Sacred Fire: a game quite spontaneously and on accident. As an avid D&D player, I had no idea how much I would treasure my experience! Many games that style themselves as a 'choices matter' RPG experience seem entirely watered down when compared to Sacred Fire. Unlike viewing a list of four or so social options with an NPC and choosing one most fitting of your roleplay style and without (much) significant consequence, Sacred Fire allows for freedom in decision making across the board (not only what your character says but also how they feel, what they're thinking, how they act, etc.) Fit with a unique leveling system, dice rolls (which one can find joy in with both successes & failures,) and a simple but unique story (although really the story comes from you, the player, and the decisions you make,) this game contains the genre of an RPG spectacularly well. As of this review, with the game in version 2.5.3, it took me just under four hours to complete the available content, which I believe is the first act of the game. I am so very happy with my purchase and am looking forward to additional updates & playing the new content. Some things I hope to see in the future: Clearer representations of how upgrade points will change your stats in-game without having to click back to the various character menus to see how the values would change. Limited uses of the "Back" button to avoid the temptation of re-rolling failed ability checks. More voice acting (although I am very happy with the limited voice acting there currently is.) Additional cosmetic options for character creation to increase the player's connection with their character (including visual representations for item upgrades in game like shields, hair styles, etc.) After playing Disco Elysium, I didn't think I'd find another game striving for such heavy RPG elements, however this one has so SO much promise and look forward to tracking its progress. To the dev, THANK YOU! <3
Firstly, I'd like to thank the most recent reviewers of this game who pointed out the DRM issue with the Larian launcher. I was unaware of the change when purchasing this game via GOG (I also own it on PS4.) Larian Studios has fixed this this issue with the newest update (v. 3.6.117.3735) and allows you to bypass the launcher (I'll quote some of the instructions and link to the Larian forums at the bottom of this message.) However, following these launcher-bypass instructions doesn't prevent the Larian launcher from loading, it still is open and runs in the background. I have used the GOG SUPPORT CENTER in order to request a backup installer of the game BEFORE the launcher was added - which I believe is Version 3.6.69.4648(a) and I'll update this review with my results if I'm allowed access to the download. HOW TO BYPASS THE LAUNCHER in UPDATE v.3.6.117.3735 -Navigate to the game in your library. -Click the preferences button to the right of the play button and select Manage installation > Configure... -Check the box next to Custom executables / arguments -Click Add another Executable / arguments at the bottom of the window. -In the File field for this new executable, select supporttool.exe in the ../bin folder of your game installation. -In the Arguments field, add --skip-launcher. -Check the Default executable radio button. -Click OK and press Play. https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=789413#Post789413
Firstly, I'd like to thank the most recent reviewers of this game who pointed out the DRM issue with the Larian launcher. I was unaware of the change when purchasing this game via GOG (I also own it on PS4.) Larian Studios has fixed this this issue with the newest update (v. 3.6.117.3735) and allows you to bypass the launcher (I'll quote some of the instructions and link to the Larian forums at the bottom of this message.) However, following these launcher-bypass instructions doesn't prevent the Larian launcher from loading, it still is open and runs in the background. I have used the GOG SUPPORT CENTER in order to request a backup installer of the game BEFORE the launcher was added - which I believe is Version 3.6.69.4648(a) and I'll update this review with my results if I'm allowed access to the download. HOW TO BYPASS THE LAUNCHER in UPDATE v.3.6.117.3735 -Navigate to the game in your library. -Click the preferences button to the right of the play button and select Manage installation > Configure... -Check the box next to Custom executables / arguments -Click Add another Executable / arguments at the bottom of the window. -In the File field for this new executable, select supporttool.exe in the ../bin folder of your game installation. -In the Arguments field, add --skip-launcher. -Check the Default executable radio button. -Click OK and press Play. https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=789413#Post789413
