Yōdanji

About

Yōdanji is a single player casual role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by KEMCO and was released on December 6, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

Coffee-break rogue-like themed after Japanese folklore tales.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features charming pixel art and unique character designs, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience.
Yōdanji offers a variety of characters with distinct playstyles, allowing players to find their preferred approach to gameplay.
The game is easy to pick up for short sessions, making it suitable for quick playthroughs while still providing a challenging experience.

The combat can feel shallow and punishing, with quick deaths often resulting from mistakes or being overwhelmed by enemies.
The soundtrack is limited and repetitive, leading to a lack of variety during gameplay.
Some game mechanics, such as hunger and leveling, are not clearly explained, which can lead to confusion and frustration for new players.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is described as deceptively simple yet deep and challenging, primarily due to a hunger mechanic that forces players to be economical with their moves as food becomes increasingly scarce. While the 8-bit art style is appreciated, the combat is considered basic and some mechanics lack clarity, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a fast-paced experience that, despite its shortcomings, remains engaging and enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “Ranged attacks have some really bizarre mechanics (some attacks can curve around corners??), and basic combat is relatively boring.”
- “Because of the rapid pacing of the hunger mechanic, some of the buffs from food items, such as tofu, get pushed to the wayside in order to just stave off hunger, meaning most of the buffs never come into play outside of situational strategic usages.”
- “Some mechanics (hunger rate, regeneration rate, hit/dodge %, ...) are never explained in numbers; you can only guess.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The graphics are characterized by a charming 8-bit art style reminiscent of the NES era, which many players find cute and appealing. However, some reviewers feel that while the visuals are nostalgic, the gameplay could benefit from further development.
- “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.”
- “Feels straight out of the NES era; the graphics are really cute but lack modern depth.”
- “I like the 8-bit art style, but the graphics feel outdated and the gameplay could use some more work.”
- “The graphics are not impressive and feel like they belong to a much older generation of gaming.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
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 reviewers noted that the short, looping tracks become repetitive and may prompt players to turn off the music altogether after just a few sessions. Overall, while the themes may initially fit the game well, their lack of variety diminishes the overall experience.
- “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 will get old rather quickly despite the theme it fits.”
- “The music in this game is interesting for the first few times you play, but you'll get tired of it quickly.”
- “The soundtrack is really short and barely lasts one session before you'd have to disable it in the options.”
- “Short looping soundtrack while playing that will get old rather quickly despite the theme it fits.”
- “The soundtrack is really short and barely lasts one session before you'd have to disable it in the options.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, as they can play as any youkai they encounter, including powerful options like enma daiou, which can significantly alter gameplay dynamics. This variety encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different strategies and experiences.
- “The game offers a wide variety of youkai to play, including enma daiou, which adds a unique twist to each run.”
- “Each youkai you encounter in the game is playable, providing endless combinations and strategies for replayability.”
- “The inclusion of different youkai, like enma daiou and hidotama, ensures that no two runs feel the same.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage multiple playthroughs.”
- “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
- “The gameplay mechanics don't change enough to make replaying feel fresh or exciting.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is noted for its charming designs, which contribute to an engaging experience, though the depth of character growth may be limited. The learning curve is described as decent, suggesting that players can gradually become more invested in the characters as they progress.
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game shows potential but ultimately falls short, lacking depth and engagement. Reviewers feel that while there could be a compelling narrative, it is not fully realized.
- “The game has potential for an engaging story, but it is entirely lacking in execution.”
- “There is a hint of a story, but it ultimately falls flat and fails to captivate.”