Strawhart

About

In "Strawhart," an action-puzzler game, you'll use physics-defying magic to start a cult and resurrect an ancient evil, solving over 80 mind-bending puzzles and gathering followers for eldritch rituals. As you weaponize pumpkins and phase through walls, beware: your powers come from a powerful, unhinged force. Your homestead evolves as you recruit eccentric characters, leading to unforgiving finales in each unique land you visit.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews

story4 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Strawhart features a charming story and well-executed puzzles that provide a fresh take on classic mechanics, making it a delightful experience for players.
The game has a cozy atmosphere with beautiful visuals and enchanting music, creating an enjoyable environment for exploration and puzzle-solving.
It offers a variety of mechanics and powers that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging, with a good sense of pacing and rewarding moments for players.

Some level designs can be unintuitive, leading to confusion in puzzle-solving and requiring players to reload checkpoints due to inaccessible items.
The fixed keyboard bindings can be frustrating for players accustomed to customizing their controls, impacting the overall enjoyment of the game.
Visibility issues in certain segments can hinder gameplay, making it difficult to complete puzzles, and some mechanics lack clear explanations.

gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The gameplay is characterized by varied level design, engaging mechanics, and well-executed puzzles that encourage exploration and offer numerous "eureka" moments. While the introduction of new mechanics keeps the experience fresh, some players found the throwing mechanics frustrating and noted a need for additional polish in certain areas. Overall, the game provides a rich and intriguing experience, particularly for those who take the time to explore its depths.
- “The music is great, level design is varied, and multiple mechanics and powers all offer something to keep the game fresh to the end.”
- “Take your time and use the mechanics to really look around - exploration and collectibles are a deceptively large part of the intrigue, and Strawhart delivers a ton of eureka moments off the beaten path.”
- “The puzzles are well-executed, bringing a fresh take to cube/switch/traversal mechanics.”
- “The throwing mechanics were hit and miss, with it being incredibly frustrating to try to throw something and it simply never hitting the spot I intended to hit.”
- “Secondly, there were a few mechanics and leading decisions that struck me as weird.”
- “Combined with the secret passage mechanic (which I did not realize was the intent there), and the strange out-of-world leading in the intro, the game probably needs some more polish before I'd pick it up.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The game's story is praised for its charming and refreshing qualities, with a unique narrative that resonates well with players. While some reviewers felt the ending could have been more developed, the overall experience is described as special, enhanced by engaging characters and secret puzzles. The fall aesthetic adds to the appeal, making it a standout in the puzzle genre.
- “This game is a woefully underappreciated puzzle game with a charming story that feels refreshing and unique.”
- “From characters to story to secret puzzles... everything felt like the devs went above and beyond to make it feel a bit special.”
- “Strawhart has a great story and amazing puzzles.”
- “The story of two floating hands.”
- “I wanted a bit more from the story ending, but it was conclusive enough to meet baselines.”
- “I've haven't gotten too far into the story just yet, but everything about it seems to easily itch that fall aesthetic I always crave.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The graphics are praised for their appealing fall aesthetic and distinctive art style, though they are not considered groundbreaking. Overall, they effectively complement the game's atmosphere without aiming for revolutionary visuals.
- “Love the art style”
- “Everything about it seems to easily capture that fall aesthetic I always crave.”
- “The graphics aren't revolutionary, but they aren't meant to be.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark and lighthearted elements, creating a memorable and charming experience. Players appreciate the clever and often funny writing, which enhances the fairy tale theme of the puzzle platformer. Overall, the game successfully balances its darker themes with a surprising sense of humor, making it enjoyable and replayable.
- “I can definitely see myself playing again in the future just to find more of the hidden lore pieces; but even if I didn't replay, I certainly got my value and found this to be a memorable, oftentimes charming and funny experience.”
- “Strawhart has a very clear sense of what it's trying to be: a puzzle platformer tied to a fairy tale that is both dark and lighthearted, focused and surprisingly funny.”
- “This is a fantastic game with a really funny sense of dark humor.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is consistently praised as enchanting and great, complementing the varied level design and engaging gameplay mechanics. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, contributing to the game's beautiful world and adding depth to its challenging boss battles and charming characters.
- “The music is great, level design is varied, and multiple mechanics and powers all offer something to keep the game fresh to the end.”
- “Fun puzzler with a beautiful world, enchanting music, tough boss battles, lovable characters, and witty dialogue.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Strawhart is praised for its immersive and cozy atmosphere, making it a delightful experience, especially on the Steam Deck. Players find the game's ambiance to be both engaging and comforting.
- “Strawhart is an incredibly atmospheric and comfy game that truly is a pleasure to play on the Steam Deck.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the need for precise timing in throwing or catching objects midair, which can lead to instant failure and frustration.
- “Having to constantly throw or catch something midair in split seconds with instant death becomes tedious very quickly.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its smooth performance, ensuring a seamless experience for players while also offering hidden secrets to discover.
- “It runs smoothly and there are little secrets for everyone.”