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 that combines cute anime aesthetics with a dark atmosphere, appealing to fans of both genres.
- The combat system is engaging, utilizing a 3x3 grid that encourages strategic positioning and teamwork among characters.
- The Doomsday Clock mechanic adds a layer of tension and urgency, rewarding players for thorough exploration and efficient resource management.
- The game can feel overly punishing, with a lack of resources leading to potential soft-locks if players are not careful.
- There is a significant amount of grinding required, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive and tedious over time.
- The lack of mouse support and clunky keyboard controls can hinder the overall user experience, making navigation and combat less intuitive.
- gameplay190 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % 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" that adds urgency to exploration. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the combat and character development, others find the mechanics overly complicated and the difficulty unbalanced, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience with a unique aesthetic, but it may require patience and a willingness to adapt to its demanding systems.
“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.”
“There's so many combinations and builds you can do to progress; you can keep your characters alive for a very long time if you figure out what you need.”
“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 doomsday clock mechanic which could pretty much ruin the state of your save and will force you to reset your save file.”
“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.”
- graphics109 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received praise for their unique art style, which blends cute chibi elements with darker, gothic aesthetics reminiscent of titles like "Darkest Dungeon." Many players appreciate the bold, cell-shaded visuals and the charming 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.”
“Artstyle is oddly dark but cute, like if you were to slap Darkest Dungeon with weeaboo glitter, and the little bits like voiced character banter makes it feel like the expedition crew is the tiniest glimmer of light in an otherwise doomed world.”
“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.”
“- lack of character designs (all classes are limited to one artwork)”
- story96 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it straightforward and lacking depth, often reduced to repetitive fetch quests and generic objectives. While some appreciate the immersive visuals, voice acting, and overall ambiance, others criticize the short length and insufficient character development, leaving players wanting more context and engagement with the narrative. Overall, the game offers a solid RPG structure but struggles to maintain interest due to its predictable plot and limited variety in quests.
“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.”
“In conclusion, I love this game and definitely recommend it; visuals, story, and ambience are all very well made, and the voice acting sounds great.”
“I love the story that is in it, and the choice of heroes that you can pick, with standard class tri-facia.”
“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.”
“I got this for about $25 and it's probably not worth that to most people simply because the story is so short.”
- grinding45 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when leveling up lower-tier characters or farming gear. While some appreciate the strategic depth and character-building opportunities, others criticize the game for its punishing mechanics and cumbersome user interface, which can make the grinding feel more frustrating than enjoyable. Overall, the game is described as heavily reliant on grinding, akin to titles like Darkest Dungeon, but with added layers of complexity that may deter those seeking a more straightforward experience.
“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.”
“The gameplay mechanics feel too restrictive and punitive; combat is slow, grindy, and repetitive for the most part, dungeons lack atmosphere, and the loot is underwhelming.”
- music30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and immerse players in the story, with many praising its quality and art style. However, several reviewers noted that the combat music can become repetitive and lacks variety, which detracts from the overall experience during longer battles. While the soundtrack is considered good, there is a desire for more diverse tracks to maintain engagement throughout gameplay.
“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 feel like the goal of the music is to drive up the tension of combat and exploration more than to create a vivid audio track.”
“I wish there were a few more soundtracks as it gets boring hearing the same song for so long.”
“The music is far inferior, and less varied.”
“In-combat music is rather repetitive.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Mistover" is often compared to "Darkest Dungeon," featuring a vibrant yet dark fantasy aesthetic characterized by chibi anime characters and bold, high-contrast art styles. While it successfully creates an appealing and immersive environment, some players feel that the dungeon-crawling experience lacks depth and can be hindered by restrictive gameplay mechanics, leading to a less engaging atmosphere during exploration. Overall, the game strikes a balance between a lighthearted tone and darker themes, appealing to those seeking a more casual experience.
“The game has a beautiful art style with chibi anime characters and a drawing style that reminds one 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.”
“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.”
“[Gameplay mechanics feel too restrictive and punitive, combat is slow, grindy and repetitive for the most part, dungeons lack atmosphere, underwhelming loot]”
“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.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth performance reported by users. However, some players feel that certain aspects, particularly battle performance, require further tuning to enhance the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's visual and audio elements are praised, though 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.”
“It also means you can catch some slack for bailing from a bad run early if you do not do it too often and are able to put out a better performance later for rolling back the clock.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % 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, there is criticism regarding the limited character designs, as each class is restricted to a single artwork, despite the presence of unique personalities and appealing anime aesthetics. Overall, while the character development is engaging, it could benefit from more visual diversity.
“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.”
“Lack of character designs (all classes are limited to one artwork).”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers good initial playtime and value for the price, the New Game Plus mode and recruitment mechanics provide limited incentive for multiple playthroughs. Some players find replaying on harder difficulties or pursuing achievements to be the only real reasons to revisit the game, which may not appeal to everyone. Recent balance patches have improved accessibility, but the core replay value remains a point of contention.
“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 game offers a variety of challenges and modes that encourage multiple playthroughs, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
“New game plus mode offers very little replay value; recruitment offers level 15 units while you're starting at level 1.”
“No real replay value (unless you want to play the game on hard or aim for all achievements, but not everyone likes that, so I'll mark it as a con).”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the juxtaposition of cute, anime-style characters in a grim, hellish setting, which many players find amusing. Additionally, the confusion among Chinese players who mistakenly believed it to be a sequel to "Darkest Dungeon" adds a layer of irony that some reviewers find entertaining. Overall, the game's comedic elements are highlighted by its absurd contrasts and the reactions of its player community.
“Cute, yet grizzled 'anime' characters in a hell on earth scenario - what could be more hilarious?”
“Before I review this game, I'll explain why some players give this game a negative rating; it's hilarious! But if you want to just read the review, scroll down until you see a bunch of '----------'. Just remember, this is not Darkest Dungeon 2, so don't buy it thinking it's just that.”
“I find it pretty hilarious that players bought the game thinking it was Darkest Dungeon 2, but most called it a ripoff.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional journey of overcoming loss in the game to be both heartbreaking and challenging, yet ultimately rewarding for those who choose to persevere rather than restart. This aspect of recovery adds depth to the overall experience.
“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.”
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%