Perennial Order

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 304 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Perennial Order Game Cover
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In "Perennial Order," a 2D plant horror boss rush game, explore a Dark Age world filled with nature-infested horrors, and engage in intense, one-hit-death combat with unique eldritch bosses. The painterly 2D style, inspired by Dark Souls and Princess Mononoke, promises a captivating visual experience, as you uncover the story and fight to survive.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 304 reviews
gameplay43 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Exceptional boss fights that are unique and creatively designed, providing a satisfying challenge.
  • Stunning hand-painted art style and immersive soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Well-implemented co-op mechanics that allow players to contribute even after dying, making for a fun multiplayer experience.
  • Slightly clunky map navigation that can make exploration feel tedious at times.
  • The one-hit death mechanic may frustrate some players, especially during challenging boss fights.
  • Some bosses may feel unbalanced or overly reliant on RNG, leading to moments of frustration.
  • gameplay92 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its unique mechanics, particularly the one-hit death system that adds a layer of challenge and strategy, making victories feel rewarding. Players appreciate the diverse and imaginative boss designs, each offering distinct mechanics that keep encounters fresh and engaging. The fluid controls, cooperative elements, and beautiful art and music further enhance the overall experience, making it a standout title for fans of challenging action games.

    • “The gameplay is fun and engaging, with the one-shot mechanic never feeling frustrating.”
    • “The mechanics of the game, while very different from other games, are such a breath of fresh air.”
    • “The gameplay and combat are very tightly designed, and every encounter in the game stands on its own legs with unique mechanics and challenges.”
    • “The only critique I have of the boss design is that the seemingly random nature of how the bosses throw out patterns/mechanics can make it feel like a toss-up if you get a string of 'hard' or 'easy' patterns.”
    • “I'm also not a huge fan of instincts like sprint and nimble (animation canceling) being tied to instincts versus just regular mechanics that your character has from the beginning.”
    • “The one-hit death mechanic was something that actually concerned me, but it really just enforced the patience needed for some of the bosses and actual strategy.”
  • music86 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised as outstanding, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the atmosphere and elevate boss fights. The soundtrack is described as immersive, haunting, and beautifully composed, perfectly complementing the game's unique art style and challenging gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a key element that contributes significantly to the game's emotional depth and player experience.

    • “The music is sublime, and the varied mechanics cater to different playstyles.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally fantastic, perfectly setting the mood for each boss battle.”
    • “The music and art style blend together perfectly to create a game world that is a joy to explore.”
    • “The soundtrack is eerie and haunting and fits each area that I have been into, and it sounds amazing through my headset or played through my TV speakers, and I'm looking forward to hearing more of it.”
    • “The music and the battles get your blood pumping.”
    • “The main menu music still leaves me in awe.”
  • graphics64 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning hand-painted art style, which evokes a dark and atmospheric vibe reminiscent of titles like Hollow Knight and Dark Souls. Players appreciate the unique aesthetic, vibrant colors, and the seamless integration of visuals with sound and gameplay, creating an immersive experience. While the art style is generally celebrated, some players note that it can occasionally hinder visual clarity during intense boss fights.

    • “The hand-painted art style creates an atmosphere reminiscent of Hollow Knight or Ori, with a darker Dark Souls vibe.”
    • “The colors and art style of the game are truly appealing to the senses.”
    • “The music and art style blend together perfectly to create a game world that is a joy to explore.”
    • “Also, the art style is almost like a 2.5D, which means that sometimes bosses, when facing directly upwards, can have wonky hitboxes.”
    • “Too many things to keep track of, and the weird depth perception with the art style and tilt of the boss arena leads to some frustrating deaths.”
    • “I think the last boss fight isn't great; unlike the other bosses, I think the art style got in the way of visual clarity, and there were certain attack patterns that felt unfair.”
  • story38 mentions

    The game's story is praised for its rich world-building and intriguing narrative, delivered in a manner typical of souls-like games that encourages exploration and interaction with NPCs. Players appreciate the depth provided by side quests and environmental storytelling, which enhance the overall experience, making the story feel engaging and accessible despite its cryptic elements. While some find the story serviceable, many highlight its captivating nature and the seamless integration of lore with gameplay.

    • “I also really enjoyed the story and worldbuilding that the game has; I felt encouraged to do everything that I could in perennial order because of it, just so that I could fully absorb the world that the developers created.”
    • “The world building is incredible, and your character writes things down in his notebook which you can refer to at any time to piece together the story, so it really isn't as cryptic as one might think.”
    • “Every encounter is unique and clever; the story is shockingly good.”
    • “The true sign of a souls-like game is you have no idea what the story is.”
    • “The story is serviceable and there's enough intrigue to get you through to the end, not to mention a handful of side quests that let you get to know some of the side characters a bit.”
    • “The story is one that can be bypassed, but I would recommend staying a while and listening to the characters in the world.”
  • atmosphere35 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning hand-painted art style, which evokes a blend of dark fantasy reminiscent of titles like Hollow Knight and Dark Souls. Reviewers highlight the eerie and forbidding ambiance, complemented by a captivating soundtrack and rich lore that enhances the overall experience. The unique blend of humor, creativity, and visual storytelling creates an immersive environment that draws players in, making it a standout in the atmospheric boss rush genre.

    • “The game's atmosphere, music, and level design quickly make you fall in love with it.”
    • “The atmosphere, created by the weirdly fantastic art direction, excellent audio design, and a soothing soundtrack, is absolutely superb.”
    • “Atmosphere/creativity - another key word in the description of the game that I find interesting is 'horror.' Admittedly, when I first read the word before playing the game, I brushed it off, but after playing, I can fully see why they used that word specifically.”
    • “Environments, themes, and visuals are painted brilliantly, creating an apprehensive and eerie atmosphere throughout, which is complemented by a fitting soundtrack.”
    • “I didn't 100% the game though and will squeeze possibly another couple of hours... and two, the foreground scenery to add atmosphere seemed a little heavy-handed at times, where like 70% of my screen was blocked off to random shrubbery while navigating the overworld.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to excessive backtracking and a lack of fast travel or checkpoint systems. While some players find the respawn mechanics alleviate some of the grind's tedium, others express a desire for a more streamlined experience that minimizes time-wasting activities. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback that detracts from the game's enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I'd rather have a shorter, focused game than one with too many waste of time mechanics like farming, grinding, and crafting.”
    • “It's tedious and really ruins the fight especially if you struggle keeping track of everything happening.”
    • “It's an interesting concept, but it is far too RNG dependent as is and the fact it's multi-phase with no checkpoint is tedious.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game effectively blends humor with its dark and atmospheric lore, providing players with memorable and hilarious moments amidst intense combat and storytelling. The combination of fun boss fights and easy controls enhances the overall experience, making the humor a standout aspect.

    • “The lore is great too; I'm not entirely sure what is going on, but it does a great job implying the depth. The atmosphere is forbidding, the art is gorgeous, and it's not afraid to be funny at times as well.”
    • “The entire time we played, we experienced some hilarious and frustrating moments that I won't forget about anytime soon.”
    • “It's like walking through a painting filled with horrific and fantastic creatures while Sekiro-like dynamic combat and speed are alternated with story and humor.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability, primarily through its New Game Plus (NG+) and boss rush modes, which unlock after completing the main 10-hour campaign. Additionally, the co-op feature enhances the solo experience, making it more engaging for players.

    • “The main game runs about 10 hours, with New Game Plus and boss rush modes unlocked upon completion, adding significant replay value.”
    • “The main game runs about 10 hours, with NG+ and boss rush modes unlocked upon completion, adding some replay value.”
    • “Decent replay value.”
    • “I am confused by why the co-op makes the solo experience more playable.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its creativity in design and the effective integration of lore through characters and journal entries, complemented by atmospheric music and a well-balanced tone.

    • “I could gush endlessly about the creativity of the character designs, the drip feed of lore through characters and journal entries, the atmospheric music, and especially the balanced tone.”
    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how each character evolves throughout the game, making choices feel impactful and personal.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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