Japanese indie developer Omado has announced a revision to the price of his 2024 title, Spell Tonaeru (unofficial transliteration). Initially 320 JPY (roughly $ 2.09 USD), it will be increased to 960 JPY ($ 6.27 USD) from February 16 onwards.
Spell Tonaeru is a strategic roguelite bullet hell shooter that can be played either solo or cooperatively. By navigating the in-game keyboard, you avoid enemy attacks while casting spells of your own. With over 300 spells to choose from, ranging from standard damage spells to summoning giant animals that block attacks, you can freely mix and match spells to craft unique builds. Gameplay can get quite hectic at times, with the screen filling with all sorts of objects and projectiles.
According to Omado, Spell Tonaeru is, first and foremost, a passion project. Since production costs were minimal, they were allowed to set the price to be as affordable as possible (this also helped ease the developer’s mental burden). As reviews started pouring in, they were grateful for the positive feedback regarding the ease with which the game could be picked up and played.
While comments about Spell Tonaeru’s value were generally positive, some fans expressed concerns that the low price might “disrupt the market or be viewed as dumping.” Another problem which occurred was that people would buy the game without fully understanding its mechanics or scope. Omando also started noticing Steam reviews where people’s expectations of the game didn’t align with the core gameplay. Though the developer doesn’t blame them for this, they believe that the disconnect emerged from the combination of the game’s design and its low price.
After much consideration, Omando decided to increase Spell Tonaeru’s price. This was not because they wanted more money, but to ensure that the expectations of those who purchased the game align with what it has to offer. As they explain, by maximizing the number of players who understand and enjoy it, they can gather more constructive feedback and work on creating the best version of Spell Tonaeru possible.
Post translation:
To everyone rushing to purchase this, thank you. Before you buy the game, I have a request. This title is an acquired taste, so buying it on impulse is likely to result in you not enjoying it as much. Please read the Steam page (especially the part about the game’s difficulty and features) and only purchase it if you think you will enjoy it. If you try it briefly and feel it’s not for you, please don’t hesitate to request a refund.
While Omando is aware that the price increase might discourage people from purchasing the game, they welcome those who are willing to try it. Apparently, Spell Tonaeru is meant to be played over long gaming sessions and rewards those who delve into its deep story and mechanics. Should people not find their cup of tea, the developer wholeheartedly asks them to request a refund on Steam.
Spell Tonaeru is available on Steam, though it does not feature English translations. The game’s price is set to increase on February 16.
