The Age of Decadence

...the single worst RPG I believe I have EVER played. Indeed, the only positive thing I can say about this game, is that I'm glad it was on sale when I bought it. Even then, I still feel I've wasted money on an absolutely awful game. It's so badly designed and conceived, it beggars belief. An illusion of choice in that unless you follow specific character builds, you're destined for failure at practically every corner. That means little to no choice at all, much randomness, events and outcomes you're channelled or forced into, usually with no alternatives but to fight a battle that you will inevitably lose. This game really shouldn't be considered an RPG, because there is no role-playing involved. Yes, you have the freedom to choose how you build and develop your character, but unless you do so in specific ways deemed appropriate by the skill checks for each situation, it's an utter waste of time. Build character class A in a specific way, follow story path A in a specific way. Build character class B in a specific way, follow story path B in a specific way. Rinse and repeat. Through the 80's, 90's and 00's until the present day, I've played a plethora of good, bad and sometimes downright ugly RPG games, but this is hands down the only one that has compelled me to vent about how simply awful it is.

A couple of times now, following prompts to check out what might be happening, you get railroaded into impossibl;e fights. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN THIS GAME. Following people to see whats up or to learn about the factions\neighborhood.... and it will teach you to not do that. No option to run or try to escape or exit the encounter. All dialog prompts funnel you into an impossible battle. I ran in circles around the Arena with three thugs chasing. There was no options to either avoid or escape this fight. Fustrating and disappointing in an otherwise interesting game. My fate was sealed when I followed them. :-(

This game doesn't pull any punches, but it's satisfying like no other. If you're looking for a challenging RPG with a world inline any other, look no further. Combat is a last resort and has real consequences!

it feels like there are an infinite amount of endings, with dramatically different playthroughs. Depending on how YOU choose to play, any playthrough can be anywhere on a spectrum of a highly difficult turn based rpg to a solely skill-check based narrative, with a mindboggling amount of choice. I am someone who struggles to replay even the most "replayable games" and I have replayed this dozens of times. Buy it.

The writing, game mechanics, and overall setting and worldbuilding are wonderful. It's a tragedy that this wasn't better received in its time. You won't regret trying this.