One Step From Eden

One Step From Eden masterfully brings a mix of action RPG and deckbuilding that we haven't seen in a good while.

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In "One Step from Eden," players engage in a strategic deck-building experience combined with real-time action and rogue-like elements. With a variety of spells, items, and playable characters, each run through procedurally generated levels offers a unique challenge. Battle enemies, collect artifacts, and play solo or with a friend in local co-op or PvP, with full Steam Workshop support for further customization.

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Play Modes

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,077 reviews

gameplay615 positive mentions

story64 negative mentions

Fast-paced and engaging gameplay that combines deck-building with real-time action.
Great variety of characters and spells, allowing for diverse playstyles and strategies.
Beautiful art style and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Steep learning curve that may overwhelm new players with too much information at once.
Some spells and artifacts feel underwhelming or situational, leading to less effective deck-building.
Lack of a cohesive story or lore, which may disappoint players looking for narrative depth.

gameplay
1,710 mentions
36 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "One Step from Eden" is a fast-paced, roguelike experience that combines real-time grid-based combat with deck-building mechanics reminiscent of the Mega Man Battle Network series. Players must navigate chaotic battles while managing a variety of spells and abilities, leading to a steep learning curve that rewards skill and strategy. However, the lack of a comprehensive tutorial and the overwhelming number of mechanics can make it challenging for newcomers, though many find the gameplay addictive and satisfying once they grasp the mechanics.
- “This game is a very fun and engaging roguelike with Mega Man Battle Network inspired gameplay.”
- “You build a deck that constitutes your attacks and abilities, so deck building strategy is as important as your real-time mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is fast yet strategic and the music works as a mirror to that aspect.”
- “There is no tutorial to speak of, and the mechanics are not intuitive.”
- “Firstly, this game just throws you into it, with no clue as to what anything does or how the mechanics work.”
- “The amount of information in a single screen is often overwhelming yet the game feels like it lacks depth - the gameplay loop barely changes between runs.”
music
905 mentions
66 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "One Step From Eden" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced gameplay. The original compositions, including character-specific themes, are noted for their ability to evoke nostalgia and keep players immersed in the action. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and replayability.
- “The soundtrack is beautiful, the character designs are all outrageously charming, and it is rewarding!”
- “The music is engaging and fits the atmosphere this game gives.”
- “The music is fantastic, the art is really neat, the card ideas are wonderful, heroes are unique, and the gameplay itself seems cool.”
- “The music is serviceable but the art has plenty of charming, expressive pixel-art to enjoy along with the more traditional art of the non-battle moments.”
- “It's not a bad game by any means, well polished, the music is very well done, it just didn't hook me in, and if there was a story, it's very bare bones, and I am very much a story gamer.”
- “The strong points of One Step from Eden are the gameplay, the music, and its hybrid-style.”
graphics
402 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant animations, and smooth visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful character designs and the effective integration of the art with the game's fast-paced mechanics, although some note that the visual clutter can occasionally hinder clarity during intense moments. Overall, the art style and soundtrack are considered standout features, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The art style is well done; I'm usually picky about my pixel art because if it's under-detailed it looks lazy and if it's over-detailed it starts to look messy.”
- “This game's art style is flawless and the soundtrack is amazing; each character has their own distinct personality and the possibilities in synergies are massive.”
- “The game is visually pleasing with beautiful pixel art and anime-like visuals that you can clearly see the developers poured their heart into, alongside a magnificent soundtrack and sound effects.”
- “However, I personally feel like it can be a bit tough to avoid some attacks because the visuals will blend together.”
- “The other issue is graphical overload and disjointed visuals.”
- “Some of the graphics can look a bit small and muddy at times, but for the most part you know what you're looking at, and it's quite nice.”
story
380 mentions
16 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The story in "One Step From Eden" is largely minimal and often feels secondary to the gameplay, with many players noting a lack of depth and clarity in the narrative. While there are hints of lore and character backstories, these elements are not well-explained within the game, leading to a sense of disconnection from the characters and their motivations. Overall, the game prioritizes fast-paced combat over storytelling, which may disappoint those seeking a more engaging narrative experience.
- “The gameplay is great, the strategy is fun, my main... not even really a complaint, I guess, with the game as a whole is that it feels like there's a pretty detailed and involved story/backstory that just doesn't ever get shown beyond the barest minimum of hints, and instead you mostly get (admittedly funny) memes, references, and jokes, which really clash with what story you do see.”
- “There's clearly a narrative and backstory to Eden, and the characters have different relationships between one another, but besides quips at the beginning and end of boss fights, there is essentially no story or dialogue to be seen.”
- “Highly enjoy the game and feel connected to the character, I enjoy picking up the little details in the story.”
- “However, the game doesn't really have a story, the deckbuilding aspect isn't too in-depth, some flavor texts use outdated humor (or just meh in general), and the learning curve can be steep if you're not used to fast-paced gameplay.”
- “There's practically no story to speak of, though.”
- “The game just offers virtually nothing from a story or world-building standpoint; it's just a vehicle for gameplay.”
replayability
323 mentions
55 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The game "One Step From Eden" is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse character options, extensive deck-building mechanics, and roguelike elements that ensure each run feels unique. Players appreciate the variety of strategies and synergies available, as well as the engaging gameplay loop that encourages experimentation. While some reviewers note that replayability may diminish as players master the mechanics, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, especially with mod support enhancing the experience further.
- “The best thing about One Step From Eden is its replayability; every run is different.”
- “The roguelike elements, multiple characters, card/kit unlocks (think Slay the Spire), and diverse build potential give this an insane amount of replayability.”
- “This game is incredibly replayable and ridiculously fun.”
- “My only problem is the game is kinda short (I even did all 3 endings), and the replayability is not quite where I personally want it to be, one of the reasons being the builds have okay variety, but they don't play all that different.”
- “I would say for a roguelike there's not enough replayability to sustain long playtime, especially if you compare it to something similar like Slay the Spire or other popular roguelikes like Enter the Gungeon and Hades.”
- “If you're looking for the type of replayability a roguelite should offer then this falls flat really hard once you know the game better.”
character development
66 mentions
70 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by charming and unique character designs that enhance gameplay, with each character offering distinct playstyles and abilities. However, many players express disappointment in the limited narrative depth, noting that character interactions are often reduced to repetitive banter, leaving a desire for more substantial storytelling and lore. Overall, while the aesthetics and gameplay are praised, the character development feels underutilized in terms of narrative engagement.
- “The character designs are awesome, the bosses are challenging and all different but fair.”
- “Overall, while the game is a bit too punishing for new players, One Step From Eden is a fantastic addition to the roguelike genre, and one that is absolutely worth the time of anyone who loves roguelikes, unique gameplay experiences, and cool/cute character designs that really help give the world flavor.”
- “Interesting character designs with unique attacks that can wildly shake up your playstyle; there's a spell that hits the tile you're currently standing on.”
- “It's gameplay is similar to Battle Network, with a few changes here and there like a bigger field and faster pace, which is pretty hard to get used to for beginners or people used to Battle Network's speed. So far, there is no explanation behind the lore of the game, but it seems to take place in a post-apocalyptic world. The character designs are very cute and lovable, with my personal favorite designs being Saffron, Hazel, Terra, and Reva. Every character has different play styles, which makes each character enjoyable in their own unique way.”
- “Character development is evident, but the lore descriptions and spell names leave much to be desired. While the character designs are unique and interesting, they don't seem to contribute significantly to the overall narrative.”
- “The character designs are all likable, even before the redesigns, but the lack of depth in character development makes it hard to feel a connection to them.”
grinding
46 mentions
2 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it tedious and frustrating, particularly due to random card mechanics that hinder coherent deck building. While some appreciate the elimination of traditional grinding elements for a more engaging experience, others feel that the game still requires excessive time investment for progression, leading to a lack of enjoyment. Overall, the balance between grinding and gameplay varies, with some players valuing the challenge while others find it overly tedious.
- “No farming for chip codes for hours, no endless errands for poorly-translated NPCs—just you, your deck, and the grid.”
- “It's really grindy and tedious and poorly balanced, and battle after battle will have you standing around waiting on mana or cooldowns or whatever, which is just awkward and poorly designed...ugh.”
- “As it stands, the game is too frustrating and grindy to continue.”
- “The main issue is that your cards are random, which makes it tediously difficult to build something coherent when you have a specific build in mind.”
humor
44 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of pop culture references, memes, and funny flavor texts that often elicit laughs, although some players find certain jokes outdated or unfunny. While the game lacks a deep narrative, the comedic elements and humorous delivery of spells and interactions provide an entertaining experience, even if the humor sometimes clashes with the minimal story presented. Overall, the game's vibrant art style and engaging music complement its comedic aspects, making it a fun, albeit occasionally inconsistent, experience.
- “It's both colorful and comedic, full of references to other games that most gamers can recognize - even if you don't recognize the references, they are often still wrapped in a funny delivery.”
- “From the awesome music to the art on the cards and the funny flavor text, this game is a great roguelike that rewards experimentation with builds and quick reflexes.”
- “From cards having text flavor as 'ora ora ora' from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure to bosses dispatching you with a 'heh…nothing personal, kid,' this can be funny diversions that one can appreciate while playing and give you a good laugh.”
- “It certainly doesn't help when those junk cards exist purely to be unfunny memes and references.”
optimization
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its polished performance and control mechanics, contributing to a highly consistent experience. However, some users report minor performance issues and bugs, particularly with specific archetypes, indicating that further optimization is needed to enhance gameplay during intense battles.
- “The greatest part of this game is the optimizations to control.”
- “Incredible art, gameplay I've never seen or tried before, a skill ceiling that's utterly gob-smacking, amazing performance consistency, and musical compositions that genuinely struck chords of melancholy within my mind and heart within minutes of being graced by its looping garden of Eden.”
- “Good performance.”
- “Currently, the game has some minor performance issues when running specific archetypes (kunai in particular), but I expect those to be ironed out as we go.”
- “There are some negatives, such as a few bugs that need to be ironed out, as well as some optimization that needs to be done to prevent slowdown during battle.”
- “It is also extremely fast-paced and punishes poor performance like an angry stage mom at a pageant - virtually any non-basic encounter has the ability to sap half of your health with careless play.”
emotional
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game deeply emotional and touching, expressing a strong connection to its narrative and gameplay. The impending conclusion of updates has left some feeling heartbroken, especially in light of negative reviews from newer players who may not fully appreciate its depth. Overall, the game evokes a unique emotional experience that resonates with many, making it stand out in the genre.
- “Thank you, developer, for your truly touching game.”
- “It looks like the last patch launched on 11-29-2021 is (if not saying the) one of the last ones, due to the devs saying that it was 'just a small final touch on the game,' so it is heartbreaking for me to know.”
- “It's such an amazing feeling that I can't really say many other games have ever made me feel.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the engaging music, impressive art, and top-notch sound effects that collectively enhance the overall experience. The setting and audio elements work harmoniously to create a captivating environment that players thoroughly enjoy.
- “The setting, music, atmosphere, and sound effects are all top notch.”
- “The art, music, sound effects, and general atmosphere are all great as well.”
- “I love the art and atmosphere.”
stability
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marked by minor glitches and crashes, particularly on Linux, indicating that it is still somewhat buggy for a finished product. While these issues are acknowledged, they do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, which is praised for its engaging gameplay. Players hope for future updates to address these stability concerns.
- “Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of problems with the game; it is still a bit buggy for a finished product. I'm not sure when there will be more updates, but let's hope soon.”
- “Exe, awesome bullet hell style, but the mods are a bit buggy, which is to be expected from a game that just came out with it.”
- “I'm running this on Linux, and I've had a few minor glitches and crashes. The game is excellent overall, but the stability issues are noticeable.”
monetization
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is well-received, with players appreciating that it doesn't feel like a cash grab. Many users express willingness to pay for microtransactions, particularly for costume packs, due to the game's high quality and the developers' active support and engagement. Overall, the game's value and the care put into its development are highlighted positively.
- “The art and animation are appealing; I'd be happy to pay microtransactions for costume packs for the sheer value of the game.”
- “The game is exactly what one would expect from advertisement.”
- “It's not a cash grab like some other games that have been sold on here.”