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The Last Spell

A roguelike tower defence game that doesn’t throw any punches in relation to its story, pixelated graphics and killer soundtrack. I’m sure you’ll have a blast on the pursuit to banish all magic with The Last Spell.
The Last Spell Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 6,164 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 10 reviews

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The Last Spell Game Cover

About

The Last Spell is a single player tactical role playing game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by Ishtar Games and was released on March 9, 2023. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"The Last Spell" is a turn-based tactical RPG with roguelite elements, where you must defend a city from hordes of enemies over consecutive nights. During the day, strategize by building defenses, leveling up heroes, and choosing skills and weapons. Overcome challenges, break the magic seal, and banish all magic from the world. Experience a range of stats, skills, perks, and traits for a deep RPG experience.

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The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
The Last Spell screenshot
+9
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,164 reviews
gameplay501 positive mentions
grinding282 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel art and an incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Gameplay is engaging and challenging, requiring strategic thinking and careful planning to succeed.
  • The combination of tactical RPG elements, base building, and roguelike mechanics offers a unique and rewarding experience.
  • Runs can be excessively long, often taking several hours, which can lead to frustration if a player loses progress.
  • The game heavily relies on RNG for hero traits, perks, and loot, which can lead to runs feeling unfair or unbalanced.
  • Some players may find the learning curve steep, making it difficult to grasp all mechanics and strategies effectively.
  • gameplay
    1,219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Last Spell" is characterized by a deep and engaging blend of tactical turn-based combat, base building, and roguelite mechanics, offering players a satisfying loop of preparation and defense against overwhelming hordes. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and variety in character builds, some criticize the grindy nature of progression and the steep learning curve associated with understanding the game's mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive gameplay, compelling soundtrack, and the challenge it presents, making it a strong choice for fans of tactical RPGs and roguelikes.

    • “The gameplay loop is cohesive and satisfying.”
    • “Lots of tactical maneuvering, meaningful choices from hiring and leveling up heroes to build order and placement, and a steady loop of gameplay and awards that'll keep both your rational and your reward-craving brains engaged.”
    • “The perfect combination of Final Fantasy tactics with modern roguelite mechanics with a dash of city/economy building.”
    • “They do not present any unique challenges and barely have any terrain differences that influence the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets old fast, but you have to grind, and grind, and grind, and grind, and grind, and grind, and grind, and grind, and grind endlessly to get anywhere.”
    • “The gameplay is completely locked behind losing over and over with no chance to even win without dozens of hours worth of meta-progression unlocks that shouldn't even be unlocks, like +1 mana and +1 action for your heroes.”
  • music
    1,091 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, primarily composed by the artist "The Algorithm," features a mix of heavy metal and electronic elements that perfectly complement the game's dark, tactical atmosphere. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive during long sessions, the majority agree that it significantly elevates the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Honestly has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard; that alone, even if the game sucked, would still make me give it a thumbs up because of how good it is.”
    • “The music is absolute peak; it really highlights how badass this game is.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and perfectly fitting, and testing different character builds keeps you hooked to the game.”
    • “The only big negative is the lack of variety in music.”
    • “The soundtrack for this game is really well done, the mix of tracks offered each help to make the gameplay a lot more engaging and exciting, the tracks are a bit of chiptune, fantasy and metal which I think really lends well to the game's overall style, I haven't found even one track I don't like so far and not one that was out of place, the menu track is one of those chosen few for me personally where before I start playing the game I let play because it's hype and combined with that animated title screen it really sells the concept and world of this game.”
    • “The music is lacking but fulfills its role as a background embellishment to the main action.”
  • graphics
    384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their charming pixel art style, which effectively complements the dark and atmospheric themes of the gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the clear character and enemy designs, as well as the cohesive aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, despite some noting that the pixelated visuals may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and nostalgic feel.

    • “The game's pixel art graphics are exquisitely designed, with easily distinguishable characters, enemies, and environments, creating a nostalgic yet modern feel.”
    • “The last spell's visuals are stunning, with an intricate and detailed pixel art style that really brings the game's world to life.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the music is great, and the replayability is very strong.”
    • “With the pixelated graphics and a thousand bad guys, it's almost impossible to distinguish your own melee fighter in the crowd.”
    • “The graphics are less than mediocre and (intentionally?) emphasize the feeling of overcrowding.”
    • “The pixel graphics are a little rough on the eyes and generally uninspired, but the music gives it a decent ambience.”
  • story
    363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "The Last Spell" is minimalistic yet intriguing, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. Players navigate a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by magic and corruption, with a narrative that unfolds gradually through gameplay and meta-progression, though many find it lacks depth and character development. While some appreciate the unique premise and world-building, others feel the story is sparse and could benefit from more content and exploration opportunities.

    • “The basic story overview where this cornucopia of game mechanics plays out is that magic was made, which was good (for a while), but then greed caused war and war led to developing magic to have nuclear weapon-level powers and civilization blew (most of) itself up and messed up the world permanently, creating a terrible mist that corrupts living and dead alike, turning them into a zombie-esque horde hungry to finish off the last of civilized society's remnants.”
    • “The last spell stands out as a true gem among tactical and roguelike games, weaving a unique blend of strategy, resource management, and emotional storytelling that sets it apart as one of the finest games ever made.”
    • “The story is simple to understand but is interesting as hell.”
    • “The story is almost non-existent once the one good cutscene ends.”
    • “There's not much in the way of a story, but the gameplay carries it.”
    • “The plot is, though, the game's weak point.”
  • grinding
    291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players. Many find it tedious and frustrating, particularly in the late game, where repetitive tasks and a lack of meaningful progression can diminish enjoyment. However, some players appreciate the depth and strategy involved in grinding, viewing it as a necessary part of the roguelike experience that can lead to rewarding gameplay once the initial hurdles are overcome. Overall, while grinding is integral to the game, its execution may leave some players feeling overwhelmed and disengaged.

    • “Very good depth and just hard enough to be a challenge but not grindy at all.”
    • “Ascendancy challenges are won with skill and luck, not grinding losses.”
    • “Lol at that logic, when all of these other games are much grindier than Last Spell - which is not grindy at all.”
    • “However, most of the game is tedious time wasting.”
    • “The gameplay is overly reliant on grinding out the metaprogression buffs and unlocks before you really stand a chance at getting anywhere past the first 4-5 waves, which bogs down the whole experience with completely unnecessary tedium.”
    • “The game is incredibly unbalanced and unbeatable without a lot of grinding.”
  • replayability
    282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, largely due to its roguelite elements, including permadeath, procedural maps, and a variety of unlockable strategies and character builds. Players appreciate the depth and complexity of gameplay, which encourages experimentation and offers new challenges with each run. However, some reviewers noted that the fixed campaign and limited map variety could hinder long-term replayability, suggesting that while the game is engaging, it may require additional content to maintain interest over time.

    • “Additionally, the game’s roguelike elements—permadeath and procedural maps—offer high replayability, with each run presenting new challenges and strategic puzzles.”
    • “Great replayability through different viable strategies and randomized heroes & loot.”
    • “The game has tons of fun and interesting build options, massive replay value, and a huge amount of enemy and strategy variety.”
    • “So I ended up with a game that seemed to offer a lot of replayability at first, but overstayed its welcome to such a degree that I never even finished the last couple of levels.”
    • “The game touts its roguelite formula as providing replayability, but in reality, you're being forced to repeat a lot of content over and over for another shot at bosses with hidden rules that you will lose against until you figure them out.”
    • “Despite all those positive points above, I give tentative positive due to replayability and many other gameplay issues that exist as of right now.”
  • atmosphere
    69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by stunning pixel art and a haunting soundtrack that perfectly complements the post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight the effective combination of sound design and visuals, creating a tense and exhilarating experience that draws players into its world. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a masterful blend of strategy, emotion, and thematic depth, making it a standout feature that captivates players.

    • “The sound and visuals work together perfectly, creating an atmosphere that is both dark and exhilarating.”
    • “The audio design complements this atmosphere with haunting melodies and impactful sound effects that heighten the tension during enemy onslaughts and triumphant moments alike.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is great and the sense of dread when you know that it's doomed, but you still try to save everything is great.”
    • “Not a big deal, but it really detracted from the atmosphere and took me out of the setting instantly.”
    • “Punishing tone and atmosphere (stressful neck ache after tensing for 6 hours).”
    • “Grim atmosphere.”
  • optimization
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including lag, stuttering, and high CPU usage, particularly during intense gameplay moments. While some users appreciate the depth of character and resource optimization, they express frustration over the game's technical shortcomings, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, there are indications that performance has improved over time, and some players still find the gameplay engaging and rewarding.

    • “Fun gameplay loop of combat, character build optimization, unlocking improvements, and base building/resource management.”
    • “Base building has its own depth, and if you're into gear optimization there's a lot to min/max about each character.”
    • “You control the economy, the equipment, the perks, the gear; every little detail is under your control and has a modest to profound effect on your performance.”
    • “There are some serious optimization problems that need fixing, especially given this is a 2D game with a relatively small map size.”
    • “Game is extremely unoptimized, using 70% of an 8c16t CPU as well as 70% of a RTX 3070.”
    • “Most players play with sub-30 FPS due to poor optimization; new features are broken and require you to restart the game quite often to fix them.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark and bleak themes with witty dialogue and absurd situations that elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, humorous cutscenes, and the game's self-aware commentary on its challenges, creating a unique balance between grim aesthetics and comedic relief. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.

    • “Your heroic lunatics (they say some unhinged, funny things in combat) are both powerful and at the mercy of their own lives/faults, demonstrated in their traits.”
    • “The setting is incredibly dark and bleak as it makes sure that's rubbed in your face at all times with a biting sense of humor that perfectly balances out its grim dark tone.”
    • “This is one of those incredibly rare gems where grim aesthetic, humor, genuine tactical gameplay, and rewarding progression converge.”
  • stability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes, bugs, and UI issues that hinder gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth and bug-free sessions, the consensus is that the game is still in an early access state and requires further polishing to address its numerous stability problems. A few players noted improvements after updates, suggesting that the developers are actively working on enhancing the game's stability.

    • “Smooth, essentially bug-free gameplay.”
    • “Now, the price may seem a bit high for an early access title, but it is really well polished and bug-free (as far as I can tell). The slow, yet fun progression system turned out to be a good way to keep me hooked, without having seen all the content in the first two days.”
    • “I played the game for two weeks straight, and as far as I can tell, it's bug-free, though there are a few minor balance issues.”
    • “I really want to like this game, but the more I play it, the more random freezes I get, and the longer they are.”
    • “Could be a good game but right now it's still a buggy mess, freezes constantly for no reason making the game unplayable.”
    • “Dreadfully buggy with an extremely slow gameplay loop that looks like it'll get stale quickly.”
  • character development
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and variety, offering satisfying progression through various mechanics like weapon options and skills. While some players find the character development engaging and integral to gameplay, others feel it lacks narrative depth and can be overwhelming at first. Overall, the game successfully blends character development with city-building and strategy elements, though some critiques highlight a perceived absence of a compelling story.

    • “The game demonstrates depth in both character development and city building, for defense purposes.”
    • “It brings a lot of depth to strategy on so many levels when going into character development, base defense, party members, etc. It was a little overwhelming at first glance, but once I cleared the first battle, I quickly realized all of what the game has to offer.”
    • “If you like lots of options in weapons, skills, buffs, and character development, this is the game for you.”
    • “Game has a lot in common with the top-down, turn-based RPGs like Shadowrun: Dragonfall...except no plot, no story to speak of, no character development.”
    • “The game definitely feels lazy in terms of story, plot, writing, and character development (it's largely absent). The mechanics feel shipped in wholesale from other games.”
    • “It is a blend of survival zombie rush and turn-based combat with a dash of city building and RPG-lite character development.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its intense gameplay that evokes a range of feelings, from the satisfaction of victory to the heartbreak of losing hard-earned progress. Players report experiencing deep emotional responses, including frustration and joy, as they navigate the challenging mechanics and narrative elements, making it a memorable and impactful experience. The game's art style and soundtrack further enhance its emotional resonance, creating a compelling atmosphere for players.

    • “Its deep gameplay mechanics, compelling risk-reward cycle, and striking art style make it a must-play for strategy enthusiasts looking for a challenging and emotionally resonant adventure.”
    • “It's heartbreaking when you lose hours of progress to bad luck, bad planning, or sometimes bad RNG... if you want an easy game, look elsewhere.”
    • “The last spell stands out as a true gem among tactical and roguelike games, weaving a unique blend of strategy, resource management, and emotional storytelling that sets it apart as one of the finest games ever made.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing frustration over perceived cash grab elements and excessive advertisements during gameplay. However, a notable positive point is the absence of microtransactions, which many players appreciate, especially in the context of an early access title.

    • “Beyond all that, one of the biggest bonuses in my opinion, is that there are no microtransactions, at least as of this writing.”
    • “No microtransactions, honest about being early access, and so far didn't have any game-breaking bugs that a reboot didn't immediately fix.”
    • “I've been looking for a casual tactical sim without microtransactions for a while... and yes, 6-8 hour runs may not sound 'casual' but there are several natural breaking points in the game.”
    • “Just becoming a cash grab.”
    • “Even if you're not microing to the utmost degree (even though you very much have to if you want to have a chance at the bosses, who just positively spam you with ads while you wait for their phases to change).”
    • “I've been looking for a casual tactical sim without microtransactions for a while... and yes, 6-8 hour runs may not sound 'casual', but there are several natural breaking points in the game, and the story is... well, there isn't much of one that I've seen so far.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews
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28h Median play time
43h Average play time
10-62h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 64 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Last Spell is a tactical role playing game with horror and fantasy themes.

The Last Spell is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 43 hours playing The Last Spell.

The Last Spell was released on March 9, 2023.

The Last Spell was developed by Ishtar Games.

The Last Spell has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

The Last Spell is a single player game.

Similar games include Gordian Quest, Super Fantasy Kingdom, Across the Obelisk, The King is Watching, Urtuk: The Desolation and others.