The Keep
- March 16, 2017
- CINEMAX GAMES
- 32h median play time
Get on Steam"The Keep" is a first-person dungeon crawler with real-time combat, bringing the essence of classic RPGs to modern audiences. Explore mines and caves filled with puzzles, traps, and monsters, using strategic weapon-based attacks to defeat enemies. The game features a variety of surprises and challenges, ensuring that players will die frequently and be challenged to adapt their strategies.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Nintendo 3ds
Reviews
- The game features a unique and interesting magic system that allows for creative spellcasting through rune arrangement.
- Puzzles are engaging and require thoughtful problem-solving, making the gameplay rewarding for fans of the genre.
- The game has a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers, appealing to fans of old-school RPGs.
- The combat system is clunky and poorly adapted for PC, making melee attacks frustrating and difficult to execute.
- There is only one save slot, which can lead to significant frustration if players make mistakes or encounter game-breaking bugs.
- The game suffers from a lack of depth in character customization and variety in enemies, leading to a repetitive experience.
- gameplay20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the combat mechanics clunky and less enjoyable when using a mouse compared to touch controls. While some appreciate the unique combat and magic systems, others criticize the overall simplicity and lack of depth in character progression, leading to a generally mediocre experience. The game's dungeon-crawling elements and graphical presentation are noted, but they do not significantly enhance the gameplay, which many find uninteresting and repetitive.
“The keep is a decent dungeon-crawler RPG, with a nice graphical presentation and simple gameplay, despite the single character aspect.”
“Great game, enjoyed the mechanics.”
“It sure helps gameplay immersion!”
“Combat and magic mechanics are unique, but building your stats and character is a bland pursuit.”
“The game itself is mediocre; gameplay is okay, but the hardest impact makes the fighting system difficult. You can perform basic melee attacks, but executing complex moves is almost impossible.”
“The battle mechanics are clunky, that's for sure.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it mediocre and lacking replay value, while others appreciate its flow and presentation, particularly the voice acting. Although the narrative includes familiar themes like corruption and dungeon exploration, it fails to stand out significantly, often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the story has its moments, it is generally considered unremarkable and predictable.
“Truth be told, I kept playing only for the story, the interesting rune building, and the final boss.”
“Voice overs are excellent and the story is eerie: save the children, kill the monsters, and loot the dungeon!”
“Only criticism is the boring story and lack of replay value.”
“As a game it is okay, but nothing really stands out, not the gameplay nor the story.”
“The game has a predictable story about crystals corrupting stuff, which would be unremarkable were it not for the scenery-chewing, Shakespearean voice actor reading it out.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics in "The Keep" are described as decent but ultimately mediocre, with simple designs that lead to a dull visual experience. While the character and monster graphics are acceptable, the repetitive backgrounds and lack of decorative elements contribute to an uninspired aesthetic. Overall, the visuals do not significantly enhance the gameplay, which some players find lacking in excitement.
“The keep is a decent dungeon-crawler RPG, with a nice graphical presentation and simple gameplay, despite the single character aspect.”
“It has decent graphics, but sounds are kind of basic.”
“I enjoyed this game as a fan of other dungeon crawls of this style, the exploration is interesting, the graphics are simple, the battles take some thinking, but not much different than others of this type.”
“The graphics of monsters are middling and the backgrounds are rudimentary: there are few varieties of walls with the same modular design; many places look very dull because there is barely any furniture or decorative motifs: most are empty.”
“The story itself is mediocre, same as the graphics.”
“The graphics were okay, but the gameplay is stultifying.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players finding the story unengaging and the only incentive to replay being the pursuit of achievements. While some players have low expectations due to the game's budget price, the consensus is that it does not offer significant replay value.
“The game offers a surprising amount of replayability, with multiple paths and choices that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging.”
“I love how each run feels different due to the random elements and varied character builds, making me want to dive back in for more.”
“With numerous unlockable content and challenges, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to experience everything it has to offer.”
“Only criticism is the boring story and lack of replay value.”
“I don't have a lot of high expectations since I almost always buy my games seriously reduced (only a couple of bucks) and I started with serious old school games like Eye of the Beholder, Wizardry 6, 7, & 8, etc. This game won't win any awards and it has little replay value other than trying to get all achievements.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for being undermined by a boring story and a lack of replay value, leading some users to feel that it does not justify its full price.
“The emotional depth of the story is overshadowed by its predictability and lack of engaging moments.”
“I found the characters' emotional arcs to be flat and unconvincing, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
“Despite attempts at emotional storytelling, the game ultimately feels hollow and fails to evoke any real feelings.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its engaging and creepy ambiance, enhanced by effective lighting and smart level design. Players appreciate the combination of fun puzzles and a well-crafted environment that contributes to an enjoyable dungeon-crawling experience.
“Overall, I think it's a fun dungeon crawler with a great atmosphere, smart level design, and engaging puzzles.”
“The lighting is good and sets a nice, creepy atmosphere.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably lacking, as players are confined to a solo experience without the ability to customize their hero or engage with a party system. The absence of vendors and complex character progression further diminishes the depth of character development, leaving players feeling unsatisfied.
“There's no proper party here; you're alone for the entire game and can't even customize your hero before starting.”
“The lack of vendors and complicated character development really detracts from the overall experience.”
“The absence of meaningful character development makes the journey feel flat and unengaging.”
