Ravenswatch
" Tactical action-adventure roguelike with unique characters and co-op, but limited maps and steep difficulty "
Ravenswatch Review
Ravenswatch is a challenging and engaging roguelike action game that emphasizes strategic combat and character mastery. The game shines in its unique character designs and fluid gameplay mechanics, offering a diverse roster where each hero plays distinctly. The art style and dark fairy tale theme create a compelling atmosphere that many players appreciate. The addition of co-op multiplayer enhances the experience, making higher difficulties more approachable and fun when playing with friends.
However, the game is often criticized for its limited content, particularly the small number of maps and repetitive bosses, which reduce replayability after multiple runs. Many players find the difficulty curve steep and sometimes unfair, especially in solo play, with balance issues among characters and frustrating boss mechanics. Connectivity issues and lack of features like reconnecting to multiplayer sessions have also been noted. Despite these drawbacks, ongoing updates and free DLCs show developer commitment, and the game holds promise if expanded further.
Highlights
Players praise Ravenswatch for its distinctive and well-designed characters that offer varied and enjoyable playstyles. The combat system is fluid and satisfying, requiring tactical movement and skillful ability use. The art style is highly regarded, blending dark fantasy with fairy tale motifs beautifully. Multiplayer co-op is a significant highlight, allowing friends to tackle challenges together and enjoy the game’s difficulty scaling. The game also features a useful save-and-continue system, enabling long runs to be paused and resumed. Overall, the game's atmosphere, character uniqueness, and polished gameplay mechanics stand out as its strongest points.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the limited content and map variety, leading to repetitive gameplay after several sessions. The difficulty balance is often described as
Pros
- • Unique characters each with distinct and enjoyable playstyles and abilities.
- • Fluid, tactical combat demanding skillful movement and ability timing.
- • Beautiful, polished art style with a dark fairy tale atmosphere.
- • Engaging multiplayer co-op that balances difficulty and encourages teamwork.
- • Save-and-continue feature allows pausing and resuming long runs.
- • Diverse talent and item systems enabling multiple build strategies.
- • Responsive controls and satisfying combat animations enhance immersion.
Cons
- • Limited map variety and repetitive bosses reduce long-term replayability.
- • Steep and sometimes unfair difficulty spikes, especially in solo play.
- • Balance issues with some characters being overpowered or underpowered.
- • Boss fights can feel chaotic, frustrating, and poorly designed.
- • Heavy RNG dependency on item drops impacts skill-based success.
- • Multiplayer plagued by disconnections and lack of reconnect features.
- • Griefing and no penalties for leaving multiplayer sessions early.
Rating Criteria
Fallen heroes of old folk tales and legends: you are on the verge of a crucial battle against the Nightmare invading and corrupting your world. A roguelike action game from the creators of Curse of the Dead Gods©, playable solo or in online co-op.
