Crown Trick is a fantastic new roguelike game starring a girl trapped in an odd realm. Ella wakes up to find she’s not anywhere she’s ever been before. A dark and dangerous realm where monsters roam, and she at first appears to be the only human. With the help of a sentient crown, Ella is going to dive into dreamy dungeons to take on Vlad and save the world.
Crown Trick has a fantastic animated opening. I would gladly watch some form of at least a short-form animated special. The animation is clean, and the world is magical. Ella takes on numerous foes from the game where she goes from her back against the wall to killing them all. This trailer shows off the craziness that will ensue and how strong Ella eventually becomes, which is cool. Crown Trick begins with Ella waking up, somehow standing. She is unsure of how she got here, but she heads up a path and finds a throne. Perched on top of the throne is a crown. This Crown that just so happens to have an eyeball and is sentient. The Crown tells her about the world’s troubles and sarcastically pushes her into putting him on her head. Ella has no choice but to accept this, and the adventure begins.
The game leads the player through the game with helpful tutorials. This game might be a roguelike, but it operates on different means. Players will, of course, dive in die on repeat, but this game is different for other reasons. This game adds a few cool ideas that make the game even more interesting, and I think it works well for them. This roguelike is turn-based, which one would not expect. This game is slightly similar to the Cadence series in that players will need to time their moves. Though music doesn’t play into things, there is a slight feeling of sameness. Players will move and not move depending on the enemies and traps. It’s interesting to see this principle guide the game, and it can often improve a player’s survival chances.
There are nine unique weapon types in the game, and since it is procedurally generated the player never knows what they will find. Players might be running through a dungeon with a normal lance and then find a legendary shotgun, for instance, that causes fire damage. Pick up and check out the weapons and perfect Elle’s loadout; it may save her and the player from starting a new run. Elle also will gain many skills, some of which are active and others that are passive. The skills she has equipped will change based on the artifacts she picks up and even based on the weapons she has. Use these wisely and build the perfect Elle for each run. The player can also choose which to use if they can survive the run with the items in hand. The dungeons in this game also hold many elemental powers. Players can use the elements to their advantage to cause massive damage. This game is one that may seem simple but has a lot of intuitiveness baked in. It’s a glorious game where everything can be a weapon, and you never know what might be useful.
The bosses are different than the familiars. While the familiars can be challenging in smaller ways, bosses can summon assistance and attack the player far more savagely. Even the first boss won’t go down without a fight, and players will need to learn how she fights to have a chance of winning. This game will constantly test the player, and roguelike fans are sure to enjoy that aspect. This game is a roguelike, and with that comes dying countless times. Players will need to figure out the rhythm of combat, and killing many foes will gain special currency. By gaining a lot of this currency, they can buy permanent buffs, which will increase their chances of surviving longer. These buffs are important and will also help Elle find other friends who will help her even further. Kill as many foes and mini-bosses in every run to maximize the amount of special currency you pick up. While coins will vanish if Elle dies, the special currency is here to stay. This game is also procedurally generated, so players will never run the same dungeon. While it may look similar each run is different and will provide different weapons and foes to face. This game is oozing with charm, and I appreciate the fact that it is procedurally generated. Dying repeatedly isn’t so bad when there is a new place to explore.
There are numerous weapons for Elle to pick up during her runs. At the start of every run, she will pick up some form of weapon, which she can use in the dungeon. These weapons can be swords, lances, or even shotguns. Each has stats and abilities. Some can attack all around Elle, and others can just hit one foe. It’s necessary to select the right weapon as this game will get chaotic. Ella can take down bosses and build up an army of familiars. These familiars become powerhouses for Elle and will be extremely important in taking down the other powerful foes in the labyrinths. If Elle dies, the player will have to fight the bosses again but will still have them at her disposal. As Elle explores the dream world, she will encounter new friends. Elle encounters helpful characters that will make her permanently stronger and give her access to new powers and abilities. Be sure to help these people as their help is invaluable. The first character is an alchemist who will give her the ability to heal again and can provide other helpful tinctures.
Crown Trick is a glorious roguelike game and one I’ve enjoyed a great deal. This game has a lot of heart, and Elle is a lovely main character. The Crown adds just enough snark to the journey and is a great secondary main character. Elle wants to break free from the nightmares and live a normal life; will the player help her?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided