Wildfrost

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,641 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Wildfrost Game Cover
A perfect balance of accessibility and strategic depth, elevated by charming visuals and buckets of personality.
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Wildfrost is a tactical, single-player card game with a unique atmosphere, stellar mechanics, and exceptional visuals/soundtrack. Assemble your deck with cute companions, elemental items, and powerful charms to battle against the Wildfrost and develop the hub town of Snowdwell. With endless replayability, a hilarious story, and a variety of Leaders to choose from, this game offers a wholesome experience that is both strategically challenging and gratifying.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,641 reviews
gameplay619 positive mentions
grinding36 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and engaging gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
  • Unique mechanics that blend tactical positioning with card-based combat, offering a fresh take on the genre.
  • High replayability with various strategies and synergies to explore, making each run feel different.
  • The game can be punishingly difficult, with a steep learning curve that may frustrate new players.
  • RNG can heavily influence runs, leading to situations where players feel they have little control over outcomes.
  • The final boss mechanic, where your previous winning deck becomes the new boss, can feel unfair and discouraging.
  • gameplay1,561 mentions

    The gameplay of Wildfrost is characterized by its unique mechanics and strategic depth, combining elements of deck-building and tactical positioning. Players must navigate a challenging environment where understanding and mastering various mechanics, such as the countdown system and charm upgrades, is crucial for success. While the game offers a rewarding experience with its charming art and engaging sound design, it also presents a steep learning curve that may frustrate newcomers, particularly due to its punishing difficulty and reliance on player strategy.

    • “Every run helps you understand the mechanics better, and even after hours of play, I find myself discovering new synergies and strategies.”
    • “Its complex, layered card mechanics and engaging faction system, especially with my beloved shademancers, keep me coming back for 'just one more run.'”
    • “The unit-positioning mechanic adds a surprising amount of depth - you may be able to suffice on blowing through battles in the early levels, but the game rewards strategic play through its combo mechanic.”
    • “The gameplay loop is too small, the rewards are meager, and gets repetitive fast.”
    • “The amount of mechanics you have to learn is overwhelming, the unlocks to help in runs are underwhelming, simple mechanics are made impossible to understand, and you never feel powerful.”
    • “The actual gameplay is frustratingly swingy; sometimes you'll breeze through difficult encounters in 3 turns, but other times you'll make a single misplay and get curbstomped by the first boss.”
  • graphics835 mentions

    The graphics of Wildfrost have been widely praised for their charming and vibrant art style, which many reviewers describe as adorable and visually appealing. The game's aesthetics, complemented by a delightful soundtrack, create an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, despite the challenging gameplay that may surprise players drawn in by the cute visuals. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replayability.

    • “The art style is simple yet very satisfying, and the work done on all the sound effects and animation is deliciously crisp.”
    • “Its beautiful art style and captivating animations enhance the overall experience, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “The art style is incredibly charming, and I can't seem to put it down.”
    • “It's a shame the art style is too cute for how demonically hard this game can be.”
    • “The difficulty of the game is a really weird design choice, as the lack of agency (and the cute artwork) really make you expect to be able to breeze through, and that's clear from the negative reviews the game is getting.”
    • “I think a lot of people got lured in expecting something a lot more casual due to the game's cutesy aesthetic and are experiencing some dissonance from that.”
  • music565 mentions

    The music in "Wildfrost" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and immersive soundtrack, which enhances the overall gaming experience. Composed by Paul Zimmermann, the music is noted for its ability to adapt dynamically during gameplay, creating an engaging atmosphere that complements the charming art style. While some players mention that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the majority find it delightful and integral to the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and gets me to hum along in every fight.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, the soundtrack is so good it distracts me from the gameplay and the game in general is really polished.”
    • “The music is immersive but absolute gold at the same time - tracks that you'd want to play outside the game.”
    • “The only part that could be better in this game is the music; it is a bit repetitive.”
    • “The battle music is repetitive and distracting.”
    • “The soundtrack may become repetitive through several playthroughs or long sessions, but helps foster the game's fun and charming atmosphere as you play through and try to beat the game for the first time.”
  • replayability176 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse factions, a variety of cards and mechanics, and daily challenges that keep gameplay fresh. While some players note that replayability may diminish after extensive play due to limited content, many appreciate the strategic depth and randomness that encourage repeated runs. The charming art style and engaging gameplay further enhance the replay value, making it a strong contender in the roguelike genre.

    • “The variety between the factions adds great replayability and keeps things fresh each run.”
    • “The procedural generation of levels and the vast array of cards and abilities to unlock mean that Wildfrost offers endless replayability.”
    • “With its adorable companions, innovative mechanics, and endless replayability, this game is an absolute must-have for both casual and hardcore gamers alike.”
    • “The only real problem I had with the game is replayability: because there is so little RNG, I found games feeling rather familiar after about 20 hours.”
    • “Unfortunatly, I had the main content of the game unlocked and 'finished' after three hours of gameplay, which honestly disappointed me for the price tag, since replayability isn't really a thing if there isn't much content to be unlocked, or synergies to be found.”
    • “All around not satisfying and this game lacks the extreme replayability of Slay the Spire and other deck builders.”
  • story66 mentions

    The game's story is generally well-received, with players appreciating its engaging worldbuilding and charming characters, though some feel it lacks depth and could benefit from more narrative content. The quests and progression system add a layer of strategy, allowing players to unlock new cards and companions, but the overall storytelling is seen as minimal, with a desire for more lore and plot development. Despite these critiques, the art style and music enhance the experience, making it a fun and visually appealing journey.

    • “Story - 9/10: Roguelike card builders don't require a lot of story, but this one does a good job of providing just the right amount for worldbuilding without overwhelming players.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the art style is charming, and the story is engaging—I'm surprised the wild frost hasn't melted from something like that yet!”
    • “A challenging and beautiful strategy game, featuring fun character design, unique and entertaining music, and a surprising plot twist.”
    • “I do wish there was more storytelling, since they give you little lore bits at the beginning for worldbuilding, and that's it.”
    • “The developers could also have made more focus on the story instead of just giving you a few pages of lore here and there.”
    • “As of so far the whole world in the game lacks in variations in the story part.”
  • grinding39 mentions

    Reviews of the grinding aspect in the game reveal a mixed sentiment among players. While some appreciate the structured progression and find the grind manageable, many others criticize it as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the necessity of completing similar tasks and facing the same enemies repeatedly. The balance between challenge and enjoyment is often disrupted by the grind, leading to frustration, especially when RNG plays a significant role in progression.

    • “The achievements are not tedious and drove me to play in the various builds possible to their extremes.”
    • “The game got tedious very quickly for me because I was fighting the same enemies with the same cards.”
    • “Wildfrost is a decent game hidden behind many hours of BS grinding through a tacked-on and superficial progression system.”
    • “It's very tedious and grindy after a few runs, and not in a fun way like Slay the Spire.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying its funny character designs, clever card names, and amusing gameplay mechanics that lead to unexpected and hilarious outcomes. The combination of a cute art style, engaging soundtrack, and lighthearted themes contributes to a fun experience, making even frustrating moments feel entertaining. Overall, the game is recognized for its clever humor and the joy it brings through its whimsical approach to deck-building and combat.

    • “Thankfully, the game's fast-paced and smooth enough that it's relatively painless to spin up another run after you randomly get your teeth kicked in by 30-50 wild boars or punched yourself in the face repeatedly because a crab looked at you funny.”
    • “Not to mention that it is filled with bits of humor, whether it's through the implications of what the card effects mean, the funny character designs, or fun easter eggs (would you spare a naked gnome?).”
    • “Also, the developers clearly have a sense of humor, and the whole game just gives off an incredible, Nintendo-esque lighthearted feel (I mean that in the best possible way since I love the comfortable feeling many Nintendo games have).”
    • “These charms only work 1 game out of many, and they are not funny nor do they add interesting synergies.”
  • character development23 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning art style and unique designs, which contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the charm and creativity of the character designs, noting their appeal and the humor embedded in their presentation. Additionally, the character design is complemented by engaging mechanics and a well-crafted world, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Incredible rogue deckbuilder with layers upon layers of strategy, great soundtrack, and unironically some of the best character design I've seen in a video game.”
    • “The art style is wonderful, the character design and world building are amazing, the mechanics and upgrade systems feel really fun and unique, and it's hard enough that I can't just breeze through the game.”
    • “First and foremost: Wildfrost has a beautiful art style, the character design is top notch and the music creates a great atmosphere.”
    • “Been trying to get into this game for months, the animation, the character design, the sound effects… everything about it is well made, except for the core gameplay loop.”
    • “It's brimming with life from the world building to the character designs.”
    • “For me, the biggest draw of this game was (and is) the art style, which is very fun and appealing - especially when it comes to the character designs.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and immersive qualities, featuring distinct auditory elements, beautiful art style, and engaging music that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the whimsical yet punishing environment, which effectively balances lightheartedness with intense gameplay moments. While some note that the soundtrack can become repetitive, the overall design and atmosphere are considered among the best in the roguelike deckbuilder genre.

    • “Each area has its own distinct auditory atmosphere, immersing you further into the world.”
    • “The incredible design of the animation, music, and atmosphere is among the best in any roguelike deckbuilder!”
    • “The graphics and music are beautifully done, conveying a frigid yet whimsical cartoony atmosphere that perfectly complements the intense, climactic moments of chaining together your combos or avoiding fatal blows.”
    • “The cutesy graphics and atmosphere effectively hide a very punishing experience as you gradually glean what will lead you to victory and what won't.”
    • “The game rides that fun and cutesy atmosphere as a counter to its (current) lack of balance in player agency and difficulty curve during the course of a run.”
    • “If you liked either, but wanted a less dour atmosphere, then I would recommend this game.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance across various systems, with users reporting minimal to no bugs and efficient resource usage. While players note the potential for deeper strategic optimizations, they also acknowledge that the game remains enjoyable even with less-than-optimal builds. Some feedback suggests a need for improved balance in difficulty and deck-building options, but the core gameplay experience is solid.

    • “There's a lot of stuff to decide upon each turn, and there's a lot of room for optimization there as well.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and doesn't require a massive amount of computer resources.”
    • “Constantly figuring out new micro-optimizations for each run.”
    • “You'd inevitably hit a boss that was optimized for a stat that you didn't have and you would die miserably, then you would start again knowing that boss is a potential option.”
    • “While this can present a challenge in the form that you are facing against a group of enemies that synergize with one another, it is also ball busting at times since they are much more optimized than you, the player can hope to be.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its cute and wholesome visuals, which create a charming and immersive experience. Players express a mix of joy and frustration, feeling both smart and challenged as they navigate the game's mechanics, leading to emotional attachments to their teams. Overall, the game evokes a strong sense of enjoyment and heartache, enhanced by its beautiful art style and engaging gameplay.

    • “This game made me feel very smart but also very stupid, but also very smart, but also very stupid.”
    • “I'm the type of person who gets emotionally attached to XCOM units or my Pokémon in a Nuzlocke run.”
    • “The runs are punchy, which is nice, but also leave you wanting just a little more --- building your team carefully, you get something of an emotional attachment to it.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting bugs that affect gameplay, such as inconsistent damage calculations, progression issues, and unresponsive mechanics. While some users have noted that it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall experience is marred by frequent errors and unbalanced interactions, leading many to feel that the game is not yet ready for full release. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay mechanics and strategic elements.

    • “It's completely bug free, and all abilities function as they should.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Game is fantastic and also runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “If it were less buggy, I'd unequivocally recommend it, but unfortunately, as you'd expect with such a variety of effects, there are some serious issues with how some interact (enemies who have the 'hits all enemies' text get to do that even when inked and they should have lost all abilities, damage isn't always what is shown, so you need to allow for 1 or 2 points of variance that doesn't seem to be indicated anywhere, etc).”
    • “This game is not ready yet, it should be in early access, it is buggy as hell; currently, I can't even continue playing as every time I attempt to start a new run, a big error screen pops up.”
    • “Now aside from that, things do not unlock properly, runs end and can be continued from a winning state; I gave myself 3 consecutive wins accidentally because I wanted to just start a new run after winning, but every time I tried, I was prompted to continue or abandon my run. So I said continue, and it continued me from my last move where I was able to simply play one card and beat the boss. Aspects unlocked in town are shown to be newly available after every attempted run and do not present themselves as options when they are supposed to. There's more, but basically, it's a buggy mess.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the monetization model for incorporating RNG elements, which adds a layer of strategy and enhances replayability by allowing them to adapt their game plans based on in-game rewards.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Wildfrost

Play time

9hMedian play time
120hAverage play time
5-35hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 93 analyzed playthroughs

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