Rotwood

About

Rotwood is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Klei Entertainment and was released on April 24, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Rotwood is a thrilling fighting game featuring rich combat mechanics and gear progression, where you and up to three friends battle corrupted beasts across seven unique locations. With both single-player and local co-op modes, it offers a fantastic atmosphere, phenomenal graphics, a compelling soundtrack, and amazing replayability. Prepare for challenging enemies, strategic battles, and a very funny, immersive experience.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,283 reviews

gameplay161 positive mentions

grinding123 negative mentions

The art style and animations are beautiful, creating a charming and immersive experience.
Gameplay is fun and engaging, especially in co-op mode, with a variety of weapons and combos to explore.
The game has a solid foundation with potential for future content and improvements, and the developers are responsive to community feedback.

The game can feel grindy, requiring players to replay levels multiple times to gather materials for upgrades.
Some weapons and power-ups feel underwhelming or lack variety, leading to repetitive gameplay.
Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially when transitioning between different levels and bosses.

gameplay
339 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The gameplay of the game has been widely praised for its fun mechanics, engaging combat, and cooperative elements, reminiscent of titles like "Castle Crashers" and "Cult of the Lamb." Players appreciate the smooth controls, diverse weapon mechanics, and the rewarding progression system, although some have noted that the gameplay can become repetitive over time and may require further polishing. Overall, the combination of charming art style and addictive gameplay loop makes it a compelling experience, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “The gameplay is incredibly fun, especially when I team up with other players to take on challenges.”
- “The progression feels good, customization feels good, solid gameplay variety, and the music and visuals are wonderful, highly recommend.”
- “Rotwood combines cooperative gameplay with creative crafting in a vibrant, whimsical world.”
- “The art styles in this game are undeniably beautiful and charming, but when it comes to gameplay, everything feels just too 'ordinary.' Every mechanic feels like a copy-paste from other roguelite dungeon crawlers, with nothing standing out as particularly unique or special.”
- “It's just a constant loop of, start a run, die, go back to camp, upgrade, start another run and try again, die, go back to camp, upgrade, start another run, die, go back to camp, repeat. I mean, I do play other games with this kind of gameplay, but something about this game just doesn't feel right; it wasn't fun.”
- “On the fence on rating this one, but wouldn't recommend it as is. Combat feels a bit too slow/unresponsive and the gameplay loop feels very grindy currently.”
graphics
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning, hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, which create an immersive and whimsical atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the unique charm and personality of the visuals, often comparing them favorably to other Klei titles. While the art direction is consistently praised, some players note that the gameplay mechanics may not always match the high visual standards, leading to a mixed overall experience.
- “The art style is stunning, and honestly, Klei just keeps proving why they’re my favorite studio out there.”
- “The art direction is one of the strongest points; I'm fascinated by the visual aesthetic.”
- “The game’s visuals are striking, with lush, hand-drawn foliage and detailed environments that create a vivid and inviting landscape.”
- “This game is pretty half-assed in every department but art style.”
- “What bothers me a bit is the already overused art style.”
- “The graphics are just weird.”
grinding
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many enjoy the sense of progression and the fun of upgrading gear through grinding, others find it tedious and repetitive, especially when it comes to farming materials and replaying levels. Overall, the game is considered grindy, but for those who appreciate this gameplay loop, it can be an engaging experience, particularly in multiplayer settings.
- “This game has probably some minor grind for gear, but otherwise is not very grindy and actually has pretty well-balanced difficulty. Whatever happened to me was indeed my fault and not the game's.”
- “I tried really hard to like it, but it's boring, fighting is clunky, and I don't understand the point of crafting and farming when gold and stores would be so much simpler.”
- “The game is also very grindy, and while for the most part it's fun, it can get very annoying.”
- “Do the same maps over and over for some crafting material so you can upgrade a weapon or armor piece; the gameplay loop is grindy and boring in itself.”
story
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
77%
6%
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and underdeveloped, with many players noting that it takes a backseat to gameplay mechanics and exploration. While some appreciate the organic storytelling through environmental cues, others find the narrative lacking depth and engagement, often describing it as simple and repetitive. However, there is optimism for future updates to enhance the story and lore, as players express interest in seeing how it evolves over time.
- “One of the game’s standout features is its open-ended narrative, which unfolds organically through environmental storytelling and player interaction rather than explicit dialogue or cutscenes.”
- “This storytelling style encourages curiosity and rewards thorough exploration, allowing the narrative to feel personal and immersive.”
- “Animation and graphics are great, the story, while minimal at first, grows as you get further, and more lore opens up to you.”
- “For me, the story and characters seem to be in the background.”
- “The story is quite simple: the world was dragged into chaos and the main character meets up with a bunch of other people that try to save the world – yeah that’s pretty much it.”
- “I still have no idea what the story is, why it's important, or why I should care.”
music
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
35%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting its charm, variety, and how well it complements the gameplay. While some feel that certain tracks could benefit from more cohesion or variety, the soundtrack is generally described as enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, contributing to its immersive qualities. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, alongside its impressive art style and engaging mechanics.
- “The soundtrack, minimalistic and often ambient, complements the game’s contemplative tone, allowing players to focus on the world around them and the quiet solitude of survival.”
- “Rotwood is a unique brawler with incredible style, fun combat and a great soundtrack.”
- “Overall though, great art style, good music, and rewarding combat makes this a great game.”
- “The only thing which I wouldn't exactly call negative, more like not on the same level with everything else, is the soundtrack.”
- “But admittedly, some of the music doesn't feel cohesive to the theme.”
- “The music could be better / have more variety, but it is serviceable.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
Overall, the game's replayability is generally viewed positively, with many players appreciating the promising progression systems, diverse gameplay experiences, and the potential for future content additions. While some users noted a lack of variation in runs and limited content currently, others highlighted the fun combat mechanics and the depth of weapon types, suggesting that replayability remains high, especially in multiplayer settings. However, a few reviews pointed out that the game could benefit from more content and build diversity to enhance long-term replay value.
- “Very fun, highly replayable with a great combat system.”
- “The game feels very balanced and has a lot of replay value because areas level up and become more challenging on the next encounter.”
- “While a bit light on content, it's very replayable as each weapon type has a lot of depth and variations to experiment with.”
- “My only warning is that as it stands right now, it lacks replay value, which is undesirable to the average roguelike enjoyer.”
- “You beat every biome on every difficulty level once, after that there is no reason to continue; there is no replayability because there is almost no variation between runs.”
- “At the moment I don't see any replay value.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky mechanics, funny character designs, and hilarious dialogues, making it a source of constant laughter, especially when playing with friends. Players enjoy the absurdity of gameplay elements, such as exploding rabbits and the ability to block attacks with a limp body after dying, contributing to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. However, some note that while the humor is strong, the game lacks depth, which can lead to frustration despite the comedic elements.
- “There's something about rescuing people and an ecological disaster or whatever, but you're here for getting funny synergies so you can make little rabbits explode into a literal red mist with your hammer.”
- “It was a hilarious yet rage-inducing conclusion to my experience with the game thus far.”
- “Feels like the devs thought everything through and had fun making it - the dialogues are hilarious!”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players reporting significant performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and bugs, particularly in high-demand areas like villages and combat rooms. While some users appreciate the visuals and express hope for future improvements, many find the current state unplayable and unbalanced, especially on lower-end devices. Overall, the optimization is seen as a major area needing attention before the game can reach its full potential.
- “Summary: it's simply an amazing coop game with spectacular visuals and performance.”
- “But to see all negative reviews I have to agree on a couple of things, I do think Klei will make the game better and more optimized in terms of grinding and the feeling of 'slow progression', I can't wait to see this game once it's released.”
- “Optimization (me and my friend have lag spikes with 120 fps+ going down to 60-)”
- “Optimization: even on a high-end rig, the game lags hard in village and entering combat rooms.”
- “The constant 'waiting for players' screens needs serious optimization.”
- “This game is good, but the optimization is really bad.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
18%
9%
The atmosphere in Rotwood is widely praised for its unique blend of eerie forest vibes and charming creature designs, creating a captivating and immersive experience. Players appreciate the game's artful presentation, rich sound design, and diverse environments that enhance the sense of exploration and solitude. Overall, the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the roguelike brawler genre.
- “Rotwood is a uniquely charming and atmospheric survival adventure game that invites players to explore a mysterious, overgrown world brimming with secrets, wildlife, and a palpable sense of solitude.”
- “From dense forests to tranquil streams and hidden ruins, every area feels alive and packed with atmosphere.”
- “The game's graphical style, characteristic of Klei, is very beautiful by default and creates a pleasant and unique atmosphere.”
- “It weirdly matches the game's visuals and atmosphere and completely mismatches the aggressive gameplay.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
55%
Overall, "stability" in Rotwood is generally praised, with players reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches, especially on the Steam Deck, where it runs at 60fps and 1080p. However, some users noted issues with controller support and minor bugs in the menu during co-op play. Despite these drawbacks, the game is considered polished and enjoyable.
- “Rotwood's a blast to play co-op; my partner and I play split screen on the TV using the Steam Deck, and it runs great at 60fps and 1080p.”
- “It runs great on the Steam Deck too.”
- “A fun beat 'em up that runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Didn't implement controller support properly; controller glitches in menus all the time.”
- “A few cons: the UX in the menu when two people are there is a bit buggy.”
- “It doesn't feel buggy and looks polished.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the character development in the game, highlighting its charming and distinctive character designs that enhance the overall experience. The combination of enjoyable aesthetics and a variety of weapons and armors contributes to a fun and engaging gameplay atmosphere, particularly in the context of its roguelike elements. Overall, the character design is seen as a standout feature that adds to the game's appeal.
- “The game, for an early access title, offers a lot of co-op fun and content, with many different weapons and armors to play around with. The character designs are nice, and it feels like an easy-going roguelike beat 'em up game with great animations.”
- “I really enjoy the character design and simple roguelite aspects of the game.”
- “The character design also strikes me as quite good; it's enjoyable, and the characters have distinctive features.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the game's emotional impact through its immersive hand-drawn art style and creative environments, such as the "truffle grounds" and "poison swamp." The challenging gameplay elements, like navigating hazardous areas, add to the overall experience, making it both engaging and memorable. Overall, players find the game to be a wholesome adventure that evokes a strong emotional connection.
- “Awesome wholesome game.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy has drawn criticism for limiting the co-op experience for players who disable data collection, forcing them into offline mode at launch. This has led to frustration among users who expected a fully functional multiplayer experience.
- “I have no doubts this game will have plenty of improvements; however, for me, the final straw that broke the camel's back was advertising the game as a co-op experience and then being met with the statement that 'players who disable data collection will only have access to play in offline mode' at the launch of the game.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it seems designed to push players into spending money rather than enjoying the game.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully enjoy the game without spending extra money.”