Witchfire
- September 23, 2024
- The Astronauts
- 20h median play time
Get on Steam"Witchfire" is a single-player RPG shooter with delightful mechanics, amazing visuals, and ingenious music. Explore vast biomes, confront the Witch's army, and enhance your powers/arsenal. With a good plot, stunning atmosphere, and high replayability, it offers a unique experience, even though it can be very grinding. Early Access players receive the Striga weapon as a bonus.
PC
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- The game features excellent gunplay and movement mechanics, reminiscent of Destiny, making combat feel smooth and satisfying.
- Witchfire offers a unique blend of roguelike and extraction shooter elements, providing a compelling gameplay loop that encourages exploration and experimentation.
- The dark fantasy atmosphere and stunning visuals create an immersive experience that draws players into its world.
- The game can feel grindy, especially with limited content currently available, which may lead to repetitive gameplay.
- Some mechanics, such as the stamina system and damage drop-off, can be frustrating and may detract from the overall experience.
- The lack of a clear tutorial or guidance on certain mechanics can leave players feeling lost or overwhelmed.
- gameplay1,236 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Witchfire" has been widely praised for its addictive loop, combining elements from first-person shooters, roguelikes, and souls-like mechanics. Players appreciate the smooth gunplay, unique weapon mechanics, and the challenge presented by enemy encounters, which require skillful dodging and strategic use of spells. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, and certain mechanics, such as the calamity and sanity systems, lack clear explanations, potentially frustrating players as they navigate the game's complexities. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience for fans of the genre, with room for improvement as it continues to develop in early access.
“Addicting because of a short and satisfying gameplay loop that is always rewarding, even in death.”
“Fantastic gameplay with an awesome dark atmosphere for those who like that sort of thing.”
“The gameplay loop is so satisfying that I'll come back to check it out on new content releases.”
“Gameplay is repetitive, but in a good way, like a roguelike game should be.”
“The gameplay loop is extremely repetitive and short of content.”
“The gameplay mechanics are solid, the gunplay and movement are fun and can be tactical.”
- graphics493 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Witchfire" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive dark fantasy aesthetic, with many players noting the game's impressive optimization that allows for smooth performance even on mid-range systems. The art style is described as beautiful and cohesive, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Despite some minor criticisms regarding texture quality and environmental variety, the game's graphical fidelity stands out as a highlight, making it a visually captivating title in the indie gaming scene.
“The graphics are way better than I expected, and the game is super smooth; it’s clear the developers put a lot of effort into optimizing it.”
“Stunning visuals: Witchfire delivers an immersive dark fantasy world with breathtaking visuals and atmospheric environments that pull you into its hauntingly beautiful realms.”
“The graphics are absolutely gorgeous and very visually impressive, yet I have only had a few issues here and there with stuttering or frame rate drops, which I found impressive on my mid-range PC.”
“It costs $60, it is a full release and not even early access, it is broken beyond any acceptable measure for a release (soft locks on important missions, broken guns randomly spawning in your inventory, mods literally required to fix the memory leaks that cause graphical stuttering, unbalanced items and a frankly dumb weight system, economy so broken that going on a mission costs more money in repairs to your gear than the payout).”
“The art style, animations, enemy designs, weapons are all very bland and boring.”
“The graphics do not warrant such terrible performance.”
- atmosphere248 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised for its haunting, dark fantasy aesthetic, which immerses players in a richly detailed world filled with dread and tension. Reviewers highlight the stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and the effective integration of gameplay elements that enhance the overall experience, making it feel both engaging and rewarding. Many comparisons are made to beloved titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, emphasizing the game's ability to evoke a similar sense of exploration and challenge within its unique setting.
“The game's dark fantasy world is depicted with meticulous detail, from its eerie landscapes to the atmospheric lighting that enhances the haunting mood.”
“The stunning visuals, haunting atmosphere, and fast-paced combat blend seamlessly to create an immersive experience.”
“The atmosphere is haunting and dripping with dread; it's an apocalyptic world stage and you are really alone, with the collector being your only... friend?”
“The creepy horror-like atmosphere, the ease of the gunplay and use of spells, the beautiful and medieval-looking world design... I was excited for every part of it and I was sold.”
“In the end, though, it's the oppressive atmosphere that keeps me hooked.”
- story244 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in the game is currently minimal and lacks depth, with many players noting that it feels sparse and underdeveloped, especially in its early access state. While there are intriguing elements and environmental storytelling that hint at a richer narrative, the overall plot is not fully fleshed out, leaving players wanting more character interaction and cohesive story progression. Many reviewers express hope that future updates will enhance the narrative experience, as the game's dark fantasy setting and lore have potential for greater exploration.
“The dark fantasy setting is both haunting and exhilarating, and I love how the environments tie into the story in such a seamless way.”
“Witchfire is a superb first-person dark fantasy witch hunter shooter in which you play as a wicked sinner turned witch hunter on his final mission to reach salvation.”
“The story ties it together in a very satisfying way and I can't wait for more.”
“As of now, there is no real dialogue or in-world progression of the storyline.”
“The story that exists in-game right now is sparse; present enough to string you along, but nothing to truly sink your teeth into.”
“There's little story so far, but that could change in the future.”
- optimization199 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its smooth performance and high frame rates on various hardware configurations, including older systems. However, some users have reported significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly in high-action scenarios or when loading new areas. While the game shows a high level of polish for an early access title, there are still areas for improvement, especially regarding consistency in performance across different setups.
“The optimization of the game is very good, excellent performance on my 1660 Ti and the game's loading screens are very few.”
“This game nails the fundamentals of a shooter and the mechanics are super fun, the creepy ambiance and graphics and optimization are all AAA.”
“The game is really optimized as well.”
“It costs $60, it is a full release and not even early access, it is broken beyond any acceptable measure for a release (soft locks on important missions, broken guns randomly spawning in your inventory, mods literally required to fix the memory leaks that cause graphical stuttering, unbalanced items and a frankly dumb weight system, economy so broken that going on a mission costs more money in repairs to your gear than the payout).”
“Unfortunately, unplayable for more challenging levels because of stuttering issues on my PC gaming laptop (4070) and no matter the graphics quality.”
“The graphics do not warrant such terrible performance.”
- grinding146 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the challenge and find the grinding rewarding, others feel it becomes tedious and repetitive, particularly due to limited maps and enemy variety. Overall, the game is described as grindy, with many players noting that it requires significant time investment to progress, which can detract from the enjoyment for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“Not too grindy, lots of cool weapons to use and upgrade, destiny-esque shooting mechanics, lots of useful spells and abilities, good enemy variety in terms of looks and mechanics, surprisingly decent boss fights that aren't too bullet spongey, and much more.”
“My criticisms would be that the early level and early game can feel a little bare, there is a bit of repetition at times in the game but it's not grindy in the way many RPGs are, the action is too fast-paced and nuanced to really get stale.”
“I've not played for too long, but so far the leveling is slow, but not grindy.”
“The whole progression is sluggish and grindy.”
“I was very intrigued and interested for two hours, then the game got grindy and boring real fast, once the novelty of the setting wore off.”
“The fights and enemies aren't very varied thus far, and it's become a bit tedious running through the same areas trying to collect resources to advance to the next level.”
- music83 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the game's eerie setting. However, several players noted a lack of memorable or engaging combat music, describing it as repetitive or filler, which detracts from the overall experience. While some found the soundtrack fitting and immersive, others expressed a desire for more dynamic and varied musical elements to accompany gameplay.
“The level of polish in Witchfire is outstanding, with smooth performance, stunning visuals, and a captivating soundtrack that sets the tone perfectly.”
“With a haunting soundtrack and captivating story, Witchfire offers a fresh take on the shooter genre.”
“The music is heavy and atmospheric, working incredibly well with the aesthetic.”
“The most severe detriment to this game is a complete lack of music.”
“1) It really needs some sort of combat and exploration music; currently, it's nonexistent. I can't even tell from the sound alone if I'm in combat or not.”
“The music in this game is just kind of uninteresting.”
- replayability60 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its procedurally generated maps, varied enemy placements, and extensive build crafting options. Players appreciate the dynamic gameplay that evolves with character progression, offering fresh challenges and a wealth of content to explore, despite currently having a limited number of areas. While some users express concerns about potential repetitiveness, many find the engaging mechanics and satisfying gunplay contribute to a compelling replay experience.
“The procedurally generated levels mean no two runs are the same, providing a constantly evolving challenge and endless replay value.”
“This game is one of the best FPS games I've played in a long while; the amount of replayability is fantastic and the synergies you can create are always fun and fresh.”
“The map resets and enemy and trap areas get reshuffled, which helps keep new runs fresh, adding even more replayability.”
“While the lack of clarity is genuinely frustrating at times, at other times it just makes the maps much more replayable.”
“The levels have slight replayability since you uncover more parts of the map as you unlock stuff, but once you go through everything once, there's not much reason to go back to it.”
“Replayability is limited by the low number of items and maps and uninteresting arcanas.”
- stability58 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant glitches and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. Notably, it runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and is praised for its graphics and optimization. However, some users caution that the game still requires further polish to address the existing issues, especially for those playing in early access.
“The content is - as far as I can tell - pretty much bug free, has really good optimization and seems to have several layers of polish applied to it which is pretty rare for a title in this stage of release.”
“No bugs and it runs great on a several year old computer (RTX 2060).”
“This game is a fun rogue-lite/extraction RPG shooter that provides a fairly well polished and bug-free experience.”
“Very good base game but I can't recommend it in its current state with the amount of glitches that will completely ruin your run.”
“It needs a lot of work... buggy, crashes, no saving, super maddening crashing and having to start all over.”
“I'm running a 4070ti super 16gb card with a 5900x processor and the game constantly falls to 20 fps, freezes, and then returns to 120 just to do the same thing again 2 seconds later.”
- monetization21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions, premium currency, and unnecessary grind, which contrasts sharply with many other early access titles perceived as cash grabs. Reviewers highlight the game's focus on pure gameplay without the distractions of live service elements or season passes, although some express concerns about the game's long-term support and potential for future content. Overall, players seem to value the straightforward, old-school shooter experience without the typical monetization pitfalls.
“You can play it offline, and there are no microtransactions or premium currency to worry about.”
“No season pass, no microtransactions, not even coop-play (which they may very well add in the future, because that would be a perfect fit), just good ol' single player fun to the fullest.”
“It's like 'Escape from Tarkov' and 'Destiny' had a baby that was good and not filled with microtransactions.”
“Most 'early access' games are simply cash grabs or poor implementations of the system from what it was originally meant to be.”
“Witchfire feels like a cash grab with no love and no soul.”
“The Steam and Epic releases of the game are exactly the same and in the year since it released into early access, none of the bugs or other issues have been fixed or patched; the developers have just re-released the same version of the game from a year ago on Steam in a cash grab after sales on Epic dwindled down to next to nothing due to negative reviews because they abandoned their game.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd contrasts, such as using modern weapons in a medieval setting and the comedic AI antics that lead to unexpected challenges. Players find enjoyment in the quirky interactions and the lighthearted approach to combat, where even the act of defeating enemies can feel amusingly casual. Overall, the game embraces a playful tone, encouraging players to not take the lore too seriously while navigating its chaotic and entertaining mechanics.
“The AI will unsuccessfully hide from you, which is hilarious until you realize they are waiting to attack you as a horde.”
“Aesthetically, everything has a great dark-fantasy vibe to it, though admittedly it's funny to be using modern-feeling automatic weapons in a setting that otherwise feels like Europe in the late medieval or early renaissance period.”
“Just don’t forget to bring your fireproof gear and a sense of humor.”
- character development8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while the character designs and overall aesthetic are praised for their quality and atmosphere, some players feel that the development mechanics rely too heavily on random number generation (RNG) rather than meaningful growth. Critics argue that this approach detracts from genuine character progression, suggesting a need for deeper interactions and more substantial development elements.
“Character design is peak grimdark witch hunter for all classes (like Dark Souls, starting class is really only for starting stats and appearance).”
“The artwork, character design, and atmosphere are all phenomenal.”
“I don't think just merely more maps or guns would do the game justice - there needs to be more depth towards interaction and character development.”
“Character development substitutes actual development and growth with gimmicks that rely on interfacing with an RNG mechanic that is essential to clearing the late game.”
“I don't think just merely more maps and guns would do the game justice - there needs to be more depth towards interaction and character development.”
“Character design is peak grimdark witch hunter for all classes; starting class is really only for starting stats and appearance.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game's immersive sound effects and environmental design evoke strong feelings of empowerment and nostalgia, making them feel like a formidable hunter. However, there are also humorous elements, such as a character's complaint about emotional damage, adding a lighthearted contrast to the intense atmosphere. Overall, the emotional experience is a blend of empowerment and humor, enhancing player engagement.
“The ambience is amazing; it really made me feel like I am the hunter from the 1400s Vatican church.”
“The shots and the sound effects, the monsters' reactions, and overall environmental design really drew me in and made me feel like a badass.”
“Then Karen from the next village writes a long missive to the big cheese in the Vatican, something about sustained emotional damage.”
