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 3,844 reviews

gameplay120 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Incredible build variety and customization options, allowing players to create unique and powerful characters.
Fast-paced gameplay with short runs, making it easy to pick up and play without a significant time commitment.
Engaging mechanics that reward experimentation and theorycrafting, providing a satisfying experience for players.

The gameplay can feel overly simplistic, with limited tactical decisions during combat, leading to a more automated experience.
Information overload from the extensive number of skills and mechanics can be overwhelming for new players.
Some builds may feel overpowered, reducing the challenge and excitement of the gameplay.

gameplay
580 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
77%
2%
The gameplay of *Path of Achra* is characterized by its simplicity, offering only a few actions per turn (move, attack, pray, or stand still), which can lead to a repetitive experience. However, this simplicity belies a deep and intricate system of mechanics that encourages extensive character customization and build crafting, making it appealing for players who enjoy strategizing and experimenting with synergies. While the moment-to-moment gameplay may feel automated and less dynamic, the overall loop is engaging and addictive, particularly for those who appreciate the theorycrafting aspect of roguelikes.
- “The gameplay can seem deceptively simple, but the way various mechanics interact with each other can lead to lots of fun chains of things happening, one after another.”
- “The gameplay's depth feels really good to learn and to experiment with.”
- “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.”
- “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 itself is not terribly deep: your options are move, don't move, attack, or pray.”
graphics
228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The graphics of "Path of Achra" are characterized by a simple, retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia and complements its deep gameplay mechanics. While some players find the visuals lacking in modern polish, many appreciate their charm and effectiveness in creating an atmospheric experience. Overall, the minimalist graphics are seen as intentional, enhancing the game's unique aesthetic and immersive lore rather than detracting from it.
- “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.”
- “Path of Achra hides its depth behind simple but charming graphics.”
- “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
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The music in the game has received high praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as soothing and fitting the dark fantasy setting. However, many reviewers expressed a desire for a more varied soundtrack, noting that the game features only one track, which, while catchy, could benefit from additional compositions to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the music is seen as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance, but there is a consensus that expanding the soundtrack would elevate it further.
- “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, although simplistic, genuinely stands out to me; it's catchy, not overbearing, and totally fits the tone of the game.”
- “The gorgeous pixel art, the short but snappy writing, and the suitably ominous music all come together to make something distinct and intriguing.”
- “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
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
34%
3%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting the vast array of build combinations, including various races, classes, and skills, which contribute to an engaging and diverse gameplay experience. While many players find the replay value to be nearly limitless, some note that straightforward game progression can slightly dampen the expected variety. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who enjoy experimenting with different character builds and strategies.
- “Insane replayability with thousands of possible builds.”
- “The interplay of skills and equipment along with the crazy amount of races, classes, skills, and gods makes this game very replayable.”
- “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
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
21%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its depth, evocative storytelling, and engaging worldbuilding, enhanced by a retro art style and fitting music. Reviewers highlight the unique blend of dark, mysterious vibes and the immersive experience created through well-crafted poetry and sound design. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating, with many expressing a desire for even more musical variety to complement the already rich environment.
- “The atmosphere and worldbuilding is also top-notch.”
- “The writing is wonderful--evocative descriptions are everywhere and while not strictly necessary in such a pure strategic game like this, really add to the epic atmosphere.”
- “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...”
- “Short roguelike with an unmatched atmosphere.”
- “The dcss / rift wizard inspiration is unmistakable without trampling on the game's identity: the atmosphere is dark, the sprite work is expressive and I particularly like the simple and effective writing.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
78%
6%
The game's story is minimal and often vague, primarily conveyed through immersive poetry and item descriptions rather than a traditional narrative. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and lore presented in bite-sized pieces, others find the lack of a cohesive plot disappointing. Overall, the game focuses more on gameplay mechanics and player experience than on delivering an extensive story, with potential for future expansions to its narrative elements.
- “The game also has an amazing story and atmosphere, with its story 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, to me at least, 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
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
Reviews highlight a significant divide in the grinding experience of the game. While some players appreciate the absence of tedious grinding mechanics, allowing for quick sessions and enjoyable character building, others find the gameplay loop repetitive and frustrating, leading to a lack of engagement despite the game's content. Overall, the game is praised for streamlining progression and minimizing grind, catering to those who prefer a more efficient roguelike experience.
- “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
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding joy in its absurd combinations and unexpected outcomes, such as a heavyweight character dealing fire damage or a tree character. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to generate laughter through its quirky mechanics and entertaining action logs, making it feel less punishing than traditional roguelikes. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, encouraging experimentation and creative builds.
- “Making a heavyweight character do fire damage and shrug off every hit is 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
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The game is reported to run smoothly without glitches, showcasing strong stability across various platforms, including Texas Instruments calculators. Players appreciate the developer's active support and engagement in troubleshooting, 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
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
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 deep character customization and minmaxing, making it a noteworthy addition to the roguelike genre.
- “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 corpus - 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.”
- “Path of Achra strikes a remarkable balance between the deep complexity of character development and the variety of enemies of classic roguelikes such as Tales of Maj'Eyal or Caves of Qud, and the quick flow and speedy loop of modern roguelites such as Slay the Spire or Vampire Survivors.”
- “This game combines unique gameplay with deep character development.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game "Path of Achra" offers a satisfying experience for players who enjoy optimization, featuring extensive min-maxing opportunities and a variety of variables for experimentation. However, some users express a desire for quality-of-life tools to better track performance and build effectiveness. While it may not appeal to everyone, it provides a unique way to scratch the optimization itch, especially for those who appreciate roguelikes.
- “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
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, describing it as an "emotional rollercoaster" that captivates them deeply. Additionally, the positive interaction with the developer adds a wholesome touch to the overall experience, enhancing the emotional engagement.
- “I am however on an emotional rollercoaster and love it.”
- “Saw a wholesome reply to some feedback from the developer.”

Buy Path of Achra

17h Median play time

42h Average play time

10-43h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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