Siralim Ultimate
- December 3, 2021
- Thylacine Studios
- 35h median play time
"Siralim Ultimate" is a monster taming RPG where players collect and breed creatures to fight in tactical battles. With hundreds of creatures, vast amounts of customization, and challenging gameplay, it offers depth and replayability. Explore randomly generated dungeons, complete quests, and even manage your own kingdom as you uncover the mysteries of Siralim.
Reviews
- Incredibly deep customization options for team building and strategy.
- Endless replayability with a vast number of creatures and mechanics to explore.
- Fun and engaging gameplay loop that rewards experimentation and creativity.
- The story is simplistic and often overshadowed by the gameplay.
- Can become tedious with excessive grinding and repetitive battles.
- User interface can be clunky and overwhelming for new players.
- gameplay694 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Siralim Ultimate is characterized by its deep mechanics and extensive customization options, allowing players to engage in intricate team-building and strategy. While some find the gameplay loop repetitive and grind-heavy, many appreciate the complexity and variety of interactions available, with over 1,200 unique creatures and numerous mechanics to explore. The game is primarily focused on combat and resource management, rewarding players who enjoy optimizing their teams and experimenting with different strategies, though it may not appeal to those seeking a strong narrative or polished graphics.
“The gameplay loop, the art, the tons of options available to you and the difficulty scaling is all just wonderful.”
“There's really nothing else quite like Siralim, and those that come close in gameplay almost certainly cannot touch it in terms of the sheer number of builds made possible by this passionate dev who has spent years adding and refining combinatorics to ensure there's always a new playstyle to experiment with.”
“The gameplay is superb and there's endless freedom to choose your own path in who you are and what monsters you control.”
“The biggest criticism I have of the gameplay is that it feels like the macros were not really well explained/introduced/implemented.”
“After beating the game, all I do is grind for resources to unlock features, which is the same gameplay as before beating the game, just with the promise of there being more content if I grind?”
“The only thing that motivated me to keep it in my library is the idea of building a cool team of monsters whose abilities and gear complement each other - unfortunately the complete lack of balance makes it pointless and unsatisfying while the sameness of each stage makes gameplay a mindless activity; run through all the nodes and hold 'A'.”
- story632 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Siralim Ultimate" is generally viewed as simplistic and often serves merely as a tutorial for the game's mechanics, with many players finding it unremarkable or even tedious. While some appreciate its humorous and tongue-in-cheek tone, others criticize it for being shallow and filled with juvenile humor, making it easy to skip. Overall, the narrative is not the main draw of the game; instead, players are encouraged to focus on the extensive gameplay mechanics and creature customization that follow the main story.
“The story is surprisingly not terrible for a game which is mostly about creature builds, and some of the gods' dialogue is downright hilarious.”
“The story is interesting with some captivating and humorous writing, even though it’s a cliché, kingdom-versus-kingdom betrayal.”
“While overall story design is a little 'done before', the underlying plot will have you wanting to push to the next level, over and over again.”
“The writing/story is probably the most off-putting part of the game, but luckily it's not a mandatory component.”
“In addition, there is sort of a story to the game but it's not very well written and the play structure of the game is so formulaic I honestly wish the story wasn't even there at all because all it really adds to the game for me is a bunch of needless clicking.”
“The story is basically just a glorified tutorial with some humorous dialogue but sets you up well for the real game: the endgame team-comp experimentation, boss farming, and grinding.”
- grinding346 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game is heavily focused on grinding, appealing primarily to players who enjoy deep RPG mechanics, monster collecting, and extensive customization. While many reviews highlight the grind as rewarding and satisfying, others criticize it for being overly tedious and complex, especially in the late game. Overall, if you appreciate grinding and theorycrafting, this game offers a rich experience, but those who dislike repetitive gameplay may find it frustrating.
“I hate grindy games... this game isn't grindy, it just has replayability.”
“So far I've done practically no grinding because you can just improve your team with traits and spells.”
“There’s a bit of a learning curve, and it can feel grindy or overwhelming at times, especially with the numerous menus, passives, and base-building later on.”
“However, if you are not a part of that group, I would not spend your money on this game, as you will most likely find it incredibly tedious and/or boring, even if you are a fan of RPGs and strategy games.”
“After 30+ hours of grinding and learning the game, it feels like I just left the early game.”
- graphics226 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized as simplistic and reminiscent of old-school pixel art, often described as charming yet basic, with a nostalgic appeal that may not appeal to everyone. While some players appreciate the intricate designs of the creatures, others find the overall aesthetic lacking compared to modern standards, noting that the visuals can feel primitive or unappealing. However, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay depth and mechanics far outweigh any graphical shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize gameplay over visuals.
“The aesthetic leans more towards a PS1 game with intricate and gritty sprites than it does a cutesy, simple creature collector, but this allows for what I believe to be more expressive and interesting creatures from a truly massive cast.”
“I am the biggest fan of pixel graphics and this one does not disappoint.”
“The graphics are awesome, the creatures and their traits are wonderful!”
“The graphics are what turn people off, in my opinion.”
“The graphic is only pain for me and the gameplay became after half an hour unbearable boring.”
“While the writing is atrocious, it is not particularly worse than standard hack-n-slash RPG fare and I was not expecting anything else; the graphics are, even for pixel-art, primitive (compared to, say, Children of Morta), and while the gameplay might perhaps make up for some of the weaknesses, I wasn't able to get that far, as the UI was just too hideous.”
- music138 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging and varied soundtrack, while others find it overly simplistic or too intense for long grinding sessions. Many users prefer to mute the in-game music in favor of their own playlists, although there are options to customize the soundtrack. Overall, while the music has its highlights, it may not suit everyone's taste, especially during extended gameplay.
“Engaging mechanics, fantastic music by Joshua Queen, and constant fulfillment of the 'number go up' need put this game in my top ten.”
“The soundtrack is immensely good, especially the heavier tracks, even with their 16-bit spins.”
“Great music for the most part with a ton more that you can unlock for your castle.”
“The music is pretty simple, and probably too in your face for something that people will be grinding for hours - I'd rather something more soothing than the choices they've made - I found I muted the music and listened to my own for the majority of the game.”
“The music in this game is generic wannabe two-step from hell nonsense and it's so intense when nothing is happening whatsoever.”
“Very boring and monotonous, same thing about music.”
- humor104 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it to be juvenile and reliant on crude jokes, such as potty humor, which detracts from the overall experience. However, some appreciate the self-aware and irreverent writing, noting that it can be genuinely funny and engaging at times, particularly in character interactions and situational comedy. Overall, while the humor may resonate with some, it is often criticized for being immature and inconsistent, leading to a polarized reception among players.
“The story is surprisingly not terrible for a game which is mostly about creature builds, and some of the gods' dialogue is downright hilarious.”
“It has endless variety, a hilarious story that hits harder than it has any right to and a really flexible approach to complexity.”
“The writing in this game is also really funny and had me laughing a couple of times.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by deep party management, extensive customization, and procedurally generated realms that encourage experimentation with different team combinations. Players can revisit old missions with new strategies, and the arena mode adds further variety, making it a game that can be enjoyed repeatedly without feeling grindy. Overall, the replay value is considered to be extremely high, appealing to those who enjoy turn-based combat and monster collecting.
“The replay value from constantly unlocking new creatures and building/coming up with new teams is on another level.”
“Creative challenges, tons of replayability, amazing monster collecting, and encourages experimenting and customization.”
“The replay value is through the roof and the mechanics are simple on the surface, but strategically deep the further in the game you go.”
“Replayability: this game isn't replayable in the sense that it's worth starting over again, but it's replayable in the sense that in the same save file, it's worth going back and trying old missions/levels again with a new combo to see how your new party fares against the old one.”
“I think a lot of games these days sacrifice replay value for the sake of realistic graphics and honestly, I can take or leave flashy graphics for the sake of procedurally generated dungeons.”
“The amount of replayability with all of the different classes is insane.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized for PC, running smoothly and allowing for easy setup with both keyboard and controller, though performance on the Switch may falter at later levels. It offers extensive content and is particularly appealing to players who enjoy deep optimization, theory crafting, and customization, reminiscent of classic grind-heavy RPGs. However, the Switch's performance issues could detract from the experience for some players.
“If you are into theory crafting, experimentation, customization, optimization, and min/maxing, then this is the game for you.”
“The gameplay is amazing if you're into optimization.”
“Only downside is the Switch performance at later levels, but on PC it's flawless.”
“Also, the long game of multiple breedings to try to get an optimized monster with all the skills and stats will be missed.”
“Think of it as something like Dragon Quest Monsters, with a heavy focus on dungeon-exploring, stat-crunching, leveling, and optimization that brings to mind the kind of number-go-up grindfest found in various NIS games.”
- stability10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability varies significantly across platforms; while the PC version runs smoothly, users report that the Switch and mobile versions experience slow performance and frequent bugs. Many players have encountered minor glitches and occasional crashes, leading to frustration, particularly given the game's price point. Overall, potential buyers are advised to choose their platform carefully.
“I play the game on PC and it runs great, but I've heard some complaints about the Switch and mobile versions being slow - so, choose your platform with care.”
“Do not get this game as it is a buggy mess.”
“The game has plenty of minor glitches that can occur and can crash occasionally, but it is designed that way.”
“Extremely buggy for a 20 dollar game.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional value, offering a rich offline experience without any microtransactions, gacha mechanics, or loot boxes, making it a standout choice for players seeking a deep RPG experience. Users appreciate the absence of predatory monetization practices, highlighting it as a game that allows for extensive playtime without additional costs.
“If you just want an RPG to sink hundreds of hours into that doesn't have any sort of predatory game industry practices like microtransactions, gacha, or loot boxes, buy this game.”
“If you enjoy this game, it has to represent one of the best 'bang for your buck' gaming experiences in history, and it's all offline, free of garbage microtransactions and stuff like that.”
“It's basically electronic crack, without microtransactions, but with transmog and massive deep skill exploration.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a lighthearted and quirky vibe, creating an enjoyable and whimsical experience for players.
“The game has a lighthearted, quirky atmosphere that makes every moment enjoyable.”
“The charming and whimsical atmosphere adds a unique touch to the overall experience.”
“The vibrant and playful atmosphere keeps you engaged and entertained throughout the game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some elements are beautifully crafted and resonate deeply with players, others feel underdeveloped and could benefit from further refinement.