Tangledeep

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

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"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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 610 reviews

gameplay67 positive mentions

grinding23 negative mentions

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

Frustrating bugs and glitches that can lead to lost progress and items.
Difficulty spikes can be abrupt, making the game feel unbalanced at times.
Limited character customization options, as all characters are female and lack visual diversity.

gameplay
182 mentions
37 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a blend of traditional roguelike mechanics with unique features such as a job system, equipment upgrades, and pet mechanics, offering both depth and accessibility. While many players appreciate the engaging and charming gameplay, some criticize it for being repetitive or shallow at times, with certain mechanics feeling tedious or poorly explained. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful graphics and music, alongside a satisfying gameplay experience that encourages exploration and experimentation.
- “The gameplay takes the traditional roguelike to another level, in a great way.”
- “This roguelite has engaging, elegant gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is deep yet fairly intuitive and approachable.”
- “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
174 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
2 % 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
128 mentions
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
2 % 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 among players. 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 appealing, they may overshadow gameplay depth, leading to a perception of the game as more style than substance.
- “The graphics are absolutely charming and well-animated, the music is absolutely lovely, and the combat is surprisingly engaging.”
- “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 gorgeous music and pleasing 16-bit graphics are just a fantastic bonus to it all.”
- “The graphics are 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.”
- “Basically, with the graphics, I think they went too specific and removed connection with the player/immersion.”
story
87 mentions
18 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally perceived as minimal to moderate, with many players noting its simplicity and lack of depth, though some appreciate its charm and humor. While the narrative may not be the main focus, it offers moments of discovery and character interaction that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, players express a desire for a more cohesive and engaging storyline, particularly in a roguelike context where the gameplay mechanics often overshadow the narrative elements.
- “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 storyline speaks to my heart, engages my imagination, and inspires me to wonder.”
- “There's stuff to find, but there's no story whatsoever.”
- “Overall it was enjoyable for a single player roguelike, I just wish there was more content after you beat the game; the story is incredibly short.”
- “The story events and dialogue also start to become minor roadblocks after you've heard them a couple of times, standing at odds with the replayability of the game.”
replayability
28 mentions
50 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its diverse classes, skills, and equipment, allowing for numerous strategies and playstyles. While some players note that certain aspects, like early levels and story events, can feel repetitive, the variety and customization options generally enhance the replay value. The roguelike elements and the potential for creative gameplay further contribute to its appeal for repeated playthroughs.
- “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 play time 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
23 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and exhausting, particularly due to large level sizes, harsh difficulty spikes, and the need to frequently manage inventory and resources. While some mechanics, like item dreams and special boxes, can alleviate the grind, many feel that the overall experience becomes repetitive and unengaging over time, leading to frustration and a lack of meaningful progress. The game's encouragement of grinding through respawning enemies and fetch quests often detracts from the enjoyment, making it a significant point of contention among users.
- “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
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic 16-bit RPG aesthetic, enhanced by a well-composed soundtrack that evokes both relaxation and tension during gameplay. Reviewers highlight the charming visuals and immersive world, which effectively draw players into the experience, despite some gameplay issues. Overall, the combination of graphics, sound, and art style creates a captivating and memorable atmosphere reminiscent of classic gaming.
- “The music in particular sets an absolutely lovely atmosphere that I just adore.”
- “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.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and wit, featuring quirky NPCs and lighthearted elements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever references and amusing scenarios, which help balance the game's more serious aspects. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the comedic elements keep it engaging and enjoyable.
- “Very nice art, soothing music, very nice humor, a very extended world to explore, and full of surprises.”
- “A good sense of humor and a decent story helps to keep it from getting too bogged down in stats and numbers.”
- “It's so witty and funny, and every NPC has some charming personality to them.”
stability
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting a significant number of glitches that can severely impact gameplay, such as lost progress and frequent crashes in specific areas. While some players note that the game is technically sound during their sessions, others highlight persistent issues with menus and certain skills, though the developer is responsive to feedback and issues. Overall, the game's stability is seen as a major concern, detracting from the overall experience.
- “Not good, embarrassing amount of glitches. 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; for example, 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, and buggy menus (at least on controller) make accomplishing much of anything a fight in itself.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % 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.
- “Great art, great character design.”
- “The only niggle is that 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 predictable, lacking the depth and complexity that I was hoping for.”
- “I found the character arcs to be underwhelming, with little to no growth or change throughout the game.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character development made my experience feel linear and unengaging.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-300 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has seen significant improvements, with enhanced graphics and noticeable performance tweaks. Additionally, the active engagement of the public manager for feedback reflects a commendable commitment to ongoing development and player satisfaction.
- “The graphics have improved significantly, and countless hours have been dedicated to balancing and noticeable performance tweaks. It's refreshing to see the public manager actively seeking feedback; that's a welcome change in today's gaming landscape.”
- “The optimization in this game is impressive, with smooth performance and well-balanced mechanics that enhance the overall experience.”
- “I appreciate the developers' commitment to optimization, as it has resulted in a seamless gameplay experience that keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “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, which is always a welcome scene in this day and age we live in.”