Cute, challenging, dungeon-crawling game that's constantly getting updated and has clear plans for the future of their game. I've already beat it on Reincarnation 8, but love playing it with my friends. Amazing replay value, lots of things to do despite it being such a simple concept, and the RNG factor just ups it even more. I received this as a gift from my friend, (probably wouldn't have given it too much thought otherwise) but damn is it the best gifted game I've ever received. I'm already almost at 100 hours, phew! If you, the reader, are truly on the fence about getting this game...don't be. It's a worthy investment!

TL;DR: GET THIS GAME! Best gift ever!

***EDIT 12/1/2024: Added updates to below notes. At time of this edit, I have 176 hours

Pros:
+RNG factor to enemies spawned, layout of level, weapons dropped, and availability of merchants
+Varying difficulty levels for varying levels of familiarity with these styles of games. At the hardest difficulty, you have up to Reincarnation 8. ***EDIT 12/1/2024: Actually it goes up to Reincarnation 9. Not sure if previous review was a typo or they added 9 sometime between now and then. Also they added an endless journey mode so you keep going and fighting bosses forever until you can't anymore!
+Dungeon crawling dungeon crawling dungeon crawling!!! :)
+Cute animals, lovely consistent visual style
+Merchants are scarce, but not so frustratingly scarce; the Craftsman and Peddler are always available at boss stages
+Love the concept of the Phantom Peddler for that high risk high reward mindset; invest your soul essence to get a huge leg up (hopefully) but don't waste it! ***EDIT 12/1/2024: With Season 4 (and maybe future seasons? :eyes:), a new merchant was added for the special season-limited gameplay of Demon Vanquishment. Another wonderful way to add even MORE RNG! :D
+Character designs are quite cool, perhaps not the most unique ever but it matches the visual style and the stories quite nicely ***EDIT 12/1/2024: they're super adorable still.
+Weapons are very fun and there's a huge variety; from SMGs you can throw to explode, to ray beams that you click to the beat to buff the ray, to bows that do more damage as you hold it in the pulled back position. Shotguns that splinter into corrosive darts, kunais, crossbows, mortars, swords... There's really something for everyone! And some characters actually play better when using specific weapons, so it really adds to choosing-your-own-adventure. ***EDIT 12/1/2024: They've actually kept adding more over time! As you level up, you unlock more powerful weapons and they're added to your logbook. Keep going! It just gets more chaotic from here!
+There is just a tad bit of lore via dialogue, but it's not at all the center of the gameplay. Once you beat the game all the way through Pole Monarch just one time, you'll get all the story there really is to the game. Maybe they'll add more? :) ***EDIT 12/1/2024: Still no additional dialogue, but they did move Gluttony Sands over to the main Hyperborean Jokul boss stage. Don't know his role in the story, but previously he was only accessible via Spiritual Assault game mode.
+Difficulty of enemies scales up nicely depending on how many people you're playing with/if you're playing solo. Speaking of, you can play this game completely offline if you want! They just added a Lone Wolf modifier to Reincarnation if you're more of a solo player (which I have already used very much, and love the change!) ***EDIT 12/1/2024: They've added even more modifiers now. I largely play solo Reincarnation and the replay value is truly wonderful. Every modifier is worth a try, but the most interesting one thus far for me is the Training Master.
+Spiritual Assault, while still very much being developed and polished, is quite fun to just go ham on some enemies and play around with weapons and ascensions without having to go from stage to stage. You just fight endless enemies and try to survive, taking small breaks to level your weapons, recycle stuff, and get situated before the waves start up again. ***EDIT 12/1/2024: As time has gone on and I've played... MANY more hours of this, I do like the addition of additional strategic gameplay with the setup of the waves and the Spiritual Concentrator. However, the wording of the achievement associated with this game mode is very unclear, and could be reworded. Luckily, search engines exist, huh?
+Daily Challenges are, in fact, challenges. Some of them are quite difficult, and some others are just meant to be chaotic fun. Definitely give them a try, or at least look at the descriptions to see if it's up your alley! If you lose, it's fine. The Dailies only last through one level/4 stages, i.e. Longling Tomb 1 through Boss, and then that's it. Super short and sweet, and you get soul essence at the end of it. Sometimes it picks your hero for you, but you can still click on your little friend to change them out to your preferred!
+Base game has a great price point and makes for a wonderful gift to anyone who likes roguelites or cute animals!
+Constantly being updated, and they share their yearly game plan with players as soon as they start up the game. Love the transparency!

Cons:
-Enhanced scrolls/weapons could have the enhancements made more clear versus their normal counterparts. Perhaps additional UI, a different highlight color, italics, etc.?
-DLC at time of writing this really only unlocks a character for you, and not too much else (as far as I know). Could provide more in future DLC to make it more worth it, or lower the price. Right now the contents just doesn't seem to match how much it costs. I personally enjoy the character, but could be made to appeal to more people. ***EDIT 12/1/2024: Since this review, they've added two more DLC which adds an additional 4 characters on top of the previous One. I've maxxed them out, gotten their frames, and done their rare achievements...THEY'RE GREAT! I actually prefer these latest DLC characters (specifically the astro owl haha) to my base game main Li Luo. I don't think DLC is necessary or super duper MUST get, but they do add a bunch more content and hours of gameplay if you're feeling a bit bored.
-The two characters you have to buy with soul essence is a bit expensive, although I suppose they're intended to be bought only by veterans/super dedicated players? Not sure. Without a carry, new players won't be able to try them out easily and potentially find that "One character" that really clicks with their playstyle and keeps them engaged. Or maybe, once they beat the game solo they get a discount? Just a thought; but this soul essence pricing is not really an issue.