Perfection takes time. Craftopia is a pot that has boiled longer than most, but the brew is finally beginning to bear favorable results. The most recent updates have introduced dramatic improvements in many core elements of the game.

The skills that can be acquired have been scaled back and made more relevant, the overall progression system has seen a major overhaul, the animations are smoother, and many aspects of the game are being continuously adjusted for balance and quality of life. While it has taken some time to get to this point, the outlook now in the game is something I can readily call positive.

One of the most impressive upgrades in the game however presents itself in a far more recognizable form. The graphics have improved significantly in the game since its beginning, to the point that rain puts a fine gloss across your character, and the lighting improvements have altered the feel of the entire game. This is an improvement instantly recognizable the moment the sun goes down. The feeling of darkness in the game is considerably more oppressive than I expected. While I did find this off-putting at first, the interaction of selecting and equipping a torch or other light source when the darkness enfolds me has become enjoyable.

In previous iterations of the game the aspect that had displeased me the most was the music. There was only one track, and it droned repeatedly to such an extent that to continue playing I found myself forced to turn the music all the way down and play songs from my own collection instead. My return to the game has seen a vast improvement in this area as well, which was as unexpected as it was welcome. Now there are several tracks, with a meatier overall sound that has allowed me to return to listening to it. The game even has combat music, which fits so well that I find myself wondering how I ever played it without it.

The game isn’t perfect yet, but Craftopia feels like it’s finally gaining traction, and for your time and hard-earned cash, I can’t help but feel this is a fantastic time in its development to take that plunge.

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