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.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a unique art style and satisfying gameplay, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate both ARPG and roguelite elements.
- The developers are responsive to feedback and consistently release 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 allow for different build strategies and replayability.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and unresponsive menus, which can significantly hinder the experience.
- Some players find the RNG mechanics frustrating, as they can lead to suboptimal builds and a lack of meaningful progression.
- The lack of a coherent save system and the need to restart runs upon death can be frustrating for players, especially in the early stages of the game.
- graphics14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the unique art style and the effort put into its design. While some critiques mention issues with character movement animations and a simplified aesthetic compared to other action RPGs, the overall visual appeal contributes positively to the gameplay experience. Players find the graphics charming and a notable aspect of the game's identity, despite some inconsistencies.
“The aesthetic aspect of the game, which I have seen many people criticize, was what initially attracted me when I accidentally saw it.”
“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!”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun, addictive, and suitable for casual play, featuring a unique ARPG style with charming graphics and a satisfying loop. While it offers a mix-and-match system that keeps the experience fresh, players note significant bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite some graphical quirks and light animation, the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable for many.
“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!”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users report significant issues with optimization, noting that even the beta branch intended to improve performance resulted in worse stuttering. This has led to frustration, particularly regarding refund policies and pricing, as players are hesitant to invest in a game that may not perform well in the future.
“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.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its awesome soundtracks, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and making it enjoyable for players who appreciate stunning music. Many users find the combination of fun, addictive gameplay and quality music ideal for casual play, even alongside other audio like podcasts.
“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.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting frequent bugs, inability to access keybinding options, and instances of being stuck on a blank screen when navigating menus. Despite its promising gameplay loop and potential, these stability problems detract heavily from the overall experience.
“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.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight that the game offers excellent replay value, making it enjoyable to revisit multiple times.
“The replay value is fantastic, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
“I love how the game encourages multiple runs, with different outcomes and choices.”
“Each time I play, I discover something new, making it hard to put down.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the presence of meaningful choices in the story, allowing for varied gameplay experiences without the commitment of lengthy playthroughs. This balance between impactful decision-making and manageable game length enhances overall enjoyment.
“It's refreshing to have hard choices to make without being locked into a 120-hour story game, allowing for different builds without the need to restart.”
“The story offers meaningful choices that impact the gameplay, making each decision feel significant.”
“I appreciate how the narrative allows for exploration of different paths without the overwhelming commitment of a lengthy game.”
