REKA

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,278 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
REKA Game Cover
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"Reka" is a single-player exploration game with building and crafting elements, where you play as an apprentice to Baba Jaga, learning witchcraft and customizing your own chicken-legged cottage. The game features a compelling story, atmospheric graphics, and an engaging soundtrack, but suffers from optimization issues, grinding, and bugs. In this enchanting journey, you'll discover a diverse world, solve quests, forage for ingredients, and uncover secrets to harness the power of nature and spirits.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,278 reviews
story178 positive mentions
optimization28 negative mentions
  • The game has a charming atmosphere with beautiful graphics and a captivating soundtrack.
  • Building and decorating the chicken house is a fun and engaging experience.
  • The incorporation of Slavic folklore adds depth and uniqueness to the story.
  • The game is currently very short, with only a few hours of content available.
  • There are numerous bugs and performance issues that hinder gameplay.
  • The character customization options are limited, and some mechanics feel clunky.
  • story752 mentions

    The game's story, while charming and rooted in Slavic folklore, is currently limited, consisting of only a few hours of content before transitioning into a sandbox mode. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and character interactions, but many express disappointment over the brevity and repetitiveness of quests, as well as various bugs affecting quest progression. Overall, there is optimism for future updates to expand the story and enhance gameplay, but as it stands, the narrative feels incomplete and underdeveloped.

    • “The story is beautifully told, and I am looking forward to seeing how this game will progress, grow, and improve down the line.”
    • “The devs' decision to source their material from Slavic folklore is a win, and generates a compelling atmosphere in which the story is set.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, art style, the quests, and story so far are just so immersive.”
    • “The story at this point is almost non-existent; you start as you are, with no idea why you are there, who you are, or why you work with/for a witch.”
    • “The main story is not currently finished; looking forward to seeing where it goes.”
    • “The story portion of the current game is fairly short, but more content is planned in future updates, which the game makes clear once you complete the story.”
  • graphics263 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the charming art style and atmospheric visuals that evoke a cozy, witchy aesthetic. However, several users have noted significant optimization issues, leading to performance problems and graphical glitches, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are often described as beautiful and fitting for the game's theme, there is a consensus that improvements are needed to enhance performance and reduce bugs.

    • “Reka is definitely graphically and atmospherically the most beautiful game I have ever played in several decades.”
    • “Beautiful and charming graphics that bring Slavic folklore to life in a magical way.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and original.”
    • “Optimization is a joke, playing on RTX 4080 Ti super raises the temperature by 20 degrees and the graphics are like from 10 years ago.”
    • “The game is so poorly optimized at the moment that my RTX 3060 Ti is maxing out at 97% on mid graphics and at 87% on low graphics.”
    • “There are several graphical and clipping bugs.”
  • gameplay202 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has been praised for its cozy atmosphere, intuitive building mechanics, and engaging crafting elements, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate a laid-back experience. However, many users have reported significant bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience, particularly with building mechanics and performance issues. While the core gameplay loop is fun and offers potential for future content, players recommend waiting for further updates to address these issues before fully diving in.

    • “Although it's early access, Reka's potential and existing gameplay shine through the roof already; everything feels as if it's been made with the utmost care.”
    • “The gameplay and atmosphere are addicting.”
    • “The balance between crafting, exploration, and the occasional task for Baba Jaga keeps the gameplay engaging without becoming overwhelming.”
    • “For now it's a nice concept, but a lot of bugs sadly destroyed my gameplay. I already reported them and I guess they will be addressed in the future.”
    • “The roof building mechanics are very simple but clunky because trying to angle the camera and rotate the tile so you can get the tall, pointed roof is more tedious than it sounds.”
    • “Gameplay occasionally feels a little clunky and it could use some optimization, but I love the bones of what is here.”
  • music137 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall immersive experience with a relaxing and enchanting vibe. Many players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the visuals and gameplay, creating a cozy and magical ambiance, although some note occasional silence during gameplay that disrupts the flow. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music is beyond perfection, and the entire game is steeped in folklore and ancient magic.”
    • “The atmosphere, writing, and music are all perfect (I should have gotten the deluxe edition with the soundtrack!).”
    • “The music is beautiful, I spent hours customizing my house, and I liked having the freedom to edit my character at will.”
    • “No real rhyme or reason for music changes.”
    • “I didn't expect it to have voices yet or variations in the characters outside of Baba, so that's fine, but barely any music occurred, barely any sound effects occurred, wild glitches happened numerous times, and the game stops after you have been to two places.”
    • “It felt like there was a lot of 'dead air' in that there's a lot of the game that just doesn't have music and is really very quiet, for a game that takes place outside in nature.”
  • atmosphere133 mentions

    The atmosphere of Reka is widely praised for its stunning visuals, enchanting music, and a unique blend of cozy and eerie elements that create an immersive experience. Players appreciate the game's witchy, autumnal aesthetic, which draws on Slavic folklore, making it perfect for those seeking a relaxing yet mysterious environment. Despite some technical issues, the overall ambiance and attention to detail contribute to a captivating and enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “The setting and atmosphere: the aesthetic of the game is deliciously spooky and eerie, while also being charming.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is awesome; it's spooky but cozy.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, art style, the quests, and story so far are just so immersive.”
    • “Even if it does contribute to the vibe of the game, sadly the way it's done, with the foggy atmosphere, makes things blurry or completely obscured if not in the light.”
    • “The atmosphere is there, but the actual substance of the game is not.”
    • “At times, Reka creates an atmosphere that feels bleak, cold, and sometimes a little spooky.”
  • optimization95 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low framerates and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some users express hope for future patches to improve performance, the current state is described as "abysmal" and "poorly optimized," leading to frustration among players. Many recommend waiting for further updates before fully engaging with the game, as it still feels like an early access title in need of substantial optimization work.

    • “The game looks amazing, but the performance issues were too much to ignore.”
    • “Optimization is a concern but the developers are aware and working on improving it.”
    • “So I've been excited for this game for a while, and apart from some mild performance issues that I'm sure will be addressed in time, this game has exceeded my expectations, and we're just in early access.”
    • “Framerate is very low, even on a high-performance gaming computer.”
    • “The optimization is terrible but they're working on patching it soon!!”
    • “Performance issues on a high-end system, mouse movement 'stutters' when I try to look around, making me motion sick.”
  • stability83 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting it as "extremely buggy" and "glitchy," often rendering it unplayable at times. While some players appreciate the game's concept and potential, they express frustration over frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay, particularly in quest progression and navigation. As it is currently in early access, many reviewers acknowledge the bugs as expected but hope for improvements in future updates.

    • “It's too buggy to even play properly; with the knowledge I have right now, I wouldn't have purchased it.”
    • “This is a buggy mess that is unplayable past a certain point, and I wish I could get a refund.”
    • “The saving system is buggy, and does not let you know when the save is complete and does not save your progress where you truly are, and some of the quests glitched out on me.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some find the farming and gathering enjoyable and not overly tedious, others feel that certain building mechanics can be clunky and repetitive, leading to a sense of grind. The game is praised for its cozy atmosphere and engaging quests, but some players note that extensive grinding may be necessary for those looking to fully explore crafting and decoration options.

    • “I'm usually not a huge fan of games where you get to build your base and whatnot because I'm not very creative, but this was a lot of fun building a house and it's not grindy at all, which is nice.”
    • “Not tedious, and it doesn't corner you into a path as far as I've seen.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The building options are endless, but the actual building functions are frustrating and tedious.”
    • “Building the house feels tedious.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its appreciation for culture and ancestry, which evokes feelings of nostalgia and warmth. The blend of wholesome and eerie elements creates a unique atmosphere that resonates with personal experiences, making it a heartfelt and immersive journey. Overall, the game successfully captures a cozy yet haunting vibe, leaving players eager for more.

    • “There aren't that many things out there appreciative of my culture and my ancestry, so this game has made me feel like a happy little girl :')”
    • “On a more personal level, it felt heartwarming to find some decorations very reminiscent of what I saw in my great grandparents' house while growing up.”
    • “I don't know how they managed to make the game so eerie, cozy, wholesome, and yet off-putting all in one go, yet they have somehow achieved this.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with praise for the art direction and character design, particularly the unique and engaging designs like Baba Yaga. However, some players express a desire for more customization options, such as additional tattoos and costume changes, while noting that certain design elements feel inconsistent with the overall fairy tale aesthetic. Overall, while the character design is appreciated, there are calls for improvements in customization and variety.

    • “The art direction and character design is great, and I'll be really happy when you can change costumes in-game.”
    • “Baba Yaga's character design and dialogue are great - I love an old sassy witch.”
    • “It is not perfect; there are bugs, and building can be a little awkward... however, Reka is incredibly atmospheric, with beautiful graphics, music, character design, world design, writing, lighting, and physics.”
    • “I understand that the graphics are meant to resemble a fairy tale, but certain aspects, like the character design, just feel off.”
    • “The character design (though limited for now) would benefit from more options, such as weight variations for different body types.”
    • “It would be nice to be able to attach more than one tattoo to the character design.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of lightheartedness and dark themes, with players enjoying quirky glitches that often add to the comedic experience. Characters, like Reka the witch, provide amusing interactions, while the dialogue and scenarios, such as encountering doubled characters or navigating the environment in unexpected ways, contribute to a whimsical and entertaining atmosphere. Overall, the humor resonates well with players, enhancing their enjoyment of the game's exploration and storytelling elements.

    • “Reka is a witch in a blend of seriousness and lighthearted humor with a touch of the occult and horror thrown in.”
    • “A funny detail, but I love how lady-of-the-lake and creepy I feel when I avoid the bridges and just walk straight through the river to my next destination, slowly rising from the depths.”
    • “I had an admittedly humorous experience as well where I went to meet a woman in the woods at the close of a quest and there were two of her, her (their?) combined appendages making her look as if she may have had a harrowing encounter with Baba Yaga on the way to the rendezvous.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, requiring significant patience to unlock advertised designs, which can be frustrating for players aiming for more complex creations.

    • “Avoid the cash grab.”
    • “Needless to say, this game is a cash grab.”
    • “If you plan on making simple designs, it's not that frustrating, but to get to the designs advertised in the ads, you must be armed with a lot of patience.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users express that the game has potential for increased replayability, particularly as they anticipate how their experiences and opinions may evolve once the game reaches a more polished state.

    • “The game offers a lot of replayability, keeping me engaged with new experiences each time.”
    • “I'm excited to see how my opinion changes when the game is in a more polished state, as I believe it will enhance replayability.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes adds significant replay value to the game.”
    • “Would add some replayability to the game as well.”
    • “I'm excited to see how my opinion changes when the game is in a more playable state.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
3-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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