Spellmasons

Developer: Jordan O'Leary
Release: Jan 31st 2023
Platforms:
Indie
Strategy
Creative
Addictive
Multiplayer
Randomness
Basic Graphics
Spellmasons Poster

" Innovative tactical roguelike with deep spell-building and multiplayer but frustrating late-game combat "

Spellmasons Review

Spellmasons is a turn-based roguelike that has captivated players with its unique spell-building mechanics and engaging multiplayer experience. The game offers deep tactical options through creative spell combinations, allowing players to experiment and discover powerful synergies. Many players praise the game's evolving content and active development, which continuously introduces new features and quality-of-life improvements. The multiplayer mode especially enhances the gameplay, creating memorable cooperative moments and expanding strategic possibilities.

Despite its strengths, some players note issues with game balance, particularly in later levels where enemy swarms and limited cover can make combat frustrating. The randomness in enemy placement and scaling can lead to uneven difficulty spikes. Additionally, the graphics, while functional, are considered basic and may not appeal to everyone. Minor bugs and occasional desyncs in multiplayer have been reported but are generally managed well by the developer. Overall, Spellmasons is seen as a promising and addictive game with room for refinement in gameplay balance and environment design.

Highlights

Players highly appreciate the innovative spell-building system that offers extensive tactical depth and creative freedom.

The multiplayer mode is a standout feature, fostering cooperative play and exciting combo opportunities.

Active development and frequent updates keep the game fresh and improve player experience.

The game’s flexibility in playstyles and character classes adds to its replayability and strategic complexity.

Criticisms

Many players find the late-game combat challenging due to poor environmental design and overwhelming enemy swarms.

Random enemy spawns sometimes create unfair difficulty spikes, impacting the overall balance.

The graphics are functional but simplistic, which may deter those seeking a more polished visual experience.

Movement mechanics and hit detection can feel finicky, occasionally leading to frustrating gameplay moments.

Multiplayer desyncs occur but are usually resolved with quick restarts.

Pros

  • Innovative spell-building system offers deep tactical gameplay and creative combos.
  • Multiplayer mode enhances fun with cooperative play and combo possibilities.
  • Active developer support with regular updates and new content.
  • Multiple character classes provide varied playstyles and increased replayability.
  • Engaging and addictive gameplay loop keeps players coming back.
  • Modding support allows players to create custom spells.
  • Quality-of-life improvements continually enhance the player experience.

Cons

  • Late-game combat can be frustrating due to poor map design and enemy swarms.
  • Random enemy placement sometimes causes unfair difficulty spikes.
  • Graphics are basic and may not appeal to all players.
  • Movement and hit detection mechanics can feel unclear and finicky.
  • Multiplayer occasionally suffers from desync issues requiring restarts.
  • Runs are relatively short with no permanent upgrades, limiting progression.
  • Enemy variety is somewhat limited, reducing long-term diversity.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Spellmasons is a magical, tactical roguelike where you customize your spells. Play solo or team up with your friends in online multiplayer, and explore a deep magic system where clever combinations yield powerfully satisfying results!

Release Date Jan 31st 2023
Publisher Octavia Blue
Developer Jordan O'Leary
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (495)
94% Positive 6% Negative