Striving for Light
- June 25, 2021
- Igniting Spark Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Striving for Light" is a rogue-lite ARPG with a unique, expanding skill tree and randomly generated maps. Battle through darkness in over 11 environments with distinct enemies and bosses, while leveling up and unlocking new skills, weapons, and characters. The game also features an endgame system, online leaderboards, local co-op, and a hand-drawn art style with a self-composed soundtrack. The dynamic skill tree and deep itemization system offer high replayability value.
Reviews
- The game features a unique art style and satisfying gameplay, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
- The developers are responsive and actively push updates and bug fixes, showing a commitment to improving the game.
- The gameplay loop is fun and addictive, with a variety of skills and weapons that keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and unresponsive menus, which detract from the overall experience.
- The random nature of the skill tree can lead to frustrating gameplay, as players may end up with suboptimal builds that hinder progress.
- Some interface issues, such as inconsistent tooltips and difficulty in accessing keybinding options, create additional challenges for players.
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the unique art style and aesthetic appeal, which draws comparisons to other action RPGs like Path of Exile. While some critiques mention issues with character movement animations and the overall simplicity, the visuals are often described as charming and a significant factor in the game's enjoyment. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the gameplay experience, despite some minor shortcomings.
“This is a unique ARPG with a nice art style, satisfying gameplay, and cool little map events.”
“It has a simple yet addicting gameplay and charming graphics that I really enjoy!”
“The aesthetic aspect of the game, which I have seen many people criticize, was what initially attracted me when I accidentally saw it.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and look like they belong in a last-gen title.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun, addictive, and engaging, making it ideal for casual play while listening to music or podcasts. Players appreciate the unique ARPG mechanics, satisfying gameplay loop, and charming graphics, although some report significant bugs and issues with character movement animations. Overall, the mix-and-match gameplay elements help maintain freshness and prevent monotony.
“The gameplay is fun and quite addictive, perfect for 'wasting' some time, perhaps listening to a podcast or some music.”
“This is a unique ARPG with a nice art style, satisfying gameplay, and cool little map events.”
“It has a simple yet addicting gameplay and charming graphics that I really enjoy!”
“The gameplay feels repetitive, as only cracking skulls or shooting gets monotonous.”
“The mechanics are clunky and make the overall experience frustrating.”
“There are too many bugs that disrupt the gameplay and make it unenjoyable.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant performance issues with the game, even after attempting to use the beta branch build intended to improve optimization, which resulted in worse stuttering. This has led to frustration regarding the game's performance and concerns about the value of the purchase, especially given the limitations on refunds.
“I even tried running the beta branch build, which is supposed to have some fixes for performance, but it seemed to stutter even worse.”
“I would have kept the game in hopes of better performance after early access, but the restrictions on Steam refunds and the fact that the unlocalized pricing make it a bitter expense for a game I might not be able to enjoy in the future.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music is highly praised, featuring an awesome soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience and makes it enjoyable for players who appreciate quality music. Many users find the music complements the fun and addictive nature of the game, making it ideal for casual play.
“The awesome soundtracks make the gameplay perfect for any player who enjoys stunning music in a game.”
“The gameplay is fun and quite addictive, perfect for 'wasting' some time, perhaps listening to a podcast or some music.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting significant bugs such as being unable to access keybindings and encountering blank screens in the menu. While the gameplay loop shows promise, the overall experience is marred by these persistent issues.
“Buggy mess, unable to access keybinding and stuck on a blank screen when clicking on the menu.”
“Good gameplay loop and potential, but incredibly buggy.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game's replay value is excellent, indicating a strong incentive to revisit the experience.
“The replay value is fantastic, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
“Every time I play, I discover something new, making it incredibly replayable.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the story for offering meaningful choices that impact gameplay without requiring an extensive time commitment, allowing for experimentation with different builds without the need to restart the game.
“It's refreshing to have meaningful choices that impact the story without the commitment of a lengthy 120-hour game.”
“The narrative is engaging and allows for different builds, making each playthrough feel unique.”
“I appreciate the balance between depth and accessibility in the storytelling, which keeps me invested without overwhelming me.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”
