One Step from Eden is a fast-paced roguelike centered around a gameplay loop of casting spells, dodging spells, and adding spells to your collection. When you run out of spells, you'll simply reshuffle your collection and jump right back into the fight. You will make your way through several branching stages, each ending with one of a handful of bosses. Additional spells, passive items, and playable characters will be unlocked as you progress your attempts.

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The game is too fast-paced and it's difficult to keep up with everything!
Yes, the game moves very fast. You will have to focus on yourself, the enemy, and everything in between. Meanwhile, it is a strategy game in how you manage your spells. If you don't adapt well to these sorts of things, you will not have a good time. If you are no stranger to hectic combat and quick thinking, you'll find your groove eventually (and it is so unbelievably satisfying when you do).

The deck-building is... lacking.
I was intentionally hesitant to include the word "deck" in this review, opting for "collection" instead. While it is a deck of spells you're working with, this only serves as a means of presenting the mechanic. In no way does the game promote the idea of "cards" or traditional deck-building mechanics. You simply add spells to your collection, visually presented as cards but mechanically presented as... just casting abilities. If you want a true deck-builder like Ascension or a more traditional game like Hearthstone, this isn't the game for you.

It's difficult to even know what spells you have available!
The game shows your two available spells (yes, you have two options at any given time) at the bottom left and above your head. Of course you aren't going to sit there and read spell names in the middle of chaotic fighting - you have to recognize spell icons. Given repetition of using your spells potentially hundreds of times each run, and given that you can freely practice and mess around with your spells between encounters, this really shouldn't be an issue. The only time this would be an issue is if you're adding dozens upon dozens of spells to your collection (which isn't strategically viable for most builds).

The game is too random, it won't give me the spells I'm looking for!
The game allows you to select a couple types of spells that you want to appear more often in rewards. This is how the game allows you to curb the randomness to a degree. It is still there, but you'll be much better off if you take advantage of this. It is very much possible that you will have to change the direction of your build mid-run, but that is the nature of roguelikes. Improvise, adapt, and overcome.

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First Impression
From the moment you pick up the game, how well does it draw you in and present its mechanics? Does the tutorial cover all of the most important mechanics without dragging on or becoming dull?
3/5

Gameplay
Does the gameplay flow well? Is there little unwarranted downtime? Do the different systems and mechanics mesh well together?
5/5

Visual and Audio
Given the particular style, are the visuals and sounds good quality? Are they fitting for the game genre and setting?
5/5

Replayability
How well does the game incentivize returning for more? Is the gameplay varied enough that additional sessions feel fresh or unique to an extent?
3/5

Value
Is there enough content for the price?
3/5

[h1]Overview[/h1] [b]One Step from Eden[/b] is a fast-paced roguelike centered around a gameplay loop of casting spells, dodging spells, and adding spells to your collection. When you run out of spells, you'll simply reshuffle your collection and jump right back into the fight. You will make your way through several branching stages, each ending with one of a handful of bosses. Additional spells, passive items, and playable characters will be unlocked as you progress your attempts. [hr][/hr] [h1]Addressing Reviews[/h1] [b]The game is too fast-paced and it's difficult to keep up with everything![/b] Yes, the game moves very fast. You will have to focus on yourself, the enemy, and everything in between. Meanwhile, it is a strategy game in how you manage your spells. If you don't adapt well to these sorts of things, you will not have a good time. If you are no stranger to hectic combat and quick thinking, you'll find your groove eventually (and it is so unbelievably satisfying when you do). [b]The deck-building is... lacking.[/b] I was intentionally hesitant to include the word "deck" in this review, opting for "collection" instead. While it is a deck of spells you're working with, this only serves as a means of presenting the mechanic. In no way does the game promote the idea of "cards" or traditional deck-building mechanics. You simply add spells to your collection, visually presented as cards but mechanically presented as... just casting abilities. If you want a true deck-builder like Ascension or a more traditional game like Hearthstone, this isn't the game for you. [b]It's difficult to even know what spells you have available![/b] The game shows your two available spells (yes, you have two options at any given time) at the bottom left and above your head. Of course you aren't going to sit there and read spell names in the middle of chaotic fighting - you have to recognize spell icons. Given repetition of using your spells potentially hundreds of times each run, and given that you can freely practice and mess around with your spells between encounters, this really shouldn't be an issue. The only time this would be an issue is if you're adding dozens upon dozens of spells to your collection (which isn't strategically viable for most builds). [b]The game is too random, it won't give me the spells I'm looking for![/b] The game allows you to select a couple [i]types[/i] of spells that you want to appear more often in rewards. This is how the game allows you to curb the randomness to a degree. It is still there, but you'll be much better off if you take advantage of this. It is very much possible that you will have to change the direction of your build mid-run, but that is the nature of roguelikes. Improvise, adapt, and overcome. [hr][/hr] [h1]Final Rating[/h1] [b]First Impression[/b] [i]From the moment you pick up the game, how well does it draw you in and present its mechanics? Does the tutorial cover all of the most important mechanics without dragging on or becoming dull?[/i] 3/5 [b]Gameplay[/b] [i]Does the gameplay flow well? Is there little unwarranted downtime? Do the different systems and mechanics mesh well together?[/i] 5/5 [b]Visual and Audio[/b] [i]Given the particular style, are the visuals and sounds good quality? Are they fitting for the game genre and setting?[/i] 5/5 [b]Replayability[/b] [i]How well does the game incentivize returning for more? Is the gameplay varied enough that additional sessions feel fresh or unique to an extent?[/i] 3/5 [b]Value[/b] [i]Is there enough content for the price?[/i] 3/5