Ravenbound

56%
Game Brain Score Based on 465 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Ravenbound Game Cover
Ravenbound presents an intriguing world that simply doesn't live up to its potential. It's a decent enough adventure, but lacks the nuance needed to stand out.
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"Ravenbound" is a single-player, open-world fantasy action game with fast-paced, roguelite-style combat and permadeath. As a vessel to the Raven, you must battle corrupted creatures and rebuild the Raven's power to free imprisoned Gods and restore order to the island of Ávalt. Despite stunning visuals and compelling music, the game is reported to be quite grinding and buggy.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

56%
Audience ScoreBased on 465 reviews
gameplay46 positive mentions
stability18 negative mentions
  • Great graphics and polished world design with fantastic landscapes.
  • Fun gameplay mechanics and engaging combat that rewards skill and timing.
  • Unique card system allows for diverse builds and playstyles.
  • Game crashes frequently, disrupting gameplay and progress.
  • The hatred system punishes exploration, making it feel restrictive.
  • Lack of variety in enemy encounters and repetitive gameplay loop.
  • gameplay181 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ravenbound" features a mix of engaging combat mechanics and unique systems, such as the "hatred" mechanic that balances player progression with enemy difficulty. While many players appreciate the fluid combat and exploration elements, they also note issues with repetitiveness, lack of clear tutorials, and some mechanics feeling poorly integrated or frustrating. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further refinement to enhance the overall experience.

    • “Great gameplay and fun mechanics!”
    • “The mechanics are robust, offering challenges worthy of a warrior's skill.”
    • “Gameplay offers a unique blend of soulslike battles, roguelite progression, a deckbuilding equipment system, and an open-world environment.”
    • “The gameplay itself is very combat-centric and doesn't focus on much else besides.”
    • “Making things worse, the game mechanics discourage exploration: the more you loot slain enemies, the stronger mobs become.”
    • “The gameplay loop is super repetitive and gets old quickly.”
  • story72 mentions

    The story of "Ravenbound" draws heavily from Norse mythology, creating an atmospheric world that feels rich in lore, yet many players find it lacking in depth and engagement due to repetitive quests and limited interactions. While the main narrative provides a basic motivation for exploration, the overall quest structure and environmental storytelling fail to incentivize players to delve deeper into the game's lore, leading to a sense of emptiness in the world. Despite its compelling setting, the execution leaves much to be desired, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of diverse quests and meaningful character interactions.

    • “The lands are vast, and each vista tells a story, etched in the artistry of the ancients.”
    • “"Ravenbound" is a saga that captures the essence of Norse mythology and wraps it in a cloak of solid gameplay and storytelling.”
    • “Still, the story is compelling and the motivation for the player makes sense, which is more than most roguelites can say.”
    • “The story is like it was written by a 10-year-old who had a homework assignment for his literature class, and this is what he came up with before class started.”
    • “The world is so uninspired and boring that it's tedious to go out and explore and seek out the lore behind the story.”
    • “Overall, the game is not smooth, the graphics are okay, the combat is terrible, and the story is lacking.”
  • graphics61 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive a mixed reception, with many praising the stunning visuals, atmospheric design, and impressive landscapes that effectively capture the essence of its Norse-inspired world. However, some users report performance issues, including frame drops and graphical bugs, which detract from the overall experience. While the art style is generally well-received, concerns about optimization and execution persist, leading to a varied perception of the game's graphical quality.

    • “The graphics, while not at the forefront of modern sorcery, capture the essence of the Norse world in a way that would make Odin nod in approval.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with barely any frame drops.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and super vibrant; the world is quite expansive, so there is a lot to explore.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre at best.”
    • “Graphical bugs are an issue.”
    • “The game has terrible FPS, dropping to 20 FPS even with the lowest graphics set.”
  • optimization37 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly at higher resolutions like 4K, and during intense gameplay moments, leading to frame drops and crashes. While some users with mid-range systems have experienced smooth performance, others have encountered severe problems, including memory leaks and corrupted hard drives. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “Game is well optimized running 100+ frames day one.”
    • “Performance has been smooth.”
    • “I haven't had any crashes yet and performance seems great.”
    • “I just can't say it's ready to be played with how poorly optimized it is.”
    • “The performance seems to be atrocious (I go in depth on weird things like memory leak issues in the video in this review).”
    • “This game needs a lot more optimization so that won't happen to anyone else.”
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its haunting melodies and ability to enhance the atmosphere and tone. However, some users have noted issues with audio consistency, such as tracks not playing fully or disappearing altogether, which detracts from the overall experience. While the soundtrack is appreciated, there are suggestions for improvements in audio design and contextual music integration.

    • “The melodies of 'Ravenbound' are as haunting as a skald's song under the moonlit sky.”
    • “The soundtrack, infused with the spirit of the north, complements the saga perfectly.”
    • “I really love the music in this game; it sets the mood and ambiance.”
    • “Turn off the music.”
    • “If the game had a proper soundtrack, I think people would be more interested.”
    • “Can't even change the volume of the music while I'm stuck here not playing the game.”
  • stability23 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes, random freezes, and various glitches that significantly impact gameplay. While a portion of users report smooth performance without issues, many others describe the game as feeling more like an early access title due to its persistent bugs and instability. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, with recommendations to wait for further updates before diving in.

    • “Game runs great for me.”
    • “No freezes, stutters, or crashes.”
    • “It runs great on a normal PC; mine is far from good.”
    • “The freezes don't even stop what's happening entirely; quite a few times an enemy would prepare an attack --> game freeze --> instant hit when the game unfreezes.”
    • “This game is buggy; town NPCs will just vanish, music and other sounds stop at random times, game settings not sticking, items in the world won't be interactable, and most frustratingly of all, the game will randomly crash (this happened to me 4 times in the first 1.2 hours of playing, I lost count after that).”
    • “I could see this game being fun for someone who only cares about melee attacking for 20 hours straight, but the card system needs to be way more varied than 'your parry now freezes, or poisons, etc., or now you just have more health and more armor.'”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The grinding aspect in Ravenbound is a mixed bag; while some players find enjoyment in repeatedly battling bosses to master their mechanics and experimenting with different builds, many criticize the experience as tedious and repetitive. The game's hatred system limits grinding opportunities, leading to frustration as players feel punished for progressing, and the overall world design is described as uninspired, making exploration feel like a chore. Ultimately, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, turning what could be a rewarding experience into a tedious one.

    • “It doesn't make the boss difficult, it makes it wildly tedious and boring.”
    • “The hatred system is what is holding you back from farming, exploring, looting and, if I'm being dramatic, enjoying the game.”
    • “I'll say the same thing I said in my refund request - the game is just empty, boring and tedious.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning visuals and cinematic quality, effectively reflecting the story and enhancing the overall experience. While the open world may feel underutilized in terms of gameplay, it contributes to a sense of scale and immersion, complemented by impressive music that aligns with the game's tone. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, creating a captivating and engaging environment for players.

    • “The open world doesn't add much to the gameplay directly and feels under-exploited, but it does give the game atmosphere and a sense of scale, as well as some gorgeous visuals.”
    • “Very atmospheric game with stunning visuals.”
    • “The music is equally impressive and really complements the game's tone and atmosphere.”
    • “The open world doesn't add much to the gameplay directly and feels underexploited, but it does give the game atmosphere and a sense of scale, as well as some gorgeous visuals.”
    • “The story is easy to overlook, but the atmosphere and setting are well done.”
    • “The game looks very cinematic.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, players find the game to have good replayability due to its diverse item pool, enjoyable combat, and improved mechanics from updates. While some feel that limited end-game builds may restrict replay value, many believe that with the right engagement, players can easily exceed 30 hours of gameplay. The combination of an open world and varying difficulty levels contributes positively to the game's replayability.

    • “Worth mentioning the game is pretty short too, took me 14 hours to complete and from there it's just more of the same, although I feel like the game has a lot of replayability since it has a pretty decent item pool and the combat is good and fun.”
    • “Ravenbound has decent replayability, but the limited end game builds and certain mechanics might hold it back.”
    • “Although a little steep, I think with the replayability factor, players could easily get 30 hours and well more out of this game.”
    • “Worth mentioning the game is pretty short too; it took me 14 hours to complete, and from there it's just more of the same.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions regarding "Ravenbound," with some feeling frustration and self-doubt due to the game's challenges, while others remain hopeful for improvements. The emotional impact varies, as experienced players may not feel as intensely affected, but the overall sentiment leans towards a desire for a more satisfying gameplay experience.

    • “Instead, it felt frustrating and made me feel bad about myself as a player.”
    • “It is a little difficult, but I'm used to playing roguelike games and dying multiple times, so I don't get too upset and emotional about it.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as unintentional, stemming from the absurdity of its combat system and the ironic commentary in the crash reporter's message. Players find amusement in the discrepancies between the game's advertised features, like "partial controller support," and the actual experience, leading to a mix of frustration and laughter.

    • “By pressing the 'send report' button, I confirm that I am (unironically what the crash reporter says. Sorry, but this is just getting so ridiculous it's funny.)”
    • “Some say people are saying there are issues with this game that aren't really issues, such as funny controller support when if you look at the Steam page it literally says 'partial controller support.'”
  • character development2 mentions

    While the game's stunning visuals and detailed character designs are praised, many users express disappointment in the lack of meaningful character development, noting that progression is limited to earning legacy and unlocking bonuses for new characters without significant growth or depth.

    • “The character development in Ravenbound is incredibly deep, allowing players to form meaningful connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own unique backstory and growth arcs.”
    • “The interactions between characters are rich and engaging, making their development feel authentic and rewarding.”
    • “The lack of character development is disappointing; yes, you can earn legacy and unlock starting bonuses for your next character, but that's it.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving players wanting more depth and growth.”
    • “The progression system does not provide meaningful choices or changes to the characters, making it feel stagnant.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been criticized as unpolished and resembling a cash grab, leading to concerns about balance and overall quality. However, some users believe that recognizing the game as a living project rather than a mere cash grab could improve its reception over time.

    • “Unpolished... unbalanced... unfinished... cash grab!”
    • “People knowing it's a living creation, and not a cash grab will help tremendously in the days to come.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

59% average critic score

Buy Ravenbound

Play time

9hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
3-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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