Digitizing card games isn't a new concept - Etherlords and Runescape for instance. This indie title tries to capture a new spirit for the genera, so let's look at the fine points Graphics/Art style Digitized pencil sketches and a minimalistic approach to color use - mostly red and blue, with black,white, and grey Music Rather catchy and upbeat, with some dark humor sprinkled into the title screen song and the exclusive track to the soundtrack. Gameplay use of dungeon cards to create the map with some preplaced tiles in each setting, make up the 'world' to explore. The dungeoneers move independently about the map, with influences controleld by the preplaced and placed tiles - gold, gems, monsters, and chests influence the movement. There is no direct control. Combat is in form of card draw and play to counter enemy decks. Each monster as a preset deck, though random in draw order. Each dungeoneer has a preset deck of about 6 cards, with more available linked to weapons/armor discovered. Decks are strongest when gear choice parallels dungeoneer's strengths Gold is obtained each dungeon to upgrade the guild with new dungeoneers and loot drops - a requirement to succeed in each of the three tiers of the map Conclusion The game offers a charming atmosphere, an interesting lore, and slightly chibi looking, overly-cute array of dungeoneers and monsters. The game is simple to understand and will take somewhere around 20 - 30 hours to complete. The game's replayability lies in using different dungeoneers in each of the three tiers. You can give yourself challenges in using some dungeoneers in some dungeons you otherwise wouldn't, but only use those of proper tier; the game will not apologize for killing you. It's fun but it's novelty can wear thin. Play in spurts - marathons will tap you out swiftly. After all is said and done, and you've played every class, there's nothing left to do. There is no post-game content.
Digitizing card games isn't a new concept - Etherlords and Runescape for instance. This indie title tries to capture a new spirit for the genera, so let's look at the fine points Graphics/Art style Digitized pencil sketches and a minimalistic approach to color use - mostly red and blue, with black,white, and grey Music Rather catchy and upbeat, with some dark humor sprinkled into the title screen song and the exclusive track to the soundtrack. Gameplay use of dungeon cards to create the map with some preplaced tiles in each setting, make up the 'world' to explore. The dungeoneers move independently about the map, with influences controleld by the preplaced and placed tiles - gold, gems, monsters, and chests influence the movement. There is no direct control. Combat is in form of card draw and play to counter enemy decks. Each monster as a preset deck, though random in draw order. Each dungeoneer has a preset deck of about 6 cards, with more available linked to weapons/armor discovered. Decks are strongest when gear choice parallels dungeoneer's strengths Gold is obtained each dungeon to upgrade the guild with new dungeoneers and loot drops - a requirement to succeed in each of the three tiers of the map Conclusion The game offers a charming atmosphere, an interesting lore, and slightly chibi looking, overly-cute array of dungeoneers and monsters. The game is simple to understand and will take somewhere around 20 - 30 hours to complete. The game's replayability lies in using different dungeoneers in each of the three tiers. You can give yourself challenges in using some dungeoneers in some dungeons you otherwise wouldn't, but only use those of proper tier; the game will not apologize for killing you. It's fun but it's novelty can wear thin. Play in spurts - marathons will tap you out swiftly. After all is said and done, and you've played every class, there's nothing left to do. There is no post-game content.
The term 'RTS' doesn't actually apply to this game. In fact, I would say that Majesty is in its own genera. Construct buildings, pay for units, upgrade the tech tree - all here. But the charm and uniqueness of the game lies in its over-arching way to play. Units meander on their own and react to bounties and gold incentives to venture out. Units level up and buy gear with money they earn from their guild (or from your bounties). The money you spend comes full circle back to you, with some added. There are mutually exclusive buildings, and about three different 'paths' to choose in which higher tier units you wish to employ. Each choice feels unique and promotes replayability to discover which is your preferred, and which unit you classify as your 'hard mod challenge'. The A.I. can be derpy and sometimes you'd wish for full control to help avoid stupid situations, or to group units into proper parties. However this is part of the challenge. Would a king be able to control his heroes without being out with them? This is a macro-management fantasy game. If this sounds like it will frustrate you, it just might. However with how inexpensive it is, it really is worth your time to check out. Why only 4/5? I don't want my nostalgia goggles to cloud the fact that this game could use an A.I. upgrade. But the system is solid and it's aged rather well. It holds up today.
I cannot give this game a horrible rating. What I found was a very interesting macro-manager 4x game. What I realized was it was lacking in a lot of areas. It was meant to have 32 races, whereas only 16 were in the game. It was meant to have a far deeper diplomacy, and a more meaningful and user friendly interface. But it was a rushed game. It was half completed. Mods over the years have helped expand this game and helped fix some of the short-comings (as in, the ground combat perks do not work and so are useless). This game isn't horrible but it's not what the MoO community wanted in their next title. Even the strategy guide doesn't give you full info (as if it, too were rushed [e.g. it doesn't tell you how to diplomatically address the Nommo, among other things it lacks]). But even so, this game isn't a bad game. But it's a step to the side - a lateral transgression, from the normal 4x of the time (like civ. 2 and MoO 2). It's not a bad game, but it was never finished. I do recommend giving it a try with an open mind. The combat (both ground and space) are lacking and you're best to go auto on a lot of it. However it still has a lot of depth, though you have to get past the user-not-friendly, no metrics/analytic interface.
