Info about VED:

Official game description:
VED IS NOW STEAM DECK VERIFIED!
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About the Game
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VED is a story-driven RPG featuring stunning hand-drawn art and animation combined with a unique teleporting system, turn-based combat mechanics and rogue-lite elements.
Immerse yourself in a fantastical world with a rich storytelling experience, dozens of irreversible consequences and alternative endings, and gameplay that’s easy to learn but difficult to master!
In VED, you take on the role of Cyrus, a young hero who comes to the city of Micropolis in search of a new life. There he suddenly discovers the ability to teleport between two interconnected worlds full of mysterious flying islands, strange creatures, and dangerous monsters. Unfold an interactive story where each decision matters and help Cyrus discover the truth about this magical place, so that you can decide the fate of two worlds. To succeed in your quest, you will have to master the powerful magic of the Veds.
The game’s huge fantasy world, characters, and aesthetic design are inspired by various cultures and mythologies. Throughout Cyrus’s quest he will encounter many factions that have different views on the events taking place. By helping inhabitants from magical lands and the real world, Cyrus will learn more about himself, both universes, and most importantly, how to save them all… Or become their doom.
Build new structures in the Troglodyte village to unlock new spells and create unique combinations of abilities. Select magical powers that work together to efficiently dispatch foes and defeat even your strongest enemies. Explore two different worlds, encounter bizarre creatures, and master the magic of the Veds!
Key features:
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*   A non-linear story where every decision can lead to irreversible consequences and alternative endings.
*   Several factions have different views on the events taking place. A dynamic system of relationships will allow you to influence the decisions of key characters.
*   Innovative turn-based battle system. Use your positioning effectively to gain an advantage.
*   Build a village for yourself and your allies to unlock new skills and abilities.
*   A system of unique interactive events that impose curses or blessings on the hero, which may last until the end of the game.
*   The game features an eclectic soundtrack that will accompany you on your adventure, spanning symphonic, folk, and hip-hop genres.

Release date: Nov 14, 2024

Categories: Turn-based RPG, Visual Novel, Choice-based Narrative, Multiple Endings, Tactical Combat, Hand-drawn Art, Skill and loadout customization, Village Building


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews are positive about the experience and combat, with multiple users saying the game is worth its price. However, one reviewer calls it very short and another explicitly recommends buying on sale, indicating that the fair base-game price should be moderate rather than premium. These signals support a fair base price range of roughly $10-$15 USD for a short but worthwhile indie/JRPG-style game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 6.0h
  - Story completion: 12.0h
  - Session length: 6.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: One review reports finishing a single playthrough in about 6 hours, which supports gameCompletion at roughly 6 hours. Another review states the main campaign can be completed in around 12 hours, supporting storyCompletion at roughly 12 hours. The 6-hour desk statement supports a sessionLength of about 6 hours. No review provides a distinct endgame or post-game duration, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reports are split: one player calls the game extremely fun and addictive, while others describe a bland story, basic repetitive combat, and pacing that led to skipping dialogue. No review ties enjoyment to a later event, so the profile is best read as not clicking for the negative majority.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: pacing not matching expectations; skipping dialogue and multiple-choice options; strange and boring tactical combat; basic and repetitive combat; bland and uninspiring story
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: expectations for tactical combat versus cinematics; tolerance for basic, repetitive combat; preference for narrative and ability progression over stat grinding; desire for complex build systems and frequent power spikes; readiness for the game's actual pacing and structure
- Player Archetypes:
  - Narrative Tactics Hybrid Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a unique mix of branching narrative and turn-based choices.
    - Playstyle: Plays through story routes and turn-based choice-driven battles, appreciating visual novel elements.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: The Banner Saga; Pyre
  - Tactical Depth Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: To find challenging, deep tactical strategy rather than casual battles.
    - Playstyle: Evaluates combat depth first and has little patience for story padding or simple mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Audiovisual Immersion Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To be immersed by strong voice acting and visual presentation.
    - Playstyle: Chooses original-language voice tracks with subtitles and prioritizes sound and visuals during play.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Innovative combat system (weight 0.39): Players find the combat sufficiently interesting, original, pleasantly different, and very innovative. The combat strategy is new and interesting.
- Interesting story (weight 0.39): The story is quite interesting, good, and constantly engaging with unpredictable elements.
- Visual novel and turn-based combat mix (weight 0.23): The gameplay combines visual novel elements with deep storytelling and turn-based battles, creating a unique hybrid experience.
- Stunning visuals (weight 0.23): The visuals are beautiful, easy on the eyes, and considered a masterpiece by many players.
- Gorgeous hand-drawn graphics and music (weight 0.22): The hand-drawn graphics are gorgeous, and the music and hand-drawn graphics are nice. The game boasts a unique hand-drawn art style.
- Beautiful and unusual game (weight 0.22): The game is truly beautiful, unusual, and interesting, with an awesome look.
- Good voice acting (weight 0.22): Voice acting is good, satisfactory, and spectacular according to players.
- Challenging turn-based combat (weight 0.16): Turn-based combat is challenging and impactful choices are present, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Stylish graphics and animations (weight 0.16): The game features artsy animations and stylish graphics that enhance the visual appeal.
- Excellent sound design (weight 0.16): The sound design is excellent, and both music and sound design are highly praised.
- High-level musical accompaniment (weight 0.16): The musical accompaniment is at a very high level and is considered good by players.

Common complaints:
- Boring combat (weight 0.33): Battles are frequently described as boring, uninteresting, trivial, and simple, with combat feeling like going through the motions.
- Repetitive gameplay (weight 0.31): Gameplay is basic, repetitive, and minimal, with combat reduced to spamming attacks and moving left or right.
- No save system (weight 0.27): Reviewers complain about the lack of saves, forcing players to replay levels to choose different story branches.
- Disjointed story (weight 0.27): The story is broken and disjointed, with a mess of continuity and random story segments.
- Missing translations (weight 0.26): Players report missing Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, and French language support or subtitles.
- Artificial voice/visuals (weight 0.26): Voice acting and characters sound and look blatantly artificial, with plot and visual/voice acting feeling poorly put together or AI-like.
- Poor writing (weight 0.26): The dialogue is badly written, cringy, stiff, and comes off as unfinished.
- RNG-based combat (weight 0.25): Combat is RNG-based rather than intuitive, with victory depending on rolls and strategy feeling meaningless.
- Lack of polish (weight 0.22): The game is described as having many unpolished elements, rough edges, and feeling unfinished overall.
- Flat characters (weight 0.21): Characters are mostly flat and empty, with no chemistry, undeveloped backgrounds, and unconvincing motivations.
- Uneven pacing (weight 0.21): Pacing is uneven, starting strong but ending in a rush, with long stretches of dialogue and filler.
- Unclear branching choices (weight 0.15): Branching choices in answers could have been more predictable, and dialogue options often mean one thing but lead to different developments.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual novel hybrid gameplay (weight 0.94): Players frequently describe the game as a visual novel with RPG elements, branching choices, and turn-based battles. Some feel it leans more toward a visual novel than an action game or traditional RPG.
- Impactful choices and branching (weight 0.89): The game features choices that significantly affect the story, character actions, and outcomes, with a branching narrative that changes based on player decisions. Many note that choices are impactful and lead to different endings.
- Turn-based combat (weight 0.64): Combat is turn-based, often involving mechs or a strafing character fighting bosses with adds or limbs. Some battles require strategic positioning and resource management.
- Multiple endings and replayability (weight 0.43): Multiple endings can be unlocked through repeated playthroughs, and the game supports replaying levels or chapters to see different outcomes. Achievements include ones for specific endings, such as a neutral ending.
- Tactical positioning matters (weight 0.42): Positioning affects how bosses take damage and which attacks they use. The battlefield is divided into segments, and many skills are tied to movement, with final position determining next move and attack options.
- RPG with narrative growth (weight 0.36): The game is a narrative-driven RPG where character progression focuses on narrative growth and ability customization. Skills and magical powers open up new tactical options rather than increasing numerical strength.
- Dual reality mechanic (weight 0.31): The story revolves around Cyrus who can shift between two interconnected realities. Decisions and events in one realm influence outcomes in the other, adding a unique world-shifting mechanic.
- Skill and loadout customization (weight 0.3): Players can choose skills, build synergies with abilities, and customize combat loadouts before each incursion. Skill slots are limited, requiring balanced loadouts.
- Combat depth and strategy (weight 0.3): Combat is straightforward but can get difficult, requiring strategic choices about moves, buffs, and positioning. Some battles can be simplified using buttons that make progression easier.
- Dice rolls and chance mechanics (weight 0.27): Outcomes are determined by chance-based mechanics using percentage checks and dice-like rolls. Ability checks and story battles are resolved via dice rolls, adding randomness to the narrative and combat.
- Voice acting and presentation (weight 0.24): All text is voiced, and the game includes in-game cinematics. It uses an on-rails presentation style.
- Faction and relationship systems (weight 0.21): NPCs have individual relationship ratings with Friendliness, Respect, and Fear parameters that unlock or block story branches. There is a faction support system and choices affect other characters' favor.
- Neutrality path option (weight 0.2): The game involves opposing forces and allows the hero to be oriented toward neutrality between them. This neutrality path is also recognized by an achievement.
- Hand-drawn art and atmosphere (weight 0.2): The game features hand-drawn art, an atmosphere and monster design that players appreciate, and monsters with animation and lore.
- Village and side quests (weight 0.19): Players can direct new residents to a troglodyte village, learn their stories, or get quests. Side quests and simple quests in the magic world are available.
- Short playthrough length (weight 0.14): The game is short and can be completed in one sitting, with a playthrough taking about 6 hours.
- Limited choice impact (weight 0.14): Some players feel that dialogue choices and character attitudes have minimal impact on options, and story progression is largely random and not controlled by the player.
- Tutorials and feedback (weight 0.13): The game has tutorials that explain mechanics after related events, and at the end of each chapter, players see a summary of content.
- Battles grant magical power (weight 0.08): Battles grant magical power used to upgrade a village in the magical realm, tying combat to progression.

Performance notes:
- Smooth bug-free performance (weight 0.08): One reviewer reported experiencing no lags or bugs while playing. The game ran without noticeable technical issues.
- Works well on Steam Deck (weight 0.08): A reviewer confirmed the game runs perfectly on the Steam Deck. This indicates good compatibility with the handheld platform.

Recommendations:
- Niche appeal for specific genres (weight 0.6): Reviewers recommend the game specifically for fans of visual novels, turn-based strategy, narrative RPGs, and choice-driven games. Those outside these genres may not enjoy it.
- Positive overall recommendation (weight 0.44): Many reviewers strongly recommend the game, citing a positive overall impression and wholehearted endorsement. This sentiment appears across multiple clusters with high frequency.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.43): Several reviewers feel the game is not worth its full price and recommend waiting for a discount of 50-80%. They suggest buying on sale for a better value.
- Unique art and storytelling praised (weight 0.33): Reviewers appreciate the hand-crafted art style, unconventional storytelling, and branching narrative. The game offers a fresh, artistic experience for those who value these elements.
- Not a tactical masterpiece (weight 0.31): The game is described as a heartfelt, experimental RPG rather than a tightly tuned tactical or narrative epic. Players should approach with the right expectations.
- Negative reviews exist (weight 0.22): Some reviewers cannot recommend the game and advise against wasting time, indicating mixed reception. These negative opinions contrast with the overall positive sentiment.
- Good for chill evenings (weight 0.2): Reviewers mention the game is suitable for a chill evening or as a nice occasional diversion. It offers a relaxed, light experience.
- Soft lock issue causes refunds (weight 0.16): At least one reviewer could not recommend the game due to a soft lock, and another refunded due to not liking it. This technical issue negatively impacts some players.
- Mixed feelings but still recommend (weight 0.16): Some reviewers recommend the game with reservations or caveats, indicating they enjoyed it but acknowledge flaws. They still give a positive recommendation overall.
- Russian audio recommended (weight 0.15): One reviewer suggests playing with Russian audio and English subtitles, and another notes it is especially worth it for Russian players familiar with recent history.
- Innovative combat despite language issues (weight 0.09): A reviewer finds the combat innovative and worth it despite language issues. The game's mechanics stand out positively.
- Play on story mode (weight 0.08): One reviewer recommends playing on story mode to breeze through and unlock things easily. This suggests the game can be enjoyed without challenging combat.
- Support the developer (weight 0.08): One reviewer urges everyone to play and support the developer, showing appreciation for the game's creation. This reflects a positive community sentiment.
- Try free prologue first (weight 0.08): One reviewer suggests checking out the free prologue if unsure about buying. This allows players to test the game before committing.
- Score of 7/10 given (weight 0.08): One reviewer rates the game 7 out of 10, indicating a good but not exceptional experience. This aligns with the mixed-positive sentiment.

Other player notes:
- Indie developer Karaclan (weight 0.56): The game is developed by Karaclan, a small team of three artist brothers from Lithuania, and published by Fulqrum Publishing. It is their debut project, reportedly in development for 12 years.
- Short game length (weight 0.54): Multiple reviewers mention the game can be completed in one evening, with playtimes ranging from 4 to 6 hours. Some note it ends just after the refund window.
- Full voice acting (weight 0.36): The game is fully voiced by notable actors, with all text read aloud. Voice cast includes Petr Ivashchenko and Vladimir Eremin for Russian localization.
- Compared to other media (weight 0.3): Reviewers compare the game to Highlander, The NeverEnding Story, Harry Potter, JRPGs, Baldur's Gate, D&D, The Banner Saga, Pyre, and Tainted Grail: Conquest.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.21): The game is reported to be playable and perfectly adapted for the Steam Deck.
- Low review count (weight 0.19): The game has few reviews, with one reviewer noting 18 positive out of 39 on Steam, and another mentioning fewer than 50 reviews.
- Missing Portuguese localization (weight 0.15): Reviewers note the absence of Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.
- Story-focused, minimal grinding (weight 0.15): The game emphasizes story progression over endless grinding, appealing to players who prefer narrative.
- Lack of Spanish localization (weight 0.15): The game does not include Spanish text, captions, or full localization.
- Free demo and prologue (weight 0.13): A free demo and a free prologue are available for the game.
- Review copy provided (weight 0.12): Some reviews were based on free keys provided by the developer.
- Available on multiple platforms (weight 0.09): The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
- Full Russian localization (weight 0.08): The game includes full Russian text and voiceover.
- Diverse soundtrack (weight 0.08): The soundtrack blends symphonic, folk, and hip-hop elements.
- Store page may mislead (weight 0.08): One reviewer warns that the store page may mislead buyers about the game's true nature.
- Dedicated to creator's sister (weight 0.07): The game is dedicated to the creator's sister.
- Low PC requirements (weight 0.07): The game has low PC requirements.
- Positive rating for art (weight 0.07): One reviewer gave a positive rating solely for the art.
- Wishlist before release (weight 0.06): One reviewer added the game to their wishlist before release.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Players expressed disappointment due to a lack of depth and world-building in the story, with flat characters and logical inconsistencies. Many found the gameplay unbalanced, with RNG-dependent battles and visual novel sections that detracted from the expected RPG experience. Technical issues like missing translations, poor art quality in visual novel sections, and wooden voice acting further contributed to this feeling.
- Frustration (weight 0.11): Frustration stemmed from an illogical and inconsistent narrative where the hero's actions did not match player choices. Technical problems such as soft locks during teleportation, absence of saves forcing replays, and poor translation made the experience cumbersome. Additionally, combat strategies failing due to dice rolls and missing language options added to the frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.07): Players appreciated the unique turn-based combat system and artsy animations, along with the beautiful art and interesting setting. The innovative combat and solid story/characters were highlighted as strong points. Overall, the game was seen as a pure, light, fun, and soulful experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.06): Boredom arose from battles becoming routine after assembling a build, and the on-rails presentation being dull. Long lore segments, filler conversations, and trivial battles contributed to a lack of engagement. The repetitive combat loop and bland story further exacerbated this feeling.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoyed the interesting story and characters, the laid-back narrative with full voice acting, and the nonstandard combat system that appealed to veterans of turn-based RPGs. The charming art direction, narration, branching story, and overall quality were also praised. Fun combat mechanics and the ability to provoke NPCs added to the enjoyment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.05): Enthusiasm was driven by stylish graphics, branching story with multiple endings, full Russian voiceover, and interesting battles. The depth of the story, visual art, and combination of many genres with beautiful visuals and good music were highlighted. Unique turn-based combat, stunning monsters, and important choices, along with the two-reality mechanic, generated high excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction came from a well-done ending, a solid game with a nice art style and color palette, and a polished experience where every detail felt thoughtfully crafted. Following the story was satisfying despite initial concerns about replayability and length. The game was also praised as a very solid visual novel with beautiful art and voice acting.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration was expressed for the beautiful art and voice acting, the amazing atmosphere of the magical world, and dynamic character portraits. The hand-drawn graphics, soundtrack, and high-quality visual style created an immersive experience. Outstanding combat effects and staging further impressed players.
- Surprise (weight 0.04): Surprise was caused by the pleasant art style and decent voice acting, as well as an unpredictable story that caught players off guard. The story was the main surprise for some, and the game's quality was surprisingly unknown given its low profile.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): Sadness was felt because the game has very few reviews and is buried at the bottom of Steam, leading to concerns about its visibility. Additionally, the game ended too quickly for some players, leaving them wanting more.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Interest was sparked by the well-integrated RPG elements and the unique mix of visual novel and turn-based strategy with a hand-drawn style. This combination intrigued players and made them want to explore the game further.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arose from the game being so strange that it was unclear how it was made, and the story being somewhat confusing at times. These aspects left players puzzled about certain narrative and design choices.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Curiosity was driven by wondering what else is hidden and which endings remain, encouraging exploration of the game's branching paths. The combat strategy was also seen as a new and interesting element that sparked curiosity.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement was generated by innovative combat with buffs and nerfs, extremely fun and addictive gameplay, and the impact of choices on the ending. The hand-drawn art also contributed to the excitement, making the game feel dynamic and engaging.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement came from the silly turn-based combat and some characters not taking time to breathe between lines in the voice over. These quirky elements provided lighthearted entertainment.
- Pleasant surprise (weight 0.01): Pleasant surprise was caused by the excellent voice acting and beautiful visuals, which exceeded initial expectations. The combination of these elements created a delightful experience.
- Coziness (weight 0.01): Coziness was evoked by the game's warm, 'lamp' atmosphere, which made players feel comfortable and immersed. This cozy feeling contributed to a sense of relaxation while playing.
- Cringe (weight 0.01): Cringe was primarily caused by the writing, which some players found awkward or hard to engage with. This reaction was tied to specific narrative or dialogue choices that did not resonate well.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike stemmed from the game being too casual and battles being too simple, lacking depth and challenge. Players seeking more complex gameplay found these aspects unappealing.
- Touched (weight 0.01): Feeling touched was due to the game's dedication to the creator's sister, which added a personal and emotional layer to the experience. This dedication resonated with players on a heartfelt level.}