SpellKeeper
- April 3, 2018
- Studio Gier
SpellKeeper is a logic game featuring over 60 challenging puzzles, where you use magic to turn Cocoons into Butterflies. The game includes various spells and elements like Energy Fields, with hand-drawn graphics, special effects, and relaxing music. As you progress, casting spells becomes more difficult, requiring strategic thinking to complete all levels.
Reviews
- SpellKeeper offers a solid puzzle experience with over 60 levels that provide interesting challenges and a gradual increase in difficulty.
- The game features a charming visual style and relaxing audio, creating a pleasant atmosphere for players.
- It is easy to achieve 100% completion, making it appealing for achievement hunters and casual gamers.
- The game suffers from technical limitations, such as a lack of resolution options and a simplified control scheme that feels more suited for mobile devices.
- Many players find the puzzles can become repetitive and the overall experience short, with some completing it in just a few hours.
- The story and character development are weak, with some players noting bland writing and a lack of engaging narrative.
- graphics22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally criticized for being simplistic and reminiscent of low-effort mobile apps, lacking options for resolution changes or meaningful tweaks. While some players appreciate the colorful and pleasant artwork, particularly in the context of a puzzle game, many feel that the overall visual quality does not meet the expectations of PC gamers. The reliance on basic 2D graphics and a lack of depth in 3D design reflects a missed opportunity for a more visually impressive experience.
“This is a decent puzzle board game with pleasant-looking artwork and effects, and a generally soothing atmosphere.”
“I liked the game's colorful graphics and the relaxing music.”
“The graphics are really nice for a puzzle game.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“The game features simple, cartoony 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low effort mobile apps.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story is generally perceived as weak and unconvincing, with a lack of depth and coherence, often described as "soft" and bland. Critics note that the narrative fails to engage, featuring a single, underdeveloped character and awkward writing, yet some players are not particularly bothered by the minimal plot, appreciating the game's visuals and music instead. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop than a driving force in the game.
“Otherwise, the game tries hard to please with cute background graphics, music, and even a story.”
“While a story would have been nice, I wasn't really bothered by the lack of it.”
“On the minus side, the story is not believable (if you are a legendary magic user, why does the princess have to teach you your job every step of the way?), the single character is bland, and the writing has some disconcerting English errors (such as 'lightened up' instead of 'lit up') which the voice actress reads verbatim as if it were perfectly natural.”
“There is no story, just a backdrop that doesn't make much sense, and some random references to fairy tale tropes.”
“So, there's not much of a story or plot although there's a princess saying some things now and then.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Gameplay in Spellkeeper is characterized by its casual puzzle mechanics, which, while visually appealing and engaging, lack innovation and can be frustrating due to design flaws and control issues. The game is compared to other titles in the genre, highlighting its reliance on familiar "laser and mirrors" concepts rather than introducing new ideas. Overall, while it has potential, it struggles with basic gameplay fundamentals, which diminishes the overall experience.
“Spellkeeper is a casual puzzle game with interesting mechanics and a nice presentation.”
“The basics would be: (a) ease of use of the controls/interface and (b) a clear visual style, which leads to (c) enjoyable gameplay.”
“A tile laying puzzle game similar to Hade, though with a little more presentation and a little less in mechanics and levels.”
“A tile-laying puzzle game similar to Hade, though with a little more presentation and a little less in mechanics and levels.”
“There's a level in the wrong place; castle #13 should be in the tower where you learn about the new mechanics used there.”
“There's a level in the wrong place; castle #13 should be in the tower where you learn about the new mechanics used there.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing quality and pleasant sound effects, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive. Players appreciate the ability to adjust music and sound effects separately, allowing for a customizable auditory experience that complements the game's colorful graphics and charming hand-drawn art.
“Lovely hand-drawn art, fully voiced, the music and effects aren't annoying and they're on separate volume sliders.”
“Music and sound effects are very nice to listen to.”
“Otherwise, the game tries hard to please with cute background graphics, music and even a story.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in this game to be tedious and unnecessary, detracting from the overall experience. However, some note that the game's difficulty is well-balanced and does not become overly repetitive, maintaining player engagement without overstaying its welcome.
“This game isn't nearly good enough to put up with that kind of tedious inconvenience.”
“It's difficult without being tedious, and it doesn't wear out its welcome.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has mixed reviews regarding replayability; while some players find it short and lacking in replay value, others appreciate that the levels are forgettable enough to encourage replaying without recalling previous solutions. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, but it may be limited by the game's brevity.
“The game has great replay value because you won't remember how you solved a level just five minutes after completing it.”
“The game offers excellent replayability, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“However, the game is a bit short with not much replayability as far as I can tell.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's humor as a standout feature, describing it as unique and entertaining, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
“It's an amazing gem game, which is unique and funny. I like that a lot!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its pleasant artwork and effects, creating a generally soothing experience for players.
“This is a decent puzzle board game with pleasant-looking artwork and effects, and a generally soothing atmosphere.”