Hidden and quite janky gem. 'Nuff said. But it's hard not to love as a true stealth game.
A superb 3ish hours experience. Comical, iconic, and ~ flamboyant. ~ Much better than I was expecting and the combat system is seriously GOOD.
It's insane this game can have such a "low" rating. It's a beautiful interactive narrative experience that evoked deep emotions within me, not to count how the design of using emotions (represented by different colored circles) as dialogue options is the most innovative thing I've seen in a hot minute. However, I cant give it 5 stars because: [SPOILERS?] Your choices do not matter. Like, at all. By the end, you'll realize the protagonist does not have a good memory, and everything you've picked actually meant the opposite. This left me frustrated in what had been thus far an amazing experience.
A very good game that just slightly missed the mark on being an amazing and timeless RPG. Though this is mostly going to be a rant about the missed potential regarding the game's choice of characters which,through a League of Legneds lore fan's perspective, is the biggest reason for this game's downfall. I'm not going to touch so much on gameplay and technical aspects however, which are solid and well-polished, so beware. Hence, the small rant: THE CAST IS WEAK. No problem with the individual characters picked specifically, but as a group thrown into the chosen setting for Ruined King, they make a really dull cast. Most interactions boils down, more or less, to: Non-native character: You should really visit (insert their nation here) sometime Native character: 'Aight (Rinse and repeat 10+ times.) They don't really share a significant connection (not that I could see around over half completion, 18hrs+), the non-native characters don't mesh too well with the setting nor the other companions, and nearly all companions overall feel more like ingame mechanics than characters per se (save Braum who's always amazing - we love you, Braum). A setting on Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles had a MASSIVE potential for focus on more underdevelopped characters (eg; Yorick), but this never happens because their coice was to just shoehorn the "popular" ones in, forcing them to fit the story rather than molding a more cohesive story around characters that are *already* present in those areas. It really just felt like a "marketing bait" to get more people into buying and not much else. Alas; this is the only big negative about this experience, but it is big enough to not deserve a 5 star review. All the rest of the game though? Dope.
If you liked Shenmue 1 and 2, you'll like this. Now, if you liked the COMBAT in Shenmue 1 and 2, you'll hate this. The overall experience is nice enough to warrant a middle review, but this game should've been better.
Though don't get fooled by the "RPG" and "Turn-based" tags. Not that they're wrong, but this is a stealth game first and foremost, with the other aspects being secondary. With that in mind, I fully recommend this game for fans of stealth and/or turn-based games alike, it delivers on both ends quite well.
The game is quirky, charming and MUCH more innovative than I had initially expected. It brought me a feeling of nostalgia, like watching a new spin on the "80s cartoon" trope bringing the same old goofiness, the same quirkiness, and the same somewhat political messages - but without feeling dumb or forced. Gameplay is fun, story is surprisingly mature despite the cartoonish presentation, and the characters are generally charming. I feel that in a different era, Volepain would be a classic and iconic character we'd all know and love. Regardless though; GREAT game. I have nothing but compliments. My only critic would be that enemy variety is incredibly limited, but that doesn't (much) detract from the overall experience; this is a phenomenal card-based, choice-matters type of game!
Husband so fine i'd really rather be banging him as the vamp instead. 10/10 arstyle tho.
So yeah, that's just how the title says it. I admit to pirating this game when it came out. Couldn't buy it, because it is way too expensive in a 3rd world country. Yet, I played through it, and loved every single second of it. Easily one of the best games I've ever played, story and gameplay-wise. As soon as it came out on GOG, I couldn't resist the urge to just buy it, both to support the devs behind it, but also GOG itself. Yeah, it is an *amazing* comedic JRPG which will unironically make you cry, thus definitely worth the money!
I had previously played it on Steam. When I found out it was an GOG - which imo is the superior platform - I had no qualms about buying it again here. Not only because I love this game to death, but also due to my good experience with the active developer behind this masterpiece of a game. Words would not be able to properly describe how good Sacred Fire is. It is a well done, well polished game made with love; which is severely lacking nowadays. And for the asking price, it is simply a steal. Buy it, i'd insist.
