Rosenkreuzstilette Freudenstachel
- October 17, 2017
- [erka:es]
Get on SteamIn Rosenkreuzstilette Freudenstachel, play as Freudia Neuwahl, a Magus on a mission to save your best friend from an Imperial witch hunt. This 2D side-scrolling action game is the sequel to Rosenkreuzstilette, featuring a new story that follows the Holy Empire's crackdown on magic-users. Join the remaining resistance and navigate through various levels filled with challenging enemies and intense boss battles.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Freudenstachel is a solid homage to the Mega Man franchise, featuring challenging gameplay, fluid controls, and a great soundtrack.
- The game introduces new mechanics, such as a rapid-fire weapon with limited ammo, which adds a fresh twist to the classic formula.
- The character design and aesthetics are appealing, with charming anime-style graphics and engaging boss battles that require strategic thinking.
- The game can be excessively difficult, with some levels and bosses feeling unfairly punishing, leading to frustration for players.
- Many elements, including level design and boss patterns, feel recycled from the first game, which may disappoint players looking for more originality.
- The story and dialogue can be lengthy and convoluted, detracting from the overall experience for those who prefer straightforward gameplay.
- music24 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as excellent and fitting for the gameplay, while some feel it doesn't quite match the quality of the original. Highlights include specific themes that players found particularly enjoyable, though a few critics noted a decline in overall musical quality compared to its predecessor. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is splendid, the art has jumped in quality considerably, there's homages to some of the most frustrating parts of classic platforming not just in Muta's stage, but everywhere in the game.”
“Charismatic characters and a gorgeous soundtrack that will make you play this game for hours in a row without getting bored.”
“The original RKS has really good music, but this OST is wonderful and I loved many tracks after just one listen!”
“It also has worse music in my opinion - the original had excellent music but this one drops the ball.”
“The music is always completely fitting and it's great to listen to while playing.”
“If you're a fan of the first game's music, I'll have to say that the music in rksf is just as good.”
- story23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in this game is generally considered weak and often feels like a continuation from a previous title, leaving newcomers confused due to a lack of context. While some players found the plot to be more coherent than in the first game, many still viewed it as largely irrelevant to the overall experience, with lengthy dialogue that detracts from gameplay. Despite its shortcomings, a few players appreciated the deeper lore and character connections, though the narrative remains secondary to the gameplay itself.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“The plot also comes a little bit closer to taking center stage, and like the first game, I found myself surprised by how much I cared about what was going on.”
“The story here, while again having a lot of lore that doesn't really affect the course of the game much, was easier for me to follow than the first game.”
“Story could use a little work; I skipped most dialogue because it was a bit lengthy and used many words to explain very little.”
“There's a barebones story here that is mostly nonsense.”
“If you haven't played a Rosenkreuzstilette but you like classic Mega Man, you may want to play the first game before touching this just so that you have some context for who the characters are, because the plot on this one picks up directly from the other game and there's very little by way of recap.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic blend of Mega Man and Castlevania, featuring solid mechanics and a fair challenge that pays homage to classic platformers while introducing new elements, such as energy-based moves and swimming. While some level designs are derivative and include frustrating mechanics like disappearing blocks, the overall experience is engaging and rewarding for fans of the genre. Improvements from the previous title enhance the gameplay, making it a worthwhile sequel despite some spikes in difficulty.
“Gameplay's solid, has some great music, can be a little rage-inducing but it's worth it.”
“Amazing old-school platformer with a good challenge and memorable mechanics from yesterday.”
“And if you're a fan of classic platformers (and don't mind cute anime girls), there's really no reason to pass this little series up, as it is a fun, challenging but fair action title that perfectly captures the feeling of those games while still adding its own unique charm and smoother gameplay.”
“The gameplay is less tough overall than in the first game, but the same design choices (password-based save system, difficulties with building up a stockpile of lives, and a few places where the game spikes up to blisteringly hard) are in effect, and there are some stages where I'll have to spend an hour or so chewing on the keyboard until I've gotten adapted enough to the platforming and memorized enough of the boss' patterns to clear it.”
“The level design is pretty good in my opinion, although very derivative, and it does come with some less liked mechanics (like disappearing blocks and those godforsaken instakill lasers), but that's part of the homage I guess.”
“It's not a dealbreaker by any stretch, but introducing a typical movement mechanic in such an awkward fashion can turn some players off.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their detailed pixel art and well-rendered backgrounds, drawing comparisons to classic titles like Mega Man and Castlevania. While the animation and sprite work are highlighted positively, some players feel that the overall aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, particularly due to its high difficulty level. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm, despite some mixed opinions on their impact.
“I 100%ed this game as well as the prequel - and I don't regret it because the controls are fluid and the graphics and music are great.”
“The pixel graphics are nice and detailed, especially the sprites, but the background and environment are pretty good too.”
“Game aesthetics are just as brilliantly detailed as the first, as the backgrounds are very nicely rendered, and of course, I can't go on without mentioning how good the music is.”
“The graphics, animation, AI.”
“It's aesthetically underwhelming.”
“Its only drawbacks are the insane level of difficulty that could draw off potential players and the level of aesthetic grievances that could also turn some heads.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game offers infinite replayability, suggesting that players can enjoy it multiple times without losing interest. The length of the game also contributes positively to its replay value, allowing for varied experiences in each playthrough.
“The game is infinitely replayable, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
“The length and replayability of this game are impressive, keeping players engaged for hours.”
“Every time I play, I discover something new, making it a truly replayable experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply tied to its narrative continuity, as players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the characters and story from the previous installment, "Rosenkreuzstilette," to fully appreciate the emotional stakes and character development in the sequel. Without this context, newcomers may find it challenging to connect with the plot and its emotional nuances.
“The emotional depth of the characters really draws you in, making their struggles feel personal and relatable.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story; it tackles themes of loss and redemption in a way that resonates deeply.”
“The game masterfully blends gameplay with an emotional narrative, leaving a lasting impact long after you've finished playing.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through character dialogues that add personality and depth, making them more engaging than typical robot masters. Additionally, some interactions provide comedic relief, helping to alleviate stress after challenging boss fights.
“The dialogues give characters their own personality, making them much more interesting than your average robot master. Some interactions are also pretty funny and can help relieve your stress after a hard boss fight.”
“The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the dialogues, providing a refreshing break from the action and making the characters feel more relatable.”
“I love how the game balances intense moments with hilarious quips, keeping the experience light-hearted and enjoyable.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with the character design choices, suggesting that those who dislike these designs may want to reconsider playing.
“If you're the kind of person who dislikes certain character design choices, you might want to skip this game unless you're willing to give it a shot despite that.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
