnants of past explorers.”
- “This restraint in storytelling allows the gameplay to take center stage while leaving room for imagination.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The atmosphere in "maraka" is characterized by a striking art direction that balances alien aesthetics with clarity, fostering a sense of isolation and mystery. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a compelling and memorable experience, particularly for those who prioritize experimentation over predictability.
- “The art direction strikes a balance between atmosphere and clarity, creating a world that feels alien yet coherent.”
- “In terms of atmosphere, Maraka succeeds in cultivating a sense of isolation and mystery.”
- “For players who value experimentation and atmosphere over predictability, Maraka delivers a compelling, sometimes frustrating, but undeniably memorable experience.”
- “In terms of atmosphere, maraka succeeds in cultivating a sense of isolation and mystery.”
- “For players who value experimentation and atmosphere over predictability, maraka delivers a compelling, sometimes frustrating, but undeniably memorable experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
While "maraka" takes advantage of its simple visual design for better performance, it still faces some technical issues that affect overall optimization.
- “The game's optimization allows for smooth performance even on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
- “I appreciate how the developers focused on optimization, ensuring that the game runs seamlessly without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.”
- “The optimization efforts really shine through, as I experienced minimal lag and quick load times throughout my gameplay.”
- “Performance-wise, Maraka benefits from its modest visual style but is not without technical shortcomings.”
- “The game struggles with frame rate drops, especially in crowded areas, which severely impacts the overall experience.”
- “Despite its potential, the optimization issues lead to long loading times and frequent crashes.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that early resource grinding and strategically selecting permanent passive upgrades can lead to a significant power advantage, making death unlikely. However, this can result in gameplay feeling repetitive and stagnant, as many find their runs become overly safe and monotonous.
- “Early resource grinding and picking the permanent passive upgrades at every opportunity can snowball you to the point where death is implausible. Most of my playtime is in a single run that got very safe and very repetitive, only ending because of a crash.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious, making the game more of a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- “After a while, the grind becomes monotonous, and I found myself losing interest in the game entirely.”