Traps N' Gemstones
- April 16, 2015
- Donut Games
Get on Steam"Traps N' Gemstones" is a Metroidvania-style platformer from Donut Games, featuring precise controls and exemplary level design. You play as an adventurer exploring a pyramid to uncover the mystery behind stolen relics and an unknown perpetrator, with various abilities and weapons to discover along the way. Highly praised by critics, it's considered one of the best games in its genre, providing a challenging and engaging experience.
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Reviews
- The game offers a fun and relaxing exploration-based experience with enjoyable puzzles and mechanics.
- Graphics are well done, featuring a colorful, cartoon pixel style that enhances the overall aesthetic.
- It's a solid platformer that is easy to pick up and play, making it suitable for casual gamers and beginners.
- The lack of clear guidance on where to go next and which relics to use on pedestals leads to frustrating backtracking and trial and error.
- The game lacks depth, with minimal combat, no boss fights, and a health mechanic that can make gameplay feel unchallenging.
- The score system feels out of place, as dying resets your score and collected gems, diminishing their significance in the exploration-focused gameplay.
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, featuring fluent controls and engaging puzzles within a metroidvania framework, complemented by NPC interactions that enhance the experience. However, some players may find the absence of a health mechanic and the frustrating score reset upon death to be drawbacks. Overall, while it lacks depth, the solid core gameplay makes it worth considering, especially on sale.
“I liked the puzzles; it has a bunch of mechanics, some of them are used in only special rooms or only in one place.”
“I like that it's a metroidvania-style game where there are actually NPCs to talk to, so you don't feel too lonely. The gameplay is fun, the controls work fluently, and I love the Egyptian theme.”
“I'd still recommend it on sale, though, as the basic gameplay is solid enough to be fun even though it's lacking more depth.”
“The lack of any sign of an HP mechanic a quarter of the way in is a bad sign in my books.”
“Completionists may also be annoyed at the score mechanic - your score increases when you collect gems and coins, but when you die it resets to 0 and they all respawn.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are well-executed, featuring a smooth, cute, cartoonish pixel style that appeals to a broad audience, not just younger players. The visuals enhance the overall experience while ensuring controls are responsive and less prone to errors.
“The graphics are well done.”
“The graphics are smooth and the controls are less prone to mis-hits.”
“Cuties' graphics alone do not signal a game for younger kids just arriving at this level of play in games.”
“Graphics are cute, cartoon, pixel style.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features a minimal and straightforward story that many players feel is not essential to the overall experience, as the simplicity of the plot aligns with the game's design.
“The game is quite simple overall, and there's very little story.”
“The plot is nothing special, but this kind of game really doesn't need one.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game lacks replayability, suggesting that the price of $9.99 may be steep for a playtime of only 5-7 hours, although some still find value in the experience.
“I don't see any replayability, so $9.99 may be a bit high for 5-7 hours, but it was worth it to me.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with users noting that while the sound effects are satisfactory, the background music is largely absent, only featuring prominently on the opening screen.
“The sound effects are okay, but I didn't hear any background music except for the opening screen.”
“The music is repetitive and quickly becomes annoying.”
“There is a lack of variety in the soundtrack, making the gameplay feel monotonous.”
