Crystal Rift

[b]**[u] Key was provided by developer for review purposes [/u]**[/b] [b]*This review is of the 0.9.4 version of the game*[/b] [b]I used a controller to play through this game[/b] [h1] Crystal Rift [/h1] Crystal rift is an Indie Dungeon Crawler that shows puzzles, adventure, and creepiness. Currently only act 1 of 3 is available to play through in the story. An interesting aspect of this game is the letters that you find which slowly reveal bits and pieces of what is really going on and what happened beforehand. I will add a TL;DR at the end. [h1] Gameplay/Controls [/h1] The area you go through is based in a square grid system along with your movement. it sometimes will look like you can reach out just a bit more, but the moment you go forward you will die. You can slowly get used to the grid system and it is probably why the editor is available for use. The first act consists of a number of levels which you must traverse, each leading you down a set of stairs deeper and deeper into the unknown. I played on normal with normal scares and the atmosphere this game created was very well done. The save system is quite fair and the puzzles are of an easier difficulty. The controls took me quite a while to get a feel for. The right stick used for moving my head was quick and snappy, and to turn I had to use my LB and RB, however I was able to get used to these controls. This game feels like it is more optimized for someone who owns an Oculus Rift (which I think it is). The controls are most definitely odd and could maybe allow for some options to change them in the future. [h1] Graphics/Sound [/h1] As soon as I entered the game I liked its music as it is well played, and was quite relaxing. The sounds in an creepy aspect were done well, but the moment that really shined is when I was alone, in the dark, and heard a voice whisper into my ear "I see you". Creepy yet lovely. Through the game you will see these shadow figures, or as I like to call them, "Bobby". They will stalk you through the game and are well-placedl to really give the atmosphere of you being alone, and having an unknown number of entities watching your every move. This game does not rely on cheap over-used jump scares. The graphics of this game are ok in my opinion. [h1] Editor [/h1] I think that the editor in this game will be one of its key aspects in the future. In the level designer you create your own dungeon and plant your own scares and effects along with puzzles and traps. I do like the editor, but was unable to find my saved dungeon within the game and I did not know how to test it. I definitely hope that in the future people will be allowed to share their dungeons with other players. [h1] Pros/Cons [/h1] [b] Pros [/b] + music + letters to find which tell a story + atmosphere + fun little puzzles + interesting story + creepy + editor to make your own dungeons [b] Cons [/b] [b] **Note that since this game is currently in early access that some of these issues will be fixed when the game is done* *[/b] - controls are annoying - no idea where editor saves to/ how to test maps - there are two of the same letters in some spots - only one whisper ("I see you") - if you play the main game and exit to the menu the editor is locked [h1] Suggestions [/h1] These are my personal suggestions for the future of the game. They do not need to be taken seriously as they are only my opinion. - expansion on the editor - ability to share created user-maps with other players - options to set controls to use example: only right-stick and ignore bumpers - ability to set sensitivity - expansion on the controller [h1] Final Thoughts [/h1] I am happy with Crystal Rift and will certainly check in once the other acts are released. Through my journey I met a friend in this game who I named Spidey. He would always appear when I needed a friend and I could always look forward to seeing Spidey again. The controls were quite annoying, but I was able to get used to them. I look forward to the future acts and to see more of the interesting story I have started to piece together. [h1] TL;DR [/h1] Crystal Rift is an enjoyable game with an interesting story to discover. Currently only 1 of 3 acts are available. The music is good and the atmosphere is well set. This game (thankfully) does not rely on cheap jump scares. The puzzles in this game are not exactly difficult. The game itself is set into a square grid as you move as if you were on a square grid. This game is probably much better suited with an Oculus, however once you are able to grasp the controls it becomes quite enjoyable. There is a game editor which allows you to create your own dungeon with your own scares and fun puzzles. Overall it is a nice experience that creates a good sense of creepiness and a great atmosphere. [i]If you liked this review or want to see more recommended games, be sure to follow our curator group: [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Original_Curators_Group#curation]Follow Original Curator Group[/url][/i]

My first impression was that the game was reminiscent of "Legend of Grimrock", though without the party system, combat, and an inventory. Here, based on what I've played so far, you're simply exploring dungeons, solving puzzles, and trying to stay alive. My only concern is the price tag...which is about the same as the aformentioned "LOG" and "LOG2". The EA description mentions that: "What is the current state of the Early Access version? “We are really proud of our current state and are ready to share how awesome it is. The level editor is working well and the first act which is about 2 hours of game play" 2 Hours of gameplay for $25 seems a bit steep...I honestly would have pegged this game to be $5 or $10. It's not a bad game mind you, but I would honestly wait a while until more content is added before dropping that kind of money. So would I recommend it? At present, based on the price tag, no. It's not a bad game, but it doesn't do enough to justify the cost right now. I think the devs should have opted for a cheaper price and increased it as the game developed, like many other EA games do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKL64ghSSdA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY_Xxstfom8

Bought today, hoping this game was like the old Dungeon Hack game on the Amiga. It looks similar, but it is not. No inventory, skeletons 1 hit killing me, I have to dodge back and forth instead of blocking with a shield. I'm just a nameless being, not a character at all. Often lag would negate a keytap or cause you to do it more than once. This just isn't fun. I didn't pay much for this game. For that I'm grateful.

I'm glad I was able to get this on sale. I understand what the game is going for. It's trying to be a 3D version of a top down console dungeon crawler. Complete with grid based movement. I can forgive this game many things due to it's commitment to the retro style. But the puzzling thing is why they went with a one hit kill mechanic. The first thing you see in the game is your heart meter. Which I assumed was how many hits I could take before dead. Instead it's some bizzare respawning mechanic. And things that would normally knock you back and take a heart away in classic games intead kills you. You lose a heart and you respawn a ways away. Until you run out of hearts. This makes things like the spike traps more trouble than theyre worth. And skeletons moving their sword at you and the screen going black and appearing a fet feet away feels wonky and underdeveloped. The sword combat is a really floaty and unsatisfying. Combat just plain feels wrong. Everything feels just out of reach. The world feels unnaturally chlostrophobic due to the grid based movement. A perk the game might of exploited if you could actually press your forehead against the door in front of you. Instead some magical barrier keeps you away from the walls. Which is instantaneously immersion breaking. Not being able to move while you charge your sword is also a strange choice that left me feeling unduly frustrated. The sad truth is that everything in this game feels like a chore. And that's a shame. Because with a few gameplay tweaks this could be one of the best dungeon crawlers on Vive. I honestly can't recommend it. There are better, similar experiences out there.

Pros: Charming throwback to the early days of 3D FPS games. Interesting breadcrumb storyline. Finding secret areas is a rewarding experience. Cons: Locomotion. The touchpads on the Vive controllers are what allow you to turn and move around in 4 directions so it doesn't allow for the feeling of presence; this form of movement can be nauseating for some. Sometimes the strafe movement fails leading to your death when you can't dodge enemies. Can't hit enemies when swinging your controller physically like you would if you were holding a sword; you push a button to swing your sword. Vive support was an afterthought for this game and it shows because it doesn't really utilize the Vive controllers effectively or roomscale possibilities for movement. Don't waste your time or money until they actually update this to take advantage of the Vive (and probably Touch controllers for the Rift when they come out.)

A friend got me this game as a christmas present, and I was initially somewhat excited for it. I feel like while this game, or more specifically this style of game might work well on a more traditional IO setup, it doesnt work well with VR. As other reviewers have pointed out, there's no ability to walk around, you just push a button to move, And you have to turn to move in a new direction, causing the cord to get tangled around your feet if you arent careful. The battle style is somewhat silly, as swinging the sword doesnt do much good, instead you have to push a button to swing it. You might as well play the game with a controler and just wear the VR headset as a display while sitting in a chair. Also, I'm not normally prone to motion sickness, but the animations this game presents when you push the button to move to the next square is like you slid to the next square, and that did get me a bit sick. It would be much better if you simply "teleported" and the screen faded out and faded back in at the new location.

Cannot recommend. Not amongst the best grid based dungeon crawlers, not even near, but interesting enough to warrant a play. BUT, the only savegame per level is at the beginning of each level, and it s a ONE time save only. When I entered the 10th level I found myself unable to move from the beginning position. I could swing the sword, look around but not leave the square I was standing on. I was forced to leave the level, and begin AGAIN the previous level I had just completed. BUT, the sequence was broken there, some doors already opened, but I didnt have all gems, and a bug : I found a skeleton standing where a giant rock ball passes rolling. The rock didnt kill the skeleton, but he could kill me as usual. The skeleton was unaffected by my sword, my fireballs passed right through him, as the rock did. Had to uninstall the game.

Good game. I can see why it is disliked though. I personally didn't and don't want to play the story even though it seems fun. I wanted my own moldable exerience. I play for the editor in its entirety. The editor is fun and i spent many hours doing it. This is my favorite Vive game now. If you do buy this game and need help learning the editor read this review. It took hours to discover this on my own. Pressing t will allow you to use the block you are facing to trigger a trap, song, scare, door -exe. When you create a level do it NOT in vr mode it will be alot harder. Dont place down an alien block without testing it first. Pressing n will change the state of an object [on or off]. Most monsters can only move on their type of block. If you have anymore problems look at the control guide. I recommend this game for those who want to create for others or for themselfs. I think the hate this game is getting is because its hard to learn.

This game looked so great and had so much promise. However it was never finished and has been riddled with bugs since release. The developer also gave up on this one, so I would suggest staying as far away from this one as possible.

Casual slasher without component of RPG, no inventory (just swords upgrades), no skills, no leveling. Slow easy enemies. Some kind of easy puzzles, buttons, false walls etc. Very boring...