- Publisher: Saber Interactive
- Release Date: Sep 6, 2022
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Dec 13, 2022If what you are looking for is a title that, even with its weaknesses, tries to emulate what Darkest Dungeon supposes in terms of mechanics, this is your ideal title.
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Oct 9, 2022Circus Electrique is an unusual piece that is aimed at short play-sessions. The setting is unique, but the overall game balance can feel a bit uneven.
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Sep 21, 2022Circus Electrique is unlike any other RPG. Genre fans who like deep stat management will find a lot to like here. The mix of circus management and combat makes for a unique experience, although the management aspect does disrupt the flow. The game’s strength is in its storytelling and how well the voice acting and art compliment the narrative. The preferred way to play this game is on the TV, as in handheld mode, it’s difficult to read the text or see the different icons for the characters.
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Sep 13, 2022Unless you’re completely burned out on the Darkest Dungeon variety of RPG, you’ll probably find something to like in Circus Electrique. The theme is strange enough to catch your attention, the mechanics are solid, and the added gameplay elements don’t ruin anything with their presence. The moment to moment dialogue is well-written, but the story as a whole could have been more interesting. I also think the difficulty curve could be a little smoother. Otherwise, it’s a somewhat unusual take on a concept that is becoming a bit well-worn by now, and worth checking out for fans of the genre.
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Jun 8, 2023As you can tell, Circus Electrique has a lot going on. While it’s pleasant to look at and to listen to, the game also overwhelms you with information, and it doesn’t help that most of it is conveyed via very small text boxes with menus that aren’t super easy to navigate around. There’s a codex that keeps track of it all, but even so, the sheer volume of information (and associated info-dumps) is simply crazy. Which is why it’s hard not to wish that Circus Electrique had simply tried to whittle everything down to, say, half a dozen of its best ideas. If you’re after a dense game, this will deliver exactly that – but at a certain point, you kind of wonder whether it’s all worth it, and I don’t know that it is.
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Sep 9, 2022Circus Electrique is like a juggling show not perfectly balanced. The narrative idea works fine and the Tactical RPG/Management mechanics are all in the right places but some gameplay elements slow down the pace and the entertainment factor.
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Sep 6, 2022Although Circus Electrique has its intriguing quirks, with the reliance on devotion and the occasional circus-management opportunity, too many flaws accompany them. With most of its story revolving around combat, it soon becomes an annoyance rather than an enjoyable element. The game does offer refreshing and unique twists on the genre; still, there's a lack of drive to keep you wanting to fight through London's steampunk streets. The story grips you initially, but it takes a while to develop and a lot of the initial dialogue is wasted on family feuds which offer no real substance. To fans of turn-based strategy and those who loved Darkest Dungeon, Circus Electrique may be more enjoyable, but it's a little too disjointed and repetitive to recommend wholeheartedly.