D&D, Legend of Grimrock Fans Shouldn’t Miss Cryptmaster

D&D, Legend of Grimrock Fans Shouldn't Miss Cryptmaster

As a long-time fan of grid-based first-person RPGs and dungeon crawlers, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the genre’s resurgence in popularity over the past decade. Games like Legend of Grimrock and Vaporum have captured my imagination with their intricate puzzles and immersive worlds, while smaller projects like Dragon Ruins and Hibernaculum have proven that innovation and creativity can still thrive even in a crowded landscape.


In recent years, grid-based first-person dungeon crawlers have gained a large following. Previously considered a niche genre, “blobber” games, which are first-person RPGs with party-based gameplay and grid movement, have become increasingly popular. Success stories include “Legend of Grimrock” and “Vaporum,” while smaller projects like “Dragon Ruins” and the crowdfunded “Hibernaculum” have also found success within this community. With numerous options available, new grid-based RPGs must offer something distinctive to capture players’ attention — introducing: “Cryptmaster”.

Back in 2022, I first heard about the intriguing game called Cryptmaster. This game promised an unusual and ominous journey into an underworld teeming with doors that think, living skeletons, and dangerous frog-men. The developers described it as a fusion of Scribblenauts and D&D. Instead of the usual menu-based interaction, Cryptmaster introduced a unique typing-based system. I was thrilled at the prospect of solving puzzles by just typing, attacking enemies with commands, defending myself, and delving deeper into the vast crypt, all through my keyboard. Jumping over a river was as simple as typing “JUMP,” and making a party member shoot lightning from her fingertips was just a matter of typing “ZAP.”

Cryptmaster’s Typing Mechanics are Surprisingly Robust

Some people were hesitant about the puzzle-centric gameplay of Cryptmaster, but their doubts disappeared once they tried the game. In Cryptmaster, players must figure out riddles or decipher words based on hints provided by the game’s enigmatic protagonist. Even when searching for treasure, gamers don’t just grab the item; instead, they ask the Cryptmaster to describe it using different senses, then attempt to guess the object based on those descriptions. If a player fails to identify the item correctly, it remains hidden.

A counterpoint to the game’s relatively slow and contemplative puzzle solving, Cryptmaster’s combat is a frantic battle of speedtyping and memory. Playing out in real time, players type memorized combat actions—HIT, MURDER, YELL—to bludgeon the game’s various enemies into submission. In order to stop the player relying on the same few words over and over, many of the game’s enemies have strengths, weaknesses, and immunities—such as shields that block all attacks containing a specific letter of the alphabet.

Cryptmaster Has A Wicked Sense of Humour

Looking back at the text-based adventures of the past, the characters in “Cryptmaster” possess a darkly humorous thread – with the cynical, sarcastic Cryptmaster leading the way, serving as the player’s witty commentator to the game’s whimsical fantasy realm. Not all video games can truly claim to be funny, particularly those that heavily rely on written comedy. However, “Cryptmaster” defies this norm. The writing and voice acting harmoniously bring to life a vivid world and an intriguing cast of characters that are both amusing and believable.

Cryptmaster’s Presentation Is Unique and Eye-Catching

In the style of intricate, monochrome art direction reminiscent of classic D&D manuals and Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Cryptmaster stands out among games with its unique appearance. Drawing additional inspiration from B-movies and vintage creature features, the game’s antagonists and NPCs showcase a delightful blend of the grotesque and comical, creating an uncanny yet endearing atmosphere.

Cryptmaster Has Released to Near-Universal Acclaim

After its launch on May 9, the dungeon crawler game “Cryptmaster” has gained significant attention and positive feedback. On Steam, it currently boasts a ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ review status. Furthermore, Twitch streamers and YouTube channels remain captivated by it, making “Cryptmaster” a widely appreciated title in the gaming community.

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2024-07-26 00:33