Metal as Phuk
- July 13, 2017
- Crankage Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Metal as Phuk" is a crude comedy RPG where players control Chael, the last Paladin of the Metal Order, on a mission to stop the Dark Bards from summoning a powerful demon. The game features turn-based combat with epic loot and leveling, meta references, and humor-filled items and easter eggs. The goal is to become metal, as Phuk, and save the world.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features hilarious dialogue and clever humor, making it a fun experience.
- It includes numerous metal references and Easter eggs that fans of the genre will appreciate.
- The gameplay is engaging with a solid turn-based combat system and rewarding exploration.
- The game is relatively short, taking around 4-6 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
- There are some balancing issues, particularly with the final boss fight requiring a forced loss.
- The graphics and some mechanics are basic, typical of RPG Maker games, which may not appeal to everyone.
- humor130 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, irreverence, and abundance of pop culture references, particularly related to metal music. Players find the dialogue and character interactions consistently hilarious, often leading to genuine laughter throughout the gameplay. While some humor may lean towards the crude or juvenile, it is generally well-received and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
“This game is absolutely hilarious and filled to the brim with easter eggs for your favorite games and metal in general.”
“The story is cute and short, the puns and references are amazing and had me laughing for hours, and the thing that really sold me was the character banter.”
“The writing is funny as hell!”
- music63 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its heavy metal influences and fitting integration into the gameplay, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the numerous metal references and the energetic soundtrack, which keeps them engaged and entertained throughout. However, some have noted that the music can be excessively loud and expressed a desire for a more organized soundtrack listing or downloadable options.
“The music is awesome, the dialogue is ridiculous, the references are on point... buy this.”
“The awesome music only serves to heighten the overall feel of the game, thoroughly enveloping you in an atmosphere of swords, magic, weed, and adventure.”
“The soundtrack deserves a special mention as it is really great, and the dev should consider having it up as a DLC option.”
“The only thing that is missing is a downloadable soundtrack to buy.”
“While the music/soundtrack is okay, I feel it was a bit of a missed opportunity.”
“I’d like to hear more creativity; it’s a metal game after all. If the developer had a band, I’d rather hear his band's music than constantly listening to 8-bit computer style music.”
- story56 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its humor, engaging characters, and clever writing, often drawing laughter and emotional responses from players. Many reviewers highlight the game's unique blend of lighthearted banter and serious moments, along with numerous references to metal music that enhance the experience. Overall, the narrative is described as fun, immersive, and well-crafted, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“I normally don’t get into RPG-type games, but this one dragged me in with every part of the story being unfolded before me.”
“The story is cute and short, the puns and references are amazing and had me laughing for hours, and the thing that really sold me was the character banter.”
“The humor was great, the story was engaging, and the mechanics were simple, yet still really fun.”
“Though the ending wants you to fail without even telling you...at which point, it proved that your whole quest was pointless...just like in unrested development.”
“The story is hilarious, dark, intentionally offensive at times and campy.”
“The story is very very light.”
- gameplay34 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, offering a solid mix of classic RPG mechanics with engaging humor and a fun storyline, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated RPG fans. While some players noted its simplicity and occasional lack of challenge, others appreciated the depth of combat mechanics and the immersive experience enhanced by music and level design. Overall, it provides a satisfying experience with a playtime of around 4-6 hours, though some players experienced frustrations with save mechanics and level design.
“This is an absolute 10/10 for as cheap as it is and getting a solid few hours worth of gameplay if you decide to adventure around and collect all the hidden items!”
“It was very well done, with good humor, gameplay (not too hard, not too easy), and a fun story.”
“The style and gameplay are very immersive and the comedy makes it a blast to play!”
“The beginning starts off uncomfortably boring, with next to no real strategy to employ and if you're familiar with RPGs at all there's no mechanics to learn, but by the midpoint you start assembling a proper party and get a substantial range of skills.”
“Besides the peculiar ending, the game doesn’t do anything too special game mechanics-wise.”
“The gameplay is nothing out of the ordinary and yes it’s an RPG Maker game, so just keep your expectations in check when purchasing.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as nostalgic, reminiscent of SNES and RPG Maker styles, which some players appreciate for their retro charm. However, there are mixed opinions on the quality, with some noting that the monster designs can appear awkward or unappealing, particularly in a 2D context. Overall, while the graphics may not be groundbreaking, they contribute to the game's fun and adventurous atmosphere.
“The graphics are nostalgic sprites, and the enemies, attacks, and locations are varied.”
“I've grown up playing SNES very much and I can say there's a vibe of SNES/GBA from this game's graphics.”
“The artwork is great, the sounds are very well done as well.”
“Aside from that, the enemy graphics at first gave me a jumpscare, but with each appearance just looked uglier and uglier with that awful 3D look to them... something that does not sit well in a 2D setting.”
“The graphics are SNES RPG Maker style.”
“Very strange monster graphics and random monsters (hard to tell what's what).”
- grinding15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- -13 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Overall, players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game. While some find it manageable and not overly tedious, others feel it can become necessary for gear upgrades and to balance the difficulty, leading to a love/hate relationship with the mechanic. The game's economy and item availability also contribute to the grinding experience, with some players noting that it can feel unbalanced or frustrating at times.
“I ended up grinding a little bit because this is an RPG, and I found myself way too overpowered, which made the last fights a joke.”
“Grinding in this game feels rewarding, as it allows you to truly experience character progression and unlock powerful abilities.”
“The grind is satisfying, providing a sense of achievement as you level up and enhance your skills.”
“Rather short (took me around 6 hours with some unnecessary grinding in the middle).”
“You encounter no inns until the second half of the game, shops are pretty much useless with overpriced items, and enemies appear too strong to the point that no amount of grinding will make them feel 'fair'.”
“There is also some grinding involved for better gear, as the 'shillings' (gp) monsters drop are not congruent with the leveling and advancement.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is largely praised for its immersive blend of music and themes, effectively enveloping players in a world of swords, magic, and adventure. While there are occasional mismatches between the music and the atmosphere, the overall experience is described as "metal as phuck," with moments that resonate strongly with players.
“I like the game's focus and atmosphere around metal mixed with magic.”
“Metal as phuck has great atmosphere and many moments that will make you think 'damn that was phucking metal.'”
“Sometimes the music didn't seem to fit the atmosphere, but that was rare.”
“The awesome music only serves to heighten the overall feel of the game, thoroughly enveloping you in an atmosphere of swords, magic, weed, and adventure.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, as it can be completed in a single sitting without much incentive to grind for gear or levels. While some players appreciate the straightforward experience, others may find the lack of challenge and exploration disappointing. Overall, it is entertaining but not designed for repeated playthroughs.
“Entertaining game, quick RPG you can finish in a single sitting. While I can't see much replay value, there's no real reason to grind for gear or levels, which is a plus for me personally, though I know many RPG fans seek that challenge.”
“There isn't a whole lot of replay value, but for a handful of bucks?”
“Entertaining game, quick RPG you can finish in a single sitting. Can't see much replay value though, and there's no real reason to try and grind for gear or levels—which is a plus to me personally, but I know a lot of RPG fans want some challenge getting their gear.”
“There might be zero replayability, and everything is on a railroad; but it was actually very well done.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its engaging dialogue and depth, highlighting that it significantly enhances the overall gaming experience.
“I thoroughly enjoyed every last bit of dialogue and character development.”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each journey feel personal and impactful.”
“I loved how the choices I made influenced the characters' growth and relationships throughout the game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The dialogue effectively balances humor and exposition, creating a light-hearted yet serious tone that allows for impactful emotional moments throughout the story.
“The dialogue is a perfect blend of exposition and hilarious character interactions, keeping the journey light-hearted yet serious, and it truly delivers some emotional moments.”
“The game masterfully balances humor and seriousness, creating emotional moments that resonate deeply with players.”
“Throughout the story, there are moments that tug at your heartstrings, making the emotional journey unforgettable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is heavily influenced by its advertising, which suggests a focus on aggressive marketing tactics that may detract from the overall experience.
“The advertising says enough about the tone and angle of this game.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative and heavily favors players who are willing to spend money.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
