Perennial Order

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 195 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.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 195 reviews
gameplay30 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game features unique and creative boss designs that provide a challenging yet fair experience, making each encounter feel rewarding.
  • The art direction and soundtrack are exceptional, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The co-op mechanics are well implemented, allowing players to contribute even after dying, which adds a fun dynamic to the boss rush format.
  • Some players have reported issues with the final boss being overly difficult and frustrating, particularly due to RNG elements and lack of checkpoints.
  • The exploration between boss fights can feel tedious and lengthy, with some players wishing for a fast travel system or minimap.
  • There are occasional bugs and camera issues in co-op mode that can disrupt gameplay, particularly when players stray too far apart.
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging mechanics, challenging yet fair combat, and unique boss designs that keep encounters fresh and rewarding. The one-hit death mechanic adds intensity, while cooperative play enhances the experience, allowing players to contribute even after dying. Overall, the game combines strategic depth with fluid controls and a captivating atmosphere, 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.”
    • “Combat is challenging but fair, and learning each boss’s mechanics is incredibly rewarding.”
    • “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.”
    • “I'd rather have a shorter, focused game than one with too many waste-of-time mechanics like farming, grinding, and crafting.”
  • music53 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, perfectly complementing the art style and gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the mood during boss battles and contributing to the overall experience. The harmonious blend of music, sound design, and visuals creates a captivating environment that keeps players engaged and enhances the game's unique aesthetic.

    • “A really immersive (and cozy in a way) setting thanks to the art direction and the fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally fantastic, perfectly setting the mood for each boss battle.”
    • “The music is really immersive and seems to be tailored specifically to the way the fight is progressing, and for the visuals they managed to make a world that feels both tranquil and eerie at the same time.”
    • “The world, atmosphere, and music is so connected and one cohesive piece.”
    • “The game design and soundtrack are extremely captivating.”
    • “Bosses are unique and the artwork/soundtrack/ambiance is engrossing.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, which combines a dark, atmospheric aesthetic with beautiful visuals that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique and varied boss designs, as well as the harmonious integration of music and visuals that create an immersive world. However, some users noted issues with depth perception and hitbox clarity during certain boss encounters, which can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.

    • “This game is a harmonious union of unique aesthetics, carefully designed challenges, and an engaging soundtrack.”
    • “Remarkably beautiful game with an unforgettable art style.”
    • “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.”
  • story22 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by a rich tapestry of lore and intriguing quests that evoke a sense of wonder and dread, though some players find it can be bypassed without losing much. While the narrative is engaging and complemented by unique characters and side quests, opinions vary on its complexity, with some appreciating its depth and others feeling it lacks clarity. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience, making it a notable aspect of the game despite some criticisms regarding co-op mechanics.

    • “The game is filled with small details and large quests that instill this sense of wonder, dread, and awe.”
    • “Every encounter is unique and clever, the story is shockingly good.”
    • “Designs are amazing, characters interesting, the story is very intriguing but never too complicated to understand or interpret, at least in my opinion.”
    • “A quest that can be completed just by playing the game normally is hardly a quest.”
    • “The true sign of a souls-like 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.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and breathtaking art direction, which creates an immersive dark world that enhances gameplay and fosters natural interactions between players. Reviewers highlight the superb audio design and cohesive integration of music, lore, and visuals, contributing to a deeply engrossing experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both challenging and rewarding, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game's atmosphere and art direction are breathtaking, with a beautiful dark world that really draws you in.”
    • “But what really holds it all together is a deeply engrossing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, created by the weirdly fantastic art direction, excellent audio design and a soothing soundtrack, is absolutely superb.”
    • “The foreground scenery to add atmosphere seemed a little heavy-handed at times, where like 70% of my screen was blocked off by random shrubbery while navigating the overworld.”
    • “While the atmosphere and tone take more from Hollow Knight than Dark Souls, it feels like it lacks its own unique identity.”
    • “The setting and atmosphere make for natural banter between your co-op partner and yourself, but it often feels empty and uninspired.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often viewed as tedious and time-consuming, with players expressing a preference for a more streamlined experience. The lack of fast travel or checkpoints exacerbates the frustration, particularly during backtracking and multi-phase boss fights. However, some players appreciate the convenience of respawning close to bosses, which mitigates the grind to some extent.

    • “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 to keep 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 humor in the game is highlighted through amusing emotes, funny boss voice lines, and the quirky dialogue of NPCs, which adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise intense gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of dynamic combat with comedic elements, making the exploration and boss fights enjoyable and entertaining. Overall, the humor enhances the gaming experience, contributing to memorable moments throughout.

    • “Exploring all the areas, finding all the collectible things, talking to all the NPCs, and fighting all the bosses for the first time was a lot of fun and a great experience, especially since I first played it in co-op and always looked forward to the new emotes I'd find, like the funny dances.”
    • “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.”
    • “Also, fun boss fights, hilarious moments, easy controls, and so far very few bugs.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability with a main campaign lasting around 10 hours, complemented by New Game Plus and boss rush modes unlocked after completion. Additionally, the co-op feature enhances the solo experience, further encouraging multiple playthroughs.

    • “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 New Game Plus 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 mode 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 the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices feel impactful and personal.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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