Spells & Secrets
- September 27, 2023
- rokaplay
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Spells & Secrets" is a rogue-lite game with a focus on local co-op play, where you explore a magical academy and use spells creatively to battle creatures and solve puzzles. Customize your character's appearance and abilities as you uncover powerful artifacts and unravel the mysteries of the academy. Note that there is no online co-op mode. * Rogue-lite game with local co-op play * Creative spell usage for combat and puzzle-solving * Customizable character appearance and abilities
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a charming art style and engaging spell mechanics that allow for creative combat and puzzle-solving.
- Co-op gameplay is enjoyable, providing a fun experience for players who want to explore the game together.
- The game offers a variety of spells and customization options, making it appealing for players who enjoy experimenting with different strategies.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and crashes, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
- Many players find the game to be too easy and repetitive, lacking sufficient challenge and variety in enemy encounters and puzzles.
- Co-op mode is limited, with issues such as shared progress and clunky controls, making it less enjoyable for some players.
- gameplay33 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as fun and creative, featuring solid mechanics and engaging puzzle-solving elements, though some players find the controls unresponsive and the overall experience can become repetitive due to limited enemy variety and a lack of depth in the storyline. While the combat is likened to a puzzle rather than a fast-paced action experience, the game offers a charming roguelike experience with unique spell mechanics and a cozy aesthetic, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre despite some minor issues and a desire for more content. Overall, the gameplay is engaging but may require patience to fully appreciate its nuances.
“Fun little game, mechanics are solid and it's fluid enough to enjoy. The puzzles are fun to discover, while sometimes it is a bit unclear on how to approach the solution, but that's also part of the fun.”
“Being able to manipulate objects and other parts of the environment is amazing, and it makes it so that the core gameplay mechanics never get dull.”
“I actually really like the core gameplay, in which combat is more like a puzzle instead of a race to do damage.”
“After 10 hours of gameplay, I had no motivation to play any more.”
“The mechanics and controls are not tight or responsive enough for the gameplay type, and the trappings around the lackluster mechanical core did not compensate sufficiently to bring me back after my first foray into the game.”
“But coming from Hades, the gameplay and the combat feels really slow.”
- story26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story is generally viewed as underwhelming, with many players feeling it lacks depth and engagement, often taking a backseat to the gameplay. While some appreciate the character interactions and the overall narrative structure, others criticize it for being generic and repetitive, with a desire for more quests and character development. Overall, the game is seen more as a dungeon crawler than a story-driven experience, leaving players wanting more from the narrative aspect.
“The story is nice and the character controls are simple, but the menus do not work at all.”
“I just finished the main story, and I have to say I had a lot of fun.”
“The story is great, and I like how each rescued classmate actually appears in the courtyard so you can talk to them.”
“The story starts out of nowhere; you don't even experience the school before being thrown to the wolves on your own.”
“It's more of a dungeon crawler than a story-based game.”
“And second, there are loads of people to see, yet no one has any voice lines; it's just text boxes. There is a lot of reading, and the story is the most generic: you start school, that night a tower blows up, it's the work of a dark person, we are the only ones who can stop them, get XP, get stronger, a bunch of filler, stop the bad guy, the end.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and vibrant art style, which adds a unique charm and atmosphere. Many reviewers appreciate the cute visuals and well-composed design, noting that the stylized approach enhances the overall experience without resorting to realism. While some mention minor graphical bugs, they do not detract from the game's aesthetic appeal, making it a visually delightful experience.
“The graphics are beautiful and well composed.”
“The art style of both the characters as well as the environment gives this game its own unique atmosphere and it's really wonderful to look at.”
“Visuals: pretty, vibrant colors, nice monsters and generally pleasant to the eye.”
“Looks fun, graphics are cute, but incredibly boring.”
“I've encountered the odd bug here and there, but all graphic hiccups, nothing gamebreaking in any way.”
“The graphics are so sweet.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting minor visual glitches and bugs, particularly with clothing and targeting systems. However, others have experienced a smooth gameplay experience without major issues throughout the story. Notably, remote play functionality has been problematic, causing frequent freezes.
“There are some visual glitches involving soft bodies (e.g. most clothing, especially skirts), mostly clipping through other clothing.”
“If your partner accidentally levitates you, which is very easy to do due to the buggy targeting system, you are left to just stand there until they move you or the time on the ability runs out.”
“The game freezes every time I use remote play with a friend; hope the developers add online multiplayer.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the lack of checkpoints in randomized dungeons, which forces them to replay sections multiple times. While some enjoy the initial hours of gameplay, many feel that the grind becomes monotonous and lacks excitement as they progress.
“My only serious problem is that it feels too grindy.”
“I miss checkpoints, though: it can be tedious to play the same (randomized) dungeons again until you reach the place where you failed last.”
“To sum up, I enjoyed my first 10-15 hours, grinding without excitement on autopilot through the rest.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its fitting and enjoyable soundtrack that complements the cute art style and overall ambience. Many reviewers note its resemblance to the Harry Potter theme, making it appealing even to those hesitant about supporting similar franchises.
“The music fits the game so well, and it's so fun to listen to.”
“The art style is cute and the soundtrack fits the ambience very well.”
“The setting, music, and style are very much Harry Potter, but in an enjoyably generic way that might even be appealing for those who felt uncomfortable supporting Hogwarts Legacy.”
“The setting, music, and style is very much Harry Potter, but in an enjoyably generic way that might even be appealing for those who felt uncomfortable supporting Hogwarts Legacy.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is criticized as a cash grab, suggesting a lack of genuine support from the developers, who seem to rely on a Harry Potter-inspired aesthetic to attract players. However, despite these concerns, many users find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
“This game is a cash grab with no real support.”
“It kinda feels like the devs didn't have faith in the game, so they made the style a Harry Potter rip-off as sort of a cash grab - but like, the game is actually pretty dang good and a lot of fun.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is appreciated for its lightheartedness and comedic elements, reminiscent of titles like Magicka and Nine Parchments, but it lacks significant challenge, making it more accessible and enjoyable without being overly punishing.
“It has some elements of Magicka or Nine Parchments without being overly punishing or frustrating—just enough to be funny.”
“It's funny, sure, but not very challenging.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Spells & Secrets is praised for its cute and wholesome atmosphere, offering a forgiving gameplay experience that minimizes frustration from mistakes. The emotional tone is enhanced by its charming design, making it accessible and enjoyable for players seeking a lighthearted roguelike experience.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's strong replayability, particularly for fans of collectathons, as it encourages them to strive for 100% completion. The game's simplicity enhances the challenge, making the experience engaging and motivating rather than frustrating.
“I think it's a really good game if you like collectathons and replayability. The ability to just go through and try to get everything is a challenge, but the simplicity of the game doesn't make me want to quit; it makes me want to 100% the game even more!”
“The game offers so many different paths and choices that every playthrough feels unique. I love discovering new strategies and secrets each time I start over.”
“With multiple endings and various character builds, I find myself coming back to this game time and time again. Each run feels fresh and exciting!”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's unique art style, encompassing both characters and environments, creates a visually stunning atmosphere that players find captivating and enjoyable.
“The art style of both the characters and the environment gives this game its own unique atmosphere, and it's truly wonderful to look at.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is generally well-received, with solid character design noted, though some users find the walk cycle to be somewhat odd. Overall, this minor issue is seen as a minor drawback in the context of the game's overall quality.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that truly impact their growth and relationships.”
“The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the gameplay, making every interaction feel meaningful and engaging.”
