Strawhart
- March 10, 2022
- Cypher Creations
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.
Reviews
- Strawhart offers a charming and atmospheric experience with engaging puzzles and a delightful story that draws inspiration from classic titles.
- The game features a variety of mechanics and powers that keep the gameplay fresh and encourage exploration, leading to rewarding 'eureka' moments.
- It has a lighthearted tone with witty dialogue and lovable characters, making it an enjoyable experience for players of all ages.
- Some puzzles can be unintuitive due to awkward level design, leading to frustration when trying to figure out solutions.
- The inability to customize key bindings can hinder the experience for players accustomed to specific controls, impacting overall enjoyment.
- Visibility issues in certain segments can make it difficult to complete puzzles, and the game could benefit from additional polish and clearer mechanics.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its varied level design, engaging mechanics, and well-executed puzzles that encourage exploration and offer rewarding eureka moments. However, some players found the throwing mechanics inconsistent and noted a few confusing design choices that detracted from the overall experience, suggesting the game could benefit from additional polish.
“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.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its charming and unique qualities, effectively capturing a fall aesthetic and providing a refreshing experience. While some players desired a more elaborate conclusion, the narrative is generally considered engaging and well-crafted, complementing the game's puzzle elements. Overall, it is seen as an underappreciated gem that showcases the developers' dedication to storytelling.
“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.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their appealing fall aesthetic and distinctive art style, though they are not considered groundbreaking. Overall, they effectively contribute to the game's atmosphere without aiming for revolutionary visuals.
“I haven't gotten too far into the story just yet, but everything about it seems to easily capture that fall aesthetic I always crave.”
“Love the art style.”
“The graphics aren't revolutionary, but they aren't meant to be.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and lighthearted elements, creating a memorable and charming experience. Players appreciate the cleverness of the writing and the comedic aspects that enhance the puzzle platformer’s fairy tale theme. Overall, the game successfully delivers a unique and funny take on its narrative.
“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.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its enchanting quality, enhancing the overall experience alongside varied level design and engaging gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the beautiful world and adds to the charm of the characters and dialogue.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Strawhart is praised for its incredibly atmospheric and cozy environment, making it a delightful experience, especially on the Steam Deck.
“Strawhart is an incredibly atmospheric and comfy game that truly is a pleasure to play on the Steam Deck.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly due to the need for quick reflexes 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.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really drains the fun out of the experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, providing a smooth experience for players while also incorporating hidden elements to discover.
“It runs smoothly and there are little secrets for everyone.”