Crystalmancers PAX East Preview: Tetris Goes Rogue

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I tried out a bunch of games at PAX East, and they were all really imaginative. But Crystalmancers stood out – it cleverly combines elements of Tetris with a unique new idea. It’s a bit unusual at first, but incredibly addictive once you start playing.

While clearly inspired by games like Slay the Spire, this game feels unique. I especially enjoyed how it incorporated Tetris-style mechanics, and the pixel art created a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly suited the thoughtful gameplay.

We’ll have to wait a bit longer before we can fully explore the game, but the current version is already looking very good. I’ll be diving into the gameplay mechanics and sharing my thoughts on what makes it so well-made.

What Even is Crystalmancers?

Crystalmancers is a unique game that combines the puzzle fun of Tetris with the adventure of a dungeon-crawling roguelike. You’ll navigate through levels, fight monsters, improve your Tetris pieces, and collect items to become more powerful. The goal is to survive as long as possible and beat your own high score with each attempt.

The game starts with you picking a character, each with two unique abilities. Then you’ll explore a dungeon, choosing which rooms to enter and ultimately battling a boss at the end of each floor. It’s a classic roguelike experience – expect random encounters and items, letting you build a unique character with each playthrough.

I was really drawn in by the Tetris-style gameplay, and the pixel art perfectly fit the relaxing and thoughtful experience of playing the game.

Instead of traditional battles, combat works like a relaxed game of Tetris. You can place blocks anywhere you want, and there’s no time pressure, so you don’t have to rush. A key strategy is to create openings where you can perfectly fit a block for massive damage.

Clearing lines of blocks deals damage, and clearing them in quick succession boosts that damage even further. But watch out! The monsters will retaliate, adding new blocks, removing existing ones, or rearranging the board. If you don’t plan your moves carefully, things can quickly become chaotic.

Besides battling, you can use magic on your blocks so they automatically clear incomplete lines when you clear others. You can also combine blocks with existing shapes, giving you lots of creative control. This is a fantastic way to improve blocks you don’t usually like, and it’s even more effective if those blocks are enchanted.

An Old Idea with a Brand New Spin

Many games have tried to recreate Tetris, but it’s unusual to see one that completely reinvents the classic gameplay. This game offers fresh ideas – from how you arrange blocks to the ability to modify the pieces themselves – bringing a unique twist to a formula that’s been around since the beginning of video games.

Enchantments and items let you customize how you play and give you a reason to try different approaches. They can also help you strengthen the playstyle you already enjoy. Things might change quite a bit depending on which characters you’re using, and that’s part of what makes it interesting.

What makes this game so good is its simplicity. It’s easy to pick up and understand, without feeling overly complicated. It strikes a nice balance – it feels natural to play, but still offers a challenge. You’re not just trying to beat your own high score; the enemies add another level of engagement to the experience.

A Look at What’s Coming in the Future

I recently talked with the developers about features they’re planning to release around 2027. Here’s a list of what’s coming:

  • The early access version will have players traverse 3 fully randomized floors in the dungeon, with each act having unique enemies, loot, mystery rooms, and ending with a boss.
  • The early access version will have 7 playable characters, roughly 50 relics (passive items), roughly 30 artifacts (active items), roughly 30 glyphs (the engravings on your pieces), roughly 24 unique rooms to explore, and 5 bosses.
  • The game will retail for $8 in early access, with a price bump to $10 when it’s fully launched.

Good news! If you’re excited about this game, a demo will be released shortly. You can download it on Steam or join their Discord server for the latest updates.

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The most frustrating thing about this game currently is the wait for more content. It’s an accessible and enjoyable game that’s easy to pick up, but still has depth for skilled players. I’m confident Crystalmancers will be a great game, and I’m really looking forward to playing it again soon.

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2026-04-03 20:09