All Game, No Filter

Image credit: Official screenshots from Lyca on Steam

Playtime: ~4–5 hours
Completion: 100% complete – All achievements and upgrades unlocked
Platform: Steam
Genre: Casual / Strategy / Indie
Final Score: ★★★☆☆ (6.5/10)

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🧠 First Impressions

Lyca is a short and sweet experience that gave me big Nodebuster vibes. It’s got a tight gameplay loop, a chill vibe, and a clean upgrade system that makes it easy to pick up and stick with for a few hours.

The core loop is straightforward: beat levels, earn resources, and spend them on upgrades that make things smoother and faster. It never drags, and it doesn’t try to pad its runtime with artificial grind — which I appreciate.

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⚙️ Gameplay & Progression

Replayability is baked into the level design. You’ll likely go back to a few stages to scoop up extra resources or test out upgrades, but it never feels tedious. The game’s short length works in its favor — it respects your time while giving you a clear sense of progress.

The upgrade system is simple but satisfying. There’s just enough to feel like you’re building up your character without it becoming a stat-chasing grindfest.

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🐛 Performance Issues

Now here’s the odd part: despite being a pixel-based game, I ran into noticeable frame rate drops—sometimes bad enough to turn the game into a pixelated slideshow. The good news? A quick restart fixed it every time. The bad news? You’ll probably have to do that more than once.

Not game-breaking, but definitely jarring in an otherwise smooth experience.

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✅ Final Verdict

Lyca isn’t a mind-blower, but it’s not trying to be. It’s a low-stress, low-cost game that gives you a few hours of focused fun. If you’re into short, replayable pixel games with light upgrades and a decent achievement list, this is an easy pick for a lazy afternoon.

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🔥 Clay’s Take

“Quick dopamine with a couple hiccups. Lyca doesn’t waste your time, but it might test your frame rate. Still — good value, good vibes.”

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (6.5/10 — short and satisfying, with minor tech hiccups)
Recommended?: Yes, if you want a chill 5-hour pixel puzzler and don’t mind restarting it once or twice.

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🗨️ What About You?

Have you played Lyca yet?

• Did you run into any performance issues, or was it smooth sailing?
• Do you prefer short games with tight mechanics, or something with more depth and grind?
• Got any other underrated pixel games you think I should check out?

Let me know — always looking for the next hidden gem.