Crypt of the NecroDancer

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 231 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 165 out of 231
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 231
  3. Negative: 28 out of 231

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  1. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    5
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  2. suneater
    Mar 13, 2016
    7
    Part rhythm game, part dungeon crawler, Crypt of the NecroDancer is a well-excuted and original concept that marries its inspirations effectively without sacrificing too much from either genre. While it doesn't dig too deep into either genre's traits, if you enjoy rhythm games or dungeon crawlers you will find something to like here (if you can look past its flaws).

    The meat of the    Part rhythm game, part dungeon crawler, Crypt of the NecroDancer is a well-excuted and original concept that marries its inspirations effectively without sacrificing too much from either genre. While it doesn't dig too deep into either genre's traits, if you enjoy rhythm games or dungeon crawlers you will find something to like here (if you can look past its flaws).

    The meat of the gameplay revolves around spelunking through four zones of four stages each, with the first three having a small pool of possible bosses at the end. By keeping with the rhythm of the track and timing your actions to the beat, you are rewarded with a multiplier bonus that increases your gold pickups (and which later on enhances some equipment). While this is very important exploring the first two zones (especially as a new player because your loot pool will be low), zone 3 becomes extremely hectic with very aggressive monsters, lots of damage traps, and higher base gold pickups. The coin multiplier is useless except for gear once you reach Zone 4 because the gold pickups are so large that you can ignore it completely outside of combat. This seems to go against the design decision of adding rhythm elements and makes the game feel more like a barebones mobile-esque experience instead of DDR with swords. This might change with other characters (of which there are 10 to choose from), but the zones felt very similar in terms of game design when playing with Melody and Cadence for me.

    Even though the game only has 16 (randomized) floors, you have a great deal of customization options from the level select hub. Different characters completely change how the game plays; a monk who dies from touching gold, a bard who ignores the rhythm and turns the game into a turn-based crawler, and a miner with infinite kickable bombs are some examples of how the gameplay can be radically modified. CotN is also completely playable with a dance pad because everything is controlled with the arrow keys! This alone gives it my "Best One-Handed Game" award for 2015. A level editor and a seeded All Zones Mode are also included for enthusiasts.

    Overall, Crypt of the NecroDancer is a superbly unique experience that is cheap enough that anyone who has played DDR should dust off their dance pad for. While it isn't the deepest rogue-like or the hardest rhythm game, there is enough content included to sink your teeth into for at least a dozen hours.    … Expand
  3. OberiousLocke
    Jun 26, 2017
    6
    Do you want a game with a kickass soundtrack, including a guitar set preformed by Familyjules7x that also becomes rather obnoxiously hard by the end of Zone 1, where enemies do large chunks of damage and provides very little chance to actually heal ever?

    Do you want a fun rhythm game with a penchant for dragons that'll **** your **** up in one or two hits, force you to go back to the    Do you want a game with a kickass soundtrack, including a guitar set preformed by Familyjules7x that also becomes rather obnoxiously hard by the end of Zone 1, where enemies do large chunks of damage and provides very little chance to actually heal ever?

    Do you want a fun rhythm game with a penchant for dragons that'll **** your **** up in one or two hits, force you to go back to the start of the zone and start from scratch regardless of how far you've advanced and what gear you've busted ass to get?

    Do you want a game that while it has it's fun moments, will make you grind a currency that only spawns here and there to slowly build up permanent upgrades until you have a slightly fairer chance (being generous) and that get taken away when you die and start a zone?

    If all of the above sounds interesting to you, and you want a game where one mistake, no matter how minute, results in getting screwed over? Crypt of the Necrodancer is for you!    … Expand
  4. Claytality
    Jan 20, 2017
    7
    This game is very difficult. It involves random runs in which you will die over and over. The items you come across are randomized, so some runs you will get lucky, and others you won't.

    It is very unique, and you move and attack to the beat, but is often frustrating because of the high difficulty. It's even difficult to unlock characters and achievements. Cost me $3.74 and played    This game is very difficult. It involves random runs in which you will die over and over. The items you come across are randomized, so some runs you will get lucky, and others you won't.

    It is very unique, and you move and attack to the beat, but is often frustrating because of the high difficulty. It's even difficult to unlock characters and achievements.

    Cost me $3.74 and played 41 hours. Only recommend if you don't mind dying a lot.    … Expand
  5. seixoconcreto
    Mar 24, 2022
    6
    Very innovative and difficult. Played a few hours and give up, I died too many.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2015
80
#80 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
74
#74 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. RPG Fan
    Jul 6, 2015
    92
    A seamless and exhilarating meshing of two entirely different genres.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    Jun 30, 2015
    70
    Complaints aside, the uniqueness of the concept makes the game more than worth checking out.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Jun 29, 2015
    90
    Sometimes someone comes up with an idea so brilliant that others wonder how they didn’t think of it earlier. Crypt of the NecroDancer – a rhythm-based roguelike – is an example of such brilliance. [06/2015, p.60]
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