Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 19 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 88 | 1142 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (May 29, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 1142 total reviews in window · weighted 139.3 up / 18.1 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (13)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“Above all, Cryptmaster suffers from you having too many words to learn and there being far too few chapters in which to do so. Even if players are Wheel of Fortune savants, unlocking every word for each character requires hours of retyping the same combat commands. Even an actual zombie would beg off after piecing together words like PARADIDDLE and AMBERGRIS for such meager rewards as another scrap of backstory. This is especially so in the last level, a straightforward corridor that strips away the illusion of exploration provided by the more elaborate mazes and NPC quests that preceded them. By then, you’ll have long come to the realization that this game designed around words should have chosen them more carefully.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It's such an innovative RPG design, compared to what we see a lot of in the genre now. A fully grayscale game like this is already intriguing, but I felt entranced by the white glow of the torches, unnerving floating and talking skulls, and the CRYPTMASTER themselves... I also found the rats strangely off-putting. I don't know if it was all the time I spent wandering around in Chapters 1 and 2, but... Gods, it's the eyes. So many beings in CRYPTMASTER have those weird, swirling eyes. They're difficult to look at.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Cryptmaster is the ultimate evolution of simple word games like Hangman into a fantasy dungeon crawler and manages to delight in its simplicity.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Cryptmaster is just about vibes, specifically, the vibe of cruising around a dungeon typing words while a sardonic, Vincent Price-style narrator complains about what an idiot you are (you are) and you try to fight monsters while instantly forgetting every word you ever knew, all in glorious black and white.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In short, Cryptmaster presents a blend of dungeon-crawling adventure and linguistic puzzle-solving, inviting players to wield the power of words in a world shrouded in mystery and danger. While its narrative and gameplay mechanics may falter at times, its innovative approach to word-based gameplay ensures a captivating experience for players willing to embrace the role of a keyboard warrior or those willing to pull out a dictionary.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Your fingers will get tired from typing words, your brain will burn while trying to solve some riddles, your eyes will water from looking at black and white screens, but be sure that a unique experience awaits you.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A love of language and unique gameplay is enough to get literati excited for Cryptmaster, while those favoring less cerebral experiences should look elsewhere.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Regardless - Cryptmaster was a game I had hoped I would enjoy more. In the end, it's a solid proof of concept with a few hints of what it could be in the future. Cryptmaster is a game with a lot to say, but much like with the game's undead protagonists - it feels like its a bit confused on how to say it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Cryptmaster is a wickedly clever spin on the edutainment games of old. It combines good old fashioned typing with an underworld full up of gallows humour and eccentrics to meet, including its titular star. Spread the word, Cryptmaster is a must play indie.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Cryptmaster is a commendable indie game that stands out for its originality in gameplay and narrative. While it faces technical and design challenges, the overall experience is enriched by its entertaining side characters, engaging plot and clever integration of language-based mechanics. The game will challenge your linguistic and typing skills and pull you deep into its mysterious world, promising adventure and amusement. The game might benefit from refinements in control responsiveness and visibility issues, but despite its flaws, these do not significantly detract from the engaging and enjoyable gameplay. Cryptmaster offers a refreshingly different perspective on dungeon crawling, making it a worthy addition for any gamer looking for something outside the ordinary dungeon crawling experience.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Cryptmaster’s central idea is innovative and opens up plenty of interesting interaction opportunities. It is fun to type in verbs to guess what’s inside a chest to then trigger a memory or to constantly consider what word will give a character another combat ability. Side activities, like the word-powered card game, aren’t as engaging as the core loop.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Cryptmaster is a clever blend of dungeon crawling and word puzzles, and might just be the hidden gem you're looking for.”
read full review ↗
Slant Magazine
Pro Game Guides
GameLuster
MonsterVine
Six One Indie
Oyungezer Online
RPG Fan
RPG Site
Press Start
Hardcore Gamer
Softpedia
God is a Geek…and 1 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Public Playtesting - Version 1.112Jun 10, 2025
- Anniversary UpdateMay 29, 2025
- Patch notes v1.04.1Jul 22, 2024
- Patch notes v1.0.35Jun 24, 2024
- The Crypts 1.034 Patch NotesMay 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Demo Patch v1.0.12Apr 23, 2024