Overall most helpful review

Posted on: February 25, 2021

Early Access review

Plowbat

Games: 38 Reviews: 1

Solid mechanics, could use some polish.

Let me first say that the game is very good overall. Combat space mechanics: the 3d puzzle element combined with the more classic deckbuilding fight opens very unique opportunities and playstyles. You can focus on direct damage or worm your way through by pitting your foes against each other - or straight up throw them over a balcony. It also adds a lot to enemy variety with things like range, conditional attacks, push and/or AoE. Deckbuilding mechanics: it's inspired from Slay the Spire mechanics with its own twist, where you choose your progression route on the map with different events on the way. Complete in-fights challenges to earn money, max health, heals, more combo meter... you'll always get a card. Then find a Gym room to improve your cards, remove some from your deck and/or buy new ones, the three options aren't mutually exclusive. You will also unlock some passive upgrades for your run after bossfights. Cards and combat balance: Easy to get into, hard to master. Your perspective on how to win changes depending on what your deck is oriented towards. Direct damage? pushing people into each other? turning them against each other? throwing them off the map? You have a pool of momentum (energy) each round to play your cards, and a "combo" meter that will rise for each hit you give and lowers for each movement you make. Some cards require a certain level of combo to be played, others consume it for boosted effect. The damage balance feels fine, but the tanking approach is not viable end-game because it's passive so you'll suffer from enemy special effects+almost impossible to get enough block. Music: it's alright. Doesn't make you sick, loops nicely, fits the game well. WHOLE REVIEW HERE : https://www.gog.com/forum/fights_in_tight_spaces/my_whole_review_for_the_game_1000_characters_not_enough

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Posted on: December 5, 2021

kriptexxx

Verified owner

Games: 29 Reviews: 2

Cannot ask for a better deckbuilder

I don't know where to start, but this game is amazing: - I love the visual style of it - The music is matching the theme - The fights look good - The replayability is amazing (although I haven't seen it mentioned, it is clearly a roguelike) - But what really makes this game shine, what makes this game really unique is the spacial element of the fights. You can win fights without yourself doing damage by making your enemies hit each other and pushing enemies off the "arena"/"map" I loved Slay the Spire (StS) and was looking for a worthy successor and this might be it. It keeps the good stuff and adds enough new stuff. Though the relics in StS make the runs more different from each other. Cons: - There is really not much, hence the 5 start review. It is a good first release and I am sure that stuff, like partially covered text boxes will disappear within weeks. - If there is one thing I didn't like is that a big portion of the rewards for fights is tied to specific achievements you need to reach in the fights (often finishing within a certain number of turns). This creates a strong feedback loop and if you start off a bit weak, you can basically give up, because you cannot recover as you cannot hit the future rewards that would help you recover. (Suggestion for solution: I would make a big portion of the rewards as default and tie only smaller portions to achievments. Like $20 for winning and 10$ for winning within a time limit)

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Posted on: December 5, 2021

zozoulia

Verified owner

Games: 556 Reviews: 2

Minimalist Action Ballet

Fights in Tight Spaces is a card-based, turn-based tactical brawler, where you don the suit of Agent 11, and whoop some goons from your favourite 80s action flick. The ninjas, bikers and gangsters you oppose all come with an abundance of abilities and modifiers that that always threaten to end your run and punish poor planning. The combat is very reminiscent of Into the Breach but your deck of cards provides you your moves, and an FTL-style node-map guides you between tattoo parlours, trains and restrooms. Building your deck for synergy is engrossing and rewarding. The visuals are minimalist and facilitate the projection of your action movie fantasies on the happenings. The atmospheric nature of the game is further accentuated by the Replay mode that lets you view the level you just beat in semi-real time. Of special note is the OST by nervous_testpilot, keeping up the tension and adding smoothness to the flow (personally, I’ve been a fan since Frozen Synapse). So why 4 stars? Replay mode is a bit jaunty and can sometimes softly bug out, and some playstyles feel better balanced against the game's challenges than others. Nonetheless, it’s a very solid experience - get it if you loved Into the Breach and Griftlands and are looking for something similar to scratch that itch.

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Edited on: September 24, 2025

Posted on: April 2, 2025

Strix-CZ

Verified owner

Games: 391 Reviews: 54

Addicting stuff...

PROS: - lot of cards/enemies - simplistic but stylish visuals (with dark mode option) - it's hard - but that's what makes it so rewarding once you get the hang of it! - great replayability (I've already beaten the story mode and I still only have 149/208 cards unlocked) - the over-the-top blood effects can be turned off - fitting soundtrack - endless mode CONS: - can be quite unforgiving for beginners (took me a while to realize you NEED to lose your first couple of runs to level up and get better cards/decks) - some decks work great throughout the game only to brick you in the final mission (probably not a best idea to build your deck around PUSH cards ;) ) - some mechanics are not clearly explained so it takes trial and error to fully understand them (e.g. the way grappling works - some grappling cards "feel" like they are effectively pushes but they work on enemies immune to push - similarly, enemies with dodge won't dodge grapple cards despite them being attack cards) - you are going to learn some of this the hard way (losing endgame runs to something not working as you expected), especially if you play on harder difficulties with no rollbacks - at first glance this game looks like it's just something you can play in short bursts when you don't have much time - while this is "technically" true it can actually be a real time sink - with instant loading times and every fight being more exciting than the previous one thanks to both you and your enemies becoming stronger, you can easily find yourself just clicking on "next" for hours until you reach the final boss (or die trying) - BE WARNED :)

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Posted on: May 24, 2021

Early Access review

Rhapsodomancer

Games: 515 Reviews: 5

Can't beat it, love it!

If you like card-combat, rogue-lite, and kung fu movies, this is the game for you. As rewarding as it is challenging. My other games miss me but I cannot get enough punishment from this one.

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