Tangledeep

Customizable difficulty and gorgeous art and music help make this brutal mystery dungeon-style RPG an adventure worth tangling with.

Starting at $2.79Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on itch.io Store

"Tangledeep is a single-player Fantasy Turn Based Strategy game with a sensational story, good mechanics, and ingenious visuals. Explore the ever-changing, monster-filled labyrinth of Tangledeep to discover the secrets of the forgotten surface world. Customize your job, collect items, and prepare for a magical experience with high replayability and lots of grinding."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,224 reviews

gameplay134 positive mentions

grinding46 negative mentions

Beautiful pixel art and music reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs.
Engaging gameplay with a variety of classes and a flexible job system that allows for unique character builds.
Active developer support with frequent updates and community engagement.

Some frustrating bugs and glitches that can impact gameplay, such as disappearing pets and items.
Difficulty spikes can be abrupt, leading to potentially unfair deaths.
Limited character customization options, as all characters are female and there are few visual changes based on equipment.

gameplay
364 mentions
37 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Tangledeep is a blend of engaging mechanics and charming aesthetics, offering a variety of classes and systems that enhance the roguelike experience. While many players appreciate the depth and customization options, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive or shallow at times, with certain mechanics feeling tedious or poorly explained. Overall, the game strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned roguelike fans.
- “The gameplay takes the traditional roguelike to another level, in a great way.”
- “This roguelite has engaging, elegant gameplay.”
- “It oozes charm, the gameplay is great, and it's overall just an excellent game.”
- “There's just a lot of mechanical hangups that clash quite severely with the amazing aesthetics of the game.”
- “This game is all presentation but no substance; the great art and 16-bit graphics and music can't really save the mediocre and repetitive gameplay.”
- “Sometimes you literally cannot survive an encounter, and there's not really an effective fleeing/re-grouping mechanic from multiple mobs.”
music
351 mentions
58 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Tangledeep" has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic 16-bit style, reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs like "Secret of Mana" and "Chrono Trigger." Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as beautiful, immersive, and well-composed, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some note that the music can become repetitive, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack of 'Tangledeep' is a symphony that captures the essence of adventure.”
- “The music is a faithful companion on your journey, echoing the mysteries and wonders of the Tangledeep.”
- “Tangledeep is an incredibly charming roguelike with beautiful pixel art graphics and a lovely soundtrack that evoke an incredibly nostalgic feeling for SNES RPGs.”
- “This game is all presentation but no substance; the great art and 16-bit graphics and music can't really save the mediocre and repetitive gameplay.”
- “In short, the gameplay loop is boring and unrewarding so feel free to give this a hard pass, and maybe just listen to the OST on YouTube or something.”
- “If I had to find one small thing to nitpick, and it really is small because I can't think of anything else in this game worthy of criticism, it's that sometimes the music feels inappropriate for the scene.”
graphics
258 mentions
53 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming 16-bit pixel art style, reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs, which effectively evokes nostalgia while providing a visually appealing experience. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful animations and cohesive art direction, complemented by a lovely soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals are impressive, they may overshadow gameplay depth, leading to a perception of the game as more style than substance.
- “Tangledeep is an incredibly charming roguelike with beautiful pixel art graphics and a lovely soundtrack that evoke an incredibly nostalgic feeling for SNES RPGs.”
- “The graphics are absolutely charming and well-animated, the music is absolutely lovely, and the combat is surprisingly engaging.”
- “The gorgeous music and pleasing 16-bit graphics are just a fantastic bonus to it all.”
- “Dev decided to release the rest of the content for the game as a DLC; the main game is boring, art style stolen from FF Tactics, low enemy variety. I don't recommend this for fans of roguelikes of this genre.”
- “Graphically, the game is a bit disjointed; item sprites are really good, but the environment and characters feel messy or lacking and are its weakest point.”
- “The 16-bit pixel graphics are nothing but a gimmick; this game has as much soul as the average Korean MMO.”
story
174 mentions
18 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in "Tangledeep" is generally viewed as minimal to moderate, with many players noting its simplicity and brevity, yet some appreciate its charm and humor. While the narrative may not be deeply complex, it offers moments of discovery and character development, particularly through side quests and DLC content. Overall, the game prioritizes its roguelike mechanics over a rich storyline, leaving some players wanting more depth and cohesion in the narrative.
- “Each sprite and tile tells a story, inviting players into a world that feels like a lost legend rediscovered.”
- “While 'Tangledeep' may not weave a complex narrative, the story it tells is one of discovery and self-actualization.”
- “The story leaves you wanting more as you progress through treacherous dungeons fighting difficult bosses and challenging scenarios!”
- “There's stuff to find, but there's no story whatsoever.”
- “I dunno if maybe I'm just sick of games like this and would prefer to see some actual level design and cohesive story, but nothing about this made me want to keep playing.”
- “The story is consistent and for the most part pretends previous lives never existed - you aren't making a new character, just playing the same one with the same personality (you can pick different dialogue options but thus far I've seen no indication this has any real change).”
replayability
56 mentions
50 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse classes, unique builds, and engaging gameplay mechanics, allowing players to explore various strategies and playstyles. While some reviews note that certain aspects, like early levels and repetitive story elements, can hinder replay value, the combination of customization options and roguelike elements keeps the experience fresh and enjoyable. Players appreciate the balance of accessibility and depth, making it a compelling choice for both casual and dedicated gamers.
- “The variety of classes, skills, and equipment adds layers of depth and replayability that honor the legacy of the genre.”
- “There are infinite builds, strategies, and ways to win, and also infinite ways to lose; enjoy and embrace the creativity and replay value, but realize that you must be not only creative, but smart if you want to succeed.”
- “The job system allows for a high amount of variance between characters, increasing the already huge replayability factor.”
- “The only conclusion I can draw is they wanted to add replayability in the form of death meaning starting over, to pad the playtime out.”
- “Usually this is a natural part of roguelikes, but Tangledeep's replayability is sorely lacking outside of rolling a new job.”
- “The early levels are very limited and feel mostly the same for each playthrough, killing the replayability.”
grinding
46 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly due to large level sizes, shallow job systems, and the need for constant backtracking between town and dungeons. While some mechanics, like item dreams and pandora's boxes, offer opportunities for faster progression, many feel that the overall experience becomes monotonous and frustrating, especially for casual players. The game's difficulty spikes and lack of effective health regeneration further exacerbate the grind, leading to a diminished enjoyment over time.
- “Pets, which I joined the game to engage in, are tedious to the point of exhaustion.”
- “There are random states in both inheritance and this game's version of skill sharing which introduces tedious grind to such an extreme that it actively holds back the experience of engaging with that mechanic in general.”
- “It's a roguelike that requires JRPG grinding.”
atmosphere
22 mentions
55 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its nostalgic 16-bit RPG aesthetics, with graphics and music that evoke a sense of familiarity and charm reminiscent of classic titles like Secret of Mana. Reviewers highlight the well-composed soundtrack and engaging art style, which create a relaxing yet tense environment during gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and enchanting, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some gameplay issues.
- “The music in particular sets an absolutely lovely atmosphere that I just adore.”
- “The music and art style will immediately throw you back into the classic SNES era, with character art reminiscent of Secret of Mana and music with that same familiarity, though it also manages to maintain its own identity and create a nice, fairly relaxing atmosphere.”
- “While this game has a charming atmosphere and art, it has some gameplay issues that prevent me from recommending it.”
- “The graphics remind me of a simpler time from my youth, and the soundtrack is well-composed for the theme, creating a generally relaxed atmosphere, but tension and suspense in serious battles.”
- “The music and art style will immediately throw you back into the classic SNES era, with character art reminiscent of Secret of Mana and music with that same familiarity, though it also manages to maintain its own identity and create a nice, fairly relaxing atmosphere (apart from the, you know, you die, you're dead).”
humor
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its lighthearted and quirky nature, featuring witty dialogue and charming NPCs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever references to other roguelikes and the amusing character archetypes, which contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the humor effectively keeps the gameplay enjoyable and prevents it from becoming overly focused on mechanics.
- “A good sense of humor and a decent story helps to keep it from getting too bogged down in stats and numbers.”
- “You have NPCs with their archetypes and you're the brave woman that goes out to beat up the bad bandit boys with some hilarious and quirky elements like a cheese lover.”
- “It's so witty and funny, and every NPC has some charming personality to them.”
stability
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a significant number of glitches that can severely impact gameplay, including game-breaking issues like character data loss. While some users note that minor bugs do not always hinder the experience, others highlight persistent problems with menus and specific skills. Despite these issues, the developers are praised for their responsiveness in addressing bugs and releasing updates.
- “Not good, embarrassing amount of glitches, like, imagine all your Pokémon being deleted by a glitch and the response is just 'yeah, that happens sometimes, still trying to work that out' 6 years after release????”
- “Tangledeep is too buggy to take seriously (i.e., not being able to open escape portals anywhere due to lack of space yet you are dead center in an endless open field).”
- “Clunky, convoluted, buggy menus (at least on controller) make accomplishing much of anything a fight in itself.”
character development
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its great art and design, though some users express a desire for randomized character designs for each generation of heroes to enhance variety. Overall, the character design is considered fantastic, with only minor critiques.
- “Great art, great character design.”
- “I wish there were randomized character designs for every generation of hero you eventually play as, but that's the only issue I've got; otherwise, it's fantastic.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the heroes.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a satisfying way.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game has seen significant improvements in graphics and performance optimization, with developers actively seeking player feedback to enhance the overall experience. This commitment to balancing and fine-tuning is appreciated by users, reflecting a positive trend in game development.
- “The graphics have improved, and hours have been poured into balancing and noticeable performance tweaking. The public manager has literally been hounding me for feedback, and that's always a welcome scene in this day and age we live in.”
- “The graphics have improved, and hours have been poured into balancing and noticeable performance tweaking. The public manager has literally been hounding me for feedback, and that's always a welcome scene in this day and age we live in.”
- “The graphics have improved, and hours have been poured into balancing and noticeable performance tweaking. However, the optimization still feels lacking in certain areas.”
- “Despite the improvements in graphics and performance tweaks, the game still suffers from significant optimization issues that hinder the overall experience.”
- “While there has been an effort to enhance graphics and balance gameplay, the optimization remains inconsistent, leading to frustrating performance drops.”