SPELLHACK!!

About

SPELLHACK!! is a real-paced survival deckbuilder! Explore Doom City to collect and upgrade Technospells during the day, then defend against waves of Summoned Beasts at night in this totally rad roguelike!! This is the demo version of the full game - coming soon to Itch and Steam! SPELLHACK!! Floppy Disk Contents: 150+ Technospells to collect and install 40+ types of Summoned Beasts to repel A…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Engaging and fast-paced gameplay that combines deck-building with real-time tower defense mechanics, keeping players on their toes.
Unique aesthetic and nostalgic 80s theme, complemented by an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Good value for the price, offering several hours of fun with replayability through unlockable challenge modes.

Limited depth in strategy, leading to repetitive gameplay as players often resort to the same tactics to win.
Short story mode and lack of substantial content, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative and exploration.
Some technical issues, such as menu navigation and control customization, could detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of fast-paced, engaging mechanics that combine deck-building and lane defense elements, creating an addictive experience. Players appreciate the balance between intense nighttime battles and a simpler daytime deck-building phase, with nostalgic themes and a well-executed control scheme enhancing the overall enjoyment. While the game offers a variety of options and unique enemy traits, some players feel the daytime gameplay lacks excitement compared to the more dynamic night segments.
- “Addictive lane defense gameplay that feels perfectly balanced and nostalgic 80s theming with a compelling air of mystery.”
- “I like how the battle gameplay is faster paced and engaging compared to other deckbuilders; the intensity really makes you feel like you're furiously hacking once you get in the rhythm and understand your spell hacks and their synergies.”
- “The gameplay is simple enough to keep things fast paced but offers a wide array of cards and modifiers to add depth, not to mention the unique enemy traits that are well explained before each run or night.”
- “The daytime gameplay (i.e., deckbuilding part) is not very interesting.”
- “The gameplay is simple enough to keep things fast-paced but offers a wide array of cards and modifiers to add depth, not to mention the unique enemy traits that are well explained before each run or night.”
- “The days are intense and I love how fast-paced the gameplay is.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent quality and ability to enhance the overall experience without being distracting. Players appreciate the catchy soundtrack and its fitting vibe, noting that it complements the game's aesthetic effectively. While some mention a lack of variety, the overall consensus is that the music is enjoyable and well-crafted, with hopes for a future release of the soundtrack.
- “Amazing style, both visually and in terms of SFX and music!”
- “The music is great and fits the vibe well without being obnoxious or distracting. I'm someone who often mutes games with repetitive background music, and I wasn't feeling that at all here.”
- “Also, can more people please play this so the developer will be incentivized to release the soundtrack somewhere?”
- “Amazing style, both visually and in terms of sound effects and music!”
- “On top of all of this, it's clear that a lot of time and effort was put into the art style and soundtrack of the game.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The game's graphics feature a minimalist pixel art style with vibrant arcade neon elements, evoking strong 80s vibes that many players find appealing. The visuals are complemented by a well-crafted soundtrack, creating a fun and immersive aesthetic that enhances the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate the effort put into the art style, which adds to the enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “The visuals and theme are both very fun and pleasant.”
- “On top of all of this, it's clear that a lot of time and effort was put into the art style and soundtrack of the game.”
- “The graphics are minimalist, reminiscent of Nintendo and other old school games.”
- “Starting with the visuals, the game uses minimalist pixel art in an arcade neon style with strong 80s vibes, which looks exceptionally aesthetic when paired with its FMV background.”
- “The aesthetic is just a cherry on top of an already fun game!”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The story is criticized for being extremely short and lacking depth, with many players finishing it quickly and expressing a desire for more content. However, some users find the FMV elements engaging, enhancing their overall experience and interest in the narrative.
- “I'm very interested to see where the game and story go, good stuff!”
- “The FMV aspect is engaging, meaning I am brought into the story of the game, and it enhanced the gameplay for me.”
- “The story is incredibly short and barely qualifies as a story.”
- “Apart from a story mode which can be finished shockingly fast, you unlock a couple of challenge difficulties and that's that.”
- “You'll wish there was more story.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when using the keyboard controls like WASD or arrow keys.
- “This game is tedious when using the WASD or arrow keys.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which makes the game feel like a chore.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players highlight significant replayability due to the presence of unlockable challenge difficulties, which adds an enticing layer of content for those looking to extend their gameplay experience.
- “There's a lot of replay value in the unlockable challenge difficulties, which I am eager to get into.”
- “There's also a lot of replay value in the unlockable challenge difficulties, which I am eager to get into.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game's writing is consistently praised for its sharpness and effectiveness, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The sense of humor in the writing is spot on.”
- “The game is filled with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing.”
- “I love how the humor is woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers appreciate how the events and spells enhance the overall atmosphere of the game, contributing to an immersive and engaging experience.
- “The actual events and spells themselves really enhance the overall atmosphere.”
- “The immersive sound design and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere.”
- “The game's environment is rich and detailed, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”