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Emberward on Steam

Playtest report preview

Emberward

We listened to 8 Twitch streams of Emberward (7h 45m in total). The problem that came up most: limits of the buildable area on the map are unclear, in 2 of 8 streams.

8 Twitch streams · 7h 45m analysed · Danish, Japanese, English, Russian, Chinese · analysed in the week of 28 Sept 2026 · Steam page

Problems
48
Ideas
3
Highlights
20

Where the moments happened

Grey bars show when the streamer was talking. Each mark is one reported moment; select a type below to hide or show it.

  • Stream 1, 1h analysed: 9 problems, 1 highlight.
  • Stream 2, 1h analysed: 4 problems, 6 highlights.
  • Stream 3, 1h analysed: 13 problems, 1 suggestion or comparison, 15 highlights.
  • Stream 4, 1h analysed: 6 problems, 1 highlight.
  • Stream 5, 45 min analysed: 2 problems, 3 highlights.
  • Stream 6, 1h analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
  • Stream 7, 1h analysed: 17 problems, 3 suggestions or comparisons, 10 highlights.
  • Stream 8, 1h analysed: 13 problems, 3 highlights.
Show:

Problems (48)

Bugs, confusion, frustration and the moments players gave up.

  1. #1Bug

    no sound when power flows through circuit

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #2Confusion

    limits of the buildable area on the map are unclear

    2 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  3. #3Confusion

    tower range is hard to read before placing

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  4. #4Confusion

    hand rules for using and discarding block cards unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  5. #5Confusion

    unclear what mech progress and mounted towers keep between stages

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  6. #6Confusion

    benefit of powering towers is unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  7. #7Confusion

    life counter easy to overlook in the interface

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  8. #8Confusion

    relic mentions tower orders that the game never explains

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  9. #9Confusion

    how to start the battle phase is unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  10. #10Confusion

    temporary buffs expected to stack but do not

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  11. #11Confusion

    fixed facing of axe tower not obvious when placing

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  12. #12Confusion

    alternate enemy path openings easy to overlook

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  13. #13Confusion

    some unlock bonuses cannot be inspected

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  14. #14Confusion

    unclear whether interest is paid on the last wave

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  15. #15Confusion

    manual aiming of mech weapons is not explained

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  16. #16Confusion

    mech build platforms are hard to spot

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  17. #17Confusion

    crystal type hidden because hover info is off during waves

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  18. #18Confusion

    mech cannot enter void tiles without any hint

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  19. #19Confusion

    building rules on corrupted tiles unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  20. #20Confusion

    extra enemy spawn directions noticed late

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  21. #21Frustration

    routing power to towers is awkward

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  22. #22Frustration

    lightning hazard feels annoying and keeps interrupting play

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  23. #23Frustration

    mech focused build gets overrun once enemy health ramps up

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  24. #24Frustration

    enemies pass over or through placed blocks

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  25. #25Frustration

    losing forces replaying the whole day

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  26. #26Frustration

    loadout change left a tower missing mid run

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  27. #27Frustration

    weak early build leaves the level feeling unwinnable

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  28. #28Frustration

    scrap tank alone clears early stages and makes towers optional

    1 of 8 streams · 4 moments

    4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  29. #29Frustration

    gold runs short for the towers players want

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  30. #30Frustration

    unlimited rerolls make loadout and relic choices feel hollow

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  31. #31Frustration

    corrupted and cross tile modifiers feel annoying

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  32. #32Frustration

    large tower pieces are hard to fit

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  33. #33Frustration

    slime tower seen as the weakest tower pick

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  34. #34Frustration

    locked tiles restrict path widening

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  35. #35Frustration

    reward offers sometimes contain nothing worth taking

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  36. #36Frustration

    placed blocks cannot be repositioned between waves

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  37. #37Frustration

    drawn block cards often have nowhere useful to go

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  38. #38Frustration

    normal difficulty becomes trivial by mid run

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  39. #39Frustration

    same map layout repeats across runs

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  40. #40Frustration

    refund price of placed items is not visible

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  41. #41Frustration

    short range tower feels too weak

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  42. #42Frustration

    too much gold in the final waves

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  43. #43Frustration

    one starting tower feels too weak to open with

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  44. #44Frustration

    route map offers too few shops

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  45. #45Frustration

    obstacles soak up mech missile fire

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  46. #46Frustration

    low proc chance on burn upgrade

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  47. #47Frustration

    unexpected elite enemy in wave

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  48. #48Frustration

    ancient tower is annoying to play around

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

Suggestions and comparisons (3)

What players asked for, and which games they compared yours to.

  1. #49Suggestion

    mech should support a 3x3 tower slot

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #50Suggestion

    idea for a mine laying tower on the moving mech

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  3. #51Comparison

    run setup screens resemble an early mobile game

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

What landed (20)

Moments players clearly enjoyed.

  1. #52Highlight

    piloting the scrap tank mech hero is the standout fun

    1 of 8 streams · 7 moments

    7 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #53Highlight

    shaping enemy routes with wall blocks is the highlight

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  3. #54Highlight

    explosion boost tile effects feel spectacular

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  4. #55Highlight

    joke settings like work mode and decorative coins land well

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  5. #56Highlight

    tower and relic rewards feel powerful and exciting

    1 of 8 streams · 4 moments

    4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  6. #57Highlight

    tower variety like axe, sniper, missile and portal excites

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  7. #58Highlight

    some towers and upgrades feel strong

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  8. #59Highlight

    axe tower consistently pulls its weight

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  9. #60Highlight

    fire towers setting trees ablaze is a fun touch

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  10. #61Highlight

    lava tower slow and lava corridors feel strong

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  11. #62Highlight

    long range towers feel strong

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  12. #63Highlight

    default autumn look appreciated in customization

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  13. #64Highlight

    poison attachment performs well

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  14. #65Highlight

    four direction tower encourages maze building

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  15. #66Highlight

    stacked range upgrades make a tower cover the whole map

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  16. #67Highlight

    reading upgrade text pays off with strong synergies

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  17. #68Highlight

    block tower that can be placed anywhere is liked

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  18. #69Highlight

    attack speed relic with no targeting control is appealing

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  19. #70Highlight

    enemies stalling on mech turrets creates a strong slow zone

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  20. #71Highlight

    range relic gives mech weapons full coverage

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

More games we analysed

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    55 problems · 22 highlights · 8 streams

    fitting pattern pieces onto the fabric layout without wasting material is fiddly

  • How to Fish

    62 problems · 14 highlights · 8 streams

    shark boss gatekeeping the cooking unlock feels overly difficult

  • Big Walk

    57 problems · 25 highlights · 8 streams

    carried items are easily dropped and hard to recover

  • Waterpark Simulator

    70 problems · 21 highlights · 8 streams

    overview camera doesn't show which pool has an incident

  • Mimic Party

    19 problems · 8 highlights · 8 streams

    sabotage mechanic repeatedly frustrates players across sessions

  • Shape of Dreams

    45 problems · 18 highlights · 8 streams

    players repeatedly lack gold to buy wanted shop items

All 62 games we analysed

About this page

Speech was transcribed on our own machine and an AI model picked out the moments. Every item in the full report quotes the streamer's actual words, checked against the transcript; 107 of 110 candidate moments passed that check. Only counts and short issue titles are public. Quotes and streamer names stay in the private report.

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