The Fortress

About

The Fortress is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Baryonyx Games and was released on January 22, 2026. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

You’re held prisoner by the hideous Lich, who captured you during his expansion wars and locked you up for eternity in his fortress with the other outcasts. With no name, no past, and left to rot in a place of death and damnation, you have one goal: survive... and escape. Advance through different rooms in this horrific citadel, face the enemies that block your way, and keep on your path to…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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65%

Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

The game features a captivating dark fantasy art style and immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Gameplay is simple yet addictive, with a focus on RNG that keeps each run feeling unique and exciting.
The developers are actively working on updates and improvements, showing commitment to enhancing the game based on player feedback.

The game heavily relies on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where player agency feels minimal and outcomes are largely out of the player's control.
There are numerous bugs and quality of life issues, including unskippable cutscenes and crashes, which detract from the overall experience.
Progression feels linear and repetitive, with limited variety in items and classes, making the gameplay feel shallow over time.

gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
52%
13%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and addictive nature, drawing players in with solid mechanics and a captivating dark fantasy atmosphere. However, many reviews highlight its repetitive and RNG-reliant elements, leading to a lack of depth and meaningful decision-making. While the visuals and overall experience are praised, there are calls for more content and refinement to enhance player engagement and reduce frustration.
- “The dark fantasy art and immersive atmosphere pull you right into the dungeons, and the mechanics are solid and satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is super simple but weirdly addictive, and it feels faster than you’d expect for a turn-based game.”
- “The gameplay is very intuitive, and even if the dice sometimes work against you, the relics come to your aid and save the day.”
- “Gameplay is quite repetitive over time.”
- “There is little to no depth to the mechanics, and RNG trumps any attempts at strategy.”
- “The gameplay is a bit too simple/linear.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
18%
14%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique retro pixel art style, atmospheric charm, and dark fantasy aesthetics, creating an engaging visual experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful visuals and immersive atmosphere, although some note that the gameplay may not fully match the quality of the graphics. Overall, the art style and presentation are considered standout features that enhance the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are the coolest thing ever, I can't get enough of whatever this style is.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy, creepy and pulls you in right away, and the art style is just awesome.”
- “Great graphics and vibes.”
- “Graphics and sound are pure 1980's big pixel type affairs.”
- “I very much dig the idea of this game, the art style (retro pixel), and the ebb and flow of the story that's being played out, but like, beyond that, there really is no game here.”
- “Like the art style and world-building/storytelling, but the gameplay is too simple.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
8%
23%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark fantasy art, immersive design, and effective use of music, creating a heavy and unsettling vibe that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to draw players into its tense dungeon-crawling environment, though some note that while the atmosphere excels, other gameplay elements may not be as strong. Overall, the combination of gritty visuals and atmospheric soundscapes contributes significantly to the game's appeal, earning it high marks from players.
- “The dark fantasy art and immersive atmosphere pull you right into the dungeons, and the mechanics are solid and satisfying.”
- “The story was very cool, the music was great, and the atmosphere was a 10/10 for me.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy, creepy and pulls you in right away, and the art style is just awesome.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy, creepy, and pulls you in right away, and the art style is just awesome.”
- “The slightly dark and unsettling atmosphere, with just the right touch of tasteful horror, makes it a real pleasure to look at.”
- “I love the atmosphere, the gritty old school art style, and the combat.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story of the game is generally appreciated for its atmosphere, art style, and world-building, with many players finding it engaging and enjoyable. However, some critiques highlight that the narrative lacks depth and significance, feeling more like a supplement to the gameplay rather than a compelling element on its own. Overall, while the story enhances the experience, it is not considered essential to the game's appeal.
- “The story was very cool, the music was great, and the atmosphere was a 10/10 for me.”
- “Awesome game, the art, the atmosphere, the story... absolutely hope they continue to add to it!”
- “I enjoyed the story and atmosphere.”
- “I think there's probably a bit more meat on the bones in terms of going back and unlocking everything, and I do think the dev could definitely add more content, but having completed the game, I find the unskippable cutscenes even worse because the story itself isn't some sort of revelation that needs to be told; it is, at best, there just in service of the gameplay, and the game is actually strong enough to exist without the story, which contains nothing interesting or surprising.”
- “You'll likely complete the story before you ever see a relic.”
- “Like the art style and world-building/storytelling, but the gameplay is too simple.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
Overall, the music in the game has received positive feedback, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and how well it complements the game's themes. Reviewers noted the soundtrack as great and fitting, enhancing the overall experience, although some described it as merely serviceable in certain contexts. The combination of music, voice acting, and art contributes to a compelling atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.
- “Loved the music, the amazing voice acting, and the sweet art.”
- “The story was very cool, the music was great, and the atmosphere was a 10/10 for me.”
- “Soundtrack is ominous and fits well within the theme.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Users generally express a lack of replayability in the game, suggesting that improvements such as better enemy scaling could enhance depth and encourage players to revisit the experience.
- “The game offers incredible replayability with its dynamic enemy scaling and diverse gameplay options.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, thanks to the various choices and strategies available.”
- “The depth of the game mechanics ensures that no two runs are ever the same, making it highly replayable.”
- “No replayability.”
- “That would allow for better enemy scaling and add some much-needed depth and replayability.”