Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Four Quarters
- Full Name: Loop Hero
- Release Date: December 2021 (mobile version)
- Released on: Android, iOS
- Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
After thoroughly enjoying Grimvalor on Google Pass, I stumbled upon Loop Hero and decided to give it a try. The buzz around its unique gameplay loop and strong narrative pulled me in, and while it quickly became an engaging experience, there were definitely a few frustrations along the way that kept me on my toes.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The world of Loop Hero has fallen into a state of entropy. The universe is literally falling apart, with reality itself becoming a fading memory. As the hero, you traverse a looping path to restore balance by remembering what was lost. The storyline unfolds gradually, revealing a surprisingly deep narrative for a mobile game, which deals with existential themes like memory, existence, and the nature of reality.
World building and immersion
The world-building in Loop Hero is exceptional for a mobile game. The more you play, the more layers of the world’s lore you uncover. Each enemy and building serves a purpose and contributes to the overarching narrative, making each run feel like a step towards regaining the forgotten past.
Character development
While you won’t find deep character arcs, the game masterfully uses NPC interactions and lore snippets to flesh out the mystery of the world. You don’t just play as the hero; you’re also rebuilding an entire community that grows in complexity as the game progresses.
Emotional impact
The constant battle to restore memories and prevent everything from slipping away creates an emotional undercurrent that hits unexpectedly. Despite the game’s retro visuals, it manages to instill a sense of desperation and determination.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with an 8.5
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
Loop Hero is a roguelike that combines deck-building, auto-battling, and resource management. You place cards to create landscapes, spawn enemies, and strategically build out the world while your hero automatically walks and fights through the loop. The game shines in its strategic depth, as your choices of cards, buildings, and traits can drastically change each run.
Difficulty and balance
Here’s where the game gets a little frustrating. The difficulty spikes can be brutal, and failing a run can result in losing a hefty portion of your hard-earned resources. This feels punishing, especially after spending an hour or more on a single loop. However, these setbacks force you to rethink your strategies and experiment with new combinations.
Pacing of the game
The pacing is generally steady, with the right balance of combat, planning, and exploration. However, hitting a difficulty spike unexpectedly can be disheartening, especially when you’re on a roll and then hit a wall of increasingly tough enemies.
Innovation and uniqueness
Loop Hero deserves credit for its unique blend of mechanics. The way it merges roguelike elements with card-based strategy and automatic combat is genuinely innovative. Each run feels different, and there are countless ways to build and plan your journey through the loop.
Controls and user interface
The touch controls are smooth and responsive, making it easy to place cards and manage your inventory. The interface is clean and intuitive, though the retro visuals might be a turnoff for some who prefer more modern UIs.
Microtransactions
The mobile version of Loop Hero is a complete package without any intrusive microtransactions. You get the full game experience with a one-time purchase, which is a huge plus.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with an 8.5
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
The pixel art style in Loop Hero is intentionally low-quality, reminiscent of old-school games. It’s a deliberate design choice that works in the game’s favor, evoking a nostalgic vibe while reinforcing the sense of a crumbling world. However, it might not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for more polished visuals.
Technical performances
The game runs smoothly, with no noticeable performance issues. Despite the simple visuals, the attention to detail in the environment design and animations is evident.
Environment and design uniqueness
The environments are simple yet atmospheric, with distinct landscapes that evolve based on the cards you play. The design uniqueness lies in the way each run can feel familiar yet different due to the combination of cards and the ever-changing layout of the loop.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 8.0
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The soundtrack in Loop Hero is catchy and fits the tone of the game perfectly. The chiptune-inspired music manages to be both nostalgic and eerie, enhancing the atmosphere as you traverse through each loop.
Sound effects quality
The sound effects are simple yet effective, with satisfying audio cues for battles, card placements, and new discoveries. They complement the retro style without feeling overbearing.
Voice Acting
There isn’t any voice acting, but it’s not missed. The text-based dialogue works well with the game’s aesthetic and storytelling approach.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 7.5
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
The game offers dozens of hours of content if you’re dedicated to exploring every strategy and maximizing your town’s growth. Each run can last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how far you get.
Extra Content
The addition of replaying old levels that changes the enemy layouts, terrain effects, and other elements, offers a fresh experience for those who are looking to challenge themselves after completing the main storyline.
Replay value
Loop Hero is highly replayable thanks to its dynamic gameplay and ever-evolving challenges. Even if you fail a run, there’s always the motivation to jump back in and try a new approach.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Loop Hero with a 9
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
- The difficulty spikes can be harsh. Easing these spikes or providing more resources upon failure could help balance the experience.
- Expand the variety of traits and buildings to keep runs feeling fresh even after dozens of playthroughs.
Comparisons
Compared to other mobile roguelikes, Loop Hero excels in its strategic depth and narrative focus. Games like Slay the Spire and Dead Cells offer different takes on the roguelike genre, but Loop Hero stands out with its unique blend of deck-building and resource management.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
One thing I appreciated was how Loop Hero explains why villagers can save you if you fail a run. In a world where memory is reality, monsters cease to exist if you can’t remember them. The villagers, remembering you just in time, carry your limp body to safety, albeit with fewer resources. It’s a clever narrative touch that ties into the game’s overarching themes.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Loop Hero, I give it a personal rating of 8
Last words
Pros
- Unique blend of deck-building, roguelike, and auto-battler mechanics
- Satisfying strategic depth with countless combinations to experiment with
- Intuitive controls and clean UI
- Great atmosphere with fitting retro visuals
- Strong narrative and world-building
- Dynamic gameplay keeps each run fresh
- Challenging boss fights with engaging enemy designs
- No intrusive microtransactions
- Surprisingly emotional moments amidst the retro design
Cons
- Harsh difficulty spikes that can lead to frustrating failures
- High punishment for dying, losing many resources after a failed run
- Retro visuals might not appeal to everyone
- Limited traits and buildings might become repetitive over time
Loop Hero is a refreshingly deep and challenging roguelike experience that offers much more than your typical mobile game. With its innovative gameplay, strong narrative, and countless strategic possibilities, it’s a standout title in the mobile roguelike genre. While there are moments of frustration due to the steep difficulty spikes and harsh punishments for failure, the overall experience remains highly engaging and rewarding for those who enjoy a strategic challenge.
FINAL RATING
8.5
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