Spindle
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Spindle
Spindle from developer Let’s GameDev and publisher Deck 13 is a marvelous action-RPG adventure that hits all the right notes when it comes to action, puzzles, and payoff. It’s incredibly balanced with all three, which makes it feel like you don’t waste a minute playing it.
Spindle is a satisfactory Zelda-like, in the final analysis. It tackles difficult topics with grace and empathy, features multiple engaging boss battles, introduces several atypical tools to solve puzzles and outmaneuver enemies, and provides rewarding content even after the credits have rolled.
Spindle is a delightful little action‑adventure that wears its retro influences proudly while layering in thoughtful narrative, expressive characters, and a surprisingly weighty theme about death and what comes after. The controls are responsive, and the visuals are quite nice to behold. If you’re a fan of top‑down 2D adventures, keen on something both light and meaningful, this is a worthwhile play. If you crave groundbreaking mechanics or very long playtimes, you may find it a bit short and familiar, but there are hidden trinkets to find and side quests to help pad your play time if you want to go for the completionist route.
Spindle is not only a great indie game, but also a successful example of careful and intelligent design in the Zelda-like style. If you're looking for an experience that's fun, challenging, beautiful, and cohesive, Spindle is a must-have. The game's various components, from combat and puzzles to exploration and narrative, combine to create a satisfying experience. It's the kind of experience that will leave you not only feeling accomplished after finishing the game, but eager to return to the world of Spindle again and again.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Fun action adventure in which you'll work on guiding the souls of those trying to cross over
Old-school Zelda fans will find a lot to love about Spindle so if those kinds of games appeal to you then definitely play it, chum. 💀
Spindle surprised me in the best way. It’s a love letter to the golden era of top-down adventures, but adds enough personality and heart to stand out on its own. The gameplay feels tight and satisfying, the story balances emotion with wit, and the art direction is full of small but memorable flourishes. If I had to nitpick, some of the puzzles can occasionally feel a bit too simple, and the structure may feel familiar to veterans of the genre. But those are minor points in an otherwise excellent adventure. Whether you’re a fan of Zelda-like games or just want something that makes you smile while tugging gently on your heartstrings, Spindle is a trip worth taking, scythe, pig, and all.
Spindle has heart in a bare ribcage, and it beats for the player as well as the NPCs. Take a chance, breath deeply, and remember: you’re already dead. You’ve got all the time in the world.
