Spellwake
- September 1, 2018
- Norrman Brothers
- 78h median play time
Spellwake is an online 3D Action RPG where Anything Goes. It features fast-paced hack n' slash against hordes of monsters and powerful bosses. Spellwake's vast class system allows you to make nearly infinite variations of builds.
Reviews
- The game offers a surprising depth of character customization and build diversity, allowing players to experiment with various class combinations and skills.
- It's a free-to-play game with no microtransactions, making it accessible and enjoyable without financial barriers.
- The developers are highly responsive and passionate about the game, frequently updating it and engaging with the community.
- The graphics and animations are often described as poor, which can detract from the overall experience.
- There is a lack of endgame content and quests, leading to a feeling of aimlessness after reaching max level.
- Players have reported connectivity issues, with some unable to log in or play due to server problems.
- graphics29 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as outdated, simplistic, and at times, "god awful." Despite the poor visuals, players often highlight the game's enjoyable gameplay mechanics, character-building systems, and overall fun factor, suggesting that the graphics do not significantly detract from the experience. While some find charm in the low-quality graphics, others feel they hinder the game's potential, yet many agree that the gameplay compensates for these shortcomings.
“You join a game, the graphics are mind boggling, you struggle as to contain your sense of reality as to why every other developer isn't doing this.”
“Great storytelling, great combat system, great leveling system, great optimization, surprisingly great graphics, great everything.”
“The gameplay is simplistic and the graphics are very much old-school but there's a charm about this game that's hard to describe.”
“The graphics are another thing, I guess you fall into one of three categories:”
“Despite the hilariously bad graphics, this game is actually pretty fun.”
“As others have pointed out, the graphics are simplistic and the animations are terrible, yet the controls feel quite good.”
- gameplay25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its depth, intricate mechanics, and build variations, reminiscent of classic ARPGs. However, criticisms arise regarding weightless combat, poor visuals, and a confusing UI, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game is considered fun, especially in multiplayer settings, and offers a charming, if simplistic, hack-and-slash experience.
“The game has more build variations and mechanics than I have ever seen in the other ARPGs I've played.”
“This game is very fun to play with friends when you're bored. Me and my friends had no other free games we could play, we searched for hours and came across this game. It may not have the best graphics, but it's a fun grindy game you can play with friends and has unique builds and gameplay.”
“If you care more about gameplay, and like this genre, then I recommend giving it a shot.”
“Played once years ago (waiting for POE download), it wasn't that great with weightless combat, bad visuals, and obscure mechanics.”
“Really cool concepts and class design, lots of potential in the core gameplay, but the UI is such an ugly mess that it's not playable in its current state.”
“Graphics is a little lacking, could use better sound design, gameplay is a bit boring.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and absence of quests, leaving players feeling aimless and without a clear narrative direction. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and world-building elements, many reviewers express a desire for more lore and structured storytelling to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as fun and engaging, but it falls short in delivering a compelling story.
“The game play is great and the area descriptions give you a great idea of how it can affect the plot once the game is done.”
“Great storytelling, great combat system, great leveling system, great optimization, surprisingly great graphics, great everything.”
“If you're looking for a game with a lot of potential, and a very Titan Quest feel, this is it!”
“The story is either written too well for me not to understand or there just isn't one.”
“However, there are no quests or story.”
“There is no story to be found in the game, even if you go looking for it.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing character builds, funny animations, and ragdoll mechanics, which often lead to laughter among players. Despite its intentionally poor graphics, the game manages to deliver a fun experience, with many players enjoying the comedic aspects alongside deeper gameplay elements. Overall, the humor serves as a delightful complement to the game's engaging mechanics.
“I spent my time making lots of fun builds and smirking at the funny animations and ragdoll physics.”
“Despite the hilariously bad graphics, this game is actually pretty fun.”
“The first 20 minutes was myself and a friend laughing at the animations and physics; the next 8 or so hours was us genuinely enjoying the depth and customization of theorycrafting characters and comps for taking down bosses and maxing out clear speed.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, with players appreciating the frequent updates and the enjoyable gameplay experience without the pressure to spend money. Many users feel the game offers good value, suggesting it could be priced higher, and some even recommend a donation option to support the developers. Overall, the monetization model is seen as a positive aspect, enhancing the game's appeal compared to others that rely on cash grabs.
“This game deserves more players; the devs update the game often, and there are no microtransactions (or at least I haven't seen any).”
“I appreciate it being free and having 0 microtransactions at all.”
“This is the way most action MMOs ought to be: trading off 'high-quality graphics' and annoying ads/microtransactions for awesome hack-and-slash gameplay!”
“Some items do feel very incredible; it is fun to reroll knowing that the chance of something nice coming isn't one in a million where you'd need weeks or months of work (or a few 'minor' microtransactions) to try again.”
“I know you said you would never add microtransactions, but might I suggest at least a 'donate' option?”
“This is worth at least $50, especially when comparing it with shameless cash grabs like Wolcen, Last Epoch, and Warhammer: Chaosbane.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate old-school RPG mechanics and character builds, with many spending hundreds of hours experimenting with various builds. While some criticize the pace of grinding, others note that reaching max level can be achieved quickly, making it a fun experience to share with friends despite its low-quality graphics and minimal story content. Overall, the game offers a rewarding grind with a balanced class system and diverse build options.
“If you can live with the low-quality graphics and lack of story/quests, the game itself is very fun, and you can easily spend hundreds of hours grinding for items and testing the numerous builds the game has to offer.”
“If you are saying 'this is too slow' or 'it takes a while grinding mobs,' you can get to max level in less than 20 minutes.”
“This game is very fun to play with friends when you're bored. My friends and I had no other free games we could play, so we searched for hours and came across this game. It may not have the best graphics, but it's a fun grindy game you can play with friends and has unique builds and gameplay.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability, with some users highlighting it as a significant drawback, while others praise the game for its high replay value and enjoyable gameplay, especially considering its free-to-play model.
“The replayability is crazy; I'm surprised that it's free-to-play.”
“It's a really fun game and has lots of replayability.”
“I think its biggest downfall is its lack of replayability.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is criticized for its repetitive nature, with players noting that there is only one soundtrack that plays continuously, leading to a lack of variety and engagement.
“The soundtrack is repetitive; there's literally one track that keeps playing over and over.”
“The music is incredibly monotonous, with only one soundtrack looping endlessly.”
“The game features a single soundtrack that plays on repeat, making it feel stale quickly.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is inconsistent, with issues arising for users depending on their specific connection settings. This problem is prevalent enough to be highlighted as the first entry on the developer's troubleshooting page, indicating it is a common concern among players.
“Not for everyone, apparently, just for 'specific connection settings' according to the developer's troubleshooting page.”
“But it is a common enough problem that it is the first entry in their troubleshooting page and people still ask about it in the discussions forum.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game deeply moving, often evoking strong emotions that lead to tears, highlighting its powerful storytelling and emotional impact.
“This game makes me want to cry.”
“The emotional depth of the story left me speechless.”
“I felt a profound connection to the characters and their struggles.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's optimization, highlighting it as a standout feature alongside its compelling storytelling, combat, and leveling systems, as well as impressive graphics. Overall, the game is noted for its well-rounded performance and polish.
“Great storytelling, great combat system, great leveling system, great optimization, surprisingly great graphics, great everything.”