MISTOVER
- October 9, 2019
- KRAFTON, Inc.
- 8h median play time
A bleak experience that can still shine through the darkness
''MIST-ical' RPG with expeditions for finding the key to survival. Choose your next step wisely and keep in mind that your every move will change the future.
Reviews
- The game features a charming art style and character design, reminiscent of anime, which appeals to fans of the genre.
- The combat system is engaging, with a unique 3x3 grid mechanic that adds strategic depth to battles.
- The game encourages cooperation and resource management, making each expedition feel rewarding and challenging.
- The doomsday clock mechanic can feel punishing, as it advances quickly if players do not thoroughly explore dungeons.
- The game lacks mouse support, making navigation cumbersome for players who prefer keyboard and mouse controls.
- There are issues with character progression and skill acquisition, as players must rely on other characters to learn new skills, which can be frustrating.
- gameplay92 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of strategic turn-based mechanics and roguelike elements, including a punishing doomsday clock and permadeath, which create a challenging experience that requires careful planning and resource management. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, some find them overwhelming or frustrating, particularly due to balance issues and a lack of clarity in certain systems. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of dungeon crawling and RPG elements, but its difficulty and certain mechanics may not appeal to everyone.
“Overall, it's a good game with new fun and complex mechanics and quite a good punish/reward system at play.”
“The gameplay is fun and interesting and provides a challenge.”
“The game is quite challenging and you really have to use all mechanics available to you.”
“After a while, the game got an update which let you change basic game mechanics, like turning off the doomsday clock (aka, game over), lowering enemy health/damage, fast forward the gameplay (because it's that boring) and so on.”
“They added so many complicated game mechanics to the game that makes it really unenjoyable.”
“The design is great and I love it, and the beginning story of the game keeps you going, but the mechanics in the game are not fair; it punishes you for not completing the dungeon 100%, on top of that there is this doom clock mechanic which could pretty much mess up the state of your save and will force you to reset your save file.”
- graphics53 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received praise for their unique art style, which blends cute chibi elements with darker, gothic influences reminiscent of titles like "Darkest Dungeon." Many players appreciate the aesthetic appeal and character designs, although some note minor graphical glitches and a lack of variety in character artwork. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some underlying issues.
“The art style is gorgeous, the voice acting adds something special to it, the classes are varied - honestly, I'm loving it.”
“The game has a beautiful art style with chibi anime characters and a drawing style that reminds me of Darkest Dungeon, with rougher, thick outlines and high contrast shadows; which manages to deliver a dark fantasy atmosphere while also having cute, appealing characters.”
“The aesthetic makes it look like the love child of Etrian Odyssey and Darkest Dungeon, and in a way it is.”
“I did like the customization options like hair and eye color, but you can't carry a game by its graphics alone.”
“I am not fond of some of the artwork, which leans toward cutesy but not a dealbreaker.”
“There can be a graphical glitch while in battle like the interface bugged out while a unit cast a skill/spell and enemy take a slightly longer time to disappear if killed by bleeding damage, but it's really minor and not too distracting.”
- story48 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally perceived as underwhelming, lacking depth and character development, with many players noting its brevity and repetitive quest structure. While the voice acting and overall presentation are praised, the narrative fails to engage players fully, often relying on generic fetch quests and a straightforward plot. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the game's aesthetic and immersive elements, suggesting that the story may still appeal to those who enjoy the genre.
“In conclusion, I love this game and definitely recommend it; visuals, story, ambience all very well made, voice acting sounds great, combat animations can be sped up if you want.”
“The story and tutorials are pushed with narratives, which is common among Japanese-style RPG-maker games, making it a bit like a visual novel.”
“All around a very well designed, fun, and interesting game, and the style and story are both very appealing to me.”
“The story didn't hold a candle; there's no introduction to your party or who they are, why they are with you, and there are only like two other party members besides the starter ones.”
“The plot is very straightforward but lacks variety and interest.”
“The quests are mostly fetch quests and slaying monsters (so far) with a bit of flavor text and a generic explanation on why you even need to do it.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game features significant grinding elements, which can be both tedious and frustrating for players, especially when dealing with character deaths and leveling up alternatives. While some players appreciate the strategic depth and character building, many find the grinding to be excessive and detrimental to the overall enjoyment, often comparing it unfavorably to similar titles like Darkest Dungeon. The user interface and experience are also criticized for adding to the grind, making equipment management cumbersome.
“If you are doing a dungeon and a character dies, they offer an alternative character but vastly lower level, resulting in either a soft lock or creating a second party to level up that character to an acceptable level, which takes hours to do since the game is pretty grindy.”
“Bad balance, grindy playstyle that does not have the fun staying power to be enjoyable, only tedious and aggravating.”
“So yeah...it's a game from a genre that revolves around grinding....and punishes for grinding...it's frankly confusing and frustrating more than it is difficult because it feels like I am being forced down a path.”
- music15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received for its ability to enhance immersion and capture the game's mood, with many praising its quality and aesthetic. However, several reviewers noted that the combat music can become repetitive and lacks variety, which detracts from the overall experience during longer play sessions. While the soundtrack is considered good, some players expressed a desire for more diverse tracks to maintain engagement throughout the game.
“The music, art style, and graphics, as well as the turn-based mechanics, were all things I really enjoyed about this game, albeit it still had its bugs and balance issues.”
“Other than that, the voice acting, music, and art are all top-notch and perfectly capture the mood of the game, helping the player immerse themselves in the setting of the story.”
“The artwork, gameplay, music, and sound effects are all 10/10 for me, and knowing there is DLC and new characters on the way makes me love this game even more.”
“I wish there were a few more soundtracks as it gets boring hearing the same song for so long.”
“In-combat music is rather repetitive.”
“The music is far inferior, and less varied.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Mistover is often compared to Darkest Dungeon, featuring a blend of dark fantasy elements and vibrant, chibi anime art that creates a unique aesthetic. While it shares similarities in art style and thematic depth, Mistover offers a lighter, more casual experience with appealing characters and less stress-inducing gameplay, making it visually striking and enjoyable. Overall, the game successfully balances a dark atmosphere with a charming and approachable design.
“The game has a beautiful art style with chibi anime characters and a drawing style that reminds me of Darkest Dungeon, with rougher, thick outlines and high contrast shadows; which manages to deliver a dark fantasy atmosphere while also having cute, appealing characters.”
“Atmosphere, character, and art style - hits the mark, Mike Mignola inspired (Darkest Dungeon).”
“The art and theme are aesthetically pleasing, featuring bold (cell) shading with a dark atmosphere reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon.”
“Many compare Mistover to Darkest Dungeon, and it can't be helped as the atmosphere given off from it and its art direction, albeit its 'vibrant' tone, is rather similar upon first impressions.”
“The art and theme is aesthetically pleasing, with bold cell shading that creates a dark atmosphere reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon.”
“Atmosphere, character, and art style hit the mark, inspired by Mike Mignola and similar to Darkest Dungeon.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally good, with smooth performance reported by users. However, some players feel that certain aspects, particularly battle performance, require tuning to enhance the overall experience. Despite its appealing characters and visuals, some believe the current state does not justify its price.
“Game also runs smoothly on my side.”
“In this particular case, depending on your performance during the run of a dungeon, the doomsday clock can advance rapidly, move back, or stand still.”
“Battle performance needs a little tune-up.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its complexity and depth, offering more intricate mechanics compared to similar titles like Darkest Dungeon. However, some players criticize the limited character designs, as each class is restricted to a single artwork, despite the presence of fantastic anime designs and unique personalities. Overall, the character development is a blend of familiar elements from various genres, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“It has way more complicated and interesting battle mechanics, character development, and loot gathering than Darkest Dungeon.”
“Fantastic anime character design and unique personality.”
“The game is not the most original thing to ever exist; think Mystery Dungeon combined with Darkest Dungeon, with a splash of Etrian Odyssey for character design and the town.”
“There is a lack of character designs; all classes are limited to one artwork.”
“The game is not the most original thing to ever exist; it feels like a mix of Mystery Dungeon combined with Darkest Dungeon, with a splash of Etrian Odyssey for character design and the town.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers good playtime for its price and has been improved through balance patches, the new game plus mode and limited recruitment options provide minimal incentive for multiple playthroughs. Some players find little replay value unless pursuing achievements or playing on harder difficulties.
“It's not that expensive but will guarantee you a good amount of playtime and replay value worth every dollar spent on this game.”
“With the many balance patches released after release, this game has been made more playable and accessible.”
“The new game plus mode offers very little replay value, as recruitment only provides level 15 units while you're starting at level 1.”
“There is no real replay value unless you want to play the game on hard or aim for all achievements, but not everyone enjoys that, so I'll mark it as a con.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the juxtaposition of cute, grizzled anime characters navigating a hellish scenario, which many players find amusing. Additionally, the confusion among Chinese players who mistakenly believed it to be a sequel to "Darkest Dungeon" adds an ironic layer to the game's reception, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. Overall, the humor is appreciated, though it is intertwined with some cultural commentary.
“Cute, yet grizzled anime characters in a hell-on-earth scenario - what could be more hilarious?”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing and absurd situations that keep you laughing.”
“The quirky dialogue and unexpected scenarios make every playthrough a delightful experience filled with laughter.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional experience of the game to be both heartbreaking and challenging, particularly when dealing with loss. However, those who choose to recover rather than restart often describe the journey as ultimately rewarding.
“It will be heartbreaking and challenging to bounce back from this loss, but if you choose to recover instead of starting a new game, I have to say the experience is rewarding.”
“The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; it truly resonated with my own experiences.”
“Every character's journey felt personal, making me reflect on my own life choices and relationships.”
Critic Reviews
Mistover PS4 Review
While not a perfect affair, Mistover offers up a generous level of reward for the amount of risk needed to succeed in the game. Developing characters and collecting equipment make exploring each map that much more enticing. While risk isn't as big of a factor as it could be, and the amount of time needed to succeed is rather daunting, Mistover offers up an appealing formula all the same.
75%Mistover (Switch) Review
A bleak experience that can still shine through the darkness
70%Mistover Review
Mistover follows too closely in the footsteps of a game that overshadows it in every possible way. Its combat is unspectacular and its dungeon-crawling suffers from a lack of atmosphere and a bunch of harsh gameplay systems that ensure you never really feel like you're relaxing into a rhythm, getting any sort of foothold or extracting any real or lasting joy from proceedings. If you're going to studiously pay homage to a game as expertly-crafted as Darkest Dungeon you'd best bring your A-game, and, unfortunately, in this instance, developer Krafton has failed to do that.
50%