Skeletal Avenger
- April 28, 2021
- 10tons Ltd
- 12h median play time
Skeletal Avenger is a hack and slash game with roguelike elements. As a skeleton out for revenge, player's fight through hordes of enemies using a variety of weapons and spells. With procedurally generated levels, each playthrough offers a new experience.
Reviews
- The game features tight and responsive controls, making combat enjoyable and skill-based.
- It offers a fun co-op experience, allowing up to four players to enjoy the game together.
- The meta-progression system provides a sense of growth and customization, with various perks and upgrades available.
- The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and a lack of variety in levels, enemies, and loot.
- Some weapons and perks are poorly balanced, leading to a few dominant strategies that can trivialize the challenge.
- The graphics and overall presentation feel basic and could benefit from more polish and depth.
- gameplay30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its solid mechanics, addictive nature, and fun co-op elements, drawing comparisons to titles like Hades and classic dungeon crawlers. However, many reviews highlight issues such as repetitiveness, a lack of depth in progression systems, and unresponsive controls, suggesting that while the core gameplay is enjoyable, it could benefit from more variety and refinement. Overall, the game offers a straightforward and engaging experience, but it may not sustain long-term interest without further development.
“Great gameplay, easy to learn, hard to master - much fun with friends, a decent variety of items, powers, and foes.”
“Skeletal Avenger is a top-down, dungeon-crawling roguelite inspired by classics such as Gauntlet Legends and the Diablo series, but slanted towards co-op gameplay and with an emphasis on replayability via primarily procedurally-generated levels.”
“The game's awesome: mechanics are interesting, gameplay doesn't feel boring and static, and it's fun to play in general; I absolutely recommend it.”
“The graphics are subpar and the gameplay is repetitive.”
“I had fun for a few hours, but the gameplay is very repetitive after a while and there's not enough sense of progression.”
“Aside from that, the game struggles with unresponsive controls, a complete lack of any tutorial or meaningful introduction, and a bit short and shallow gameplay.”
- story19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story in "Skeletal Avenger" is largely considered minimal and generic, revolving around a simple revenge narrative. While the game features some procedural elements and dungeon crawling, many reviewers note that it lacks depth and originality compared to other roguelites like "Hades." Overall, the plot serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative experience.
“Hades had excellent mechanics, a polished story, art, sound, stage design, etc. Skeletal Avenger gets the mechanics right too, and all the while playing it, I just thought of how similar it is to Hades.”
“Progression is based on an earned item system where you go through procedurally generated dungeons to kill enemies to get gold, items, and blood gems, which are needed to progress the story.”
“It offers high replay value with tons of content, a story of revenge, and procedurally generated dungeons.”
“There really isn't a story, just a generic revenge tale.”
“There's no story to be had here - you got killed, you're getting revenge.”
“As with most roguelites, Skeletal Avenger has a very loose story (kill bad guys to exact your revenge).”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are simplistic and subpar, lacking customization options and resolution settings. While some appreciate the cute and quirky art style, comparing it to titles like Medievil and Dead Cells, others feel that the visuals do not match the quality of similar roguelites. Overall, the graphics are functional but could benefit from significant improvement to enhance the overall experience.
“I like the graphics a lot, and they look fantastic on high.”
“I like the fun cartoony graphics and being able to play as an undead warrior.”
“I love the art style... worth buying, especially if you like action rogues.”
“10ton should have spent the money to improve the poor graphics, effects, variety, and character.”
“The graphics are subpar and the gameplay is repetitive.”
“There's no options to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability through its procedurally generated dungeons, customizable gear, and a variety of random perks, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique. While some players express concerns about potential boredom from infinite replayability, many find the diverse content and cooperative gameplay engaging enough to keep returning. Overall, the combination of permanent upgrades and varied gameplay elements contributes significantly to its replay value.
“The replayability comes from semi-random dungeons with random perk options and customizable gear (different weapons and helmets require different approaches to utilize fully).”
“It offers high replay value with tons of content, a story of revenge, and procedurally generated dungeons.”
“The replayability comes from semi-random dungeons with random perk options and customizable gear; different weapons and helmets require different approaches to utilize fully.”
“Skeletal Avenger is a top-down, dungeon-crawling roguelite inspired by classics such as Gauntlet Legends and the Diablo series, but slanted towards co-op gameplay and with an emphasis on replayability via primarily procedurally-generated levels.”
“The progression is already vast, mixing permanent progression of upgrades and equipment with perks spread across the runs, also contributing to replayability really well.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding is a central aspect of the game, often described as tedious and repetitive, leading to a mixed experience. While some players find it simple and addictive, allowing for value in unlocking achievements, others feel it detracts from overall enjoyment by making levels excessively long or difficult.
“A very basic game, with little diversity of maps and enemies, a bit repetitive (too much grinding), but still allowing a little fun.”
“It's just tedious and makes the levels last longer.”
“It can be fun, but it quickly becomes either excessively difficult, or tediously crawling.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with many calling the soundtrack a standout feature, described as a "banger" that enhances the overall experience. However, some players express a desire for a more vibrant soundtrack and greater variety in the game's elements, such as enemy types and perks. Overall, while the music is a highlight, there are suggestions for improvement in other gameplay aspects.
“The music is really good too, as are the sound effects; it’s a fun game!”
“Banger OST but funny for a rogue-lite since I haven't died once yet, even in NG+ lol”
“8/10 game, 10/10 soundtrack”
“You wish the enemy roster was bigger, that the soundtrack was more vibrant.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks the energy needed to enhance the gameplay experience.”
“I found the soundtrack to be forgettable and not engaging enough to keep me immersed in the game.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing elements, such as the absurdity of running around headless and the lighthearted tone of the gameplay, which includes fast combat and a variety of combinations. Players appreciate the comedic aspects alongside the engaging rogue-lite mechanics, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“Banger OST but funny for a rogue-lite since I haven't died once yet, even in NG+ lol.”
“I found it so funny looking to run around headless.”
“First time I wait for some game and I'm not disappointed when I buy it on the first day in EA. The game is good; you can now play and test plenty of things. Funny slasher, fast combat with many combinations, and the price is fair—that's most important.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its above-average presentation, featuring atmospheric models and levels that are visually appealing and easy to navigate. Players appreciate the colorful and dynamic environment, complemented by tight and intuitive controls.
“The presentation is above average; the models and levels look atmospheric and easy to read, and the controls are tight and self-explanatory.”
“+ Colorful and dynamic atmosphere!”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users praise the game's stability, noting it is easily accessible and largely bug-free, which is a refreshing contrast to many modern titles. The early access launch has been described as solid, with smooth performance and no significant issues reported.
“Their games are generally easily accessible, no frills with a focus on gameplay. They're stable and largely bug-free, something that seems beyond the reach of modern game developers for some reason.”
“A really solid launch into early access; it runs great and there are no serious bugs to speak of so far.”