Lunacid

Lunacid is a compelling first-person dungeon crawler that masterfully channels the spirit of classic PS1-era RPGs, particularly reminiscent of King's Field. Players praise its deep exploration mechanics, eerie and atmospheric environments, and a rich soundtrack that enhances immersion. The game emphasizes discovery, with numerous secrets, puzzles, and hidden paths encouraging thorough investigation. Its combat is straightforward but can feel slow and repetitive, relying heavily on circling enemies and timing attacks. The leveling and weapon upgrade systems add depth, rewarding experimentation with different playstyles.

However, the game is not without flaws. Some players find the navigation obtuse due to the absence of an in-game map and labyrinthine level designs. Combat can be tedious with tanky enemies and janky hitboxes. Technical issues such as bugs, inconsistent UI design, and punishing death mechanics detract from the experience. Despite these, Lunacid’s unique atmosphere, intriguing lore, and nostalgic charm make it a worthwhile journey for fans of old-school dungeon crawlers seeking a mysterious and challenging adventure.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Lunacid's atmospheric and moody world design, which perfectly captures a retro PS1 aesthetic. The soundtrack is widely regarded as exceptional, complementing the eerie and desolate environments. Exploration is the game's standout feature, with rewarding secrets, puzzles, and multiple endings that encourage replayability. The weapon and magic systems offer meaningful customization, allowing players to tailor their combat approach. The game's vibe and narrative elements, though cryptic, add depth and intrigue, making the experience feel like a love letter to classic dungeon crawlers.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the lack of an in-game map, making navigation frustrating and often leading to players getting lost in repetitive and maze-like levels. Combat is described as simplistic, sometimes tedious, and unbalanced, with enemies having large health pools and janky hitboxes. The UI and menu systems are cumbersome and unintuitive, with awkward control schemes. Technical issues such as bugs, game freezes, and punishing death penalties diminish enjoyment. Some players also feel the story and dialogue are thin or overly obtuse, and that the game leans too heavily on nostalgia without enough innovation.