Pseudoregalia

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,360 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Pseudoregalia Game Cover
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"Pseudoregalia" is a Metroidvania-style game where you explore a decaying dreamworld, inspired by noble living. With hand-drawn animation and 3D models, the heritage-meets-horror aesthetic creates a unique atmosphere. The game features an original soundtrack, with an average playtime of 1.5-2.5 hours.

  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,360 reviews
music543 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • Incredible movement mechanics that feel fluid and satisfying, allowing for creative traversal.
  • Charming retro aesthetic reminiscent of N64/PS1 games, with a great soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
  • Engaging exploration with a non-linear design that encourages players to experiment and discover new paths.
  • Lack of a map makes navigation confusing and can lead to getting lost frequently.
  • Combat feels underdeveloped and is not the main focus of the game, with only two bosses present.
  • The story is minimal and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more context and narrative.
  • music888 mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its dreamlike and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience and evoking nostalgia for classic N64 and PS1 titles. Many players highlight specific tracks, such as those from the Twilight Theater and Empty Bailey, as standout pieces that perfectly complement the game's environments. While some find the music occasionally repetitive, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The music in this game is very dreamlike and atmospheric.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly matches the atmosphere.”
    • “The music is fantastic, and the movement animations look and feel amazing.”
    • “My only gripes are that navigating without a map is difficult, the music is bland, and the game curiously ends with a boss fight, when I think it would be better to end with a final platforming gauntlet.”
    • “The soundtrack is ok at first, but grating the more you go on, because it's a short loop, and you're constantly backtracking.”
    • “The music is mostly atmospheric and as a result never sticks out as something that I would go out and listen to.”
  • graphics852 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic appeal, effectively capturing the low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation era. While many players appreciate the charming visuals and the dreamlike atmosphere they create, some note that the simplicity can lead to a lack of distinctiveness in environments, making navigation challenging. Overall, the retro graphics, combined with a fitting soundtrack, contribute significantly to the game's unique identity and enjoyable experience.

    • “The graphics are charming, the enemy design is cute if not necessarily awe-inspiring, the level design ranges from meh to phenomenal (but never bad), and all in all it is a very, very solid game for what it is.”
    • “The graphics hit the ps1/n64 nostalgia bone perfectly and the movement takes the best from modern platformers.”
    • “The low poly graphics, texture and artwork, sound design, soundtrack, all conspire together to immerse you fully in your gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are one of the ugliest games I've played in years.”
    • “The graphics, while basic, have clearly been designed with love - the low-poly, low-resolution textures and models are charming and show real artistry.”
    • “The graphics took a little bit for me to really warm up to, but the early era nostalgia does kick in if you ever played back in the n64 ps1 era.”
  • gameplay840 mentions

    The gameplay of "Pseudoregalia" is characterized by its exceptional movement mechanics, which are often compared to classic titles like "Super Mario 64" and "Celeste." Players appreciate the fluidity and depth of the platforming, allowing for creative exploration and sequence breaking, although some find the level design confusing and the lack of a map frustrating. While the combat is generally seen as simplistic, the overall experience is enhanced by a charming aesthetic and engaging soundtrack, making it a memorable and enjoyable platforming adventure.

    • “The gameplay is great, platforming is just amazing, it feels great getting new power-ups and utilizing them to go to the areas you couldn't or unlock secrets.”
    • “The movement mechanics are very well done and a lot of the puzzles have multiple solutions, some cheesy and fun to discover.”
    • “Incredibly fluid movement mechanics with platforming challenges through exploration.”
    • “No map + no teleport + metroidvanian backtracking + indoor levels + insufficient landmarks -> 2 hours backtracking with no progress after 2 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Other than that, the game makes no effort whatsoever to even vaguely show you where you're supposed to go, hence the gameplay boils down to 'wander around aimlessly: the game'.”
    • “I think a few mechanics here would be worth re-examining if not outright trimming.”
  • story415 mentions

    The story in "Pseudoregalia" is largely minimal and vague, often leaving players to piece together its narrative through environmental cues and sparse dialogue. While some appreciate the atmospheric and abstract storytelling approach, many reviewers express a desire for a more coherent and fleshed-out plot, feeling that the game could benefit from additional narrative depth. Overall, the focus remains on gameplay and exploration rather than a strong narrative drive, which may leave story-driven players wanting more.

    • “The story is pretty vague but interesting, and I'd like to know more about what the hell is happening.”
    • “The theme of the game and its overall story, which you have to slowly figure out yourself, keep you hooked for quite a bit.”
    • “The story is simple and sweet, but it sports its fair share of complex undertones.”
    • “You are immediately thrown into this incoherent world with zero context, the sparse dialogue rarely making sense and the story suffering from a bad case of 'not there'.”
    • “Story is almost non-existent and there are pretty much no characters aside from little goat people with irrelevant dialogue.”
    • “The story is very very barebones, the combat is a bit of an afterthought, and the initially open doors leave the world very open, so some guidance in the early game (or a map) would help a lot.”
  • atmosphere236 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dreamlike, nostalgic quality, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and retro visuals reminiscent of N64 and PS1 aesthetics. Players appreciate the smooth movement mechanics that complement the exploration of uniquely designed environments, creating a sense of immersion and wonder. However, some critiques mention a lack of environmental storytelling and occasional feelings of emptiness in certain areas, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere, gameplay, art, design, music, the whole experience is wonderful.”
    • “The complete ensemble, delightful music, and atmosphere of a world that is familiar and yet alien.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing, music is really good, and the animations are masterpieces.”
    • “The castle does have an atmosphere of sorts, but there is no environmental storytelling, no sense of history, and no sense of place.”
    • “My only complaint is that the atmosphere is constantly dreary; it could've used some more color or sunlight to add eye candy to areas.”
    • “The empty, dreamlike atmosphere and total lack of direction make me feel like how I felt getting hopelessly lost in games as a kid.”
  • character development69 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its exceptional character design and animations, particularly highlighting the protagonist Sybil and her various outfits. Reviewers appreciate the charming and whimsical aesthetic, which evokes nostalgia for classic 3D platformers, while also noting the fluid movement mechanics that enhance gameplay. Overall, the character designs are described as memorable and visually appealing, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment.

    • “The character design is great, the maps are super cool, there's a good sense of humor without ruining your immersion, combat and movement are incredibly expansive and responsive, the soundtrack is on another level, progression is very balanced and linear while still allowing you to go out and do whatever.”
    • “The character design is also hugely memorable for quite a few reasons!”
    • “The music, aesthetics, and character design are stellar.”
    • “While there were some finicky parts that took me some time to figure out, I adore the style and the character design.”
    • “Also, if you find the character design a bit embarrassing, there's the option to give Sybil some cool poofy pants.”
    • “Forced lewd character design.”
  • replayability57 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, particularly due to its speedrunning potential, varied routes, and engaging movement mechanics. Players appreciate the compact design that encourages multiple playthroughs, enhanced by community mods like the randomizer. While some feel the game could benefit from additional content or features to further boost replay value, the overall consensus is that it offers a compelling and enjoyable experience that invites repeated exploration.

    • “This tiny little game, made in so little time and with only one person (to my knowledge) behind it, has managed to do what multi-million dollar companies haven't; be a truly compelling game with immense depth and endless replayability.”
    • “Pseudoregalia is a short but sweet experience that can be completed in a few hours, but it has a lot of replay value with different routes and secrets to discover.”
    • “Given the amount of alternate routes for the game, replayability and speedrunning potential is actually quite high.”
    • “While it doesn't really have any replayability and misses a couple of things I would've liked, I still highly recommend this game.”
    • “There's not much replayability other than speedrunning or 100% a save.”
    • “Again, no achievements or a 'hard mode' makes for little replayability.”
  • humor55 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky character designs, playful dialogue, and amusing mechanics, such as the option to give the main character pants, which serves as a humorous nod rather than a functional change. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and funny interactions with NPCs, contributing to an overall charming experience that enhances the gameplay without detracting from immersion. The blend of whimsical elements, including funny sound effects and character antics, creates a delightful atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “Somewhat hilariously, the accessibility option to give the character pants doesn't seem to do anything at all.”
    • “You can walk into an empty room with an NPC that says 'they stole all my furniture,' which is both very funny and a good way to have an empty connecting room so you could make the other rooms more detailed.”
    • “There's probably less than a page or two of writing in the whole game, but what's there has just the right amount of humor and charm to breathe life into the world.”
  • emotional33 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and heartfelt connections through its touching narrative and immersive soundtrack. Many reviewers express that the game unexpectedly moved them, with some even shedding tears due to its emotional depth and the joy of exploration reminiscent of classic platformers. While some felt the story could have been more impactful, the overall experience left a lasting impression, making it a standout title that rekindles the magic of childhood gaming.

    • “I legitimately welled up in tears a couple of times while playing just because of how good it felt to move, along with nostalgia hitting from the N64 era that comprised my childhood.”
    • “This game is something truly special. I say this with the most genuine and heartfelt honesty; this game is one of the absolute best games I have ever played in my entire life, and I have played a lot. I have nearly 500 games on Steam alone, and this is something that truly stands out. It is absolutely worth your time and money.”
    • “Overall, this game made me feel like I was a kid renting a cool N64/PSX game and just wanting to look for all the cool things I could find, so I highly recommend it.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to the lack of a map and fast travel options, which leads to excessive backtracking and navigation challenges. While some enjoy the freedom of exploration and dynamic movement, many express frustration with repetitive platforming and the need to revisit previously explored areas, making progression feel slow and cumbersome. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the potential for speedrunning and the engaging combat mechanics, though they note that certain encounters can also become tedious.

    • “There's no fluff, no padding, and no grinding, just straight skill-based 3D platforming.”
    • “The constant backtracking just became too tedious by the end.”
    • “This is a rare example of a modern metroidvania that is truly non-linear, yet it lacks both a map and any sort of fast travel system, and as a result it quickly gets tedious to get around and explore.”
    • “Without a map or compass of some sort, the exploration becomes tedious and frustrating.”
  • stability20 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and freezes, particularly on PC, while others report minor glitches and bugs that do not significantly hinder gameplay. Many users appreciate the charm and fun of the game despite its rough edges, noting that the ability to return to the last save point mitigates some issues. Overall, while there are notable stability concerns, particularly with controller support and occasional soft locks, many players find the game enjoyable and less buggy compared to other titles.

    • “Charming metroidvania with zero invisible walls, handholding, and next to no glitches.”
    • “Haven’t been this charmed by a game in a while; it runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Game runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Every time I try to play this game, it freezes or stutters and crashes shortly after. My PC is above the specs required, and I have no new updates available for my drivers. Please fix this; I really would like to play this game.”
    • “Despite seeing 95% of the reviews being about porn or sex, I thought I'd give it a try anyway, but it has irrecoverable freezes so often where the audio continues to play, and the process has to be killed in order to close it.”
    • “It is sometimes a little rough around the edges, and there were minor glitches on the playthrough (clipped through a wall and lost the sword/tonfa once, which forced a restart on the previous checkpoint).”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing minor performance issues and frame stuttering, while others report smooth gameplay with no noticeable bugs. Patches in beta have addressed some of these concerns, and players can improve performance by adjusting visual settings. Overall, while there are optimization challenges, many find the game enjoyable and well-designed.

    • “Runs smoothly and with minimal effort.”
    • “It's like the 3D Mario moveset optimized and expanded upon in the best ways possible.”
    • “By the end, Sybil can move extremely fast through levels, and the suite of movement options allows for player expression and optimization.”
    • “Performance is surprisingly low in places.”
    • “The performance of the game has a lot of variation but turning on the retro framerate and retro visual effect will potentially increase your fps.”
    • “My drivers are completely fine so I assume it's an optimization issue.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express frustration with the monetization strategies of AAA studios, criticizing them for prioritizing daily login incentives and battle passes over creating engaging gameplay experiences.

    • “It's games like these that make me wish AAA studios would go back to basics and learn how to make games instead of daily login vapid battle pass cash grabs.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
    • “I can't believe how much they charge for basic features that should be included in the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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