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MONSTER

Capes

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Capes
Item: Capes
Author: MonsterCritic Editorial Team

2024

GenresIndie, Strategy, Single Player

AvailableMay 29, 2024

PlatformNintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5

DeveloperSpitfire Interactive

Overview

Superheroes clash in this turn based strategy game. Recruit, train, and deploy your team in order to take back the city from the villains that hold it hostage.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

The Story of Capes dazzles with bold superhero lore and thematic ambition but falters in execution—its gritty rebellion narrative and moral complexity earn praise, yet predictable twists, shallow characters, and uneven pacing leave critics divided between nostalgic charm and missed potential.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

50%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

50%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The overall sentiment toward The Story of Capes is largely positive, with many reviewers praising its engaging narrative, thematic depth, and homage to classic superhero tropes. Critics like TheXboxHub highlight its intriguing premise—a world where villains have triumphed and heroes are wiped out—drawing comparisons to Watchmen for its gripping storytelling. GameCritics and Checkpoint Gaming commend the game’s exploration of power, morality, and social justice, noting how it balances a dystopian setting with a diverse cast of characters and meaningful relationships. Gameliner emphasizes the well-developed backstories and character dynamics revealed through missions, while Merlin'in Kazanı and Nintendo Life appreciate its unique narrative style and nods to comic book traditions. The game’s focus on rebels fighting oppressive forces resonates with reviewers like The Games Machine, who praise its themes of rebellion and individualism. These positives collectively paint a picture of a story that successfully captures the essence of superhero lore while offering fresh perspectives. However, several critics point out significant flaws in the narrative execution. PC Gamer and RPGamer criticize the story for being awkwardly structured, lacking depth, and suffering from flat character arcs, with the latter calling it “a basic superhero vs. supervillain plot.” PCGamesN and RPG Fan note that while the game explores post-battle worlds and oppressive regimes, it fails to delve deeply into its darker themes or deliver nuanced twists. Worth Playing mentions that the plot feels disjointed at times, despite its fun homage to classic heroes. Additionally, Nintendo Life describes the comic book-style visuals as “serviceable” but predictable, suggesting a reliance on familiar tropes without substantial innovation. These critiques highlight a recurring issue: while the game’s themes and setting are compelling, its execution often falls short in terms of originality, pacing, and emotional resonance. Despite mixed reactions, there is a general consensus that The Story of Capes succeeds as a genre homage but struggles with narrative cohesion. Reviewers like TheXboxHub and GameCritics celebrate its bold world-building and thematic ambition, while others such as PC Gamer and RPGamer find it underwhelming in execution. The game’s strengths lie in its exploration of power dynamics, rebellion, and superhero morality, but its weaknesses—predictable twists, uneven pacing, and lack of depth—prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Ultimately, the critical reception reflects a divide between those who appreciate its nostalgic charm and thematic richness and those who feel it lacks the innovation or polish to stand out in the crowded superhero genre.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Capes delivers clever tactical depth and inventive team play but struggles with XCOM-like repetition, limited customization, and balancing issues.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

64%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

29%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Capes is widely praised for its strategic depth, tactical engagement, and creative use of character abilities. Reviewers like TheXboxHub highlight the turn-based mechanics as challenging yet rewarding, emphasizing the need for careful planning and unique hero abilities to succeed. GameCritics and God is a Geek commend the focus on teamwork and synergy, noting how players must creatively combine heroes’ skills for optimal results. Nintendo Life and Checkpoint Gaming praise the balance of hero abilities and Team Up attacks, with the latter pointing to meaningful upgrades and skill trees that enhance strategic decision-making. PC Gamer and RPG Fan also celebrate the game’s engaging combat mechanics and innovative Team-Up systems, which offer diverse approaches to battle. These positives collectively paint Capes as a thoughtfully designed tactical experience that rewards players who master its intricacies. However, several critics point to notable flaws that detract from the gameplay. Gaming Age dismisses it as a “mediocre XCOM clone” with underpowered heroes and unexciting combat, while PCGamesN criticizes the lack of player agency and customization compared to other tactical games. RPGamer notes limitations in character variety and mission design, arguing that later stages become overwhelming and unfair due to combo mechanics and disarming enemies. Gameliner mentions occasional imbalance in character abilities, which can frustrate players. These critiques suggest that while Capes excels in strategic depth, its execution sometimes falters in areas like originality, balance, and long-term engagement. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Capes delivers a compelling tactical experience with strong emphasis on strategy, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. While The Games Machine acknowledges its XCOM-inspired design and balanced mission requirements, others like RPG Fan appreciate its unique Team-Up mechanics. However, the game’s challenges—such as difficulty spikes, limited customization, and occasional imbalance—are seen as trade-offs for its ambitious design. Despite mixed reactions on originality, most agree that Capes offers a rewarding, brain-teasing experience for fans of turn-based tactics, even if it occasionally struggles to fully realize its potential.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Capes delivers clever tactical depth and inventive team play but struggles with XCOM-like repetition, limited customization, and balancing issues.

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Capes' visuals blend comic-style art with tactical gameplay, praised for creative storytelling and engaging cutscenes, but suffer from stiff animations, generic designs, and technical polish issues across platforms.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

17%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

75%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The graphics and visual design of Capes received mixed but generally positive feedback from critics, with several highlighting its unique art style and storytelling strengths. TheXboxHub praised the game’s blend of graphic novel cutscenes and traditional tactical visuals, noting that the character and enemy designs are well-executed despite some camera issues. God is a Geek commended the visual novel-style cutscenes for their quality, while Gameliner emphasized how the comic-style design enhances storytelling, particularly during narrative moments. Additionally, RPG Fan acknowledged the game’s diverse urban battlefields and solid voice acting, which complement its visual approach. These reviews suggest that Capes’s artistic direction effectively supports its tactical gameplay and narrative, even if not all technical aspects are flawless. However, several critics pointed out significant drawbacks in the game’s visuals, particularly regarding technical polish and animation quality. Checkpoint Gaming criticized the “plastic or waxy-looking” character models, while PC Gamer and RPGamer noted stiff animations and wooden expressions that detract from immersion. Nintendo Life and Merlin’in Kazanı highlighted issues with detail visibility on the Nintendo Switch, citing the small screen’s limitations. Gaming Age also remarked on characters resembling “knock-offs of popular superheroes,” suggesting a lack of originality in design. Additionally, some cutscenes were criticized for being “clunky” or failing to represent combination attacks clearly, as noted by RPG Fan and PC Gamer. These critiques underscore concerns about the game’s technical execution and visual consistency across platforms. Overall, critics agreed that Capes’s visual design is a mixed bag, balancing creative storytelling elements with technical shortcomings. While TheXboxHub, Gameliner, and The Games Machine praised its art style and engagement, others like Checkpoint Gaming, PC Gamer, and Nintendo Life emphasized flaws in animation, character models, and polish. The game’s reliance on comic-style visuals and cutscenes was seen as a strength for narrative depth but also a weakness when technical execution faltered. Despite these issues, many reviewers acknowledged that the visuals contribute meaningfully to the experience, even if they fall short of modern standards. This consensus reflects a game with ambitious artistic goals but inconsistent delivery across platforms and mechanics.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Capes shines with stellar voice acting and immersive soundscapes that elevate its narrative, but inconsistent performances, muddled audio mixing, and a repetitive score undermine its potential, leaving a mixed verdict on its auditory execution.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

25%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

63%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The reviews highlight several positive aspects of Capes' sound design and music, particularly in voice acting and atmospheric elements. GameCritics praised the "high-quality voice acting for all dialogue," emphasizing its role in enhancing character interactions, while RPGamer noted that "great voice acting adds depth to characters." Similarly, RPG Fan described the music as a "decent score" that complements gameplay with "pounding and throbbing tunes at the right moments," suggesting the soundtrack effectively supports the game’s action. TheXboxHub acknowledged the visual appeal of powers but also implied that the audio elements contribute meaningfully to immersion. These critiques collectively underscore a generally favorable reception of the game’s auditory components, particularly in creating an engaging narrative and dynamic gameplay experience. However, several critics pointed out notable flaws. Gaming Age criticized the voice acting as "mediocre" and the sound design as "less-than-great," while God is a Geek noted inconsistencies in tone, stating that voice acting ranges from "over-the-top and cheesy to fitting the story." Nintendo Life highlighted "sound balancing issues in certain scenes" and "enthusiastic but inconsistent voice acting," suggesting technical or artistic shortcomings. RPGamer also mentioned that the music, though serviceable, "lacks variety" and blends into the background over time. These critiques reveal a divide between the game’s potential and its execution, with some reviewers feeling that the audio elements fail to fully realize their promise or maintain consistency. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward acknowledging Capes’ strengths while recognizing areas for improvement. While GameCritics, RPGamer, and RPG Fan celebrated the voice acting and music as integral to the game’s identity, others like Gaming Age and God is a Geek emphasized flaws in execution or cohesion. TheXboxHub and Worth Playing noted that voice acting, though occasionally excellent, remains a critical factor in the game’s success, particularly for character-driven narratives. Despite these contradictions, the reviews suggest that Capes offers a compelling auditory experience overall, with its sound design and music contributing meaningfully to gameplay and storytelling, even if not without flaws.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

Voice acting in Capes is praised for immersive storytelling and character depth, with critics calling it "high-quality" and "lively," but flaws like inconsistent performances, cliched dialogue, and emotional flatness undermine its potential, leaving a mixed legacy of promise and polish.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

29%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

57%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Capes receives generally positive feedback from several critics, who highlight its contribution to storytelling and character engagement. TheXboxHub praises the cutscenes as "jolly decent," emphasizing how the performances enhance the narrative. GameCritics goes further, calling it "high-quality" and noting that it "brings the characters to life," adding depth to the game’s world. Worth Playing also acknowledges its value, stating that the voice acting is "fine and occasionally excellent," aiding in character development. Gameliner describes the voice-over as "lively," suggesting it effectively supports the game’s storytelling despite lacking specific details about individual performances. These critiques collectively underscore a strong foundation for the voice work, with many reviewers appreciating its role in immersing players in the game’s superhero themes. However, some critics point to inconsistencies and shortcomings in the voice acting. Nintendo Life notes that while the performances are "enthusiastic," they are "inconsistent," with limited character expressions in cutscenes potentially undermining emotional impact. Gaming Age labels the voice acting as "mediocre," suggesting it fails to meet higher expectations, while PCGamesN criticizes the dialogue for feeling "cliched and quippy," reminiscent of overused Marvel or DC tropes. These critiques highlight a disconnect between the potential of the voice work and its execution, particularly in terms of emotional nuance and originality. While some praise the performances, others argue they lack the depth or polish needed to fully elevate the experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward appreciation for the voice acting’s role in storytelling, despite notable flaws. Most reviewers acknowledge that it contributes meaningfully to the game’s narrative, as seen in TheXboxHub and GameCritics’ praise, while others like Nintendo Life and Gaming Age point to inconsistencies or mediocrity. PCGamesN’s critique of clichéd dialogue adds another layer of criticism, though this may reflect broader issues with the script rather than the voice work itself. Ultimately, Capes’ voice acting appears to strike a balance between effective storytelling and uneven execution, with its strengths in immersion and character engagement offset by occasional shortcomings in emotional depth and originality.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

technical performance

Description unavailable

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Capes delivers deep replayability through structured progression, side missions, and tactical customization, but repetitive grinding and limited flexibility may test patience, making it ideal for methodical players over open-ended explorers.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

36%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

57%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The majority of reviewers highlight several positive aspects of Capes’ replay value, emphasizing its structured progression systems and optional content. GameCritics and Nintendo Life praise the game’s blend of main missions and side stories, noting that side objectives and challenges encourage players to experiment with character growth and strategies. God is a Geek and Checkpoint Gaming commend the XP-based upgrades and synergistic party mechanics, which add depth to gameplay. Additionally, RPGamer and Worth Playing highlight how optional challenges and team-up attacks create opportunities for replayability, while PCGamesN and RPG Fan acknowledge that revisiting missions unlocks new abilities and tactical approaches. These elements collectively suggest a game designed to reward exploration and experimentation, offering varied experiences through its character customization and mission design. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks that may limit long-term engagement. Gaming Age and The Games Machine criticize the repetitive nature of grinding for progression, arguing that slow character development and mandatory mission repetition can feel tedious. PCGamesN and RPG Fan also note that while there are optional objectives, the lack of a robust roster or meaningful customization options may lead to stagnation, particularly by the game’s midpoint. Additionally, RPG Fan and The Games Machine express concerns about repetitive gameplay mechanics, suggesting that even with side content, the core loop risks becoming monotonous for some players. These critiques highlight a tension between the game’s intentional depth and its potential to frustrate those seeking more dynamic or open-ended experiences. Overall, the critics present a mixed but largely balanced view of Capes’ replay value. While many praise its structured progression systems, side missions, and tactical variety—particularly on PC platforms (as noted by Checkpoint Gaming and PC Gamer)—others caution that grinding, repetition, and limited customization could deter long-term interest. The consensus leans toward a middle ground: the game offers substantial replayability through its upgrade mechanics and optional content, but its effectiveness depends on individual tolerance for repetitive tasks and reliance on side missions. Critics like GameCritics and Nintendo Life emphasize the game’s potential for exploration, while Gaming Age and RPG Fan underscore the risks of burnout, suggesting that Capes is best suited for players who appreciate methodical progression over open-ended freedom.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

51%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

49%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The overall reception of Capes is largely positive, with critics highlighting its strengths in tactical gameplay, character-driven storytelling, and genre innovation. Reviewers like TheXboxHub and GameCritics praise its "solid tactics game" structure and "fresh take on the turn-based tactics genre," emphasizing its engaging narrative and challenging mechanics. God is a Geek and Checkpoint Gaming commend the game’s "tense battles," "deep tactics gameplay," and "charming cast of characters," while Gameliner notes its appeal to non-fans of superhero games due to its compelling story and unique character designs. The game’s emphasis on social justice themes, meaningful progression systems, and homage to XCOM—as noted by The Games Machine—further underscores its creative ambition. Many critics, including Nintendo Life and PC Gamer, acknowledge its strengths in gameplay despite minor visual or presentation flaws, positioning it as a standout entry for strategy enthusiasts. However, several critiques point to notable shortcomings that temper the game’s overall appeal. Gaming Age and PCGamesN criticize Capes for falling short of its potential, with the former calling it "not recommended compared to other superhero games" and the latter highlighting issues like "lackluster presentation" and "repetitive gameplay elements." RPGamer and RPG Fan express disappointment in the story’s rushed conclusion and generic character arcs, while Worth Playing notes that the plot feels "somewhat generic" despite engaging mechanics. Additionally, God is a Geek and RPG Fan point to technical issues like inconsistent visuals and voice acting, which detract from immersion. These criticisms suggest that while Capes excels in tactical depth, its narrative and presentation elements struggle to match the polish of its gameplay. Despite these flaws, the consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for Capes as a worthwhile experience, particularly for fans of strategy and superhero genres. While Gaming Age and PCGamesN are more critical, most reviewers—such as Checkpoint Gaming, The Games Machine, and PC Gamer—recognize its strengths in balancing challenge, character diversity, and innovative mechanics. The game’s ability to blend XCOM-like tactics with superhero themes, despite imperfections, earns it praise as a "hearty success" (as noted by Checkpoint Gaming) and a "pleasant surprise" for tactical fans. While not without its issues, Capes is generally seen as a solid, if imperfect, entry that offers a rewarding experience for those who prioritize gameplay over narrative polish.

TL;DR

Capes delivers sharp tactical gameplay and genre-defying innovation, blending XCOM-style strategy with superhero themes, but struggles with a rushed narrative, repetitive mechanics, and technical flaws—earning praise as a rewarding yet imperfect pick for strategy fans.

MONSTER

Reviews

46 reviews found

GameCritics

PlayStation 5

Sep 27, 2024