Reverse Crawl
- September 24, 2015
- Nerdook Productions
- 5h median play time
In "Reverse Crawl" , you lead dungeon monsters in tactical turn-based combat against heroes, with a dynamic campaign and branching storyline. Experience a fresh perspective in RPG as you unlock new minions, traits, and powers based on your choices. This game boasts unique artwork, coding, and animation by a single developer.
Reviews
- Fun and engaging turn-based combat with a variety of units and abilities.
- Charming art style and humorous storyline that adds to the overall experience.
- Decent replayability with branching choices and New Game+ mode.
- Misleading title and description; you are not actually the dungeon.
- Short gameplay length, typically around 3-4 hours, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Some balance issues in late-game combat, making it feel too easy with certain unit combinations.
- story178 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as light-hearted and humorous, featuring a simple yet engaging narrative that allows for multiple playthroughs due to branching paths and impactful choices. While some players find the plot to be somewhat shallow or reminiscent of other titles, the unique perspective of playing as an antagonist and the comedic elements add charm and replayability. Overall, the story serves as a fun backdrop to the gameplay, enhancing the experience without overshadowing it.
“Each time you venture into the abyss, you encounter a distinct narrative, a one-of-a-kind fusion of unexpected surprises and intricate plot twists that continuously captivate your attention.”
“There are no identical journeys, and the branching storyline entices your curiosity, resembling an enigmatic puzzle that eagerly awaits your unraveling.”
“The storyline is silly and charming and certainly kept me entertained and amused despite being so short and fairly surface level.”
“The story is almost non-existent, but it's not a big deal for a 3-hour game.”
“The story is really stupid, like a cheaply made anime, but it does not matter and fits the design and atmosphere of the game.”
“The story is cute but rather shallow.”
- gameplay93 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a straightforward yet engaging combat system that offers enough depth to keep players interested through multiple playthroughs. While some players find the mechanics simple and lacking in complexity, others appreciate the variety of character types and impactful choices that enhance the tactical experience. Overall, the game delivers a polished and enjoyable experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking more intricate gameplay mechanics.
“There's a fun combat system going on, and the gameplay loop is straightforward.”
“You can replay for different endings (the choices appear to be both story-wise and mechanically impactful), do new-game+ to carry over some customizations from your first playthrough with some added challenge to balance it, or do an endless dungeon mode where you keep fighting and leveling up to flesh out the upgrade tree.”
“The gameplay is fun and engaging, and the story is pretty good too.”
“There is no gameplay element that makes this feel at all like 'you are the dungeon.' This is a very false claim.”
“The combat mechanics are quite okay, but it drags along too slowly and with too many rules and thrown-in mechanics that don't need to be there.”
“Besides the grainy, poorly scaled graphics that look like a flash game, the actual gameplay is dull and forgettable.”
- replayability62 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game offers decent to high replayability, primarily due to its branching storylines, multiple choices, and various upgrade options that encourage players to explore different strategies and outcomes. While some reviews note that the game is relatively short, features like new game plus and endless modes enhance its replay value, making it worthwhile for players seeking to experience all it has to offer. Overall, players can expect a fun, engaging experience with enough variety to warrant multiple playthroughs.
“The fact that you don't have time to try all the missions (or what they unlock) the first time around also gives a lot of replayability to the experience, especially with the usual new game+ and endless modes available after you complete the game.”
“There is no way to experience everything in a single run, a factor that opens up substantial replay value even after finishing the game the first time.”
“The game has a good deal of replayability, and an endless mode for after you have beaten the game.”
“There is no way to experience everything in a single run, a factor that opens up to substantial replay value even after finishing the game the first time.”
“The fact that you don't have time to try all the missions (or what they unlock) the first time around also gives a lot of replayability to the experience if that's your cup of tea with the usual new game+ and endless modes available after you complete the game.”
“It's not going to stick around long, while there is some replayability, it's too simple at the surface, and the game isn't too complicated in the end.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simple, cartoonish art style that some players find charming and functional, while others consider it lackluster or reminiscent of flash games. Despite mixed opinions on the visual quality, many appreciate the unique aesthetic and its alignment with the game's themes, noting that the graphics do not detract from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the visuals are described as cute and adequate, contributing positively to the game's appeal, especially for those who enjoy indie titles.
“The graphics are adorable, the interface is fluid, intuitive, and clear, and the gameplay has a good amount of depth although it's true that there are some minor balance issues between different minion groups.”
“The graphics are cute, the music is surprisingly epic, and the story is engaging enough.”
“The art style is pretty cute, and the main characters are generally likeable.”
“I'm fine with simple indie visuals, but this game looks downright ugly.”
“Besides the grainy, poorly scaled graphics that look like a flash game, the actual gameplay is dull and forgettable.”
“Technical aspects: the graphics are nothing special, 720p stretched out and locked at 30fps but it isn't too big of a deal considering the kind of game it is.”
- humor23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a light-hearted, whimsical tone, often reminiscent of mid-2000s flash games, with a mix of parody and charming dialogue that adds to its entertainment value. While some jokes may feel forgettable, the overall writing is sharp and engaging, complemented by cute art and funny characters. The game encourages replayability through multiple endings and meaningful choices, making it a delightful experience for players seeking a humorous and enjoyable narrative.
“It's a daring twist that injects a refreshing dose of humor and unpredictability into the genre.”
“The writing is sharp and funny, and the gameplay is interesting.”
“The humorous style and fairly light-hearted plot fit this time window nicely, and it's a nice game to finish in a single sitting on a day off.”
- music19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many reviewers praising its epic quality and whimsical nature, which enhances the overall experience. However, some players noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's charm despite some minor drawbacks.
“The art and soundtrack really add to make this an enjoyable hidden gem.”
“The graphics are cute, the music is surprisingly epic, and the story is engaging enough.”
“Art style and music are great; the sound effects and the way they sync with the gameplay make it hypnotically fun.”
“The music does get repetitive after a while, even if I wasn't necessarily expecting that much out of it.”
“In general, art, music, story, all were decent but nothing special in my opinion.”
“Options are also limited, only toggles for fullscreen, SFX, and music.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game vary, with some players noting that no grinding is needed for progression, while others mention a significant amount of grinding required, describing it as tedious. Overall, the combat is seen as clicky with some tactical depth, but the experience can feel repetitive and drawn out for those who engage in grinding.
“Decent grinding.”
“A lot of grinding.”
“Your life-time of grinding.”
“Pretty tedious clicky combat with a bit of tactical depth, but I'm four hours in and almost done.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as fun and engaging, complementing the gameplay despite its brevity. While the story is criticized for being simplistic and reminiscent of low-quality anime, it aligns well with the overall design and contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The gameplay is so fun, and the atmosphere really enhances the experience, even if it's a bit short.”
“The story may be silly, reminiscent of a cheaply made anime, but it complements the design and atmosphere of the game perfectly.”
“The story is really stupid, like that of a cheaply made anime, but it does not matter and fits the design and atmosphere of the game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users praise it as a polished indie title with no bugs or glitches, some report significant issues, including game freezes that require a restart to continue playing.
“A polished indie game with no bugs or glitches, offering fluid and easy controls.”
“The game runs smoothly without any technical issues, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate the stability; it allows me to focus on gameplay without distractions.”
“It freezes the game and you're forced to shut it down to play again.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is enhanced by meaningful details, such as visual changes that reflect player choices, like a creature wielding a life-stealing scythe after a quest upgrade. This level of customization adds depth and personal investment to the characters.
“I love how the little details are appreciated in character development. For example, I selected a quest upgrade for a particular creature to have a life-stealing scythe, and its character design changed to carry a scythe.”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each character feel unique and relatable as they grow throughout the story.”
“The choices you make truly impact character development, allowing for a personalized experience that makes you feel invested in their journeys.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I was disappointed by the limited choices in character customization; it feels like the game doesn't allow for true individuality.”
“The story arcs for the characters are predictable and fail to evolve, leaving me feeling uninvested in their journeys.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's advertising is misleading, suggesting that the monetization strategy may not align with player expectations or experiences.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
“The constant barrage of ads and in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, noting the transformation of the character into a smiling undead figure that evokes a unique blend of humor and sentimentality. This creative choice enhances the overall emotional experience, allowing for a connection with the character's journey.
“They changed the sprites to make you an undead - yet smiling and quite emotional - ghost or zombie or something.”