Brut@l Reviews
Brut@l is a simplistic game and offers nothing new in a really crowded genre.
Brut@l has visual style to spare, but like a dull book with a beautiful cover, the actual game itself is nothing more than a standard dungeon crawler with divisive rougelike elements.
Brut@l is a clever homage to old-school ASCII dungeon crawler games, but its stiff difficulty, cheap deaths, and repetitive gameplay limit its appeal.
I can’t recommend this to all but the most diehard of genre fans. Even then, the art style may be lost on people who aren’t old enough to remember MS-DOS or a ZX Spectrum. That seems to be the most unique feature of the game.
The visual look of the game is novel and fun, but underneath it is a shallow and only intermittently enjoyable dungeon crawler.
Though not without faults and a little too easy, Brut@l is still a fairly amusing game. It's fun exploring the dungeon while crushing its many denizens. The gear system is clever and works quite well. Anyone seeking a greater challenge should probably refrain from exploiting the special attacks and vampire curse potions. This rogue-like arguably won't go down as the classic that it's inspired by, but it isn't a bad way to pass the time.
In case it hasn't become clear, Brut@l is a simple experience. That simplicity isn't necessarily bad, as it allows the game to be very focused on the intended experience. I enjoy the game, and for others your enjoyment of the game will hinge entirely on how much you enjoy the core gameplay: kill/break stuff to get materials for more and better stuff, try to conserve resources, repeat until boss or death. The simplistic combat leaves a little to be desired, but it's an entertaining and mostly gratifying way to unplug and spend a few hours causing a little mayhem.
Hallways are outlined with hash symbols, doorways are represented with plus signs, crafting items are letters of the alphabet, and the dungeon map is a faithful top-down expression of a traditional rogue-like.
Brut@l is a decent action game, only for fans of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Brut@l is entertaining, but it is not a great game. This Stormcloud Games proyect has been too ambitious and due to that it has not succeeded in any concrete aspect.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Brut@l has a striking aesthetic that tries to brush up on the ASCII dungeon roguelikes of old and modernize the formula some in the process. In the end, Stormcloud Games gets more right than wrong, though a few frustrating quirks turn the title into a niche title that will not appeal to everyone.
The overall structure of Brut@l is well designed, and procedural generation of the dungeons is good enough to present sufficiently varied floors. Unfortunately a the combat system is soporific and too simplified to entertain.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Its main issues surround a lack of depth and some repetitive design, but while also a little irritating in places, the gameplay is solid and engaging. The aesthetic, sound design and premise are top notch, and I think if you’re interested in a simple dungeon crawler, then Brut@l can provide a great time for you.
The potions can help you or seriously hurt you, but I choose to drink them all…every time; that game of Russian Roulette is too fun to pass up
Brut@l is an amazing game when you consider what it is representing. It's paying tribute to the history of RPG dungeon crawling games while offering a unique 3D and current gaming twist to it. Casually sitting between a game with depth and a game so simple in gameplay you can restart a couple times every day, every RPG fan could find something interesting about it.
Brut@l could use some more content to make runs feel more unique, but the game is pretty fun as it stands. A lovely ASCII-inspired artstyle, entertaining co-op, and some great exploration help carry so-so combat and a lame dungeon creator.
Brut@l is a fun dungeon crawler regardless of whether the historical significance of collecting letters and throwing the @ sign at goblins is lost on you. A distinctive visual style complements simple and enjoyable combat, a satisfying collection of craftable weapons, and a rewarding learning curve. Dungeon runs can get a bit samey, but a co-op mode and robust dungeon creator reward further visits.
Brut@l is certainly a punishing experience for those not used to Rogue-like tropes. Yet it’s a visually attractive game that pays tribute to Rogue in its ASCII style that’s genuinely appealing, as well as having a clean interface and enough flair in the combat to not be devalued as a button masher. A few issues rise when it comes to cooperative play, which make this a harder sell, but Brut@l is otherwise a fitting tribute to Rogue and the genre that came from it that dominates the indie scene.
The rest of Brutal doesn’t live up to its inspired visuals but it still makes for a good time
When all is said and done, Brut@l is a decent hack’n’slash game with better-than-average combat and a totally wicked graphic style. While not on par with classic ARPGs like Diablo II or Titan Quest, it’s still a lot of fun and worth the $14.99 (11.99 through the 16th) price tag.