Ghoul Smash Reviews

Really creative game, but the "endgame" is kinda lame and unsatisfying. Still it's woth getting there and playing a bit with different strategies.

If you like POE and need a bit of a distraction - this is a good game with some unique mechanics. Very fun.

Yeap, can recommend! Game is fun and somehow addictive, but someone may find it repetetive.

A game this cheap being this good is Criminal. It is pretty much a fleshed out game at this point and addictive as heck.

ARPG pool is a really unique and surprisingly fun concept. Another review mentions issues with save slot 1, so I'll just say it's working for me (and even carried over my progress from the demo).

Really good. Attacks feel nice, look feels fresh, crafting feels pretty nice. The bosses were fairly interesting so far This game has more than a small amount of potential. If the content is filled out and quality of lifes like highlighted colors for item rarity/quality at a glance get added, this would be an easy recommend for me to anybody.

I've spent many hours playing this game before it released into early access. It's incredibly addictive and surprisingly deep. Anyone that gives it an honest chance is sure to fall in love.

I had a lot of fun. I never played PoE but a friend of mine said it was kind of similar when it comes to looting and exploration. Tons of loot, lots of uniques, some resources needed for instances (and Bosses and chances at legendary loot), lots of different builds to play around. It s just that fights happen more like snooker (?). Your hero is like the main ball, you throw it more or less forcefully against enemies and everything will bounce against the wall... until everything else dies or you die :) Some QoL are missing, of course. For example, there is no information about what kind of loot you can get and where. But the dev has really been helpful and made a guide/ drop chance table on Steam which is very handy (if you like to complete your sets and explore the whole content, which I do). The game has already good content, solid mechanics, and is inexpensive. To me, the dev only need to make a solid QoL upgrade to make it a full fleshed game. So for an early access, solo dev, I m sold. I recommend at full price. --- Death might happen. Sometimes repetitively. There is a Hardcore difficulty where you have only one life. For those looking for that kind of challenge!

The game is still in development however it still has a lot of replayability and theres a lot of fun to be had with different builds and ways to progress

[h1]Concise Game Reviews: "Ghoul Smash"[/h1] [i](Scroll down for the longer version)[/i] [table] [tr] [th][b]Game Value:[/b][/th] [th]✅ A highly addictive physics-based ARPG, combining simple click-and-drag mechanics with a deep loot and crafting system for a rewarding progression experience.[/th] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Tags:[/b][/td] [td]✔ARPG ✔Physics-Based ✔Turn-Based ✔Loot System ✔Crafting ✔RPG ✔Hack and Slash ✔Hardcore Mode ✔Character Progression[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Genre Classification:[/b][/td] [td]A turn-based physics ARPG with a unique twist on combat and extensive loot mechanics.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Length:[/b][/td] [td]Approximately 10-20 hours for main content, with high replay value due to scaling endgame challenges and Hardcore Mode.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Challenge Level:[/b][/td] [td]Varied; difficulty scales as you progress through acts and bosses, with Hardcore Mode for a brutal challenge.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Graphics:[/b][/td] [td]Simplistic yet charming, with distinct designs for equipment and items, and fluid visual effects during combat.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Technical Stability:[/b][/td] [td]Runs smoothly overall, though some users have reported minor bugs, especially with specific save slots.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Replay Value:[/b][/td] [td]High; the random item generation, scaling endgame, and Hardcore Mode provide plenty of incentive to return.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [b]For further insights, feel free to join my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault]Steam group[/url] or follow my updates on my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault/]curator page[/url]. [h1]Detailed review:[/h1] [table] [tr] [td][b]What It Is:[/b][/td] [td] 🌟 [b]Unique Physics-Based Combat:[/b] Engage in a thrilling mix of turn-based strategy and physics-driven attacks as you smash enemies across the battlefield. 🔥 [b]Loot and Crafting Galore:[/b] Dive into an extensive loot system, gathering hundreds of randomly generated items and crafting powerful gear to suit your playstyle. 🎯 [b]Character Customization:[/b] Mold your character with skill points, leveling, and equipment that change how you interact with enemies, allowing for melee, magic, or ranged builds. ⚙️ [b]Scaling Challenges:[/b] Experience a dynamic difficulty system as you progress through acts and take on scaling endgame challenges, including the intense Hardcore Mode. 🎨 [b]Simplistic but Addictive Visuals:[/b] Enjoy charming visuals with distinct equipment designs and satisfying combat effects as you obliterate your enemies. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🌟[b]Overview:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]"Ghoul Smash" is a physics-based turn-based ARPG that offers a unique twist on combat, reminiscent of pool mechanics combined with RPG progression. The game encourages players to smash into enemies, gather loot, and craft their way to victory across two acts, with more content planned for full release. The combination of mouse-only controls and randomly generated items ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and rewarding. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🎮[b]Gameplay:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] In "Ghoul Smash," the core gameplay revolves around a unique turn-based combat system where you use physics to smash into enemies, dealing damage and triggering effects. Players progress through acts, defeating bosses, and collecting loot to craft stronger gear. Combat is easy to pick up thanks to the intuitive click-and-drag mechanics, but the depth comes from strategic choices in how you use your attacks and manage your equipment. 🌍 [b]Exploration and Secrets:[/b] Uncover hidden Easter eggs and secrets throughout the levels, with rewards that enhance your character’s power. 🔧 [b]Crafting and Forging System:[/b] Use materials from fallen enemies to craft and enchant gear, tailoring your build to suit different combat styles. 💥 [b]Boss Fights and Scaling Challenges:[/b] Face off against a variety of bosses and enemies that scale in difficulty, keeping the game challenging as you progress through its stages. Whether you want to play casually or test your mettle in Hardcore Mode, "Ghoul Smash" offers engaging gameplay that’s both accessible and rewarding. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]📖[b]Story and Depth:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] The story in "Ghoul Smash" is minimalistic, with most of the focus on the gameplay and progression systems. You are a hero tasked with defeating ghouls and monsters across a cursed land, with your ultimate goal being to smash your way to victory. While the narrative takes a back seat, the depth comes from the extensive customization options and varied enemies that populate each stage. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🏆[b]Verdict:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]"Ghoul Smash" sets itself apart with a physics-driven combat system that brings a unique twist to traditional ARPG gameplay. The click-and-drag controls are easy to learn but hide a surprising level of strategy, offering over 50 skills, a wealth of loot, and a Hardcore Mode for those seeking a serious challenge. Each encounter feels rewarding, thanks to the satisfying mix of progression, character customization, and creative combat mechanics. The game strikes a great balance between accessibility and depth, keeping players engaged with scaling endgame challenges and a robust crafting system. While the visuals and story may not stand out, the addictive gameplay loop and the freedom to experiment with builds make "Ghoul Smash" a great pick for anyone who loves loot-heavy RPGs with a clever combat system. It’s a standout choice for players seeking something fresh yet approachable in the ARPG space.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]✅[b]Good:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] 👍 [b]Innovative physics-driven combat:[/b] The physics-based smashing mechanics paired with turn-based strategy create a combat experience that feels fresh and satisfying. 👍 [b]Robust loot and crafting system:[/b] Features a wide variety of items and a detailed crafting system, allowing for endless customization and experimentation. 👍 [b]Replayability for all levels:[/b] Scaling endgame challenges and Hardcore Mode ensure there's plenty of content for both casual and dedicated players. 👍 [b]Accessible but deep gameplay:[/b] Simple mouse-based controls make it easy to pick up, while skill variety and customization options provide depth for strategy enthusiasts. 👍 [b]Flexible character builds:[/b] With melee, magic, and ranged playstyles, players can adapt their builds to suit their preferences and experiment with different strategies. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🛠️[b]Ways of Improvement:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] 👎 [b]Minimal story focus:[/b] The lack of a deeper narrative may not appeal to players who prioritize story-driven games. 👎 [b]Basic visuals:[/b] The graphics, while functional and charming, might feel too simple for some players, especially in terms of environmental design. 👎 [b]Low crafting material drop rates:[/b] The grind for materials can feel tedious at times, which might deter some players from engaging fully with the crafting system. 👎 [b]Minor technical glitches:[/b] Issues like occasional save slot bugs or UI quirks have been reported and could use fine-tuning in future updates. 👎 [b]Additional variety needed:[/b] While the game offers six classes, expanding the roster could add even more replay value and excitement. [/td] [/tr] [/table]