Three minor things. 1. How long does it take you to clear “hordes of basic enemies” as described? Even with no items and asic Skul, it’s still pretty quick. 2. Randomness can actually help, it depends on your perception of a rougelike. 3. Who the hell get’s stuck on act 1? Like seriously, what?
"Game has good story, art, and mechanics, but it's ruined by randomization and grinding." I really wish devs for games like this would just do a Metroidvania instead. Skul looks like it would be a good time with a more linear progression.
why am I learning about the rookie mode just now, after beating my head against a tree for 3 hours? xD I mostly agree that the randomization can punish you quite a bit, but more than the lack of damage, I yearn for some better methods of healing yourself, except for the super small hp blobs dropped by enemies or dumping a lot of money into orc cooking. an estus flask equivalent would've been nice. I adore the pixelated artstyle and setting a lot, but it doesn't really mesh all too good with the roguelike elements. Would've loved to explore the world in a more metroidvania styled fashion a bit more.
1:28 that is just not true. When you buy something you get the bonus right away. I do agree that the game is a little too random. Some of the legendary skulls can carry you past the first 3 worlds with no issues.
@@crabodaru175 mate these kinda games are my bread and butter and I have beaten many a difficult game like this but this one gets to a point where its genuinely unfair
@@B00fus lmao no it isnt the only way you could have died at act 4 is not dodging those debuffs the yellow balls give you thats legit the only “unfair” thing about it just dodge my man
I really, really suck at this game. After more than 40 deaths I didn't even manage to defeat the first hero. Yes, it's frustrating, but I see, that I get better with every session.
I dunno man, I've played a lot of middling to downright bad rogue-light-likes in the past couple years. It think it's easy to lean too hard on the randomization aspects to do your job for you when designing the game.
Balancing a roguelike is super tricky. A lot of them really like to waste your time, and I'm glad he mentions that, cus I really get frustrated with games that only give you a fun build every ten runs or whatever. Hades is a perfect example of how to do it right - probably four out of five runs have builds that're really fun, for me.
The items set bonuses are so hard to get and it gets so tedious levelling up skulls 😅 i think it would be better if enemies could drop bones and random items too... i dony think it would change the game that much. Even when im decked out in legendary stuff i get my ass beat 🤣
I feel like all the complaints here are literally descriptions of what roguelite players like about roguelites. If you want a game where success is achievable without a great deal of skill, effort, and luck, where power-ups are game-changing, where you don't have to carefully weigh your decisions... saying this as a fan of both genres, (aka with no dismissiveness) what you want sounds more like a clicker game than a roguelite.
from the comments and from parts of the review the game sounds like it's more frustrating than it is fun. the developer seemed to have their thumb on the scale when it came to balancing fun vs furor. (the anger side of furor.)
2:27 looks like a straight copy of the Mantis Lords fight from Hollowknight. I understand everything is a copy of everything else but that looked more ‘Copy’ than ‘Homage’
im getting the not so subtle feeling that this guy doesnt like rogue-likes... anyway, a good way to play this game(even if your skulls are absolute crap and you forget to scrap them for upgrades when possible) is to combo up your equipment and have a quintessence that makes use of your primary damage type(physical or magical)
I mean, all of the criticism made to this game just feels like someone not liking rougelikes, but I haven't played the game itself so it may be more unfair with progression then others.
I have the game and they're not wrong. I had to play through 4 runs (beating 1-2 minibosses each time) to afford an upgrade that gave me +2% melee damage. later on, you get SO MUCH dark quartz that buying upgrades is not an issue and you can get something cool nearly every run. but it's like half the playtime of the game as a whole is seeing JUST the first area
I have played Skul a bit, and have watched a maxed out Early Access-Launch player. Between the damage upgrades meaning you finish combat sooner and the survivability upgrades increasing how often you can shrug off getting hit, Skul does feel like progression is a matter of stats/unlocks more than skill when compared to other Rougelikes. I think the critique of the early/mid game is pretty valid.
@@justcallmeleonardo Incredibly charming, i'm happy i bought it. wish it was balanced more at the beginning but after the initial slog, it picks up and is a fun time. Easy to recommend to fans of roguelites but hard to recommend as someone's first.
Another example of the generic luck based rougelite. No matter my mechanical skill, whether a run progresses almost entirely depends on skull and item drops. In say, dead cells, I could overcome any enemy with sheer skill, reflexes and game knowledge. This is not at all the case in Skul.
Like, you can defeat the game with the basic skull. Luck is definitely a factor in how well the run goes, but skill is still by far the most defining factor. Especially in the act 2 boss fight, even the most OP skulls are worthless if you are don't know how to dodge. Also, most runs you get decent skulls. You never have a situation where you only get shitty worthless items, it just doesn't happen.
@@tomribei yea all these people who are gods at rouge likes who only rely on skil for some reason cant run with little skul alone yet its very possible and beating the game with a weak skul isnt even hard and luck stops being a true factor after adventure fight in act 4
too be honest as someone who has beaten the game the review is too positive in my opinion I have only beaten the game once and lost at the last second another time. Even with all the upgrades the final bosses are a almost impossible if you don't have an invincibility skill as well as regenerating items and shield generating items. With the amount of rng involved in this game it is frustrating to try and beat it and in my opinion isn' t beatable with all characters like in most rouge likes. Skill takes a backfoot to rng in this game if you don't mind that than the game is pretty fun till you try to beat the game and get stomped by rng each time.
Just beat the game this morning and I have to disagree. I was worried after that 4th stage boss that the final boss run would be insane - but found it much more forgiving. Almost like the devs did this on purpose to make it easier to get through the home stretch. Just me though
@@atticus725 100% Saint Joan is the hardest boss in the game and I hate it to bits. The only thing that’s sucks about the hero fight is having to get through Saint Joan.
@@wafflecon6029 trueee ive died at joan so many times, only beaten them 2 times and fought the hero 1 time and killed him not a brag or anything but i genuinely think joan is harder than the hero
Gotta disagree with this review. While I was pretty lukewarm on skul at first, the game expands magnificently and is impeccably calibrated and balanced compared to most roguelikes. I've come to like it more than dead cells for the combat options and specifically for how it mitigates luck with several very smart design choices.
@@NOG9003 sure it is, and I enjoy the themes and aesthetics A LOT. But we’re reaching a loop in indie games development. Just makes me sad cause its awesome
Nah, there is a lot of variety - but 2D pixel art and rougelike are just super easy to make and thus flood the market. Heck basic rougelike is literally just throwing a lot of ideas into a RNG and done.
I like that the heroes you see him fighting all spout cliché phrases while they attack like a hyperactive anime character.
LEROYYYYY JENKINS!!
Three minor things.
1. How long does it take you to clear “hordes of basic enemies” as described? Even with no items and asic Skul, it’s still pretty quick.
2. Randomness can actually help, it depends on your perception of a rougelike.
3. Who the hell get’s stuck on act 1? Like seriously, what?
"Game has good story, art, and mechanics, but it's ruined by randomization and grinding." I really wish devs for games like this would just do a Metroidvania instead. Skul looks like it would be a good time with a more linear progression.
When done correctly like Dead Cells and Hades ... its amazing though. But when done incorrectly, it can be more of a chore than fun.
why am I learning about the rookie mode just now, after beating my head against a tree for 3 hours? xD
I mostly agree that the randomization can punish you quite a bit, but more than the lack of damage, I yearn for some better methods of healing yourself, except for the super small hp blobs dropped by enemies or dumping a lot of money into orc cooking. an estus flask equivalent would've been nice.
I adore the pixelated artstyle and setting a lot, but it doesn't really mesh all too good with the roguelike elements. Would've loved to explore the world in a more metroidvania styled fashion a bit more.
There are some balance problems, but man, neatly drawn characters, robust gameplay and only $10, it is definitely a bargain.
It's 20. Not a bargain.
When he was fighting Yggdrasil the guitar head was an anime reference .
also not attacking the head, which is the the only place that actually gets damaged when you fight the boss...
1:28 that is just not true. When you buy something you get the bonus right away. I do agree that the game is a little too random. Some of the legendary skulls can carry you past the first 3 worlds with no issues.
And the cut-scenes are still in Korean (with subs).
"Good bones" I see what you did there :D
Even in My most broken overpowered run where I 2 shot most enemies I still couldn't get past the 4th area
how xd?
@@crabodaru175 because at that point the game switches from a challenge to straight unfair
@@B00fus nah you just have to know what to dodge and abuse th mechanics the skull gives u also dont forget defensive stuff ^^
@@crabodaru175 mate these kinda games are my bread and butter and I have beaten many a difficult game like this but this one gets to a point where its genuinely unfair
@@B00fus lmao no it isnt the only way you could have died at act 4 is not dodging those debuffs the yellow balls give you thats legit the only “unfair” thing about it just dodge my man
You can get legendary skulls easier if you complete a Skull door without taking any damage
I really, really suck at this game. After more than 40 deaths I didn't even manage to defeat the first hero. Yes, it's frustrating, but I see, that I get better with every session.
I made it to the final boss on my fourth run but didn't beat him till my 30ish run I think the difficultly depends on you
It does
I'm learning 3 Minute Reviews just doesn't like roguelikes that much.
I dunno man, I've played a lot of middling to downright bad rogue-light-likes in the past couple years. It think it's easy to lean too hard on the randomization aspects to do your job for you when designing the game.
Balancing a roguelike is super tricky. A lot of them really like to waste your time, and I'm glad he mentions that, cus I really get frustrated with games that only give you a fun build every ten runs or whatever.
Hades is a perfect example of how to do it right - probably four out of five runs have builds that're really fun, for me.
@@Jesse__H YES! I've easily put twenty hours into Hades in the last week since I bought it
was that goblin salyers helmet!?
The items set bonuses are so hard to get and it gets so tedious levelling up skulls 😅 i think it would be better if enemies could drop bones and random items too... i dony think it would change the game that much. Even when im decked out in legendary stuff i get my ass beat 🤣
I feel like all the complaints here are literally descriptions of what roguelite players like about roguelites. If you want a game where success is achievable without a great deal of skill, effort, and luck, where power-ups are game-changing, where you don't have to carefully weigh your decisions... saying this as a fan of both genres, (aka with no dismissiveness) what you want sounds more like a clicker game than a roguelite.
Yes
yes
Yes
No.
skul Brotato On Switch hero slayer
from the comments and from parts of the review the game sounds like it's more frustrating than it is fun.
the developer seemed to have their thumb on the scale when it came to balancing fun vs furor. (the anger side of furor.)
getting some hollow knights vibes from this and I am down with that even if the aesthetic is a little different
2:27 looks like a straight copy of the Mantis Lords fight from Hollowknight. I understand everything is a copy of everything else but that looked more ‘Copy’ than ‘Homage’
There's one big difference, and that's the second phase of the fight. It goes to just one enemy and she's massively buffed up.
It’s similar I think they just start off with a few dash attacks and then move to 1v1s where they get different attacks.
im getting the not so subtle feeling that this guy doesnt like rogue-likes... anyway, a good way to play this game(even if your skulls are absolute crap and you forget to scrap them for upgrades when possible) is to combo up your equipment and have a quintessence that makes use of your primary damage type(physical or magical)
I've been playing for hours and I still cant beat that tree boss even with legendary skulls
😂 u suck
Good review, convinced me to stick with Hades and dead cells.
All 3 good games imo still havent beaten dead cells tho should prob try
If you have a PS5 or a PC, Returnal is 1000% worth it. Flat-out amazing game
The game looked fun at first sight, but I am disapointed to learn it's yet an other roguelite game...
Are these videos from switch or ps4?
I mean, all of the criticism made to this game just feels like someone not liking rougelikes, but I haven't played the game itself so it may be more unfair with progression then others.
I have the game and they're not wrong. I had to play through 4 runs (beating 1-2 minibosses each time) to afford an upgrade that gave me +2% melee damage. later on, you get SO MUCH dark quartz that buying upgrades is not an issue and you can get something cool nearly every run. but it's like half the playtime of the game as a whole is seeing JUST the first area
@@QazaRaspel I see. What do you think of the game as a whole?
I have played Skul a bit, and have watched a maxed out Early Access-Launch player. Between the damage upgrades meaning you finish combat sooner and the survivability upgrades increasing how often you can shrug off getting hit, Skul does feel like progression is a matter of stats/unlocks more than skill when compared to other Rougelikes. I think the critique of the early/mid game is pretty valid.
@@justcallmeleonardo Incredibly charming, i'm happy i bought it. wish it was balanced more at the beginning but after the initial slog, it picks up and is a fun time. Easy to recommend to fans of roguelites but hard to recommend as someone's first.
@@QazaRaspel Thanks for letting me know. I'm pretty interested in the game now.
Looks cool!
Is there an easy mode? I play one player only and have no skills or patience.
kid chameleon feels
Another example of the generic luck based rougelite. No matter my mechanical skill, whether a run progresses almost entirely depends on skull and item drops. In say, dead cells, I could overcome any enemy with sheer skill, reflexes and game knowledge. This is not at all the case in Skul.
Like, you can defeat the game with the basic skull. Luck is definitely a factor in how well the run goes, but skill is still by far the most defining factor. Especially in the act 2 boss fight, even the most OP skulls are worthless if you are don't know how to dodge. Also, most runs you get decent skulls. You never have a situation where you only get shitty worthless items, it just doesn't happen.
@@tomribei yea all these people who are gods at rouge likes who only rely on skil for some reason cant run with little skul alone yet its very possible and beating the game with a weak skul isnt even hard and luck stops being a true factor after adventure fight in act 4
Using rogue-like mechanics is meh. Skul would have been way better as a Metroidvania.
This game Is amazing.
Fun game 10/10, hard to get into, but trust me, you can't stop.
The violent relative of undertale
too be honest as someone who has beaten the game the review is too positive in my opinion I have only beaten the game once and lost at the last second another time. Even with all the upgrades the final bosses are a almost impossible if you don't have an invincibility skill as well as regenerating items and shield generating items. With the amount of rng involved in this game it is frustrating to try and beat it and in my opinion isn' t beatable with all characters like in most rouge likes. Skill takes a backfoot to rng in this game if you don't mind that than the game is pretty fun till you try to beat the game and get stomped by rng each time.
Just beat the game this morning and I have to disagree. I was worried after that 4th stage boss that the final boss run would be insane - but found it much more forgiving. Almost like the devs did this on purpose to make it easier to get through the home stretch. Just me though
@@atticus725 100% Saint Joan is the hardest boss in the game and I hate it to bits. The only thing that’s sucks about the hero fight is having to get through Saint Joan.
@@wafflecon6029 trueee ive died at joan so many times, only beaten them 2 times and fought the hero 1 time and killed him not a brag or anything but i genuinely think joan is harder than the hero
Gotta disagree with this review. While I was pretty lukewarm on skul at first, the game expands magnificently and is impeccably calibrated and balanced compared to most roguelikes. I've come to like it more than dead cells for the combat options and specifically for how it mitigates luck with several very smart design choices.
thank you, i was considering buying this but now i will not cause i hate rouge likes.
Good bones?😂😂
Tried this on game pass. SUCKED
so kid cameleon
Now a days all indie games look the same, kinda sad we’re getting Dead Cells over and over again :/
Little bit yeah but I'd argue there is still more variety than the average openworld, action/stealth with crafting and collectables AAA game.
@@NOG9003 sure it is, and I enjoy the themes and aesthetics A LOT. But we’re reaching a loop in indie games development. Just makes me sad cause its awesome
Nah, there is a lot of variety - but 2D pixel art and rougelike are just super easy to make and thus flood the market. Heck basic rougelike is literally just throwing a lot of ideas into a RNG and done.
Is it as good as deadcells
The game had me until i heard the word "grind".
No thank you, back to Warframe it is.
the irony of this comment
@@mangoeater6919 thatsthejoke