Have a Nice Death

Have a Nice Death is an absolutely fantastic time. Whilst the anima system and some lacking curses are enough of a nuisance to be noticeable, they don’t overshadow the rest of the game’s excellent qualities. Not only is it one of the best looking games I've ever played, but its roguelike loop provides a perfect base of simplicity that acts as a foundation for crunchy, fast-paced fights. The game both indulges the power fantasy of acting out the unstoppable will of Death itself whilst providing a suitably tough experience that forces strategy and rewards learning about each opponent.

Have a Nice Death mixes fast-paced combat with roguelike elements for an experience you’ll be DYING to keep playing.

I enjoyed Have A Nice Death a great deal and I'm sure you will, too, especially if you love roguelikes and combat-heavy 2D action.

Have a Nice Death is not only this game's title, it's an interjection. It's the bully at the gaming playground. It's the ex that keeps coming back to your house to get their belongings, one thing at a time. You beat these types of games before, right? All of that is gone. Still a little buggy, but at it's price point, you'll have a hard time blaming the glitches, and spend more time telling yourself that you're not good at the game.

Have A Nice Death has everything a great roguelike needs: good combat, hard bosses, and multiple choices. All which results in a very addictive experience, but it fails in other aspects that make a game memorable.

This is another roguelike that manages to rise above its hundreds of competitor thanks to its gameplay, setting, humor and abilities to unlock.

With a charming personality, stylish assortment of options and techniques, challenging battles with bosses and grunts alike, and spot-on controls, Have A Nice Death is another excellent entry in the roguelite genre for the Switch. Its teeth may be a little too sharp for some and its level designs get tired way too quickly, but I think anyone who has any affection for the genre will find plenty to love here.

Have a Nice Death may not reinvent the wheel for roguelites, but this is a high-quality new entry in the genre. The brutal difficulty, creative theming, and satisfying combat all combine to make this a memorable and worthwhile experience, even if we wish it had better performance. We’d recommend this to anyone looking for another extremely competent and humorous action roguelite to add to their collection, though with the caveat that you should only take the plunge into this underworld if you feel confident in the sharpness of your skills. There’s a lot to love about Have a Nice Death, but as the name suggests, the bony hand of the reaper will be the only one holding yours.

For a game where you embody Death, Have A Nice Death just misses posterity but turns out to be a super solid rogue-lite action game, recommended to all fans of the genre. Get ready to giggle at the setbacks of Death Incorporated, to rack your teeth at well-groomed bosses, and to have endless fun, controller in hand, with cutting-edge gameplay with varied powers. Even the art direction works wonders. Overall: we especially regret a timid level design and a challenge that is a little too full-bodied, which come to weigh down the repetitiveness inherent in the genre. For the rest, it's all good.

Overall, Have A Nice Death is a great roguelike experience for those who are looking for something that isn’t too challenging to the genre as a whole. That’s not to say that the game itself lacks difficulty, far from it–the word “death” is literally in the title. But Have A Nice Death knows what it wants to achieve and really sharpens its blade on the combat, movement, and overall accessibility of its roguelike gameplay. Its unique style and theming definitely set it apart, although that really can’t be said for the characters you meet along the way. On Switch, it is a fine experience, but do keep in mind that loading times will be a constant issue while traveling through Death Inc. I think it is good that there’s a roguelike out there that forgoes the paperwork and just gets stuff done. What more can you ask for from a bureaucracy?

Once again, we come to the important question: is this roguelike worth your time? That depends. Fans of the genre will appreciate the challenge level, the smooth combat, and the robust skill selection. Newcomers and outsiders will love the unique aesthetic and the high level of polish. On the other hand, this game is proper tough. If that’s what you’re looking for, great! You’re in luck. If you’ve been softened and spoiled by other, more considerate roguelikes, then consider yourself duly warned. Have A Nice Death is a slick, relentless roguelike with all the charm and challenge you could need.

Have a Nice Death is a very fun and dynamic game, although with some performance problems on Switch. As a roguelike, it doesn't stand out from other games in the genre like Hades or Hollow Knight. However, if you're looking for a challenging action platformer title with a lighthearted tone, it's a good choice.

Despite having some of the best combat I have seen in a 2D game and loving the dark and dreary art style I just couldn’t vibe with Have a Nice Death the same way I have with other games in the genre like Hades. While there are a few weapons to try and some combos to create with curses, It just never reached the same heights as the latter did for me. I will say that the writing here is top notch, and the commentary on display whether on purpose or not was genuinely funny. While I may not have loved this game personally, I do think there is a lot here for others to love not the least of which is the jingle that plays when Death spawns back in his office after having to RIP (Rest In Paperwork).

Have a Nice Death is a pleasant experience for roguelike fans who don’t fear challenges or corporate-infused humor. It’s also truly frustrating, however, and it gets less fun by the hour.