Yōdanji

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 23 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Yōdanji Game Cover
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Yōdanji is a coffee-break roguelike game inspired by Japanese folklore, where you can summon and trap yōkai using powders made from various body parts. The game features turn-based combat, spooky cute pixel-art graphics, and a huge variety of playable characters, skills, and amulets to collect. Compete in online global leaderboards for a global gaming experience. KEMCO, the publisher, specializes in JRPG games with immersive narratives and quality gameplay.

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

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews
character development3 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • Yōdanji features charming pixel art and a variety of unique characters, each with distinct playstyles, making it enjoyable for fans of roguelikes.
  • The game offers a challenging experience that encourages players to learn and adapt, providing a rewarding sense of progression as they unlock new yōkai.
  • Short play sessions make it easy to pick up and play, making it a great option for casual gaming or quick breaks.
  • The combat can feel shallow and punishing, with many encounters ending quickly, leading to frustration for players who prefer more strategic depth.
  • The soundtrack is repetitive and limited, which can detract from the overall experience during longer play sessions.
  • Some mechanics, such as hunger and leveling, lack clear explanations, making it difficult for new players to understand the game's systems.
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay is deceptively simple yet offers depth and challenge, primarily driven by a hunger mechanic that forces players to be strategic with their moves and resource management. While the combat can feel basic and some mechanics lack clarity, the fast-paced nature of the game keeps frustrations minimal, and the charming 8-bit art style enhances the overall experience. However, the reliance on immediate survival often overshadows the potential benefits of food buffs, suggesting room for improvement in gameplay mechanics.

    • “Here's the thing, the gameplay seems simple, but it is actually kind of deep and definitely challenging.”
    • “Because of the hunger mechanic, being economical in your moves is important, and with each floor, food becomes more and more scarce.”
    • “From the pixel art to the moment-to-moment gameplay -- I'm in love.”
    • “There's not much you can use for gauging the mechanics outside of the 'stuffed, peckish, famished, and starving' statuses underneath the health bar, so sometimes it's just better to eat anything you find immediately, including corpses of defeated youkai and bones.”
    • “Ranged attacks have some really bizarre mechanics (some attacks can curve around corners??), and basic combat is relatively boring.”
    • “Some mechanics (hunger rate, regeneration rate, hit/dodge %, ...) are never explained in numbers; you can only guess.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics are characterized by a charming 8-bit art style reminiscent of the NES era, described as "spooky cute" with creative elements like powders made from body parts. While the visuals are appreciated for their nostalgic appeal, some users feel that the gameplay could be improved.

    • “Feels straight out of the NES era, really cute graphics.”
    • “Spooky cute graphics and powders made from various body parts included.”
    • “Not to be confused with it getting a hardware stress test like games that have GPU-melting graphics... rage.”
    • “Feels straight out of the NES era; really cute graphics.”
    • “I like the 8-bit art style, but the gameplay could use some more work.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game features a limited soundtrack, with only one theme for the first nine floors and a different one for the tenth, leading to quick fatigue among players. Many users find the short looping tracks repetitive, prompting them to disable the music after a brief period of play.

    • “The soundtrack is really short and barely lasts one session before you'd have to disable it in options.”
    • “The short looping soundtrack while playing fits the theme, but it will get old rather quickly.”
    • “The soundtrack is really short and barely lasts one session before you'd have to disable it in the options.”
    • “It's a short looping soundtrack while playing that will get old rather quickly, despite fitting the theme.”
  • story3 mentions

    The game's story is criticized for being virtually nonexistent, leaving players without a compelling narrative to engage with. Reviewers express disappointment over the lack of variety and depth, suggesting that the potential for an interesting story is squandered amidst repetitive gameplay and uninspired level design.

    • “There’s unfortunately no story to hook onto here (probably their first mistake), just an assortment of folklore critters and a dungeon to send them into.”
    • “- Potential to have some story but is lacking it entirely.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, as they can play as any youkai they encounter, including powerful characters like Enma Daiou, which adds variety and encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “The variety of youkai you can encounter and play as adds immense replayability to the game, making each run feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “With the inclusion of unique characters like Enma Daiou and Hidotama, every playthrough offers new strategies and experiences.”
    • “The ability to choose from a diverse roster of youkai keeps the gameplay dynamic, encouraging players to explore different play styles.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replaying it feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that subsequent playthroughs feel repetitive and uninspired.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted for its charming designs and a balanced learning curve, providing players with an engaging experience despite being a minor distraction.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The diverse range of character arcs adds depth to the story, making every decision feel meaningful.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky blend of absurdity and dark comedy, featuring elements like bean-defeating demons and flying-head vampires, which range from laugh-out-loud funny to unsettlingly bizarre.

    • “From demons who can be defeated with beans to flying-head vampires, they run the gamut from hilarious to horrifying.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd scenarios had me laughing out loud at every turn.”
    • “The game is filled with clever puns and unexpected jokes that keep the experience light-hearted and fun.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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