Posted on: November 21, 2017

pearnon

Games: 205 Reviews: 50

Serpentine complexity

All credit where it's due. This ridiculously small development team managed to craft an engaging, complex RPG. The story is unconventional and doesn't hold your hand, the worldbuilding is solid, the engine and rulework does its job, and the ending is surprising, to say the least. Also, it was great not being the Chosen One for once - even though you *are* special. That being said, it has some egregious flaws: - While the world does react to your actions to some extent, all NPCs are one-and-done affairs, such as a man who, after relaying to you the information he's supposed to, won't even acknowledge the death of his brother. - Precious few NPCs to interact with. Most of them are merchants or people you have no reason to speak with ever again. - Your companions have little more life and personality than companions you create. - Controls can be wonky or unresponsive at times (Linux version) - Some abilities are borderline useless, only useful at the beginning and completely disregarded late-game, or only usable is precious few situations. Still, while I found myself losing interest and just wanting to be done with it at the later stages, this game managed to draw me in and was faithful to its old-school roots. In the end, a satisfyingly enough experience, but one I might have been annoyed with, if I hadn't bought it on a sale.

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Posted on: April 2, 2018

Epantiras

Verified owner

Games: 266 Reviews: 3

Missed opportunity

I really wished this game to be good, but I gave up after a while. It lacks what makes RPGs fun, imho: you have very little dialogue options, most of NPCs have no dialogue or most of the times you don't have the chance to ask plot relevant questions. For example, at some point something happens to an important NPC but you have no option to comment about this or even tell the news to other related NPCs. The devs promised that you have many ways to solve a quest, but this is not confirmed by what I saw so far. For being an "open world" RPG this is quite disappointing. This game could be compared to Arcanum: both have aged graphic (Staglands might look prettier though, if you like pixel art) and both have a shallow combat system, many fights are unwinnable by low level characters. Serpent in Staglands however lacks charm and ultimately feels empty.

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Posted on: July 15, 2015

teorems

Verified owner

Games: Reviews: 29

Captivating game

Searching for an RPG lately that my laptop can bare and not melt, i found this.. It's unusual and fine! It's made with creativity. It requires some effort though: the quest system is not automatic as usual in this kind of game, you have to take notes for yourself; also combat can be quite hard from the beginning , and foxes very strong! I didn't like planescape torment, I would suggest this as a possible alternative.

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Posted on: March 12, 2024

crockettba

Verified owner

Games: 18 Reviews: 2

Eh...

Very atmospheric, great mood and interesting setting. I liked the portraits and the magic system and the skills (although I didn't get far enough to use them meaningfully). You will die. A lot. It's hard and doesn't hold your hand at all. Which I was actually beginning to adjust to. Then I loaded a save and a map I had cleared out suddenly had a pack of enemies in it. Which to survive you have to really edge forward slowly, kite the enemies, and save a ton. I think I can handle it until I reach certain levels but not having to clear out map levels AGAIN that way. Stopped playing after 5 hours. Probably not going back. All the stuff I mentioned at the start of my review is why it has 3 stars - this game looks pretty good and refreshing. But I found it unplayable just due to frustration.

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Posted on: June 11, 2019

TheSymphony

Verified owner

Games: 796 Reviews: 121

Stop Whining. The Game is Fine.

Ok, so despite the many bad reviews I've seen about this game I bought it anyway. The overall rating at the moment is 4 out of 5, and that should mean something. I looked at the pictures, and watched the video, so I was prepared for the game to look like it was presented. I can't complain about graphics that I've already seen. I think it looks great. It's exactly what I expected... Pixels and all. It reminds me of an older game, and that's what drew me to it. Now, so far the game-play has far surpassed what I was looking for. I was not expecting the depth of the magic system with it's actually writing out incantations, or the crafting, or the level of exploration within an area. There are many very detailed descriptions about many of the things around you, so it increases the immersion level greatly. Now, the biggest complaint I see about this game is the difficulty... All I can say is that I grew up playing games that were more difficult than this, and much less rewarding. So the starting stats are low and the beginning enemies are strong... So? You're character is a god that has dawned mortality and is very fragile compared to what he normally is. For me it makes sense that he should be this way, as it makes you feel the challenge he has brought on himself in risking his existence to figure out the issues he is facing. There are detailed instructions about where to go, and who to talk to... And there's no pre-written Journal like Oblivion. You get to write down your own notes and keep track of things that way in the Journal you are giveen. That's freakin awesome! It just adds to the immersion when you look at it that way. If you are letting the details that are intended to immerse you into the game world annoy you because it feels like you have to work to achieve anything, then this game is not for you. Go buy yourself one of the more recent Pokemon games. They'll hold your hand and comfort you, and make you feel powerful.

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