While there's nothing egregious about Oaken, it doesn't push the genre in any particular direction.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Oaken is a single-player, fantasy turn-based strategy game with roguelite elements, set in a mystical world filled with spirits and Celtic vibes. Experience a hero-oriented campaign with deck management, as you navigate a randomly generated world map filled with levels, bosses, and events. Engage in unique, tactical battles on a hexagonal grid, with spell and spirit upgrades, offering both chill and challenging modes."
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Oaken features a unique blend of tactical gameplay and roguelike elements, providing a fresh take on the genre that encourages strategic thinking.
- The art style and music are charming and contribute to an immersive experience, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
- The game offers a variety of units and spells, allowing for diverse strategies and build-crafting, which enhances replayability.
- The user interface is often criticized for being confusing and leading to mistakes, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
- Many players find the game to be overly complex and difficult to grasp, with mechanics that are not well explained, making it hard for newcomers to jump in.
- The difficulty balance is inconsistent, with some players feeling that the game is too easy at the start but becomes frustratingly hard later on, especially against bosses.
- gameplay45 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its complexity and depth, combining card game mechanics with tactical strategy and roguelike elements, which encourages smart plays and experimentation. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop, polished mechanics, and charming aesthetics, although some find certain mechanics frustrating or uninspired. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of familiar elements from other titles while maintaining its own identity, making it accessible yet challenging for players of all skill levels.
“For some, the complexity of the gameplay and its many mechanics opening opportunities for smart plays is what makes this title stand above others.”
“The gameplay is phenomenal, bringing its unique ideas mixed with the best mechanics from tactics games and roguelike games into something completely brand new.”
“Very well done, from gameplay, smart mechanics, art, music, and feel; I'm a bit obsessed with it.”
“This mechanic straight killed this game for me.”
“Leaves a very bad feeling after losing for not understanding a new mechanic the first time you are presented with it.”
“Lots of idling because there's nothing to interact with on the screen, boring uninteresting combinatorial mechanics, bandaid solutions to design issues ('skills' to fix the game almost never utilize the mana curve and 'fog' to prevent heal stalling).”
- graphics21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising its charming and unique art style, often compared to the aesthetics of "Ori and the Blind Forest." Players appreciate the cute visuals and how they complement the game's themes, although some feel the in-match graphics do not match the overall art style. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong selling point, enhancing the gameplay experience with a soothing atmosphere.
“And a wonderful art style.”
“The art style and theme (cartoony woodland spirits) helps set Oaken apart from other titles in the genre.”
“Both the visuals and the audio work very well together, making the world feel very alive.”
“Strategically quite good, but I don't like the art style...”
“The cute art doesn't translate to the in-match graphics.”
“Even the art style, its strongest selling point right now, feels too similar to Ori and the Blind Forest.”
- music16 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and contribution to immersion, with many players describing it as catchy, beautiful, and well-suited to the gameplay. The soundtrack enhances the overall experience, although some players noted that high-energy tracks can occasionally disrupt strategic thinking. Overall, the combination of music and art is highlighted as a standout feature, elevating the game's appeal.
“The music is very beautiful and contributes to the game immersion.”
“The art and music are great as well, something that's not always the case in the genre.”
“The gameplay is intricate and deep and the presentation and music are absolutely gorgeous.”
“Sometimes if an energetic high tempo song plays, it can get in the way of thinking through your next turns.”
“A slapping soundtrack.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as visually appealing and set in a unique world, though it is often considered underwhelming and not particularly engaging. While some players appreciate the art and environment, they find the narrative to be minimal and sometimes tacked on, with optional quests that can be frustrating. Overall, the story may not demand much attention, but it contributes to the game's high replay value.
“Has cute visuals, and its story goes well with it all.”
“The game is also so beautiful; I love the environment and story, although it is not the kind of story that is wordy and demanding of your attention.”
“Very unique world and story.”
“The story is meh, but the mechanics are very satisfying.”
“A lot of the optional quests within the mission are annoying.”
“Finally, I like that this game has very high replay value, especially since the story isn't all in your face.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, especially for players who enjoy the initial experience, as they can increase difficulty and earn buffs in subsequent runs. With plans for additional guides and a new hero, along with numerous unlockables, players can expect to engage with the game well beyond the initial playthrough, despite the main story being relatively brief.
“Quite replayable if you enjoy it after the first hour, as each run allows you to increase the difficulty and give yourself some buffs.”
“I really like that this game has very high replay value, especially since the story isn't overly presented.”
“It looks like they are planning on implementing a lot of guides to unlock, as well as another hero, so it may have a lot of replay value.”
“So it can be cleared in a few hours (with all side objectives cleared); however, there is a lot of replayability and unlockables.”
“Quite replayable if you like it after the first hour, as each run after you can up the difficulty and give yourself some buffs as well.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits some minor bugs, which is typical for an early-access title; however, none of these issues significantly impact gameplay.
“It's a little buggy, but that's to be expected in an early access game, and none of the bugs are game-breaking.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly without any reported bugs, contributing to a seamless gaming experience.
“The game runs smoothly; I encountered zero bugs.”
“The optimization is top-notch, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it never lags or stutters.”
