Mana Spark

 Switch
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 52
  3. Negative: 13 out of 52

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  1. Korvspad
    May 31, 2019
    5
    I like the gameplay, setting and progression system. What ruined it for me is the lag in the later levels that ultimately prevented me from taking down what I suppose to be the last boss. A game that looks and plays this simple shouldn't struggle with performance.
  2. Kacek1996
    Jul 1, 2020
    7
    At first, I was truly sceptical about this game. Another roguelike, that is often on a sale and has pixel art? Nonetheless, I've still bought it (at the sale xD) and I'm glad that I did it. Pixel art is really minimalistic, but it works a lot. It's not hard to understand the items just by their art. Also, there is quite the diversity in the enemy pool as well as the upgrade pool.At first, I was truly sceptical about this game. Another roguelike, that is often on a sale and has pixel art? Nonetheless, I've still bought it (at the sale xD) and I'm glad that I did it. Pixel art is really minimalistic, but it works a lot. It's not hard to understand the items just by their art. Also, there is quite the diversity in the enemy pool as well as the upgrade pool. Soundtrack ain't the reason to play this game, but controls and the feeling of progress are. So far I've not reached the end of this game, but I can see myself playing it a lot. I often start my gaming sessions with Mana Spark, it's a good game to warm up and think what full fledged game should I play today (apart from never ending roguelike games). It can be challenging, but it's possible to feel your own growth in the game with each run. At the times I have a gaming dilemma what should I play, I will probably run Mana Spark, to get the session started!… Expand
  3. x519MaLoNeYx
    Jan 6, 2020
    7
    Awesome game! It’s a procedurally generated type game where you kill enemies and gain coins etc. You can unlock different characters for your camp like a weapons guy and potions guy etc. Very very fun and well made game!
  4. Samware
    Dec 26, 2018
    5
    I've played for about 4 or 5 hours now and I'm starting to dislike this game after having to redo the same section over and over. Runs barely feel different, bosses feel like a chore, and so far I only have a choice of two ranged characters, one who attacks slower but deals more damage, and another who deals less damage but attacks faster. After defeating 2 out of 3 (I think) bosses II've played for about 4 or 5 hours now and I'm starting to dislike this game after having to redo the same section over and over. Runs barely feel different, bosses feel like a chore, and so far I only have a choice of two ranged characters, one who attacks slower but deals more damage, and another who deals less damage but attacks faster. After defeating 2 out of 3 (I think) bosses I still don't have a melee character, which is annoying as the ranged ones can feel really awkward when you're crammed in a small room with a bunch of enemies who can only be damaged after they've tried to attack you. Immortal Redneck followed a similar roguelike format but was much more enjoyable thanks to a larger array of weapons, playable characters, rooms and enemies. This is an alright game but £8.99 is too steep for its current state, it should be more like 3.99 or 4.99 in my opinion.… Expand
  5. JabbaReviews
    Aug 15, 2019
    5
    In Mana Spark for Nintendo Switch, explore a dreadful dungeon and fight smart enemies that will plan and collaborate between themselves to defeat you. This is yet another in a long line of rouge-like games for the Switch. Though it won’t blow you away, I think fans of rouge-like games will have fun with it.

    You’ll be spending most of your time playing through generated rooms, picking up    In Mana Spark for Nintendo Switch, explore a dreadful dungeon and fight smart enemies that will plan and collaborate between themselves to defeat you. This is yet another in a long line of rouge-like games for the Switch. Though it won’t blow you away, I think fans of rouge-like games will have fun with it.

    You’ll be spending most of your time playing through generated rooms, picking up coins and mana runes. Thee allow you to upgrade your character and delve further and further into the game. Then when you die, you respawn back to the base and start again. The developers have gone for the pixel art style and I think for this kind of games it works.

    I will say performance wise I was disappointed. The loading screens took a lot longer than other similar games. Even with numerous updates, this is still an issue. There is also major lag whilst playing which has caused me to die multiple times.

    The fact that the camera is attached to the aiming square instead of your character is a huge design flaw. There is instant motion sickness for anyone susceptible. I jerk the square around when my index finger on the same hand clicks R button to shoot. I wish they’d simply add the option to click down the right stick to shoot when you have your aim in place

    Also, there is a lot less content than other popular rogue-likes. There are probably around 12 active items, and maybe around 25 passive items, and only three characters. I’ve put in about 8 hours, and I’ve upgraded most items and unlocked all 3 characters, but I haven’t gotten to the third and final boss. I can only reliably make it about two-thirds of the way through. I imagine I’ve got at least a few more hours of fun left with it, even more, if I aim to beat it with all three characters, and I probably will try because they all feel very different and are fun to play as.

    Right now the game is 50% off and will cost £4.49, this is an acceptable price for the game. At £8.99 I feel you could do better. Finally, check out our other gaming reviews.    … Expand
  6. tiagojsag
    Apr 25, 2021
    6
    The game seems ok if you are into the genre, but the controls just make it impossible to enjoy. It’s incredibly hard and frustrating to hit even some standing targets, let alone pull off precision shots. I’m adding this to my steam wishlist and I’ll play it again when I can buy it with a nice discount on pc.
  7. ireviewgamesig
    Jul 28, 2021
    7
    I personally really enjoyed this game. the items can lend themselves to very interesting combat. the game is about 9 hours long to beat, but you can play this for about 13 hours before tedium sets in. the art style is a bit oversimplified, but it does have a very strong personality
  8. Slmft
    Mar 30, 2023
    5
    Mäßig designtes Kampfsystem inklusive Gegnertypen. Wenig Abwechslung. Langweilige Biome - alles sieht gleich aus. Idee ansonsten gut. Am Ende ist Mana Spark eines der schlechteren Indie Rogue Lites.
  9. JoeyPL5
    Nov 16, 2021
    6
    It's fun if you like twin-stick top-down roguelikes, but it's a bit sluggish and fairly unpolished.
  10. Cheeto_Consumer
    Jul 3, 2022
    7
    I got this game, like most other people, on sale for a dollar. While it's certainly not horrible, many elements about it definitely don't do it any good. The difficulty spikes, the unfair deaths... It's pretty well made, but it's the small things that make it a pain to play.

    If you want a quick time killer, this could do the job.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Switch Player
    Feb 28, 2020
    60
    If you don’t mind plenty of death and repetition, with some unfair-seeming failures, Mana Spark can offer an engrossing adventure in which, with patience, you can craft your character and battle your way to victory.
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  2. FNintendo
    Apr 2, 2019
    70
    Mana Spark deserves to be treated as more than "just" an indie game. Its combats and tactical RPG elements, as well as its very alluring pixel art style and tough difficulty level put it on a threshold that will make veteran players feel the right amount of challenge, while perhaps alienating some of those who are less experienced. A game that will be appreciated by all those who enjoy a good challenge.
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  3. The Indie Game Website
    Jan 13, 2019
    80
    For the most part the combat is decent, allowing you to dash around and fire with the reticle. Although, sometimes the aim can be a bit loose and an immediate, unnecessary difficulty jump does little to quell the issue. If you want a fun roguelite, though, look no further (once you get through that long list, that is.)
    Read full review
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