String Tyrant
- June 4, 2020
- Bottled Starlight
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"String Tyrant" is a survival horror game where players must escape a mysterious mansion filled with monsters and traps. Using an active card-based combat system, players build combos with magical cards to fend off enemies and unlock the manor's secrets for a chance of escape. If defeated, players become ensnared and join the manor's residents, hunting their former friends. A free demo is available for system compatibility testing.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging story that explores themes of transformation and identity, resonating deeply with players.
- Gameplay mechanics are original and creative, combining exploration, turn-based combat, and a card system that adds depth and strategy.
- The art style is charming and contributes to the game's atmosphere, making it an enjoyable experience despite its simplistic visuals.
- The card aspect of the game is superficial, offering limited deck customization and strategy, which may disappoint players looking for depth in that area.
- The game can be confusing at first, particularly the tutorial, which may require additional examples and clarity for new players.
- Some players feel the game is a bit short, with only a few hours of content, which may not justify the investment for everyone.
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging and well-crafted, centering on Mary’s quest to find her brother and friend in a doll-filled manor, which adds a unique transformation theme. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative, including missable notes that enhance character backstories and multiple endings, despite some criticism regarding the pacing towards the end. Overall, the storytelling, combined with original gameplay mechanics, makes for a memorable experience, even if the visuals are not cutting-edge.
“Very quaint little game with some really fun original mechanics and a surprisingly interesting story and characters.”
“The storyline is pretty well crafted and certainly distinctive.”
“For the price it asks, it's an alright game, if you're a fan of storytelling and transformations, you will enjoy 5 hours of this, another 4 if you go for hard mode.”
“By the end of the game, that feeling dies down a bit - you've learned the mechanics and found the best equipment, but it happens late enough to complete the game due to the story (also quite curious).”
“The story is about Mary trying to find her brother and her friend in a manor filled with dolls, and then escape from it.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique mechanics, allowing players to join the enemy side rather than facing instant defeat, which adds depth to the experience. Players enjoy the blend of exploration and combat, although some find the hiding mechanics challenging. Overall, the game combines interesting gameplay with a compelling story, despite its less modern graphics.
“Very rare game that brings the mechanic of joining the enemy side instead of an instant loss.”
“I'd like to see more games like this one, where interesting gameplay and story make you ignore the cheap visual style (it's nice in its own way, but still far from modern graphics; do not consider the game's graphics a disadvantage!).”
“Very quaint little game with some really fun original mechanics and a surprisingly interesting story and characters.”
“For me personally, hiding mechanics were the hardest to understand.”
“As a result, a lot of the gameplay is exploration/fleeing to find the resources you need to keep up with enemies and keys to unlock new areas.”
“Gameplay is turn-based and focused on exploration.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as charming yet simplistic, reminiscent of older styles rather than modern standards. While some players find the visual presentation lacking, they appreciate how the engaging gameplay and story compensate for it, making the graphics a non-issue in the overall experience.
“Art style is charming and the endings are nice as well.”
“Bizarre little game, a mixture of old school text adventure with a graphical setup and command menu system with survival horror and a turn-based card focused combat system.”
“I'd like to see more games like this one, where interesting gameplay and story make you ignore the cheap visual style. It's nice in its own way, but still far from modern graphics.”
“Bizarre little game, a mixture of old school text adventure with a graphical setup and command menu system. It doesn't have every command but has most, with survival horror and a turn-based card-focused combat system.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highly praised, with many users feeling it compensates for the game's smaller scale.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“The ambiance is rich and layered, creating a sense of tension and wonder throughout the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game's mechanics, particularly in the quirky command system that leads to unexpected outcomes, such as closing only one door while others remain open. However, some players express frustration, indicating that while the humor is appreciated, clearer examples would enhance their experience.
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
“The witty dialogue and playful banter between characters add a delightful layer of humor that makes the experience even more enjoyable.”
