Shardpunk
- April 13, 2023
- Retrovibe Games
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Shardpunk is a single-player Turn Based Strategy game with delightful mechanics, set in a unique steampunk Victorian atmosphere. Outrun relentless hordes, seek shelter, and manage resources to survive. Tactical gameplay and RPG elements combine for challenging decisions and gripping survival."
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging turn-based tactical gameplay that combines elements from XCOM and Darkest Dungeon, providing a satisfying challenge.
- Charming pixel art and a compelling atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Good variety of characters with unique abilities, allowing for different strategies and playstyles.
- Repetitive mission design and lack of enemy variety can lead to a feeling of sameness after a few runs.
- Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially when unexpected enemy spawns overwhelm the player.
- Limited meta-progression and unlocks tied to achievements may reduce replayability and long-term engagement.
- story330 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered basic and underdeveloped, with many players noting a lack of depth and character development. While the setting is intriguing, the plot feels sparse and repetitive, leading to diminished motivation for replaying the campaign. Players express a desire for more engaging narratives, varied mission objectives, and character interactions to enhance the overall experience.
“The story was neat and worked fine, but I felt like it could have leaned even more into the terrifying nature of the setting.”
“The artwork and storytelling are done extremely well.”
“This all backed by a simple yet compelling story, which grows as you progress.”
“The plot is thin despite the opportunity given to develop characters and the environment the game is set in.”
“There's a few cutscenes to tell the story, but the story feels sparse.”
“I recommend to anyone who likes strategy and tactics, but maybe not if you're story-focused, as the game only has a serviceable plot which doesn't really have anything to do with the game outside of the setting and world, which is at the very least intriguing.”
- gameplay296 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is heavily inspired by XCOM and Darkest Dungeon, featuring solid turn-based mechanics, resource management, and a mix of tactical elements that create a satisfying experience. While the game offers deep and dynamic gameplay with unique character abilities, some players noted issues with repetitiveness and a lack of complexity in mission design. Overall, it provides an engaging tactical RPG experience, particularly for fans of the genre, despite some criticisms regarding balance and variability.
“Gameplay is very deep, dynamic, and fun.”
“From the tightly executed XCOM-style gameplay to the carefully tuned progression and character balancing, this game will likely entertain both veterans and newcomers to the tactics genre.”
“The gameplay is addictive and very fun.”
“I am not a fan of rogue-lite mechanics, not a fan of never-ending enemy respawns, not a fan of non-rotatable isometric cameras, not a fan of repetitive map design, not a fan of dread and 'fear' mechanics, not a fan of a lot of the elements of this game.”
“Gameplay started to suffer from repetition fairly early on; other than the chapter finale missions, the objective is only ever to reach and unlock the safe house.”
“As you can expect, the gameplay is a bit too shallow and repetitive to compete with the XCOMs and similar games.”
- graphics146 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that resonates well with fans of tactical games like XCOM. While some players appreciate the aesthetic and find it immersive, others note that the low resolution can hinder gameplay clarity and readability. Overall, the visuals are seen as serviceable, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and character design, though they may not meet the expectations of those seeking high-resolution graphics.
“It is a beautiful blend of X-Com and Slay the Spire with great pixel visuals.”
“Great aesthetics, you can tell the developer really loved crafting the visual identity of this game.”
“The artwork is beautifully done, the mechanics are solid, each character feels unique, the enemy design is fun, sound and music are excellent, and the pace you unlock new stuff for your party is perfect.”
“Main problem is, probably because of the graphics, you can't tell easily what the lay of the battlefield is.”
“The graphics are pretty bad but most importantly: the fonts are hard to read, info is hard to get and overall the UI makes the game tedious.”
“A lot more could have been done with the art to put together a better atmosphere and aesthetic for the game.”
- music82 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its intensity and ability to enhance immersion, while others find it repetitive or subpar. Many players appreciate the atmospheric soundtrack that complements the gameplay, although a few note that the battle music can become monotonous. Overall, the sound design and music contribute significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact, despite some criticisms regarding variety and specific sound choices.
“The music and sounds along with the visuals provide an amazing atmosphere, where I'm able to immerse myself in the world to enjoy it.”
“Great game play and the soundtrack is perfect for setting the mood of the game.”
“The intense music really enhances the experience and sends the good stress hormones through the roof.”
“The only downside is the music.”
“I found the 'percussion' sound for music in tense scenes incredibly annoying.”
“Sure, Shardpunk: Verminfall's music is repetitive loops, sprites are ok-ish, but damn, its gameplay is top notch!”
- replayability72 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while players appreciate the variety of unlockable characters and skills that encourage multiple runs, many feel that the linear settings and repetitive gameplay diminish long-term engagement. Some reviewers noted that despite the initial excitement, the lack of new areas and the length of runs can lead to fatigue, making it less appealing for repeated playthroughs. Overall, it offers decent replay value, particularly for those who enjoy experimenting with different character combinations and playstyles.
“Lots of replay value after you unlock new skills and try different roster combinations.”
“Despite its rather short campaign (about 5-6 hours on normal difficulty), the wide variety of characters, skills, tactics, quirks, campaign map, and overall types of playstyles give it so much more replayability!”
“The game offers a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience, with a high level of replayability.”
“My only complaint is there isn't much replayability.”
“Since shardpunk doesn't last very long, gets repetitive fast and doesn't really have the replay value it should, I'd say you shouldn't pay more than $5 for it.”
“There is not much replay value, and maps are very linear.”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and strong sound design that create a sense of tension and engagement, particularly during combat. The art style, especially the pixel art, contributes significantly to the overall vibe, although some reviewers feel there is room for improvement in the aesthetic execution. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a modern yet nostalgic atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the experience.
“The music and sounds along with the visuals provide an amazing atmosphere, where I'm able to immerse myself in the world to enjoy it.”
“This is complimented by an excellent soundscape and a banger OST, which creates a wonderful atmosphere of perpetual tension — which really comes to the forefront in the lulls between combat encounters.”
“A lot more could have been done with the art to put together a better atmosphere and aesthetic for the game.”
“It's a pure gameplay experience with no drawn-out cutscenes or dialogue, just atmosphere and turn-based tactical combat.”
“The atmosphere is consistently intense and captivating.”
- stability6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly and is less buggy than X-COM, allowing players to confidently engage in Ironman mode. Overall, users report a reliable and enjoyable gaming experience.
“Runs great on the Steam Deck and is a fun game.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“It's less buggy than XCOM, so you can safely play Ironman.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game has received mixed feedback regarding optimization; while it runs smoothly without crashes and is praised for its overall performance, some users note that controls require improvement, particularly on the Steam Deck.
“Absolutely lovely XCOM-lite game that is wonderfully optimized.”
“Absolutely lovely XCOM-lite game that is wonderfully optimized.”
“It's also just... not optimized.”
“It's also just... not optimized.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as dark and frustrating, with some players expressing a desire for more straightforward mechanics rather than hidden complexities. Overall, the comedic elements may not resonate well with everyone, as they lean towards a bleak tone.
“This game is darker than a black hole's sense of humor.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in games inspired by XCOM can often detract from the experience due to unnecessary complexity, such as tedious inventory management or overly simplified mechanics. Players suggest that expectations play a crucial role; if approached with the right mindset, the grinding aspect may not be viewed negatively.
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is enhanced by well-designed character aesthetics and engaging mission layouts that introduce unique events, prompting players to adapt their strategies. The combination of good music and thoughtful design elements contributes to a more immersive experience.
