Venetica - Gold Edition

Enjoyed my time with this game! I'd give it a 3.5 stars but there isn't so here are 3. It is an old game from 2009 so I tried to cut it some slack, but then I remembered Oblivion came out in 2006! The reason I compare it to Oblivion is cuz I got similar vibes from it, as well as some Divinity 2 and a sprinle of Prince of Persia. It has some interesting concepts, and I can see quite a lot of work has gone into it, especially the city, but I also feel the game needed another year or two in developement. It feels like a really good Early Access. Had it been given more time, I think it would have been really amazing! My biggest issue is the city is too big for its own good, there are very few NPCs on screen at a time, and it takes too long to run from one point to another, and you'll be doing that A LOT! And you'll be going through a lot of doors with loading screens inbetween. Very very empty city for the amount of noise it makes lol You'll notice. It is a very noisy game. I encountered two game breaking glitches where I'd spawn in the incorrect spot, thus clipping though the geometry, once fixed by saving and restarting the game, and once I just had to go to teh save menu and go back. It took me 30 hours to finish, I played a lot of side quests, some of them felt important as they affect the story, such as an NPC you helped before will come and return the favor during a story mission. I think it overstayed its welcome a bit, mostly because there is so much running back forth and too many loading screens.

Germans, Like Japanese, are known for making high quality electronics and software. This game is no execption. A few bugs here and there since it is an older title does not detract from a great story and solid RPG gameplay. Full Controller support for an older game is rare, and I hope this obscure RPG sells well on GOG, it's well deserved. No point in buying it on steam, since GOG has cloud saves and the original copy of the game is DRM free as well.

I won't say much, because it's all been said before. This game is an unpolished gem. It has flaws, some minor bugs and a lot of things that could be done better. But other than that, it rewards you with unique story, one of a kind female protagonist and a world (well, mostly one city, to be precise), which is nothing short of charming. I bought it for next to nothing on a sale, but the game is well worth its usual price. So if you're looking for something different, something magical and you're willing to turn a blind eye to small stuff, give this one a try.

To best describe Venetica it's action rpg in vain of Gothic with a bit of Metroidvania all in Discworld like setting. So what's good: - graphic and art style are quite good - music and voice work are solid at least in english - combat is servicable with a lot o weapon skills and spells - gameplay is fun. Gothic veterans will feel at home. But on top of action rpg stuff You get new skills or equipment to open new paths metroidvania style. - story is interesting - game is long The bad: - game crashed on me couple of times. Game autosaves often buts still lookout - too many ctr+c-ctrl+v elements like same rooms, animations, NPC etc - there is enough variety in enemies but most of them fight the same - ending is too short. There is a lot of decisions in game so I would like to see their outcome - game is a bit too easy even on hard Game needed I think more time or money. Just more polish and variety to game would made Venetica great. As it is it's only good but for 10 złoty it's well worth buying.

Calling it a "hidden gem" doesn't even do it justice. It's incredible how great and unknown this game is at the same time. Venetica presents you with a beatufil and lively world, composed mostly of a fantasy Venice. Everything, the world, the characters and even the story has strong Discworld vibes. The city si beautiful, yet rotten to the core. Quests are simple, but original and most importantly, actually funny. Venice itself is filled with lively marketplaces and beautiful architecture, but also shady alleys and of course mysterious cannals. You will spend about as much time swimming the cannals and running around on the rooftops, as you will walking the streets and the plazas. And then come the dungeons - as someone else already said in a review here - each dungeon is unique and interresting. Dungeons are quite huge, with many crossroads and shortcuts, they are a great playground for any exploration possitive player. The gameplay itself is a simple action-ish rpg, it's neither too difficult, nor boring. The story revels around dealing with undead overlords of the corrupted city, with a little bit of a darker twist ont the main character herself and her mission. Where the game trully shines is the mentiond environment design (the city and the dungeons), character design adn dialogues. I mean it when I say that for me, this is Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morporok come to life. The fascinating but dangerous city, its dark but also comical secrets, its all too human citizens, all combined with the fresh and original fantasy setting make you feel the silliness of it all, while still making you care for some of the smallest characters. And when you meet that last nightwatchman patrolling, you'll want to ask him what's captain Vimes up to these days.