REKA

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,140 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

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,140 reviews
story156 positive mentions
optimization22 negative mentions
  • The game has a charming atmosphere with beautiful graphics and music, perfect for a cozy experience.
  • Building and decorating the chicken hut is fun and offers a lot of customization options.
  • The story, while currently short, is engaging and draws from Slavic folklore, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The game is still in early access and currently lacks substantial content, with only a few hours of gameplay available.
  • There are several bugs and performance issues, including crashes and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
  • The building mechanics can be clunky and unintuitive, making it frustrating to create the desired designs.
  • story646 mentions

    The game's story is currently limited, consisting of only a few chapters that can be completed in a few hours, after which players transition to a sandbox mode. While the narrative is described as charming and engaging, drawing from Slavic folklore, many players express a desire for more content and depth, as the available quests often feel repetitive and lack clear direction. Overall, the story shows promise but requires further development to fully realize its potential.

    • “I love the storytelling and the world building in the game.”
    • “The story and world are rich, and the house building and customization is wonderful.”
    • “The story is interesting, the characters are charming, and the graphics are beautiful.”
    • “The story itself isn't compelling enough (it's more like a context, background - no main character motivation, no real mystery, just go through the motions and restore land's balance) to motivate someone to play, so I feel like the game will just start feeling repetitive or not have any point after building a house one likes.”
    • “The story is short so far, but despite that, I've been playing every day due to exploration.”
    • “After the first story location and tutorial, there is nothing more to discover.”
  • graphics223 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the charming and unique art style that evokes a cozy, witchy atmosphere inspired by Slavic folklore. However, several users noted performance issues, including bugs, low frame rates, and optimization problems, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the visuals are generally described as beautiful and immersive, contributing positively to the game's enchanting vibe.

    • “Beautiful and charming graphics that bring Slavic folklore to life in a magical way.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and the story relies on rich, Slavic mythology.”
    • “The graphics, while not disastrous, are uncomfortable.”
    • “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.”
    • “What is there is obviously still in an early access state, so expect bugs, not optimized frame rate, rough models and animation (I'm not talking about the art style, I should mention, it is purposefully artsy, more models that look like they are placeholders or not completely done or behave weirdly) and so on.”
    • “Graphics could use some work; it does strain the eyes after a while.”
  • gameplay178 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its cozy and relaxing mechanics, particularly in house building and customization, which many players find enjoyable despite some clunky controls and performance issues. While the core gameplay loop is engaging, it tends to become repetitive after completing the main story quests, and players express a desire for more content and improvements in mechanics. Overall, the game shows promise with its unique art style and intuitive mechanics, but it requires further development to enhance the overall experience.

    • “Great game with interesting mechanics, nice & relaxing, and you set your own pace.”
    • “Beautiful game dripping with style, fulfilling build system with oodles of decorative pieces to place, and fun gameplay loop of exploration and questing.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and figuring out what to do or where to go is just challenging enough to keep things interesting and engaging.”
    • “Gameplay gets repetitive after the story quests are finished.”
    • “Id wait for more content to be put in to the game in later updates, you'll reach into a repetitive gameplay loop within 12 hours.”
    • “The building mechanics have been a bit of a headache for me too.”
  • music123 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with soothing melodies that complement the visuals and gameplay. Many players appreciate the integration of folklore elements into the soundtrack, creating a magical ambiance that immerses them in the game world. However, some users noted occasional silence during gameplay, expressing a desire for more consistent musical moments to maintain the enchanting atmosphere.

    • “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, the art design is gorgeous, and the atmosphere is perfect.”
    • “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.”
    • “Only other real complaint is-- I wish there was more music, or music that played more regularly.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere117 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its enchanting blend of cozy, witchy, and slightly spooky elements, enhanced by beautiful graphics and an immersive soundtrack. Players appreciate the thoughtful design and attention to detail that create a magical ambiance, making exploration and house-building enjoyable experiences. Despite some technical issues, the overall atmosphere captivates players, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing yet intriguing gaming experience.

    • “The atmosphere and aesthetics are right up my alley, though -- very witchy, cottagey, a bit gothic, and just in general pretty.”
    • “Beautiful areas to explore, appealing audio, and the game atmosphere really captures a magical ambiance throughout the world.”
    • “The witchy elements of the game, combined with a narrative that draws on the contrast between light and darkness, create a magical atmosphere that is both relaxing and thought-provoking.”
    • “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.”
    • “At times, Reka creates an atmosphere that feels bleak, cold, and sometimes a little spooky.”
    • “The atmosphere is there, but the actual substance of the game is not.”
  • optimization75 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and overheating even on high-end systems. While some acknowledge the game's potential and the developers' commitment to improving performance, the consensus is that it currently feels unpolished and requires substantial optimization before it can be fully enjoyed. Players are advised to wait for updates addressing these issues before purchasing.

    • “I would recommend this game now in early access; it will be incredible once it is finished and optimized.”
    • “Optimization is a concern, but the developers are aware and working on improving it.”
    • “Definitely some optimization to be done, but they've acknowledged that and are working on it.”
    • “Performance is pretty bad, but the gameplay and story are pretty solid.”
    • “Unfortunately, optimization is not the strong point of this game and on my TUF Gaming F15 Intel i9 laptop with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, the temperature rises to 86 degrees, although in other games the temperature does not exceed 75.”
    • “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.”
  • stability62 mentions

    The game is currently experiencing significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches reported by players, which is expected for an early access title. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others have encountered game-breaking glitches that hinder progress. Overall, while the potential is recognized, many recommend waiting for further updates to address the stability concerns.

    • “There could be a good game here, but it is just too buggy.”
    • “It is early access right now, I found it to be quite buggy after the most recent update in particular (some things which made it so I cannot advance such as inability to interact with quest characters and items/characters floating in the air, confusing landscapes and items being generated in obviously wrong places but I am sure they will fix that).”
    • “Unfortunately, this game is very buggy with me getting into broken menus or glitches that require the game to be closed and reopened to fix.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the lack of tedious grinding in quest progression and resource gathering, others feel that building mechanics can be clunky and repetitive, leading to a sense of tedium. However, many enjoy the cozy atmosphere and the balance of exploration and crafting, making the grinding feel less burdensome.

    • “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.”
    • “The building options are endless, but the actual building functions are frustrating and tedious.”
    • “I'm currently just grinding trying to get all of the decorations so I can keep building.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • 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 heartwarming 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.”
  • 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 unconventional ways, contribute to a whimsical atmosphere that resonates with fans of Slavic folklore. Overall, the humor is seen as a comforting and integral part of the gameplay experience.

    • “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.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by strong character designs, particularly the engaging portrayal of Baba Yaga, who is appreciated for her sassy personality. While some players desire more customization options and find certain design elements inconsistent with the fairy tale theme, the overall atmosphere and artistic presentation are praised for their beauty and depth.

    • “Baba Yaga's character design and dialogue are great - I love an old sassy witch.”
    • “The character design is nice, and it would be fun to have more options, like attaching more than one tattoo.”
    • “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.”
  • 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.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players express a desire to revisit the game in the future, indicating that their opinions may evolve as the game's playability improves, suggesting potential for increased replayability once updates are implemented.

    • “I'm excited to see how my opinion changes when the game is in a bit more playable state.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
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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