“Packed-In Ideas and Mechanics Work Well Together”: Overseas Reviews Give “Chivalware” High Scores

*Chivalware* is a brilliant experience that’s impossible to put down once you start. The gameplay loop is finely tuned, featuring excellent battles and a variety of combat styles, so even when you try to stop, you’ll find yourself thinking, “Just one more run,” and taking on the challenge again.The “King’s Leaderboard” is a brilliant mechanism that constantly unlocks new elements, and unlocking and mastering the new “Disk Knights” is particularly special. Playing this game not only took me back to my childhood but also helped me cast aside old preconceptions.That’s because the tile-matching mechanics have taught me to use the entire battlefield with creativity and ingenuity. *Chivalware* is a wonderful game packed with countless ideas and mechanics, and they all work perfectly. It’s the best.

It might take a little time after you start playing to get used to the game’s diverse weapon mechanics. Even so, it has a feel that’s a cut above existing roguelikes, and that’s what makes my heart race.

*Chivalware* masterfully crafts its grid-based battle gameplay loop, and the retro-style presentation is brilliant. I really enjoyed the sense of discovery and the combat, but it’s a bit of a letdown that I ended up relying solely on the ever-increasing number of upgrade options, making it hard to feel a sense of progression that carries over between runs.Setting aside the fact that it may not be for everyone, this is a solid grid-based roguelike that maintains a fast-paced tempo throughout.

Naturally, to fully enjoy this game, you need to get into its rhythm. However, this rhythm can sometimes become too frantic. This tendency is particularly noticeable in scenes where enemies move quickly or unleash attacks that cover a wide area of the grid. Additionally, some random events are a bit concerning.While the game demands you sacrifice a significant amount of health, the benefits you gain don’t always justify the risk.

Combat is constantly dynamic. You’re required to keep moving at all times, even in tight spaces. The gameplay is very intuitive and easy to grasp. However, the game lacks the depth that’s typically associated with the roguelike genre.Although there are many weapons and perks, the game feels stagnant, and the visual style and demands placed on the player only exacerbate this. Taken together, these factors create an overwhelming sense of excessive repetition. It’s a small but interesting title, and while the price is reasonable, it doesn’t seem likely to take the world by storm.