Loop Hero

Loop Hero – Strategize and Survive!

Create an Endless World, and Help the Hero Endure

Diving Into the Infinite Loop Hero World

Developed by Four Quarters for Nintendo Switch and PC (via Humble, Steam, Epic Store, and GOG), Loop Hero breathes new life into retro-style RPGs. The gameplay is both straightforward and challenging all at once as you build various environments for the hero to “loop” through. They’ll confront different challenges, low and mid-level beasts, and bosses alike.

Whether they survive their loops or die is completely up to how you set up the cards you're dealt.

The Gist of Being a Hero on a Loop

Loop Hero transports you right to the middle of an apocalyptic fantasy setting as the world is trapped in a timeless loop. There’s a lone hero you’ll witness throughout the game.

But there’s a fun twist. Rather than control the hero, the most you get to do is choose their class: Warrior, Rogue, or Necromancer.

You have the power of creating their environment and watching them adapt or risk death. Though this RPG initially looks simplistic, it’s remarkable how much world-building is hidden inside.

Concept Rating: 4.5/5

Bringing Retro to Today’s World

Something that immediately catches your eye is the retro throwback of this game’s design.

So, don’t expect any crazy realistic graphics seen in many modern games today. For what it tries to do, it nails it down well. There’s no denying the ‘90s fantasy RPG feel when you load the game up.

More nostalgia is seen in its pixel art style. Even the audio is a wonderful return to the classics. There are cool sound effects during every battle and fun adventure music fitting for the hero's journey.

Graphics & Audio Rating: 5/5

A Strategic Test of Triumph and Failure

There isn’t much hands-on activity with the character in Loop Hero, but it still doesn’t hold your hand while you play.

“It’s more of a cause and effect kind of game, but with the wrong choice resulting in a swift death.”

Everything starts slow and steady. Your hero will face low-level beasts, and with each one destroyed, you can gain gear for the hero to help their journey. You’ll also get some cool items for the environment like buildings and terrain.

At the bottom of your screen, you’ll notice your world cards while the gear will be on the right for quick access. With each card gained, you’ll add more to the world. There are good cards and bad cards, and no matter what, you’ll have to spawn enemies.

Where they go depends on you though. When enough cards fill up the board, the boss will show up. The cards not only change the environment but also the hero. Some will elevate their maximum hit points, making them stronger down the road.

The type of cards you place next to each other matters greatly. You can create incredibly strong villains that are difficult to kill. Or you can adapt the cards so that the environment works in your hero’s favor.

Don’t forget that the hero grabs things throughout the various loops so you can always level up the base camp.

Gameplay Rating: 4.5/5

Classic Hero’s Journey with a Modern Twist

Loop Hero certainly makes you think. It’s a delicate balance of managing the hero's gear and environment while the tiny hero treks on in their endless quest. So, there’s no leaving it idle and coming back. If you do, your hero can wind up facing an enemy they’re not ready for.

It lacks a fair deal of explanation on everything, forcing you to learn as you go. Challenging and thrilling for some, but frustrating to others. At the end of the day, it certainly doesn’t leave you bored or without something to do.

Reply Value: 4/5

TL/DR

Loop Hero lets you craft an intricate environment where your strategy skills determine if the hero will spectacularly survive their unending journey or spectacularly fail at it.