Ironcast

 Switch
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Nintendo Life
    Aug 9, 2017
    90
    Ironcast is one of the most in-depth and engaging match three puzzlers that we’ve seen. The game’s pitch is a bit of a tough sell — it’s clearly trying to juggle a lot of different genre elements — but Ironcast somehow manages to pull it all off in a way that is uniquely innovative and frustratingly addicting. The various elements being fused here make for a game that is endlessly replayable, but not at the cost of becoming repetitive or boring. We would strongly recommend that you pick up Ironcast if you’re looking for a game that can be a good time sink, but can also be comfortably played in short bursts. Do yourself a favour and try this one out.
  2. 4P.de
    Aug 14, 2017
    88
    The slightly raised tactical demands and the improved freedom with the character development make the Switch iteration of this intricate match-3 variation the best version.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Aug 8, 2017
    85
    Depending on your skill and luck, Ironcast can be a fun 10 hour or so romp, fraught with many failures but likely numerous last-second victories and absolute dominations. The mixture of turn-based strategy and match-three puzzling is novel and for the most part, works extremely well in the rogue-like permadeath structure. The tedious and humdrum story can be tiresome, but if you focus on honing tactics to take down your rivals while building up your gear and abilities, Ironcast is a fantastic and unique game.
  5. Worth Playing
    Sep 5, 2017
    80
    roncast rewards those who aren't easily frustrated by loss. The constant losing can be discouraging, but the incremental progress made through each defeat means the game eventually gets easier and more satisfying. It also helps that the only mode happens to be long enough to sustain many losses, so it'll be quite some time before players reach the end. For puzzle fans who crave difficulty, Ironcast is worth checking out.
  6. IGN Italia
    Aug 21, 2017
    80
    Ironcast is a smart and funny game that perfectly fit the Nintendo Switch library. Its roguelike mechanics, otherwise, are a bit dull.
  7. Cubed3
    Aug 16, 2017
    80
    Ironcast is a daring title with a concept many would be terrified to touch. The reward is huge, though, as this might be one of the strongest match puzzle games on the market at this point, with depth unlocked thanks to the choice of theme. Every piece of Ironcast works together in a wonderful resonance between style and gameplay, and creates a unique and entertaining experience that fans of the genre will not forget in the near future.
  8. DualShockers
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    Ironcast’s gameplay makes you feel like you are inside a mech’s cockpit, constantly checking on tons of different systems, and becomes very addictive and rewarding as the game goes on.
  9. Switch Player
    Aug 13, 2017
    80
    With Ironcast, Dreadbit mixes up some elements from other genres to make a match-three that is both entertaining and complex. Its permadeath system may hinder the experience for some players, but lots of fun will be reserved for those who persist.
  10. Pocket Gamer UK
    Aug 10, 2017
    80
    Ironcast is a match three roguelike with surprisingly detailed tactical combat, but it's as much based of random luck as it is your own forward planning.
  11. Vooks
    Aug 8, 2017
    80
    Despite first appearances, I truly think Ironcast is something special. It's remarkably in-depth in everything it tries to achieve, and it pulls it all off without breaking a sweat. The steampunk setting is absolutely beautiful and executed well, and the game is an absolute joy to play over and over and over again. My only gripe with the game is that people will pass over it just for the match-3 mechanics it includes, and that's truly a tragedy.
  12. GamingTrend
    Aug 9, 2017
    75
    In the end, Ironcast is easily a fun game that you can get caught up in while playing. It keeps you engaged and planning, but not to the point where it becomes a chore. The soundtrack stays faithful to the older steampunk style of the game as well. It’s not a long campaign, maybe a few hours at most, but the permadeath roguelike mechanics offer more replayability. The final boss was definitely the most frustrating thing to me because of how much tougher it is with no real lead-up. Other than that and bad luck with the board a few times, Ironcast has been largely enjoyable experience. A nice addition to the color matching puzzle genre of games.
  13. FNintendo
    Oct 9, 2017
    70
    Ironcast is an interesting, competent and addictive roguelike game that will be welcoming to those who enjoy taking a long look at their elements before they go into combat. It does suffer from its nature, as the random missions can harm the game's difficulty and after a while, a certain lack of variety starts to become apparent but the overall gameplay experience is worthy of note.
  14. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 31, 2017
    70
    I do think that Ironcast has found itself the right home on the Nintendo Switch. In the way it plays, Ironcast benefits from spontaneous game play sessions which the Switch can provide due to its tablet mode.
  15. God is a Geek
    Aug 22, 2017
    70
    A decent strategy puzzle-RPG that displays all the good bits and mitigates the bad ones, pip pip.

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best Switch Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. rvncto
    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    I have a compulsion, im not sure that i actually like roguelike games all that much, but i get so excited for every new one i find, andI have a compulsion, im not sure that i actually like roguelike games all that much, but i get so excited for every new one i find, and usually buy it. And usually bow out after a few hours.

    Ironcast looked interesting. Now that i have played it for a lot of hours, and gotten a good feel for the "loop". i can endorse this. I know this game is hella old. But its new to me. The game it feels most like to me is Solitarica. Where i keep playing, and keep doing a little better each time... but sometimes the luck of the draw RNG doesn't go my way, and i think... one more shot maybe this time ill get better draw.    … Full Review »
  2. snusmu
    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    when i saw the screenshots i didnt think much of it but bought later on after reading some reviews. great little game, surprising complexitywhen i saw the screenshots i didnt think much of it but bought later on after reading some reviews. great little game, surprising complexity and detail. first game i completed on switch (despite having Zelda, Mario & Rabbids and 30 other games)… Full Review »
  3. M1N1B34R
    Sep 14, 2017
    8
    it is a combination of rogue like game and puzzle quest, have the mechanic of puzzle quest and the luck of FTL, it a great game, you have ait is a combination of rogue like game and puzzle quest, have the mechanic of puzzle quest and the luck of FTL, it a great game, you have a variance of character and ironcast that will have different game play each time, it is a shame that there is only one story line for all character, was hoping each character will have different campaign story, but it still have good replayability.… Full Review »
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