| Developer | Publisher | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Cadabra Games | Cadabra Games – QUByte Interactive | Microsoft Windows-Xbox Series X/S-Xbox One-Nintendo Switch-PlayStation 5-PlayStation 4 |
Adore is a Roguelite action game developed and published by Cadabra Games and QUByte Interactive. The game revolves around a character with the ability to summon and control creatures to assist in combat. With enough deep mechanics, a variety of interesting creatures, and a unique playstyle, Adore offers a fresh take on the Roguelite genre. The game has some similarities to Pokemon and even Diablo games but it’s a completely new feeling you will have in your playtime. This review will dissect the different aspects of the game, including gameplay, graphics, sound, and replayability.
The cornerstone of Adore is its creature collecting and combat system. Players can tame a fine array of monsters, each with unique abilities and characteristics. The game’s beauty lies in its strategic depth. You have to know when to push forward with your creatures, when to swap them out, and when to retreat. The synergy among the creatures and the decisions made during combat make each playthrough unique. Each creature has a life span, which adds another layer of strategy.
Your creatures will eventually die, and you need to plan for this. The mechanic encourages you to constantly experiment with different creatures and strategies, adding a fresh feel to every session. The progression system is well-designed. You start with basic creatures, and as you advance and defeat bosses, you unlock more powerful and versatile creatures. The game is challenging but never feels unfair. It rewards patience, strategy, and understanding of its mechanics.
Adore shines in its replayability. The Roguelite nature of the game, combined with the good array of creatures to collect, means that no two runs are the same. Every playthrough provides a new experience, a new strategy to try, or a new creature to master. There are also numerous side activities and hidden secrets scattered throughout the game, providing additional goals beyond merely finishing a run. These elements make Adore a game that can be enjoyed for many hours. But remember that the games activities as a whole are not that diverse and can lead to frustration.
Adore adopts a minimalist fantasy aesthetic that fits its mysterious world. The creature designs are varied and impressive, each with a unique look that matches their abilities. The animations are fluid for an indie game and the combat feels impactful because of the well-executed visual effects. The game’s environments are lush and varied, from dark forests to sinister caves, each with its own set of creatures.
The art style, while not the most graphically intensive, is expressive and adds a great deal to the overall atmosphere. The main problem here is on Nintendo Switch handheld mode that UI texts are so small and low quality. Now that we mentioned the Switch platform you must know that the experience on this platform is smooth and the controls can make up for the mouse and keyboard on a PC.
The sound design in Adore is not so acceptable. There is no sound dialogue not even for the narrator and this sure hurt the game. Thankfully, the soundtracks are atmospheric and fit the mood. But the loudness of them is so high that you need to decrease it in the options menu. Combat sounds are satisfying, giving weight to every attack. The subtle use of ambient noises, such as the rustling of leaves or the dripping of water in caves, adds to the immersion.
In conclusion, Adore is a standout title in the Roguelite genre. Its unique creature collecting system, strategic combat, and charming art style make it a nice game to play. It is a game that rewards strategy, and with its high replayability factor, can provide many hours of entertainment for only 20 dollars.
The review code was provided by the publisher
| GAMEPLAY | ART | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | 75% | 90% |