Game: Lynked: Banner of the Spark
Genre: Adventure, Platformer, Action
System: Nintendo Switch 1&2 (also on Steam (Windows))
Developer|Publisher: FuzzyBot | Dreamhaven
Age Rating: EU 12 | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $24.99 | UK £19.49 | EU € 24,99
Release Date: September 12th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Dreamhaven.
Linked: Banner of the Spark – Life Sim Meets Roguelite
When a game comes along that tries to mix two very different genres, it can either end up as a messy experiment or something truly refreshing. Lynked: Banner of the Spark is one of those titles that combines the thrill of roguelite dungeon crawling with the slower charm of town building and life-sim elements.
On paper, that sounds like a clash of gears, fast-paced combat alongside fishing, farming, and decorating your town. But in practice, it works better than I expected. With its upbeat tone, colourful robot companions, and a grappling hook that doubles as a weapon and a fishing rod, this is a game that wears its uniqueness proudly.
A Happier Apocalypse
We’ve had grim apocalypses, brooding apocalypses, even apocalypses with neon rain, but Lynked: Banner of the Spark asks: what if the end of the world was actually… cheerful? Humanity may be on the brink, but instead of hopeless wastelands and endless misery, we’re treated to upbeat robots, vibrant colours, and a premise that’s closer to “friendly rebellion” than “doom and gloom.”
The story is light but fun. You start off as a prisoner, freed by a friendly bot, and quickly find yourself rallying with other mechanical allies to fight back against a rogue AI force. There are no long-winded cutscenes or heavy lore dumps; Lynked is much more interested in letting you play than making you sit through a sci-fi lecture.
Rogue-Life, Not Roguelike
The developers pitch this as a “rogue-life RPG”, and that little twist is exactly what makes it shine. Yes, you’ll head out on runs, fight through swarms of robot foes, take on bosses, and scoop up resources. But once you return home, the game switches gears into cosy town management.
Instead of just unlocking upgrades from a static menu, you’re physically building homes for rescued NPCs, laying out your hub space, mining crystals, and if you’re me, spending far too much time catching robotic fish. It’s half action roguelite, half life sim, and both sides feel worthwhile.
I especially liked that missions aren’t one-and-done. You can replay old runs for more loot or resources, adjust difficulty levels to your taste, or just grind a bit to test out new weapons. It makes progress feel less punishing than the average roguelite, which is a nice change.
Combat That Gets the Job Done
If there’s one area where things wobble a little, it’s combat. The hack-and-slash system gives you plenty of weapon choices, from chunky hammers to quick dual blades, but not everything feels as smooth as it could. Heavier weapons, in particular, can feel a bit clunky.
That said, the grappling hook (the Wyre) is the real star here. It’s not just a tool for grabbing items; you can snag bombs, pull apart weaker enemies, and even stagger bosses mid-fight for big damage openings. Oh, and it doubles as your fishing rod. A grappling hook that helps me battle robots and reel in mechanical salmon? Yes please.
Town Life, Co-Op, and Bots With Personality
Back in your hub town, things are refreshingly relaxed. Rescuing NPCs adds vendors and facilities, each with a bit of personality. There are side quests, optional activities, and a nice variety of progression routes all with individual currencies to spend from missions. You can lean into combat-heavy play, or just potter about customising your town and fishing for hours.
Co-op adds even more fun. Up to three friends can join in online, tackling missions or tinkering with town upgrades together. I mostly stuck with solo play, but the game also lets you recruit robot companions later if you’d like a little extra company.
Bright Colours, Brighter Vibes
Visually, Lynked embraces colour and positivity. Think cheerful 3D character models, lively environments, and robot designs that lean more “charming oddball” than “nightmare machine.” It’s a refreshing break from the usual bleakness of post-apocalyptic design.
The music won’t stick in your head for weeks, but it fits the tone nicely, upbeat in town and energetic in combat. It keeps the atmosphere consistent with the game’s overall lighthearted vibe.
Conclusion: This is the Rogue-Life
Lynked: Banner of the Spark is exactly the kind of genre experiment I like to see. By mixing roguelite missions with cosy life sim elements, it avoids feeling like “just another run-based game.” There’s always something new to do, whether that’s trying out a weapon build, customising your town, or just fishing because, well, fishing is great.
Combat isn’t flawless, and some weapon handling could use a little polish, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the heck out of this game. Add in generous free Switch-to-Switch 2 upgrade support and a heap of content, and you’ve got something that feels both playful and generous.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up 
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