In the shadowy depths of a dungeon during the Steam Next Fest, players found themselves in a humorous tete-a-tete with a necromancer in the game Cryptmaster. The player, embodying a freshly deceased character, engaged in humorous interactions with the necromancer, including:
– Testing the necromancer’s patience with comically immature words
– Singing a repetitive chorus of “Horny”
– Playfully saying “Poop”. The necromancer, tasked with guiding the player through the game’s puzzles and challenges, was met with the player’s gleeful antics. This playful banter set the tone for an experience that was as entertaining as it was unique, with the necromancer’s exasperated reactions providing just the kind of response the player’s inner goblin craved.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics in Cryptmaster
The core gameplay mechanics of Cryptmaster revolve around a unique typing element that allows players to help their party members regain lost memories and unlock their abilities. As players explore the scraggly noir dungeon, they encounter various objects that can be interacted with through typed commands. This interaction not only progresses the story but also contributes to the development of each character’s skills.
For instance, correctly guessing an object like a “helmet” from a chest might provide the letters “H_T” to the player. By typing “hit”, the player unlocks the ability for their fighter, Joro, to attack enemies. This innovative use of language and typing as a gameplay mechanic encourages players to be creative and thoughtful with their word choices.
| Party Member | Ability Unlocked |
|---|---|
| Joro (Fighter) | Hit – Enables physical attacks on enemies |
| Unnamed (Yeller) | Yell – Presumably disrupts or intimidates foes |
Engaging Interactions with the Necromancer in Cryptmaster
The interactions between the player and the necromancer in Cryptmaster are not only pivotal to the gameplay but also a source of humor. The necromancer, who guides the player through the dungeon, reacts to the various commands given by the player, especially when instructed to eat the odd and often inedible objects they come across.
The player can command the necromancer to interact with objects in several ways, such as to look at, describe, smell, or remember something related to it. However, the option to tell the necromancer to eat objects seems to be a particular delight for players, leading to amusing complaints from the necromancer about the absurdity of the requests.
- Metal helmet – The necromancer protests that eating it would break his teeth.
- Rat – Attempts to eat it result in the necromancer getting bitten.
Dynamic Combat System in Cryptmaster
The combat system in Cryptmaster offers players a choice between real-time and turn-based options, catering to different playstyles. In real-time combat, players must quickly type out words to execute actions, making for a dynamic and engaging battle experience. For those who prefer a more strategic approach, the turn-based option allows for more deliberate decision-making.
During combat, the words that players type correspond to the abilities they’ve unlocked for their party members. For example, typing “hit” would cause the fighter Joro to attack an enemy. This innovative system requires players to not only be fast with their typing but also to remember which words trigger their party members’ abilities, adding a layer of depth to the encounters.
The demo of Cryptmaster left a lasting impression, with its blend of humor, puzzle-solving, and unique typing mechanics that made for an enjoyable gameplay loop. The player’s experience of reverting to a mischievous mindset, unlocking new abilities through the power of words, and battling foes with quick typing reflexes, was both satisfying and entertaining. This anticipation for the full game’s release has led to the immediate addition of Cryptmaster to the player’s Steam wishlist, as they eagerly await the opportunity to dive deeper into the game’s dungeons and continue their whimsical interactions with the ever-patient necromancer.
