Path of Achra

About

"Path of Achra" is a turn-based roguelike game with a focus on hero customization and powerful items. Players must fight through the dangerous lands of Achra to reach the horrors of the Obelisk and uncover the mysteries beyond. The game features a discord server for community engagement and a twitter account for updates and unusual commentary.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,922 reviews

gameplay60 positive mentions

grinding13 negative mentions

Path of Achra offers an immense variety of character builds through its unique combination of cultures, classes, and gods, allowing for endless experimentation and creativity.
The gameplay is fast-paced and engaging, with runs typically lasting around 30-60 minutes, making it easy to jump in and out without a significant time commitment.
The game successfully distills traditional roguelike mechanics into a streamlined experience, focusing on build crafting and synergies rather than tedious exploration or grinding.

The moment-to-moment gameplay can feel overly simplistic, as many builds can be played on autopilot, leading to a lack of tactical depth during combat.
The sheer amount of information and mechanics can be overwhelming for new players, making the initial learning curve steep and potentially frustrating.
Some players have reported that the game can feel unbalanced, with certain builds being significantly more effective than others, leading to a less varied experience.

gameplay
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
78%
2%
The gameplay of "Path of Achra" is characterized by its simplicity, offering only a few basic actions while allowing for deep strategic planning and extensive character customization. Players engage primarily in build crafting, focusing on synergies between various mechanics, which can lead to satisfying emergent gameplay despite the repetitive nature of combat. While the moment-to-moment gameplay may feel automated and lacking in depth, the overall experience is enriched by the intricate interactions of mechanics and the potential for diverse builds, making it appealing for those who enjoy theorycrafting and experimentation.
- “The gameplay is simple but deep.”
- “The core gameplay loop of finding and abusing synergies between your starting culture/class/deity, your powers, and your gear is incredibly engaging, bolstered by a relatively simple moveset that conceals a great deal of mechanical depth underneath.”
- “It's a delightfully indulgent commitment to pure mechanics, allowing you to push the boundaries of what's possible when effects trigger other effects in dizzying cascades.”
- “The issue for me is the gameplay loop really is just spamming the tab key to auto play the game for you until you either die or kill everything in the room.”
- “Unfortunately, the immediate gameplay loop is tedious, repetitive, and at times quite frustrating, and I just don't think many people would get too much enjoyment out of it.”
- “The gameplay is very simple, there aren't a ton of choices to make at any given time.”
graphics
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simple, retro pixel art style that some players find charming and evocative, while others criticize them as lacking modern polish. Despite the minimalist visuals, many reviewers appreciate how the graphics effectively support the game's atmosphere and gameplay, emphasizing depth and strategy over graphical fidelity. Overall, while the aesthetics may not appeal to everyone, they contribute to a unique and immersive experience that resonates with fans of traditional roguelikes.
- “The atmosphere and art style of the game are fun, and the game has a surprising amount of depth to it.”
- “The graphics consist entirely of sprite art with minimal animations, but the writing evokes a fascinating dark bronze-age fantasy world that effectively and seamlessly weaves world-building into gameplay for those players who want it without interrupting gameplay for those who don't.”
- “The graphics and music do a great job creating a believable dark fantasy setting along with the cool wording and descriptions of stuff.”
- “Beyond the gameplay, the graphics are terrible and the art style doesn't make up for it.”
- “Game has the graphical fidelity of an Excel spreadsheet and you can beat it by holding 1 button; somehow, it's the best roguelike I've played in years.”
- “The graphics and audio are basic, so if you care a lot about that, then you won't find much here.”
music
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
4%
The music in the game has received high praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as soothing and fitting for the dark fantasy setting. However, many reviewers expressed a desire for a more varied soundtrack, noting that the game features only a single track, which, while catchy, could benefit from additional compositions to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the music complements the game's aesthetic well, but there is a consensus that expanding the soundtrack would elevate it further.
- “The music, the dark, traditional rogue-like visuals, the art direction, everything is great.”
- “There's something magical about the music and ambience that really makes you feel like a champion taking a pilgrimage to obtain godhood.”
- “The music is calm and dungeon synth-adjacent, while the art reminds me of my childhood love for Castle of the Winds.”
- “There is only one song in the entire game and it's not very good.”
- “The game is not much to look at and the music and sound are equally simplistic.”
- “My only complaint is that it doesn't have enough music; I wish there were more tracks than just the theme song for it.”
replayability
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a vast array of build combinations, classes, and skills that encourage experimentation and mastery. Players appreciate the depth and variety, noting that each run offers unique experiences despite the game's relatively short duration. While some mention that straightforward progression can dampen replayability, the overall consensus highlights the game's potential for endless replay value and engaging gameplay.
- “Massive combination of builds leads to vast replayability.”
- “The sheer combinatorial variety does mean it's got a lot of replay value, and there's a surprising number of actually viable builds.”
- “You get so many combinations from your culture, class, the god you worship, abilities, gear, and weapons; the replayability is endless.”
- “It's fun, but the lack of any real input definitely kills off replayability for me.”
- “There is a lot of replayability to be had, despite a short length to the 'end', and if you want to drive up the difficulty, there is always the option.”
- “This is a game fresh out of demo and at the very start of early access, and it's already got a ton of replayability with a pretty easy path to even more.”
atmosphere
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
18%
8%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its depth, evocative art style, and immersive audio design, creating a rich and engaging world that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and sound, alongside well-crafted lore and poetry, which contribute to a unique and captivating ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as dark, mysterious, and beautifully executed, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The atmosphere and worldbuilding is also top-notch.”
- “Something that really surprised me is how engaging and atmospheric the world building is in this game.”
- “The graphics, music, and sounds all combine well to create an atmosphere of impending doom...”
- “A simple, yet evocative and mysterious atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is dark, the sprite work is expressive, and I particularly like the simple and effective writing.”
story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
74%
10%
The game's story is minimal and often conveyed through poetic snippets, creating an immersive atmosphere despite the lack of a traditional plot or extensive lore. While some players appreciate the charm and simplicity of the storytelling, others express a desire for more depth and narrative content. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay over story, offering a unique experience that respects player time without overwhelming them with lore.
- “The game has an amazing story and atmosphere, with its narrative mainly being told through poems that make you feel a world was lived in.”
- “Fantastic roguelike auto-battler with a ton of charm and great silent storytelling.”
- “The descriptions of the various areas, items, and enemies are amazingly flavorful and feel like something out of a Robert E. Howard story.”
- “There's no story or lore to speak of or any reason to make you want to learn more about the game world.”
- “There is no story; it is a glorified arena fight.”
- “Only real complaint I have is that I wish there was more lore and story to explore in the game, but that could always be added later by the creator.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
Reviews highlight a significant divide in the grinding experience of roguelike games. While some players find traditional grinding tedious and repetitive, leading to frustration, others appreciate games that streamline progression, allowing for quick character builds and satisfying gameplay without the burden of extensive grinding. Overall, many players prefer titles that eliminate unnecessary grinding, focusing instead on fast-paced action and engaging mechanics.
- “No grinding.”
- “No grinding, no micromanagement, no waiting around, no wasting time.”
- “I get a bit bogged down when these types of games have limited (or tedious) levels of progression/upgrades between runs.”
- “Unfortunately, the immediate gameplay loop is tedious, repetitive, and at times quite frustrating, and I just don't think many people would get too much enjoyment out of it.”
- “What if a roguelike existed that removed all the boring crap, like spending thirty minutes mindlessly grinding critters to get enough XP for some goal you have.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding joy in its absurd scenarios and comedic character builds, such as creating a heavyweight character that deals fire damage. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to generate laughter through unexpected outcomes and entertaining mechanics, making it feel less punishing than traditional roguelikes. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, enhancing the experience and encouraging experimentation.
- “Hilarious.”
- “Plenty of times I was laughing out loud when I took one action, then the log rolled for 10+ seconds describing how the whole map perished or the boss vanished in that one action.”
- “Build flexibility blurring the lines between 'warrior' and 'wizard' and allowing funny builds is very satisfying.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly without glitches on various platforms, including Texas Instruments calculators. Players appreciate the developer's active support and troubleshooting assistance, contributing to a positive overall experience.
- “Runs great on Texas Instruments calculators.”
- “Completely legally, without glitches, and fully intended OP builds?”
- “Disregard my playtime; for anyone who this review finds - the game is a hidden gem that you should at least try the demo of in case it doesn't tickle your fancy at first. The developer is kind, helps with troubleshooting, and regularly talks with people in the game's Discord server.”
- “Or an extremely armored, slow warrior who tanks all damage and freezes those who dare attack him?”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game excels in character development, striking a balance between the complexity found in classic roguelikes and the fast-paced nature of modern roguelites. It emphasizes streamlined gameplay while allowing for deep customization and minmaxing, making it a noteworthy addition to the roguelike genre.
- “This game combines unique gameplay with deep character development.”
- “Path of Achra strikes a remarkable balance between the deep complexity of character development and the variety of enemies found in classic roguelikes such as Tales of Maj'Eyal or Caves of Qud, alongside the quick flow and speedy loop of modern roguelites like Slay the Spire or Vampire Survivors.”
- “This is an intriguing contribution to the roguelike genre - streamlined to an extreme, with the focus being primarily on character development and min-maxing.”
- “This is an intriguing contribution to the roguelike corpus - streamlined to an extreme, with the focus being primarily on the character development and minmaxing.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The optimization aspect of "Path of Achra" is praised for its depth, offering players extensive opportunities for min-maxing and theorycrafting, which can satisfy the desire for optimization. However, some users express a need for better quality-of-life tools to track performance and build effectiveness, indicating that while the game has potential, it could benefit from enhancements in this area.
- “Path of Achra satisfies an 'optimization itch' for me in a fairly unique and interesting way, and I'll probably continue to play it every so often, e.g., if I'm watching TV.”
- “One of my favorite roguelikes, it has quite a bit of replayability, a lot of variables and combinations to mess around with for different results, tons of min-maxing to do, and lots of room for theorycrafting.”
- “I'd also love some quality-of-life tools to track my performance and figure out if and how my build is working.”
- “One of my favorite roguelikes, quite a bit of replayability, quite a lot of variables/combinations to mess around with for different results, tons of min-maxing to do, tons of optimization available, lots of room for theorycrafting.”
- “So while I can't really recommend it because I think the vast majority of players will find it more boring than fun, Path of Achra does satisfy an 'optimization itch' for me in a fairly unique and interesting way, and I'll probably continue to play it every so often, e.g., if I'm watching TV.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, describing it as an "emotional rollercoaster" that captivates them. Additionally, the positive interaction with the developer's response to feedback adds to the overall emotional experience, highlighting a sense of community and support.
- “I am however on an emotional rollercoaster and love it.”
- “Saw a wholesome reply to some feedback from the developer.”