Smithworks

About

Smithworks is a single player and multiplayer action game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Ardent Games and was released on June 17, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

Smithworks is a first-person 3D cooperative multiplayer game where players play as fledgling blacksmiths. It is a humorous and chaotic experience where players will need to communicate effectively in order to craft these weapons quickly before the customers get angry.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,707 reviews

gameplay28 positive mentions

stability35 negative mentions

Incredibly fun and chaotic gameplay, especially when played with friends.
Great concept with a unique twist on the crafting genre, reminiscent of Overcooked.
The game is free, making it accessible and a great value for the entertainment it provides.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
The time limits for completing orders can be overly strict, making it frustrating, especially in solo play.
Some players experience issues with mouse sensitivity and controls, affecting the overall experience.

gameplay
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and engaging mechanics, particularly in cooperative play, where players can enjoy chaotic and strategic challenges together. However, some users find it shallow and repetitive when played solo, with a reliance on simple mechanics that can lead to stress during intense gameplay. Overall, while the game offers a solid foundation and enjoyable experiences, especially with friends, it may not appeal to those seeking depth in single-player modes.
- “Amazing gameplay with friends! I 100% recommend it to friends that are looking for a game.”
- “The gameplay loop is incredibly addicting, especially coordinating with three friends.”
- “With its charming visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building, this game offers a refreshing take on the crafting genre that is sure to captivate players of all ages.”
- “A great game to play with friends, but unfortunately it doesn't have a color-blind mode, which makes the gameplay more difficult.”
- “The singleplayer gameplay, however, is incredibly stressful, as one set of hands is hardly enough to fulfill the onslaught of orders you receive later down the line.”
- “The glitches ruin all gameplay past the first 5 hours.”
humor
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its chaotic and hilarious interactions, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews mention the comedic elements stemming from gameplay mechanics, such as ragdoll physics and the absurdity of in-game situations, which lead to uncontrollable laughter and memorable moments. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining experience that thrives on its humorous chaos and teamwork challenges.
- “Really fun game to play with friends, has just the right mix of humor and competition.”
- “This is a genuinely good, funny, entertaining, well-made game.”
- “The amount of chaos made me hurt from laughing over pelting an iron ingot directly at my friend's head while 10 seconds remained on the order, exactly the kind of freedom I wanted going into this game.”
stability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some find the glitches amusing and part of the charm, others describe the experience as frustrating and at times unplayable. Overall, it appears that while the game is fun, it suffers from numerous stability issues that may deter those seeking a smoother experience.
- “Runs great on a 760 GTX.”
- “I recommend the game for fun and exploration, but if you're looking for a bug-free experience, this may not be the right choice for you.”
- “This game is very buggy and becomes unplayable a lot of the time.”
- “Super buggy, almost unplayable.”
- “Very fun game to play but has horrible game-breaking glitches which are very common, especially when I'm playing with friends.”
story
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
64%
16%
The game's story is generally perceived as lacking depth and complexity, with many players feeling it does not engage them as much as other narrative-driven titles. While some appreciate the minimal story elements, such as the main character's journal, others express a desire for a more robust narrative experience. Overall, the story is seen as serviceable but underwhelming, with some players wishing for additional features that could enhance the storytelling aspect.
- “This game is incredibly nuanced, with an extraordinarily deep, intelligent, yet still challenging story, that will play with your emotions at every turn.”
- “This game has one of the most intense and rich stories out there, good enough to rival the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2, the entire Persona series, the Kingdom Hearts games, and much more.”
- “Where most games do their best to be something else – to tell a story like a novel, to impress with cinematic techniques like a film – this game is pure, a complete and darkly fascinating vision that makes no concessions to the modern conception of how games should be.”
- “Additionally, the story, while serviceable, lacks the depth and complexity found in other narrative-driven games, leaving some players craving a more engaging plot.”
- “I have been watching my friend falling to the end of the world for 10 minutes, after the last mission broke, his only company the scrap green sword that every minute changes form and the polygons morphed, the game wouldn't let him escape because his menu was broken too.”
- “It's a bit underwhelming to me as I was really hoping it was similar to other merchant/crafting games in which you can gain levels, send heroes out on missions to collect resources to create the next unique item, and upgrade/customize your shop.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
57%
14%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the vibrant art style and charming character designs that enhance the overall experience, while others criticize the low-quality, stylized, low-poly visuals. Many users express a desire for improved graphics options and customization, particularly for those with lower-end systems. Overall, while some find the graphics engaging and immersive, others feel there is significant room for improvement.
- “With its charming visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building, Smithworks offers a refreshing take on the crafting genre that is sure to captivate players of all ages.”
- “The game's vibrant art style and charming character designs further enhance the experience, immersing players in a whimsical world filled with wonder and exploration.”
- “Further, the graphics that this game provides are some of the best looking, realistic graphics that I've ever seen come from a video game, and it manages to keep my PC cold while doing so.”
- “On the important subject of visuals, this features fairly low quality stylised/cartoony low poly 3D graphics.”
- “I think the graphics could be much better, so there is still lots of room for improvement.”
- “As of now it's in v1.01, so I hope it has more graphics options later seeing as there are literally none now.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with players praising its high energy and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. The soundtrack is noted for fitting the game's environments perfectly and creating a sense of urgency during critical moments. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the fun and engaging atmosphere, making it a standout feature of this free-to-play title.
- “The game also has an excellent music track for a free game, with each track appropriately fitting its environment. The music team, or whoever composed it, deserves their own independent praise.”
- “It is very easy to learn and it is stressful, but it has good and fun music that makes you not feel as stressed out.”
- “The change in soundtrack when you're on your last orders is mad pressure.”
- “The game initially blocks join and host until you play the tutorial, which is fine, but when I click tutorial it goes to a black screen with cursor and the music goes, nothing happens or loading in.”
- “The music, mechanics, even the parkour.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its engaging concept and variety of content, but it suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to poor performance and low frame rates even on capable hardware. While players find the game easy to learn and appreciate improvements over time, the overall lack of polish detracts from the experience.
- “It is easy to learn after a game or two, and optimizations come soon after learning the game.”
- “I have played it for so long because of optimizations in time and points.”
- “Good game, lots of maps to play, and it always adds new fun things every new level.”
- “I really love this game, but holy shit, it is poorly optimized.”
- “It's just lacking in performance and polish.”
- “The game has a neat concept, but it is severely unoptimized.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that grinding in the game is extensive, often requiring significant time investment, likening it to needing a "second life." While some enjoy the challenge and camaraderie of grinding for achievements and completing levels, there are concerns about the tediousness of the level design, suggesting a need for potential re-evaluation in future updates.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game's still new, so hopefully there's still time to rethink the game design and focus on the tasks rather than tedious level design.”
- “My friends and I can't get enough of this game and keep grinding for all the achievements.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Players find the game to have strong replayability due to its engaging content and the challenge of beating high scores. However, some technical issues, like a bug affecting movement, can hinder the experience. Many users express a desire for additional features, such as an endless mode, to further enhance replayability in future updates.
- “Fantastic little game for what it is. Honestly, considering the included content and the replayability of trying to beat high scores, it's worth paying for.”
- “Unlocking an endless mode after completing all levels would be perfect for replayability.”
- “Can't wait to see where development takes this; I'm hopeful for some more replayability in the future.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game is praised for its complete lack of monetization, being free to play without any ads or in-game purchases. Some users even suggest the introduction of cosmetic microtransactions to support ongoing development and funding.
- “Zero monetization.”
- “I would actually encourage microtransactions for cosmetics so that this can be fully fixed and funded.”
- “Did I mention it was free to play with no microtransactions?”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's vibrant art style and charming character designs, which significantly enhance the immersive experience and contribute to a whimsical world that encourages exploration.
- “The game's vibrant art style and charming character designs further enhance the experience, immersing players in a whimsical world filled with wonder and exploration.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form meaningful connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming more complex as the plot progresses.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that while the game can be enjoyable, its numerous bugs can lead to frustrating experiences, sometimes resulting in emotional instability for friends involved in gameplay. The glitches, such as characters moving in unrealistic ways, detract from the overall emotional engagement of the game.
- “The game made my friend emotionally unstable.”