Thanks for watching! If you enjoy these kinds of deep dive game design videos, feel free to like and subscribe, it really helps the channel! Check out my last Rogue Design video on the incredible Revita 🌶️: ua-cam.com/video/-QHgJnSX8O4/v-deo.html (ua-cam.com/video/-QHgJnSX8O4/v-deo.html)
This game somehow managed to survive on Steam for like 5-6 years without a single negative review It was released in early access in 2018, and it didn't get its first negative review until last year.
I would have never found this game without you highlighting it. Thank you, for both showing that this exists at all. But also showing just how smart and risky design is important.
bruh this video... as a game dev who binges video essays in his free time i cant believe this is the first time i stumbled across your channel. lovely video, lovely amount of effort put in, lovely voice too. cant wait to see more!
Something I really love about this game and by extention Hades is that dying is an actual mechanic, not like roguelike games where the game just restarts or roguelites where you just buy upgrades, but it is used to move on the plot, learn about the 'monsters' you are fighting, on top of the whole upgrading your character.
I am so happy you are given The Void Rains Upon my Heart a deep dive. It has been my hidden gem since early 2019, and have recommended it often. Even back then, it already had plenty of content and love, and felt very polished through the whole early access, truly a labor of love.
OH MY GOD YES, ever since you said you might make a video on void rains in your tier list part 2 I’ve been patiently and excitedly waiting for this video! It’s such an amazing game that I love to death
I did never hear about you or this game but I really liked your video so I bought the game, I played 20h and did 20% of the game, thank you I enjoyed it, YT recommandations were good this time
Ever since seeing this game on your tier list, I knew it was gonna be a new favorite of mine. I've become totally engrossed in the game's intricacies and its seemingly bottomless well of content, as well as it's unique style and ethos. Everything about it - the radiation system, the gifts, its whole sort of feedback loop - is unorthodox in such an interesting and refreshing way that I can't bring myself to put it down! Ive already put 100+ hours into the game and recommended it to friends, and I can't see myself stopping any time soon!
Small correction: karma does not directly affect future monster levels, but it can feel like it does. More karma means more monster choices and while those are usually of higher level the player can still choose to continue battling lower level monsters. However, monster level in a run will never deplete barring certain gifts or events. Karma is always strictly beneficial unless you are looking for anomaly.
To add on to this: Monster level in story mode is directly based on the levels you pick... Picking a lvl4 boss puts the lowest level boss in the next stage at lvl4... That is unless the game feels like you're scaling it too fast/too slowly... In which case it'll bump you towards the expected level... This does mean that the strategy mentioned in the video of performing badly in low level fights is irrelevant... Since you're already keeping the level low by choosing low level fights... Similarly... Performing badly in a high level fight will not save you from the consequences of going so high... However the game does allow for an out... Aside from the level pulling itself back sometimes... You also have the Self Doubt event... Which triggers if you perform badly on a high level fight (relative to rain difficulty and run progress)... Allowing you to either embrace your predicament and earn karma... Or lower the level to be safer... This triggers once per run so you would need to use it carefully... (The event still triggers if you reach near the max level for the current difficulty without performing badly... Allowing you to still reap the benefits from it even if you're not struggling...)
Never been a fan of bullet hells, but this game is so well put together and relatable in its charm, as well as genuinely surprising, that I don't mind getting into it now. Hugs to the developer and you for sharing it with your work.
Hi Ben! Fancy seeing you here. I've been thinking about Revita a lot lately and I feel that it deserves this type of video essay treatment. Wishing you well and good luck on development!
For as many roguelikes there are out there, I still enjoy them. But I wish they were more classified as a sub genre than a main genre because finding games with roguelike elements is tough since a calm strategic game is as much of a roguelike as a high paced action game and anything between. I say this because I like shmups and I liked the idea of a roguelike shmup and this game looks ssuuppper fun. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I don't even like roguelites much (sorry to be pedantic but if it's ain't a "traditional roguelike", it's a roguelite in my book), but I absolutely adored this game, that's how damn incredible this dev is. Though to be fair I absolutely adore danmaku shmups and Touhou games, so it might be just how well it does in that area as I can mostly ignore the roguelite aspect. One of the things shmups really rely on is a low amount of top-notch quality that's fun to repeat and master, so it's pretty crazy how we have here this shmup that has near limitless content _and_ excels at the shmup angle. Most roguelite shmups really, and I mean *really* skimp on the shmup gameplay because it's a difficult genre to incorporate roguelite elements into, which again, just goes to speak to how much of a master this dev is at game design. My only real issue with the game was an onboarding one. The game forces you to an easy difficulty the first time through and you have to beat the game before you can unlock a reasonable one, but the one you're locked to at the beginning if you're a shmup player already is *boring* and feels longer than most shmups, so I almost bounced off the game and it actually took a discussion with the dev on r/shmups to convince me to try it again on the higher difficulty, and once I did that I was hooked.
715? You're late, it's 725 now at the time of this comment. :P Also, there has been an overhaul with the mode where Solara appears very recently so there has been adjustments in gameplay in that mode.
this channel is under rated. The amount of new titles i've discovered TODAY blows my mind. As someone who became obsessed with roguelike games after I first started playing Deadcells is addictive. Why such a low sub count...its crazy. You do an amazing job, inspiring breakdowns, almost asmr voice overs. I shall spread this channel far and wide!
I liked this game for the few hours I played of it a year and a half ago, but it makes me uncomfortable how ALL of the characters are women, one of the main characters is a naked woman, and yet the developer is a guy. It’s clarified several times that it’s non-sexual nudity but it still rubs me the wrong way.
@ it’s not okay, and they don’t. All men do is hurt women with their mentality that they NEED “a girl” to be happy and will do whatever it takes to achieve that “goal” even if it means hurting them. I’m not implying anything about the developer, but it’s very suspicious especially with how men think of women
While there's probably nothing I can say to change your suspicions, what I can say is that many women and LGBTQ+ people of all kinds have been the biggest advocates for the game, and they often tell me what a positive example of story telling it is for every theme that I intended to convey. Women make up the largest portion of fans that actually interact in the community, and that doesn't mean you have to agree, but there must be some reason for this. Back before anyone knew my gender, people would often assume I was a woman, and they would be very surprised when I corrected them. I always make sure my gender is known, so I don't mislead anyone. I can't fully explain myself on why I am compelled to make the game how it is, but I strongly feel that this game needs to exist exactly the way it is, and the responses I've gotten so far are telling me that the game is helping the right people that it needed to. I hope you will try it again with an open mind.
@@MochaSlushes This is ironically such a sexist argument. Painting men as nothing but harmful people who use women for their own desires It bothers me especially because it's clearly meant to give a sense of understanding but is just mean spirited
@ it’s literally true. The VAST majority of sexual crimes are committed by men against women because of the age-old belief that men are supposed to be dominant and will do whatever it takes to get what THEY want (happiness via “getting a girl”) and women are supposed to be submissive, and they KNOW women won’t say anything and keep letting it happen because that’s the belief they have engrained in them for literal centuries. In fact, I bet the vast majority of the UA-camrs you’re subscribed to are men. I know mine are. Because UA-cam is not a “women’s hobby”
It’s got great gameplay, but the art style and story is cringe and creepy. Even though it claims to be non-sexual nudity, it still is just offputting how so many characters look weirdly childlike while being nude. The dialogue is annoying and tries too hard to be emotional, funny or heartwarming.
Thanks for watching! If you enjoy these kinds of deep dive game design videos, feel free to like and subscribe, it really helps the channel! Check out my last Rogue Design video on the incredible Revita 🌶️:
ua-cam.com/video/-QHgJnSX8O4/v-deo.html (ua-cam.com/video/-QHgJnSX8O4/v-deo.html)
This game somehow managed to survive on Steam for like 5-6 years without a single negative review
It was released in early access in 2018, and it didn't get its first negative review until last year.
And that's saying a lot when the game is all gushy-gushy lovey-dovey and features (optionally) naked fairies.
@@altrivotzck6565 It's all gushy-gushy until you dive deep into the lore and come to realize what is the dark secret of the Zaraden civilization. XD
I would have never found this game without you highlighting it. Thank you, for both showing that this exists at all. But also showing just how smart and risky design is important.
bruh this video... as a game dev who binges video essays in his free time i cant believe this is the first time i stumbled across your channel. lovely video, lovely amount of effort put in, lovely voice too. cant wait to see more!
this channel is great
Something I really love about this game and by extention Hades is that dying is an actual mechanic, not like roguelike games where the game just restarts or roguelites where you just buy upgrades, but it is used to move on the plot, learn about the 'monsters' you are fighting, on top of the whole upgrading your character.
I am so happy you are given The Void Rains Upon my Heart a deep dive. It has been my hidden gem since early 2019, and have recommended it often. Even back then, it already had plenty of content and love, and felt very polished through the whole early access, truly a labor of love.
OH MY GOD YES, ever since you said you might make a video on void rains in your tier list part 2 I’ve been patiently and excitedly waiting for this video! It’s such an amazing game that I love to death
I did never hear about you or this game but I really liked your video so I bought the game, I played 20h and did 20% of the game, thank you I enjoyed it, YT recommandations were good this time
Ever since seeing this game on your tier list, I knew it was gonna be a new favorite of mine. I've become totally engrossed in the game's intricacies and its seemingly bottomless well of content, as well as it's unique style and ethos. Everything about it - the radiation system, the gifts, its whole sort of feedback loop - is unorthodox in such an interesting and refreshing way that I can't bring myself to put it down! Ive already put 100+ hours into the game and recommended it to friends, and I can't see myself stopping any time soon!
Small correction: karma does not directly affect future monster levels, but it can feel like it does. More karma means more monster choices and while those are usually of higher level the player can still choose to continue battling lower level monsters. However, monster level in a run will never deplete barring certain gifts or events. Karma is always strictly beneficial unless you are looking for anomaly.
To add on to this: Monster level in story mode is directly based on the levels you pick... Picking a lvl4 boss puts the lowest level boss in the next stage at lvl4... That is unless the game feels like you're scaling it too fast/too slowly... In which case it'll bump you towards the expected level...
This does mean that the strategy mentioned in the video of performing badly in low level fights is irrelevant... Since you're already keeping the level low by choosing low level fights... Similarly... Performing badly in a high level fight will not save you from the consequences of going so high...
However the game does allow for an out... Aside from the level pulling itself back sometimes... You also have the Self Doubt event... Which triggers if you perform badly on a high level fight (relative to rain difficulty and run progress)... Allowing you to either embrace your predicament and earn karma... Or lower the level to be safer... This triggers once per run so you would need to use it carefully...
(The event still triggers if you reach near the max level for the current difficulty without performing badly... Allowing you to still reap the benefits from it even if you're not struggling...)
Never been a fan of bullet hells, but this game is so well put together and relatable in its charm, as well as genuinely surprising, that I don't mind getting into it now. Hugs to the developer and you for sharing it with your work.
I love TVRUHH so much and I'm so glad someone has recognized how much of a masterpiece it is. thanks for making this video!
The Void Rains Upon Her Heart might very likely be my favorite game ever
another fantastic design breakdown!
Hi Ben! Fancy seeing you here. I've been thinking about Revita a lot lately and I feel that it deserves this type of video essay treatment. Wishing you well and good luck on development!
Thank you so much for sharing what you learned, my guy! Please do bring more, I'm bingewatching this channel
Your channel is such a gem. Honestly. Love these vids.
For as many roguelikes there are out there, I still enjoy them. But I wish they were more classified as a sub genre than a main genre because finding games with roguelike elements is tough since a calm strategic game is as much of a roguelike as a high paced action game and anything between. I say this because I like shmups and I liked the idea of a roguelike shmup and this game looks ssuuppper fun. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Great Video! I am absolutely going to check this game out now!
You should play Brutal Orchestra next
I don't even like roguelites much (sorry to be pedantic but if it's ain't a "traditional roguelike", it's a roguelite in my book), but I absolutely adored this game, that's how damn incredible this dev is. Though to be fair I absolutely adore danmaku shmups and Touhou games, so it might be just how well it does in that area as I can mostly ignore the roguelite aspect. One of the things shmups really rely on is a low amount of top-notch quality that's fun to repeat and master, so it's pretty crazy how we have here this shmup that has near limitless content _and_ excels at the shmup angle. Most roguelite shmups really, and I mean *really* skimp on the shmup gameplay because it's a difficult genre to incorporate roguelite elements into, which again, just goes to speak to how much of a master this dev is at game design. My only real issue with the game was an onboarding one. The game forces you to an easy difficulty the first time through and you have to beat the game before you can unlock a reasonable one, but the one you're locked to at the beginning if you're a shmup player already is *boring* and feels longer than most shmups, so I almost bounced off the game and it actually took a discussion with the dev on r/shmups to convince me to try it again on the higher difficulty, and once I did that I was hooked.
WE NEED MORE #RogueDesign !!
So glad I found this channel! Personally, my hidden gem roguelike is Rogue Glitch. Didn't see it in any of your tierlists, so maybe check it out!
Amazing video. Will you release the full interview vith Angel/Veyeral?
Yes, in the next week or so 👌🌶️
715? You're late, it's 725 now at the time of this comment. :P
Also, there has been an overhaul with the mode where Solara appears very recently so there has been adjustments in gameplay in that mode.
733 now
this channel is under rated. The amount of new titles i've discovered TODAY blows my mind. As someone who became obsessed with roguelike games after I first started playing Deadcells is addictive. Why such a low sub count...its crazy. You do an amazing job, inspiring breakdowns, almost asmr voice overs. I shall spread this channel far and wide!
YESSSS
yeah it seems like such a great game
its crazy unlucky how this is still underground
i switched to bullet hell😈
#❤ #pewpew
*insert unfunny 3 views 1 minute fell off ‘joke’*
I liked this game for the few hours I played of it a year and a half ago, but it makes me uncomfortable how ALL of the characters are women, one of the main characters is a naked woman, and yet the developer is a guy. It’s clarified several times that it’s non-sexual nudity but it still rubs me the wrong way.
Why does it matter? Honestly. Enjoy life. It's ok that men like women. A lot of women like men back.
@ it’s not okay, and they don’t. All men do is hurt women with their mentality that they NEED “a girl” to be happy and will do whatever it takes to achieve that “goal” even if it means hurting them.
I’m not implying anything about the developer, but it’s very suspicious especially with how men think of women
While there's probably nothing I can say to change your suspicions, what I can say is that many women and LGBTQ+ people of all kinds have been the biggest advocates for the game, and they often tell me what a positive example of story telling it is for every theme that I intended to convey. Women make up the largest portion of fans that actually interact in the community, and that doesn't mean you have to agree, but there must be some reason for this. Back before anyone knew my gender, people would often assume I was a woman, and they would be very surprised when I corrected them. I always make sure my gender is known, so I don't mislead anyone. I can't fully explain myself on why I am compelled to make the game how it is, but I strongly feel that this game needs to exist exactly the way it is, and the responses I've gotten so far are telling me that the game is helping the right people that it needed to. I hope you will try it again with an open mind.
@@MochaSlushes This is ironically such a sexist argument. Painting men as nothing but harmful people who use women for their own desires
It bothers me especially because it's clearly meant to give a sense of understanding but is just mean spirited
@ it’s literally true. The VAST majority of sexual crimes are committed by men against women because of the age-old belief that men are supposed to be dominant and will do whatever it takes to get what THEY want (happiness via “getting a girl”) and women are supposed to be submissive, and they KNOW women won’t say anything and keep letting it happen because that’s the belief they have engrained in them for literal centuries. In fact, I bet the vast majority of the UA-camrs you’re subscribed to are men. I know mine are. Because UA-cam is not a “women’s hobby”
It’s got great gameplay, but the art style and story is cringe and creepy. Even though it claims to be non-sexual nudity, it still is just offputting how so many characters look weirdly childlike while being nude. The dialogue is annoying and tries too hard to be emotional, funny or heartwarming.
You are entitled to your opinion and tastes but a lot of people do find the writing and art to be a positive factor