TumbleSeed

TumbleSeed is the perfect combination of addicting gameplay, with a plethora of varied elements that solidifies itself among the pantheon of great roguelikes. Each run has its own unique feel that continues to keep the game incredibly fresh, whether it’s your tenth or hundredth run. While it’s a shame there’s no way to submit a score offline, the rest of the game shines so bright it’s easy to overlook. If you’re looking for a challenging, but insanely satisfying roguelike, look no further.

Play with no goal but enjoying the moment – and prepare to die, again and again and again. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 22]

Tumbleseed is simple in its concept, but a real challenge to play through the end. And, also thanks to the beautiful aesthetics, a real pleasure.

TumbleSeed is a difficult game, for sure, but it's also frustratingly satisfying, fun, and a deserved nod to arcade games past.

All told, Tumbleseed is a game that will certainly divide opinion. The absurdly high difficulty demands that you put up or shut up; if you don't take the time to be patient and focus on improving your skills in controlling the seed, you will not find much enjoyment here. However, if you're willing to stick it out and put in the time required to 'git gud', you'll find a deeply rewarding game with nearly unlimited replayability between the daily challenges and the constant tease of getting a better score. If you consider yourself a skilled and patient gamer, give Tumbleseed a shot. If not, perhaps something else might be a better choice.

TumbleSeed is a game that I don't think I'll ever completely finish, but it's damn impressive for those that dare to stomach its difficulty. If you're the kind of person looking for a mostly skill based game that is brutally challenging, yet very entertaining, then TumbleSeed is for you. More casual players will want to save their money and sanity for games a bit more accessible to them. Honestly, the biggest mistake here is that the developers haven't offered multiple difficulties, which will surely limit the potential player base.

Tumbleseed is just a game about concentration and survival. Simple to understand, incredibly hard to master. There’s a variety of different approaches to the levels, depending on your play style, and no matter what, the game will always give you a challenge.

Tumbleseed is smart and charming and really challenging. Almost too challenging.

TumbleSeed is unique and different, and has very distinctive features. It's roguelike take on a skill-based game isn't for everyone, but if you like how it sounds, give it a try.

Quotation forthcoming.

Tumbleseed is a good pick up and play game that feels perfect for Switch, but will frustrate as much as it pleasures. While it certainly feels fresh and new, it’s simply going to be too hard for most to enjoy in any long term fashion.

In a generation that has struggled with finding the right balance of pace, it is refreshing to see a developer place a great deal of emphasis on patient gameplay and actually pull it off. Vertical progression and slow movements are valued over everything else, and these are the two elements that allow TumbleSeed to thrive as much as it does. Unfortunately, that same level of importance given to fine tuning the controls and concept is noticeably lacking in the level design, as roguelike randomisation is given priority over traditional, handcrafted stages. Along with too many power-ups and unlockable skills that trivialise most of the difficulty, TumbleSeed fails to live up to all its potential despite the clear amount of creativity put into its premise and a strong first impression.

While its level of challenge is certainly welcome, it's impossible not to think that at some moments, it goes a bit too far and as such, it's recommended only for those who are mentally prepared to take on its unforgiving difficulty.