Worldless

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,109 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Worldless Game Cover
Worldless is a beautiful game that blends the joy of exploring a Metroidvania with seriously compelling timing-based combat.
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"Worldless" is a single-player fantasy fighting game set in a newly formed universe, where entities are trapped in eternal conflict. With 2D turn-based platformer gameplay, players can explore interconnected areas, uncovering secrets and upgrading abilities while engaging in strategic combat against beings that aim to stop them. The game boasts splendid visuals, an intriguing story, and excellent music, making for a very atmospheric experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,109 reviews
graphics174 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that captivates players.
  • Combat is engaging and rewarding, with a mix of turn-based mechanics and real-time actions that require skill and timing.
  • Exploration is enjoyable, with a variety of abilities to unlock and secrets to discover throughout the beautifully designed world.
  • The map design can be confusing and lacks detail, making navigation difficult at times.
  • Some players may find the combat mechanics overwhelming due to the complexity of combos and timing required.
  • The story is vague and may leave players wanting more clarity and resolution, particularly in the ending.
  • graphics274 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, which combines minimalist design with fluid animations and captivating visuals. Many players find the aesthetic to be both beautiful and immersive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, although some note that the environments can appear somewhat repetitive, complicating navigation. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The visuals are beautiful, the movement feels smooth, it has a challenging but fun combat system, incomprehensible lore, basically everything you could ask for in a game.”
    • “Additionally, nothing I could say will do justice to the absolutely beautiful visuals; everything in the game looks amazing, with incredible backgrounds, along with stunning character and enemy design.”
    • “The art style is captivating and fun, the backgrounds are breathtaking, and the animation is solid.”
    • “The graphics are better in the trailer than in the game; it is somewhat bland and needs more details.”
    • “This minimalism extends into the game's visuals - while they're undeniably pretty, everything within the same area tends to look same-y, which certainly made navigating around the world harder for me - and the lack of a real map certainly does not help here.”
    • “Don't let the pretty visuals fool you; this has janky and unresponsive platforming, and the combat is turn-based with parries.”
  • gameplay256 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a highly praised combat system that emphasizes parrying and absorption mechanics, which some players find challenging and frustrating. While the art style and movement mechanics are lauded for their fluidity and innovation, many reviewers note that the gameplay can feel repetitive across its limited areas, and some mechanics lack clear explanations. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy mastering its systems, but it may not appeal to everyone due to its steep learning curve and minimalistic design choices.

    • “From its absolutely stunning gameplay to its incredible combat, this entire game is one of my favorite games I've played since Hollow Knight.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the mechanics are innovative, and the combat only gets more satisfying the longer you play it.”
    • “What truly makes the game stand out is just how much it rewards players for learning all the mechanics of the game and breaking out of their comfort zone to try new things.”
    • “The gameplay to me is very dry because you do the same thing in like four areas and there is a major gameplay change in the middle but not worth the time to unlock when you could play other games.”
    • “Now, I got to the metroidvania aspects, and, sadly, those range from bad to outright non-existent; the game tries to excuse such decisions as minimalism, but that does not mean they have no negative impact on gameplay in practice.”
    • “The only big complaint I have is that the absorb mechanic can be kind of a pain to pull off, while also being the way you gain 90% of your skill points.”
  • story197 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by its minimalism and vagueness, which some players find intriguing while others feel it lacks depth and clarity. Many appreciate the atmospheric and environmental storytelling, though the narrative can be confusing and open to interpretation, leaving players with a sense of wonder but also some frustration regarding its execution. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it is often described as beautiful and engaging, enhanced by the game's art direction and music.

    • “Breathtaking and beautiful story, the ending was so good that I didn't even realize I had beaten the game until 2 months later.”
    • “The story fosters a sense of wonder and mystery by only ever giving threads of information through dialogue and environmental storytelling.”
    • “A beautiful game, banger soundtrack, awesome fights, fun to 100%, and a surreal story.”
    • “Which brings me to the game's story, unfortunately suffering from minimalism as much as gameplay does.”
    • “But even a lack of agency could be something a story is about, if you tell it properly... which is something extra content does not do, never giving you neither power to change the course of events nor a satisfying explanation of why things must be the way they are.”
    • “Now, the story is a bit meh – I couldn't quite figure out what it was trying to tell, and the ending left me a bit disappointed.”
  • music170 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its beautiful composition and how well it complements both the serene exploration and intense combat moments. The soundtrack is described as ethereal, tranquil, and fitting for each area, creating a captivating auditory experience that resonates with the game's artistic direction. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive environment and emotional depth.

    • “The music complements each area wonderfully - blue circle's music is tranquil and feels about as 'home' as you can get.”
    • “The music is phenomenal and really sets the tone for each area and encounter.”
    • “The combat, visuals, environment, and music are all stunningly created and really blend in with one another.”
    • “Every boss is the same music and probably doesn't change for the green dildo dragon.”
    • “The music takes a bit of a back seat as it's mostly atmospheric, but it's still excellent and pops off when it needs to.”
    • “While there isn't much dialogue and the lore is pretty much up to your interpretation, the music and environments you explore are incredibly evocative and remind me of Hollow Knight's areas, while being unique and not too similar.”
  • atmosphere62 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, unique art direction, and immersive sound design, creating a serene and captivating experience. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful environments, evocative music, and engaging combat, which together enhance the overall ambiance. While some find the storytelling vague, the game's atmospheric qualities are consistently highlighted as a standout feature that keeps players invested.

    • “It is visually stunning even though it is seemingly just a bunch of shapes; they are woven together so beautifully and create a very serene and calming atmosphere.”
    • “Worldless is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric titles I've ever played.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible and the music only adds to it.”
    • “It has style and atmosphere, but I'm not enjoying anything about it.”
    • “You get thrust into a world and you're mostly left to your own devices to figure out what a particular door leads to, what certain things mean, how to successfully beat enemies, etc. It took me probably ~4 hours to really get into the game because of how the map and combat works because of this, but the style/atmosphere kept me going.”
    • “The simple story might turn people off, but the game's art direction and atmosphere more than makes up for it.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its polished performance and bug-free experience, particularly on Linux. However, some users express a desire for better optimization on lower-end devices, suggesting that while the game excels in many areas, it could be more accessible to a wider range of hardware.

    • “The combat puts you in constantly, requiring a wonderful mix of tactics, puzzle-solving, combo optimization, and creative fighting.”
    • “The other mechanics based around absorption also provide direction for your turns that prevents the game from becoming a mash-fest or linear optimization problem.”
    • “The game is extremely polished in terms of performance and is also bug free.”
    • “What I want is not to say the game itself is bad, but just help the game be more optimized for lower-end devices.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews on grinding highlight a mixed experience; while some players find the combat decently challenging and not overly grindy, others describe it as tedious and frustrating, particularly during late-game battles that require precise execution. The lack of quick travel options and a vague map further contribute to the grind, making exploration and item collection feel laborious. Overall, the grinding aspect can detract from the enjoyment of the game for some players.

    • “Contrary to all of the reviews here, I found the combat extremely tedious and boring.”
    • “Late game battles, especially optional bosses, can be tedious and require repeated frame-perfect defenses and attacks in combination, or you die and have to start over from scratch.”
    • “The lack of quick travel options combined with a non-descriptive map can make it tedious to collect everything.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it high due to the enjoyment of combat and exploration, others note a lack of depth and variety that limits long-term engagement. Despite these concerns, many still recommend experiencing the game, particularly through its demo.

    • “Big replayability.”
    • “Despite the obvious Hollow Knight inspiration, Worldless doesn't have much build-crafting depth or replay value, but it still provides a fantastic and memorable experience.”
    • “While the replay value is low outside of fighting everything again, I encourage you to at least try the demo.”
    • “The only thing that might be problematic is the game's replayability.”
    • “Yeah, the ending is a bit 'meh', but the replayability is at max.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The game is described as deeply emotional, featuring genuinely touching moments, particularly in the character arcs of Edda and Aven, which culminate in a powerful final battle. Despite its abstract and vague storyline, players find the emotional impact significant, even if they struggle to grasp the overall premise. Many reviewers note that the emotional depth remains strong throughout, overshadowing some late-game flaws.

    • “While I have absolutely no clue what's actually going on, there are some genuinely touching moments.”
    • “The best word I would use to describe this game on the whole is emotional.”
    • “The story is very abstract and vague, and even now I'm not really sure what the premise is - that being said, the arc of the two characters (Edda and Aven apparently) was very touching, climaxing in an emotional final battle that left me in awe.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its polished performance and lack of bugs, with many players enjoying a smooth experience. However, some users have reported significant lag issues, including freezing during gameplay and crashes when entering fights, which detracts from the overall stability.

    • “The game is extremely polished in terms of performance and is also bug-free.”
    • “Runs great on deck, and 2 hours in seems really fun so far.”
    • “However, I have had a lot of problems with the lag. Every 1-2 seconds, the game just freezes for a moment. When I enter a fight, it can either close the game window without the ability to open it again, freeze entirely, or just show a previously frozen screen.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by its unique art style and visually stunning designs, which contribute to an immersive experience. Players appreciate the freedom to explore the world at their own pace, enhancing their connection to the characters and environment without the pressure of traditional game mechanics like "game over" screens.

    • “The world, the character design, and animations are gorgeous to look at.”
    • “The environment and the character designs both have a very pleasing aesthetic.”
    • “There is the option to follow a guided course and have the freedom to roam at your own leisure.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth throughout the game.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a way that feels satisfying or engaging.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and amusing character designs, featuring funny shapes that engage in playful battles within a real-time rhythm gameplay setting. This lighthearted approach adds a comedic element to the overall experience.

    • “Funny shapes duke it out in a real-time rhythm game.”
    • “Funny shapes duke it out in a real-time rhythm game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Worldless

Play time

16hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
10-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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