Necrolepsy
- October 11, 2019
- Mighty Obstacle Studios
"Necrolepsy" is a single-player platformer game with good gameplay and unique elements. The main mechanic is a timer that triggers a nightmare mode, making enemies and bosses harder. Explore giant levels with unique theming and challenges, and engage in combat with momentum and weight. Replayability is high with various filters, including permanent nightmares or classic mode.
Reviews
- The game features fast-paced gameplay with a satisfying parry and juggling combat system, making it fun and engaging.
- The quirky art style and humorous writing add charm to the game, reminiscent of classic flash animations.
- There is a good amount of replayability with multiple game modes and challenges available after completing the main quest.
- The controls can feel floaty and imprecise at times, which may hinder gameplay, especially in more challenging sections.
- Some graphical elements and UI design are basic and could use improvement, leading to confusion in navigation.
- The game has minor bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience, although the developer is actively addressing these issues.
- gameplay42 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "necrolepsy" is characterized by its fast-paced, quirky 2D hack-and-slash mechanics, featuring a unique parry system and time-shifting elements that enhance the metroidvania experience. While the game may feel slightly unpolished, it offers engaging movement and combat mechanics, with a solid progression system that introduces complexity gradually. Despite its short campaign, players can find additional challenges and content, making it a worthwhile experience for the price.
“All in all, a solid game for the asked price, and a lot of additional content and challenges await for all those who enjoy the movement and the juggle-combat mechanic.”
“Immaculate free-flowing movement and combat mechanics lie underneath a simplistic but enjoyable metroidvania.”
“By far, the best part about this game is its gameplay.”
“The game is named after it, but it doesn't happen all that often or change the gameplay too much (maybe I'll eat my words after playing always nightmare mode).”
“As far as gameplay is concerned, each area is split up into different stages.”
“The 'nightmare' mechanic, at least on the normal difficulty, isn't obnoxious and can easily be worked around.”
- music24 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its elegance and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with a strong and memorable soundtrack that evolves positively as players progress. Reviewers note that the score complements the game's pacing and actions, creating a delightful auditory backdrop that feels both indie and polished. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“Starting out with the positives, right off the bat the first thing I notice and like is the soundtrack.”
“I'm not one to remember music well, but it never got stale and it was a delight to listen to.”
“At worst, it's just meh with some sprite tiling looking wonky or perhaps certain backgrounds and stiff enemies, but like the music I think it all irons itself out and gets better by the end.”
“The score is elegant and mild--quiet songs that mirror the deliberate pacing.”
“The music bends with the time, racing forward and backward along with your actions.”
- story20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story follows Lira, a bounty hunter cursed with necrolepsy, as she seeks to defeat three necromancers to end her nightmares. While the narrative is straightforward and not overly complex, it effectively ties into themes of subconscious longing and features charming characters and humor. Players can engage with the story at their discretion, as it does not detract from the overall gameplay experience.
“Our main protagonist, Lira, a bounty hunter who suffers from a curse, is on a mission to rid herself of it.”
“Like the musings from Tim's books before each level, these homages tie into the overarching story of the wounded hero's subconscious longings.”
“The plot is straightforward: bounty hunter Lira must find and defeat a trio of necromancers to end a curse that makes her constantly suffer from nightmares that then come to life.”
“Obviously since this is a metroidvania, the story isn't super complex.”
“If you do have an issue with the story, you can just skip the cutscenes.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a charming flash game aesthetic, characterized by limited animations and sprite-based visuals reminiscent of early PlayStation and Saturn titles. While the UI is basic and some graphics can feel repetitive, the use of parallax scrolling adds depth, and the overall simplicity of the visuals contributes to the game's unique charm. Overall, the graphics may not be as intricate as other indie games, but they effectively enhance the game's appeal.
“The subtle visuals are eye-catching but never distracting.”
“Plus, lots of parallax scrolling which not many indie games of this art style do, so kudos for that!”
“On the other hand, the UI is pretty basic and the graphics are somewhat repetitive.”
“It definitely gives me an early PlayStation/Saturn kind of vibe, especially in combination with the sprite-based graphics.”
“Lira’s limited and stiff animations fit this whole flash game aesthetic well.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong sense of humor, with hilarious character interactions and self-referential tutorial messages that enhance the experience. However, some players noted that the script could benefit from additional proofreading. Overall, the humor, alongside the engaging combat system, is highlighted as a key factor in driving players to complete the game.
“A short but sweet game, with a satisfying parry and juggling system and a good sense of humor.”
“While the characters and their interactions are hilarious, and even the tutorial messages are filled with self-referential humor, the best part of Necrolepsy is easily the combat.”
“The sense of humor and combat system are the strongest parts, and are what drove me to complete the story.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its variety of game modes, achievements, and engaging postgame content like boss rush challenges and unique mini-games. Despite its short length, the multiple difficulty levels and modes significantly enhance its replay value, making it a fun experience worth revisiting.
“The main game is replayable due to different game modes and achievements, and the extras like the boss rush or the beach (where you juggle a beach ball using your arsenal of attacks) help provide some postgame content.”
“Necrolepsy is a short, but very fun and replayable metroidvania.”
“It is not long, but the plentiful amount of difficulties and modes to pick from gives the game heavy replay value.”
“The main game is replayable due to different game modes and achievements, and the extras like the boss rush or the beach (where you juggle a beach ball using your arsenal of attacks) help give some postgame content.”
“Like I said earlier, it is not long, but the plentiful amount of difficulties and modes to pick from gives the game heavy replay value.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits some minor glitches that can disrupt the experience, but the developers are actively releasing frequent patches to address these issues. Overall, while stability is somewhat lacking, ongoing support aims to improve the situation.
“The game is rough around the edges with little glitches here and there that the developers are addressing, but it's something you keep running into.”
“A few minor glitches crop up here and there, though there are frequent patches to iron these out.”
“The game is rough around the edges with little glitches here and there that the developers are addressing, but it's something you keep running into.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently praise the character design, highlighting its quality and appeal. However, there is no specific mention of character development beyond the design aspect.