StellaGale: The Trials of Faith

About

StellaGale: The Trials of Faith is a single player hack and slash game. It was developed by Daniel Calvin and was released on December 14, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

StellaGale: The Trials of Faith is a hand-drawn hack-n-slash RPG where Stella, a young mechanic, and her spirit-brother Gale fight in a brutal Colosseum tournament to uncover the mystery of their lost father. Set in a world blending the industrial revolution, Roman Empire, and steampunk, players face fierce Gladiators and help those in need. Train, battle, and rise as the strongest Gladiator in this immersive adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

StellaGale: The Trials of Faith screenshot

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

The game features a stunning hand-drawn art style that captivates players and enhances the overall experience.
Combat mechanics are engaging and intuitive, allowing for satisfying combos and a fun hack-and-slash feel.
The game has a strong foundation with a promising narrative and unique setting, making it intriguing for players.

There are several bugs and technical issues, including frame rate drops and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
The story lacks depth and the boss fights do not feel rewarding, with minimal buildup or challenge.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as sound effects and animation fluidity, need improvement to enhance the overall experience.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The gameplay is characterized by engaging and intuitive combat mechanics that capture the hack-and-slash feel, with players appreciating the art style and overall solid core mechanics. However, some users noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and that certain aspects, like combo execution, feel stiff, impacting the flow of combat. While the game shows promise with its unique aesthetic and strategic elements, there are areas for improvement before the full release.
- “The combat mechanic is satisfying and the art style is absolutely stunning.”
- “The combat is very engaging, with strategic elements that make the gameplay fun and exciting to play.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the combat is fun and engaging, the movement is snappy and responsive, and it's overall pretty easy for new players to understand.”
- “Let players focus on what’s polished and working, like the core mechanics, instead of walking into broken or half-made content.”
- “The combat still feels stiff, especially during combo execution.”
- “This kills the flow of combat and makes the gameplay feel slower than it should be.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
37%
16%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style and captivating visuals, often compared to the works of Studio Ghibli. Reviewers highlight the beautiful character and environment designs, clean animations, and a charming aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. While the visuals are celebrated as the standout feature, some note that the combat mechanics and sound effects could benefit from further refinement.
- “Totally fell in love with the art style and visual concept.”
- “Fell in love with this game's art style and animation; it's really well drawn and almost looks cozy.”
- “Moreover, the graphics are absolutely stunning, elevating the game's atmosphere and making every moment feel visually captivating and enjoyable.”
- “The game's visuals are definitely the star of the show, however its combat and storytelling could use some refinement.”
- “Transports players to a steampunk Roman Empire in a 2D hack-and-slash colosseum arena, blending a unique aesthetic with challenging gameplay.”
- “The game's aesthetic is charming, and it’s clear a lot of effort was put into making the world feel alive and dynamic.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The game's story has received mixed feedback, with some players finding it engaging and well-paced, enhanced by beautiful hand-drawn cutscenes, while others feel it lacks depth and fails to create a satisfying connection after the prologue. Many appreciate the emotional stakes tied to the protagonist's quest to uncover family secrets, which adds intrigue and motivation to the gameplay. Overall, while the narrative shows promise and complements the action, there are calls for further refinement and expansion in future updates.
- “So far I found the story to be well-paced and intriguing, paired with beautiful hand-drawn cutscenes that drew me (pun intended) into the narrative.”
- “The storyline of the game deeply enhances the overall experience, drawing players into its immersive world and motivating them to continue the journey.”
- “The prologue made me want to learn more about the story from this game.”
- “I found the story to be somewhat not engaging; I had trouble getting invested after the prologue.”
- “The game's visuals are definitely the star of the show; however, its combat and storytelling could use some refinement.”
- “While the story and art is what made me want to delve deep into the game, the combat mechanism can still be improved further, as I find it fun to hack and slash your way while challenged by the surroundings.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance engagement during encounters, with particular appreciation for the piano elements. However, some players feel the soundtrack becomes repetitive quickly and suggest adding more sound effects to improve the overall audio experience. While the music is considered top-notch, its impact is somewhat diminished by the lack of sound effects that could make gameplay feel more satisfying.
- “The music makes each encounter feel more engaging and energetic.”
- “Art wise, this game has a beautiful 2D art style that reminds me of Studio Ghibli movies, the character and environment design is beautiful, the animation is clean, and the soundtrack is really good (I love the piano in the soundtrack, more please).”
- “[music:] the soundtrack is top-notch.”
- “The audio, including music and sound effects, could use some improvements.”
- “Also, the music gets repetitive pretty fast.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its story-driven motivation, where the quest to uncover a father's darkest secret infuses the narrative with depth and intrigue, making players' victories feel significant and impactful.
- “The story-driven motivation of uncovering your father’s darkest secret adds emotional depth and intrigue, making victories feel meaningful.”
- “The characters' struggles and triumphs resonate deeply, creating a powerful emotional connection that lingers long after the game ends.”
- “Every choice you make impacts the narrative, leading to moments of joy and heartbreak that truly engage your emotions.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stunning graphics significantly enhance its atmosphere, making each moment visually captivating and enjoyable, while perfectly complementing the gameplay.
- “Moreover, the graphics are absolutely stunning, elevating the game's atmosphere and making every moment feel visually captivating and enjoyable.”
- “It complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the visual aspects of character design and the overall world are praised for their quality, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of narrative or growth, leaving this aspect less explored in the reviews.