Nine Parchments

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,124 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Nine Parchments Game Cover
A game lovingly made by a studio with big ambition that, for the most part, succeeds. Single player and a lack of story are its downfall, but, none of that matters when you are adventuring with your friends and writing your own story!
Starting at $7.26Buy now

Nine Parchments is a co-operative blast'em up game of magic mayhem from Frozenbyte! Runaway apprentice wizards seize the opportunity to complete their spellbooks by going after the lost Nine Parchments. As the would-be wizards rapidly acquire powerful new spells without learning proper safety measures, it's natural their hasty progress results in plenty of deadly accidents... Nine Parchme…

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,124 reviews
gameplay103 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and environments that enhance the gameplay experience.
  • Fun cooperative multiplayer gameplay that encourages teamwork and friendly fire chaos.
  • Variety of characters and spells that provide replayability and different playstyles.
  • The game can become repetitive and lacks depth in level design and enemy variety.
  • A major bug causes private games to turn public upon resuming, allowing random players to join.
  • No level selection option, forcing players to replay the entire game to unlock characters or collect missed items.
  • gameplay257 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by intuitive spell-casting mechanics that allow for experimentation and unique playstyles, reminiscent of titles like Magicka but with a more action-oriented approach. While the visuals and cooperative elements enhance the experience, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth after a few hours, particularly in solo play. Overall, it offers a fun, albeit simplistic, experience that shines in multiplayer settings but may not hold up as well for solo gamers.

    • “The game features intuitive spell-casting mechanics, which makes it easy for players to experiment with different combinations and create their own unique playstyle.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, fun gameplay, challenging fights.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, and I feel that the normal level is really well-balanced - we had some trouble with some levels, but we made it through without having anyone rage-quit.”
    • “After 6 hours, the gameplay loop started to bore me and lost my interest.”
    • “The gameplay is dull and repetitive.”
    • “The boss fights are a little underwhelming and uninspired, with pretty basic mechanics that you'll have seen many times before.”
  • graphics186 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant colors, and beautiful art style, consistent with the high standards set by the Trine series. Many players appreciate the detailed environments and charming aesthetics, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are impressive, they can be overly busy or cluttered, potentially detracting from gameplay clarity.

    • “The graphics are as always with Frostbite absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “Stunning graphics and great story & voice actors.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, the amount of detail they have put into the world is really top notch.”
    • “Graphics – 5/10”
    • “Buyers be warned, I seem to have a rare issue which I can't find any solution or documentation on; almost any graphical change causes an instant crash to desktop as well as pausing once in game.”
    • “I feel bad for the graphical artists of this game; beautiful but boring and so uncreative it hurts.”
  • story171 mentions

    The game's story is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point. Players note that the narrative revolves around collecting the titular nine parchments, but lacks depth, character development, and engaging plot elements, often feeling like an afterthought. While some enjoy the cooperative gameplay and spell mechanics, many express a desire for a more substantial and immersive story experience.

    • “The story of the game is simple: you go on an adventure to collect the missing 9 parchments.”
    • “Nine parchments is a story of mage students who take it upon themselves (against the wishes of the academy) to go out into the world and collect the lost parchments which unlock new, stronger magic.”
    • “The story unfolds in a satisfactory manner, conferring an enticement to many users that it may come across.”
    • “Only a minute of story cutscenes for the entire game (same for all heroes) and rare one-liners on levels.”
    • “The actual story is not that great; in fact, it's missing almost completely, and the levels are mostly redundant.”
    • “The story is pretty basic, but I'm not really knocking it for that.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising the stunning soundtrack and its orchestral quality. While some noted that certain tracks may have been reused from previous titles in the Trine series, the overall impression is that the music is captivating and fits well within the game's fantasy setting. The combination of gorgeous visuals and a compelling soundtrack creates an immersive experience that resonates with players.

    • “The art choice for the zones is beautiful and the soundtrack is relaxing.”
    • “The world really comes to life with the excellent lighting, sound, and music design and pure atmospheric setting.”
    • “The music - on top of the graphics, another incredible achievement of Frozenbyte's is the music, each track felt fitting for where you were, and definitely had a fantasy flair to it as well.”
    • “The music - it pains me to say this, but the music for this (at least some of the tracks) were not made for this game.”
    • “You couldn't just make a unique soundtrack?”
    • “Music becomes very annoying very early into the game.”
  • replayability74 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its diverse character builds, unlockable spells, and cooperative gameplay that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews highlight a lack of substantial replay value due to limited modes and repetitive elements, suggesting that while there are enjoyable aspects to revisit, the overall incentive to replay may not be strong for everyone. Overall, the game offers decent replayability, particularly for those who enjoy unlocking content and playing with friends.

    • “Has nice replayability: many spells, different characters - different skill trees.”
    • “The variety between the different versions of the same characters instantly adds to the replay value of this game, especially since you're not able to access every spell right off the bat.”
    • “It's fun to unlock the characters and has some (although maybe minimal) replay value.”
    • “Replayability is non-existent. I mean, I did it because my friends wanted to play, and as a bonus, I used one of the characters I'd unlocked the first time.”
    • “Add to this not a lot of replayability, and you've got yourself a list of reasons for the game to not become a top seller.”
    • “A game built around massive replayability that isn't even worth a single playthrough.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its colorful visuals, witty dialogue, and chaotic gameplay, particularly when playing with friends, leading to many hilarious moments, especially with the friendly fire mechanic. While some players find the humor reminiscent of titles like Magicka, others note it lacks the same level of absurdity and creativity, instead offering a more lighthearted and charming experience. Overall, the game is praised for its fun interactions and clever writing, making it an enjoyable co-op experience filled with laughter.

    • “Moreover, the game's colorful visuals and humorous dialogue add another layer of depth and enjoyment to the gameplay experience.”
    • “Combat is fun, combining spells with sometimes hilarious results.”
    • “This game is absolutely hilarious to play with friends and provides hours of entertainment, with cute little character interactions changing depending on who you and your friends play.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a monotonous slog with little sense of accomplishment. While some enjoy the cooperative gameplay and the challenge of unlocking abilities and characters, many feel that the repetitive nature of combat and the reliance on grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the grinding is seen as excessive and can lead to boredom, especially in single-player mode.

    • “It's a thankless, tedious slog.”
    • “The skill switching is tedious and constantly having to switch to fight different enemies becomes more of a chore rather than fun gameplay.”
    • “Super grindy and not very rewarding.”
  • stability19 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting numerous glitches, particularly in online mode, where issues like mobs not spawning and players becoming unrevivable are common. While some users find the gameplay enjoyable despite these bugs, others describe the experience as a "buggy mess," highlighting problems with the save system, chat functionality, and overall connectivity. Overall, while the game offers entertaining moments, its stability issues significantly detract from the experience.

    • “The graphics are great and the game runs smoothly at 60fps in 4K on my GTX 1080.”
    • “At least this game isn't buggy like Magicka!”
    • “Online mode is buggy, and several playthroughs resulted in mobs randomly not spawning and forcing us to start the game over and over.”
    • “It has some glitches - sometimes putting dead players in non-revivable places or in one level a battle stopped spawning while also blocking the camera from moving forward.”
    • “A buggy mess through and through whose only redeemable quality was the art.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Nine Parchments" is widely praised for its enchanting and magical qualities, featuring beautiful graphics, vibrant landscapes, and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a fun and inviting environment, particularly in cooperative play, making it a perfect backdrop for both casual and competitive gaming. Overall, the game's design and ambiance evoke a charming fantasy world reminiscent of the beloved Trine series.

    • “Great atmosphere, nice music, good difficulty, and great use of co-op.”
    • “The world really comes to life with the excellent lighting, sound, and music design and pure atmospheric setting.”
    • “From the general mood and atmosphere, it's a perfect entry into the Trine universe... colorful and lush landscapes, fairytale ambience, and an amazing soundtrack.”
    • “The combat is pretty straightforward, but the atmosphere and design is what you'll end up staying for.”
    • “Overall, the atmosphere is a bit Trine-y; the music is obviously a lot like Trine, and the visuals are as amazing as you would expect.”
    • “The art direction is top-notch, and the fantasy atmosphere has a much more colorful Magic: The Gathering vibe going on.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs well in multiplayer settings and offers good graphics, some users report significant slowdowns and issues that can hinder gameplay, such as softlocks related to elemental enemy interactions. Overall, the optimization is praised for its multiplayer focus, but criticisms highlight a lack of polish in certain areas.

    • “The game has been optimized for multiplayer, which means it works well with controllers and has very little management tasks: there's no equipment except the staves, and each player can choose any of the unlocked staves depending on which bonus they find most useful; there are skill trees and a new skill learned after each boss fight, but these adjustments can be made concurrently; the rest is pure gameplay: slaying monsters, reviving comrades, finding quills and boxes for XP and more unlocks.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and the performance is good.”
    • “Very nice looking and good performance.”
    • “It is a badly optimized, casual clone of Magicka.”
    • “A problem like this can hinder your progress by removing your optimization or even effectiveness against certain elemental enemies, basically creating a softlock.”
    • “Terribly optimized.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its impressive designs and unique personalities, which contribute to the overall charm and depth of the experience. However, the narrative itself is considered fairly average and linear, lacking significant character growth or engaging storytelling. While the character designs are celebrated, the development aspect feels minimal and underwhelming.

    • “The character designs are wonderful and everything about this game from the world to the characters to the enemies oozes personality.”
    • “A bit of an underplayed gem; it's easy to dismiss it as just another roguelike, but after delving a bit deeper into it, it reveals a lot of nice attention to detail and depth in the system and character design.”
    • “Love the character design and their unique personalities <3”
    • “Story: 7/10 fairly average story, linear and level-based progression, not really any character development or build-up story.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sense of wholesomeness that resonates with players, though it also evokes heartbreak due to its near-miss potential for greatness. Reviewers express a mix of personal sentiment and professional critique, highlighting the game's ability to elicit strong feelings despite diverging from the general consensus.

    • “The word 'wholesome' gets overused, but I think it also describes this game perfectly.”
    • “What makes this heartbreaking is that the game is so close to being amazing!”
    • “Understanding that my opinion is probably somewhat emotional and contradicts the general consensus on this game, I will try to stay professional and control myself while I review it...”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for prioritizing quality content over aggressive monetization strategies, making it a refreshing change in the current market. However, it does include some microtransactions, which may affect the overall experience for some players.

    • “This game is a refreshing sight in today's market, since it focuses solely on delivering amazing content and not on microtransactions or other monetization schemes.”
    • “The game is riddled with microtransactions that feel exploitative.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game without being constantly bombarded by offers to spend more money.”
    • “The monetization model is frustrating and takes away from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

11hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
8-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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