Zoeti
- April 20, 2023
- Akupara Games
"Zoeti is a turn-based roguelike where a deck of playing cards is used to create card combos and activate skills in battle. The game takes place in a once peaceful land now overrun by monsters, and you, a Star-Soul hero, must protect devout townsfolk by cracking open the enemy's defenses and bolstering your arsenal of skills and upgrades. Overcome the evil plaguing your land and restore peace in Zoeti."
Reviews
- Unique gameplay mechanics that incorporate poker hands as a resource for abilities, providing a fresh twist on the deck-building genre.
- Charming art style and a relaxing soundtrack that enhances the overall gaming experience.
- Offers a good variety of cards and abilities, allowing for experimentation and strategic depth in gameplay.
- Frequent and lengthy loading times that can disrupt immersion and enjoyment.
- The game can be punishingly difficult, with enemies scaling faster than the player, leading to frustrating encounters.
- Lack of clarity in visual elements and tutorials, making it challenging to understand certain mechanics and effects.
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the relaxing and enjoyable soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere, others criticize the limited variety, noting that only a few tracks are used repeatedly throughout the experience. The final boss's music choice was particularly disappointing for some, as it lacked the epic feel expected for such a climactic moment. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-regarded for its quality and ability to create a pleasant backdrop.
“Music is good, and hard to get bored of, which is helpful when you're listening to it dozens of times.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic.”
“The soundtrack is relaxing and well suits the world of the game.”
“I only heard 4-5 songs during the course of beating the story.”
“This game has main menu, battle, town, and cutscene music that feels like the same 4 tracks.”
“Why is the campsite meditation music so chill?”
- story9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story offers depth and potential, but many players find it lacks character development and feels repetitive due to the need to restart after each failed attempt. While some enjoy the narrative and its integration with gameplay, others feel it doesn't engage them enough to care about the characters or the overall plot. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, with both appreciation for its depth and criticism for its execution.
“The randomization, even in the single on-rails story that the game has, is subtle but effective.”
“I also really enjoy the story as well.”
“I never cared a whole lot about the story.”
“Although I did generically like the characters, the story is short and the characters aren't really given a lot of focus or development.”
“The story, if you are interested, has a lot of depth; however, having a story that you repeatedly try to complete and start from scratch after each failed run makes the runs feel a little monotonous.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally accessible and enjoyable, with a simple learning curve and distinct character classes featuring unique mechanics. However, players express frustration with frequent loading screens that disrupt the experience, and some class-specific challenges can lead to difficulty against certain enemies, even with strong builds. Overall, the game offers engaging mechanics reminiscent of "Slay the Spire," appealing to both casual and strategic players.
“Relying on combinations of cards and keeping track of what you have in your hand as well as your upcoming draws is crucial to the gameplay.”
“I came for the fun-looking characters, but I'm really enjoying the gameplay!”
“This is probably my biggest gripe: do I really want to start a run when 10-15% of gameplay is loading screens?”
“The actual gameplay is simple enough to pick up and understand; you don't need to understand poker to enjoy this.”
“Relying on combinations of cards and keeping track of what you have in your hand, as well as your upcoming draws, is crucial to the gameplay.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their charming art style and appealing visuals, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience. Reviewers highlight the delightful artwork and the integration of music, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
“The art style and music are awesome!”
“The visuals are very nice and pretty.”
“It's an enjoyable time with adorable artwork and lots of options on how to build my deck.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its engaging designs and witty dialogue, which adds a layer of charm and humor to the interactions, particularly highlighting the cheeky personality of characters like Rabelle.
“I love the character designs, and the dialogue makes me smirk more times than I expected. (Cheeky, cheeky Rabelle)”
“The depth of each character's backstory adds so much to the overall experience, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
“Watching the characters grow and evolve throughout the game is incredibly rewarding; their journeys are both relatable and inspiring.”