Cryptmaster review

Cryptmaster review

As a seasoned gamer with decades worth of pixels and polygons under my belt, I can confidently say that Cryptmaster has left quite an indelible mark on my gaming journey. This unique blend of wordplay and dungeon crawling is a breath of fresh air in a sea of cookie-cutter RPGs.


The power of words is often overlooked, and I don’t just say that because I’m a writer. A single word can make someone’s day or ruin it. A particular sentence in the right hands can change the world. Words are just as important in the world of video games too, although perhaps in some more than others. Cryptmaster loves words as much as a game possibly could, combining spelling puzzles and riddles with classic grid-based dungeon crawling to create one of the most unique games of the year.

In the realm of Cryptmaster, your renowned group of champions lies decomposed, a stark contrast to their former glory as legends across the fantasy universe. Eager to avoid an eternity in this crypt, slowly disintegrating, the Cryptmaster offers them aid in ascending back to the surface, though he may harbor secret intentions as well. The challenge is that death has stripped these heroes of their recollections of both their past lives and combat skills, necessitating a recovery of that knowledge to overcome the underworld’s fearsome creatures during their quest for daylight.

Cryptmaster review

In most dungeon exploration games, combat with monsters is usually a common occurrence, and this is true for Cryptmaster as well. However, before you can engage in battle, you’ll need to decipher the moves each character possesses. Each character has an empty space under their name where their next move is displayed, and only by guessing it can you unlock it for use. There are several methods to uncover letters in these words, and by accessing the keyboard and typing the correct sequence, you’ll learn how to utilize that move in combat. Each of your characters represents a typical RPG class, which should help you determine their moves. For instance, a skill starting with ‘Z’ and ending with ‘P’, which might be used by your mage, could be ‘Zap’. On the other hand, words related to music are more likely to be new skills for your Bard.

Cracking a new skill without any clues isn’t feasible, so if you aim to widen your talent pool, you’ll have to discover some hints. The most effective method is by unlocking chests, and then deducing their contents. Each chest houses an ordinary item, but the Cryptmaster will only help decipher it by answering a few queries. You can ask him about what he used it for when he was alive or inquire about its weight, smell, or appearance. Once you’ve run out of questions, you can provide your answer, and if it’s correct, all the letters associated with that skill will be unveiled in your party’s next turn. This mechanism is truly ingenious, making you feel intelligent when you manage to figure out the chest’s contents.

Cryptmaster review

Apart from chests, there are also talking skulls that pose riddles to you. If you successfully solve them, you’ll receive some currency and all the letters in the answer will be revealed. Your experience with these depends on your fondness for riddles, but I found them quite smart and rewarding.

As a keen gamer, once I’ve gained access to a variety of skills, I’ll be all set to confront the diverse creatures that inhabit the subterranean realm. The combat style you pick determines whether battles unfold in real-time or turn-based fashion – considering the lack of a keyboard on consoles, it’s advisable to opt for the more measured approach. By penning down each word, I can trigger specific attacks, but keep in mind that every letter I input brings the enemy one step closer to their action. Additionally, I have as many letters at my disposal as I’ve found while delving into dungeons, so conserving them by using them judiciously is crucial.

In Cryptmaster, the fighting outside of spelling concerns is relatively straightforward. Some abilities inflict more damage, others heal your team, and some knock opponents down, hindering their attacks. The combat system itself is satisfactory but lacks excitement in routine battles. However, as you advance, tougher adversaries will emerge, equipped with unique abilities such as blocking specific letter-based attacks. To handle these nuisances effectively, you’ll need to utilize a variety of strategies. Unfortunately, it’s quite easy to accidentally trigger one of these enemy counterattacks and experience their retribution because of your mistake.

Cryptmaster review

The game “Cryptmaster” is incredibly imaginative and engaging, but what truly captured my attention was its exceptional dialogue. The developers went to great lengths to record numerous responses for the game’s narrator to react to various words you might input, and this often resulted in amusing interactions. One instance that stood out to me concerned one of the game’s altars used as save points. To activate these, you must destroy them, causing the guardian deity to vacate. I initially typed simple commands like “smash” and “kick”, but I decided to add a bit of mischief by typing “piss”. The Cryptmaster responded with great amusement, saying “give it a good soaking”, as I unlocked the save point in an unconventional way with my virtual stream. This was just one of many absurd and highly enjoyable moments that Cryptmaster provided me when I experimented, and I’m certain there are countless more to discover.

I thoroughly enjoyed my playtime with Cryptmaster, yet there are minor hiccups that could deter some players. The pace of movement within the dungeon grids is relatively sluggish, and unfortunately, there’s no option for strafing left or right, making it necessary to turn quite a bit before moving – particularly when hunting for hidden secrets. Additionally, the game can be quite disorienting as one might easily become lost, and without an overarching map to consult, losing your way can lead to a frustrating gaming experience.

Cryptmaster is an exceptionally imaginative game that blends traditional dungeon exploration with clever language puzzles, all while maintaining a stylish aesthetic. Cracking riddles and deducing items continues to make me feel like a brilliant problem-solver, and the combat, which becomes increasingly complex as the game progresses, is thrilling. Although it has some minor flaws, Cryptmaster remains a hidden gem from 2024 that’s just waiting for you to uncover its secrets.

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2024-10-10 16:17