I think a few more weapon and ability options would have gone a long way towards giving Riverbond a bit more longevity and wide appeal, but what’s there is still a beautiful little nugget of joy that does what it attempts well.

Much of Riverbond is a lot of fun: the combat, destruction and environments are simple but addictive and satisfying and the levels are varied. I wish that there was a little more story and character to become invested in, and that there was less reliance on similar structures for each level. Combat isn’t always fun for reasons that have nothing to do with skill or weapons but baked in mechanics and design choices. Overall, the voxel aesthetic works well with the game’s gentle sense of humor and lack of real menace. Riverbond isn’t the most complex action-RPG, but a good example of form and function in harmony.

Riverbond is a game that feels as if it were meant to be part of a larger and more ambitious world. It’s great for jumping into a quick game to feed your hack and slash needs throughout the day, but with no in-game saves, no perks for skins collected, and a world that offers no room for real exploration, I find it hard to want to play with four friends because the enemies aren’t challenging enough. Coupled by an imbalance in weapon damage and objectives that don’t fit the style of play, I'd say Riverbond doesn't stand out in a genre that's already crowded.