Soulcaster: Part I & II
- May 24, 2016
- MagicalTimeBean
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamIn Soulcaster: Part I & II, players command heroes in a tactical action-RPG, summoning them to strategic positions to fight through hordes of monsters across over 50 stages. Each of the three allies, including the Archer, Warrior, and Bomber, possess unique combat skills and abilities. With a variety of settings and unlockable bonus challenges, players can expect approximately 3-4 hours of gameplay in this bundled classic.
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Reviews
- Unique blend of RPG, action, and tower defense with engaging gameplay and a great soundtrack.
- Short playtime makes it perfect for quick sessions, with high replay value due to customization and build options.
- Challenging yet fair gameplay that encourages strategic thinking and offers a variety of heroes to utilize.
- Some players found the game to be overly fast-paced, limiting strategic depth and making it feel more like a grind.
- Achievements are reportedly broken, preventing players from completing certain challenges.
- Limited story and character development, which may leave some players wanting more narrative depth.
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the games by magicaltimebean is consistently praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting the standout soundtracks as a significant aspect of the experience. While some tracks are memorable, others may not leave a lasting impression, but overall, the music is considered enjoyable and complements the gameplay well.
“I never ended up playing these back on the 360, but these games still hold up pretty well, and like all MagicalTimeBean games, they have a banging soundtrack.”
“Also, the soundtrack is a banger.”
“Much like with every other MagicalTimeBean game, you get a great soundtrack and a fair amount of bonus challenges.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative retro feel and engaging level design, offering a fun experience complemented by a simple yet effective storytelling approach. Players appreciate the unique "running battles" feature, which adds dynamism compared to traditional tower defense games, although the music is noted to be hit-or-miss.
“I love the retro feel while still being innovative with gameplay and level design.”
“Nice story told through simple gameplay.”
“These aspects allow for some interesting gameplay, including 'running battles' not seen in more static tower defense games.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, primarily conveyed through simple gameplay and interactions with statues, which some players found enjoyable. While the initial hours of gameplay were engaging, the lack of a substantial narrative led to a focus on achievements rather than story progression. Overall, the storytelling is considered basic and not particularly memorable.
“Nice story told through simple gameplay.”
“I enjoyed the fact that each statue could converse and that this simple game was accompanied by some kind of plot/story.”
“There is almost no story; you do have to learn each map, but even still, I enjoyed the first 4 hours of gameplay. After that, it was just me trying to get achievements, which I failed at.”
“I gotta say I enjoyed the fact that each statue could converse and that this simple game was accompanied by some kind of plot/story, but it's nothing to write home about.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics are simple yet effective, complementing the deep and engaging strategy gameplay. The second installment enhances the visual experience while introducing new scenarios and challenges, building on a strong foundation.
“Don't let the simple graphics fool you; the strategy is deep and engaging.”
“The second installment only builds on an already strong premise with new scenarios and challenges, along with updated graphics.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models look bland and lifeless, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
“The environments feel flat and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability as players can challenge themselves by attempting to complete levels with fewer summons or by avoiding upgrades altogether, encouraging varied playstyles and strategies.
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and strategies, making it feel fresh every time.”
“The variety of choices and paths you can take ensures that no two runs are ever the same.”
“The game has a lot of replay value in trying to reduce the number of summons you use to beat levels or by foregoing upgrades.”
“Once you complete the game, there isn't much incentive to play through it again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes or different paths makes replaying feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
