Talented

About

Talented is a single player shooter game. It was developed by TurtleFox Games and was released on December 20, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Talented" is an arcade roguelite shoot 'em up where you must survive 20 nights of demon hordes and unlock four unique classes, each with distinct abilities and talent trees. The game features randomly generated skill trees, allowing for diverse strategies and playstyles as you level up and acquire new talents. Use an array of abilities, such as a hail of arrows, powerful spells, or even snail allies, to overcome the relentless onslaught and emerge victorious.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,049 reviews

gameplay64 positive mentions

grinding15 negative mentions

Talented offers a great balance between gameplay and unlocking new talents, making it highly addictive.
The game features a massive talent tree that allows for diverse builds and playstyles, enhancing replayability.
The art style is polished and charming, and the music adds to the overall fun experience.

The skill tree UI can be confusing, especially when using a controller, making navigation less user-friendly.
There are reports of the game freezing and crashing during runs, which can be frustrating.
Some players feel that the game becomes repetitive after a while, especially at higher mastery levels.

gameplay
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay in "Talented" is characterized by its simple mechanics and addictive loop, combining straightforward combat with a procedurally generated skill tree that offers depth and variety. While many players appreciate the engaging talent-building aspect and the challenge it presents, some find the core gameplay repetitive and lacking in excitement over time. Overall, the game provides a fun experience with significant replayability, though it may feel shallow for those seeking more complex mechanics.
- “The gameplay is addictive and smooth.”
- “Great minimalistic game with a fun gameplay loop and great replayability.”
- “Talented introduces arcade roguelite shoot ’em up mechanics paired with procedurally generated skill trees.”
- “As nights get longer and you scale faster than the enemies, however, the gameplay becomes so samey so fast that I walked away from my computer for 4 hours before coming back to finish it.”
- “While it does give the dopamine hit of talent building, the shallow gameplay and repetition tends to bring it down.”
- “The core gameplay is somewhat boring and not well presented.”
music
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and engaging quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to ramp up intensity during critical moments, some note that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over extended play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “A roguelite tower defense with a very nice randomly generated tech tree, multiple classes to enhance through gaining experience, skills and abilities that really feel impactful... and to top it all off, it's got a killer soundtrack!”
- “The music really fits what's going on and that's not a detail I thought I'd appreciate, but here we are.”
- “The devs knew exactly what kind of game they wanted to make, polished it to a mirror sheen, and added some of the best game music I've heard in decades of gaming.”
- “Only one soundtrack, which becomes tiresome to listen to hour after hour.”
- “There are pretty much two different songs always - the level 1-19 song and the level 20 song.”
- “You either speed up the game, deal with the annoying sped-up music and risk losing your XP multiplier by taking damage, or play it at regular speed, and deal with a very slow game up until the last few nights.”
replayability
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
The game boasts high replayability due to its variety of classes, randomized skill trees, and engaging gameplay mechanics, making each run feel fresh and rewarding. Players appreciate the depth and complexity that emerge from seemingly simple mechanics, with many noting the game's ability to keep them hooked for hours. While some users mention potential grindiness, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, especially considering its low price point.
- “This game seems simple at first, but the gameplay is complex and challenging enough to feel rewarding and extremely replayable.”
- “The amount of variety the talent tree and classes provide make it endlessly replayable.”
- “Combines fast-paced gameplay with endless replayability, focusing on dynamic mechanics and strategic experimentation.”
- “Felt too grindy, not really replayable either.”
- “Lacks replayability and has some flaws.”
- “I don't think it has a ton of replayability at the moment, but having already gotten 7 hours out of it for only $2, I'd definitely say it's worth it and I hope they'll continue to develop it further.”
graphics
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style reminiscent of Game Boy aesthetics, which many players find charming and clear, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some reviews note the simplicity and lack of variety in visuals, others appreciate the retro design and its alignment with the game's mechanics, contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia, though opinions vary on their depth and appeal.
- “The pixel art style adds a nostalgic charm, while the gameplay depth caters to players of all skill levels.”
- “Cute nostalgic graphics meet bullet heaven as your little dude holds his ground against swarms of blobs, wasps, pumpkins, rats, spiders.”
- “The pixel art graphics establish a retro aesthetic while high-quality audio design intensifies atmospheric tension.”
- “The one con I can tell you is that the game decided very intentionally to emulate old school Game Boy graphics.”
- “Graphics are normally different shades of black and white.”
- “The graphics are not great, but the build potential is interesting.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
6%
83%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the challenge and progression it offers, many feel that the gameplay loop becomes tedious and repetitive, particularly in higher difficulty levels and endless modes. Achievements and upgrades can require significant effort, leading to a sense of fatigue for some players, though others still find enjoyment in the pursuit.
- “Grindy, but not too grindy.”
- “Grindy, but not too grindy.”
- “The gameplay loop becomes tedious quickly; very repetitive and grindy (and not in a good way).”
- “Getting 100% in this game was extremely tedious.”
- “Grinding for upgrades is a slog, but the challenges are interesting.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its hilarious storyline and the absurdity of gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to break the game in comical ways. Players find the contrast between classes amusing, with some being described as "hilariously awful," adding to the overall comedic experience. The humor enhances the enjoyment, despite some frustrations with game mechanics like the talent tree.
- “It is far superior in every way and it auto-aims (plus it has a hilarious storyline).”
- “All other classes are absolutely hilariously awful and not fun to play in comparison.”
- “You can break this game in the most hilarious ways; I am writing this review after crashing my game on an endless night run with the archer, where I survived until the crash without touching the keyboard.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's story is praised for its humor and depth, making it a standout feature, while some users note the absence of a narrative altogether. Overall, the storytelling aspect varies significantly among players, with some finding it engaging and others feeling it lacks substance.
- “The story is far superior in every way, featuring a hilarious storyline that keeps you engaged.”
- “The depth of the story is impressive, adding layers to the overall experience.”
- “The narrative is captivating and well-crafted, making it a standout aspect of the game.”
- “☑ no story”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's pixel art graphics create a nostalgic retro aesthetic, complemented by high-quality audio that enhances the atmospheric tension. However, despite its eerie ambiance, the gameplay lacks depth, which detracts from player immersion in the world.
- “The pixel art graphics establish a retro aesthetic, while the high-quality audio design intensifies the atmospheric tension.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
- “The combination of haunting music and stunning visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- “Despite its eerie atmosphere, the gameplay lacks depth and fails to immerse players in its world.”
- “The game tries to create a haunting environment, but it ultimately feels empty and uninspired.”
- “While the visuals aim for a dark and moody vibe, the overall atmosphere feels disjointed and fails to engage.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while the upgrade system offers significant skill points and potential for playstyle variation, the emotional satisfaction from gameplay achievements is lacking. Players express a sense of humor in their experiences, particularly when encountering game-breaking moments, but overall, the emotional impact of success feels minimal.
- “The upgrade system is well thought out, but the emotional payoff for doing well doesn't feel very satisfying, which is weird because you earn a lot of skill points per round, which influence your playstyle a lot.”
- “Easy $3 but I don't know if the emotional damage is worth it, lol.”
- “You can break this game in the most hilarious ways; I am writing this review after crashing my game on an endless night run with the archer, where I survived until the crash without touching the keyboard.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted as a key element that enhances the gameplay experience, with a straightforward concept that becomes engaging through a well-designed skill tree and character progression.
- “The character development is simple but stable, yet it becomes truly engaging through the skill tree.”
- “I love how the character development allows for unique playstyles and personal growth throughout the game.”
- “The depth of character development really enhances the overall experience, making each choice feel impactful.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates strong stability, performing well on platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux, with developers actively responding to player feedback to enhance the experience.
- “Great game, runs great on the Steam Deck, and they actively listen to player feedback and make changes.”
- “Runs great on Linux.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally stable with minor bugs, but some players experience occasional performance issues in endless mode. Performance on the Steam Deck is smooth, though a custom-controller configuration is recommended for optimal play.
- “Generally stable with minor bugs, though some players report occasional performance issues in endless mode.”
- “Steam Deck performance is smooth, although you will need to create or download a custom controller configuration to play comfortably as of January.”