Info about Warlander:

Official game description:
DISCORD
=======
Jump into Discord with us and become directly involved in our community-focused game development!
FEATURE SUGGESTIONS AND BUG REPORTING
=====================================
We are using a public feature upvoter and bug tracker to allow the community to help identify potential bugs and also have a voice in determining which features will make it into the game.
About the Game
==============
Sharpen your blades and ready your warhammers. Join an army of up to 100 players and battle each other in action-packed, player vs. player skirmishes and epic castle sieges with the ultimate goal of breaking into the enemy's stronghold, destroying their Core, and claiming victory for you and your allies!  
Combining elements of MOBA, RPG and Hack & Slash, Warlander offers an action-packed battle experience you haven’t seen before. Compete with up to 100 players in a stylish medieval fantasy world, marked by war over magical entities, known as Cores. Capture towers for faster redeployment and awaken cataclysmic idols such as scale meteors, storms and battle robots to turn the tides of war in your favor.  
Control tactical choke points, destroy the enemy's defenses and build mighty siege weapons. A true Warlander maneuvers skillfully across the battlefield and works in unison with their squad to outsmart and overpower any resistance. A deep combat system turns every encounter into a battle of wits. Make use of blocks, guard breaks, parry counters, critical strikes and combo attacks at the right time to overcome any opponent.  
Your chances of victory greatly depend on how well you perform as a team. Vote on your preferred strategy before each battle and join a squad, each with its own mission. Defense squads protect your castle, build anti-siege weaponry and pay close attention to enemy positions and movement - dealing with each timely and appropriately. Assault squads are all about infiltrating enemy castles. Find a way through your foes’ defenses and destroy the enemy Core. As part of the Special Ops squad, you continuously analyze the state of battle and react flexibly to new threats and opportunities.  
You are an immortal champion fighting under your Warlord’s banner for control over magical lands and powers. For each battle, you have the ability to inhabit one of up to five different vessels of your design both in appearance and battle skills, otherwise known as your deck. Each deck is different and unique. Build your decks according to your personal strategy and pick the one that best suits your army before the start of each battle. Your successes on the battlefield will not go unnoticed and each display of valor is rewarded. Gaining new valor titles allows you to use better armor, weapons, skills, and talents and diversify your unique selection of decks.

Release date: 24 Jan, 2023

Categories: Competitive Multiplayer, MOBA, Real-time Combat, Strategic Combat, Character Progression, Team-based Combat, Base Building


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- Engaging and Fun Gameplay (weight 0.89): Players consistently praise the game for its fun, chaotic, and engaging gameplay experience, often highlighting its replayability and suitability for both casual and competitive play. The core loop is described as addictive, offering a fresh take on the genre.
- Massive Team Battles (weight 0.18): The game excels in delivering unique, large-scale 100-player battles that foster a strong sense of cooperation. The strategic depth, combined with MOBA elements and the ability to support the team in various roles, makes these battles highly satisfying and immersive.
- Fair Free-to-Play Model (weight 0.16): Reviewers appreciate that the game is genuinely free-to-play with no pay-to-win elements. Most shop items, including gear and skills, are purchasable with easily earned in-game currency, limiting real-money purchases to cosmetics and character slots.
- Diverse Classes and Builds (weight 0.1): The variety of classes (Warrior, Mage, Cleric) and the ability to unlock new classes and expand build options add significant depth and replayability. Each class offers distinct advantages and playstyles, keeping the gameplay fresh.
- Reminiscent of Happy Wars (weight 0.08): Many players draw strong comparisons to Happy Wars, describing the game as a spiritual successor or an 'adult version.' This connection resonates positively with fans of the previous title, suggesting a similar 'simple yet chaotic' appeal.
- Skill-Based Melee Combat (weight 0.08): The melee combat is highlighted as simple yet challenging, requiring players to master 'mind games' and read opponents for effective combos. This aspect makes clashes enjoyable and rewarding, even in defeat.
- Frequent and Impactful Updates (weight 0.07): The developers are praised for consistently releasing updates that address player feedback and improve the game. These frequent updates contribute to the game's potential for long-term operation and popularity.
- Teamwork and Skill Essential (weight 0.07): Success in the game heavily relies on teamwork, strategic positioning, and individual skill. Solo rushing is ineffective, emphasizing the importance of coordination and understanding battle situations.
- Accessible and Competitive PvP (weight 0.04): The PvP experience is described as fun, fair, and accessible, matching players by skill level. It offers a competitive environment without the 'bullspit' often found in other MMO PvP, and characters grow simply by playing.
- Balanced and Smooth Mechanics (weight 0.04): The game features interesting, balanced, and versatile mechanics that contribute to a smooth gameplay experience. This balance ensures that various playstyles and strategies are viable.
- Impressive Graphics and Visuals (weight 0.04): The game's graphics are frequently described as beautiful, stunning, and intense, with impressive skill effects. The 3D aspect also adds a tremendous atmosphere to the game.
- Effective Anti-Cheat System (weight 0.04): The anti-cheat system is noted for being well-integrated, uninstalling automatically with the game and not running in the background after the game is closed, addressing common player concerns about such software.
- Warrior Class Strengths (weight 0.04): The Warrior class is highlighted for its tankiness, consistent damage output, and potential to be overpowered when movements are skillfully comboed, making it feel like a strong team leader.
- Good for Casual and Competitive Play (weight 0.04): The game caters to both casual and competitive players, offering short 15-minute matches for quick sessions and a squad system that makes it enjoyable with friends. It also provides a better beginner experience than some other PvP titles.
- Cleric Class Effectiveness (weight 0.03): Clerics are praised for their reasonable skills, including satisfying remote revivals, and their ability to be effective objective players rather than just defenseless healers.
- ARPG/MOBA Hybrid Action (weight 0.03): The game blends brutal ARPG-like action with hack-and-slash elements for collecting gear, and MOBA-like map design, creating a unique genre mix reminiscent of games like Gundam Online.

Common complaints:
- Fundamental Flaws & Poor Execution (weight 0.7): Players report numerous fundamental flaws across various aspects of the game, including repetitive and slow gameplay, poor optimization, bad graphics, and a general lack of polish. Many feel the game's core concept is poorly handled, leading to a frustrating and unrewarding experience.
- Critically Low Player Population (weight 0.44): The game suffers from an extremely low player count, making matchmaking difficult, leading to long wait times, and often filling matches with bots. This issue is considered fatal for a PvP-focused game, severely impacting the overall experience and perceived longevity.
- Unfair Matchmaking & P2W (weight 0.34): New players face significant disadvantages due to unbalanced matchmaking, frequently encountering seasoned, pay-to-win players or overpowered bots. This creates a steep learning curve and makes it nearly impossible for beginners to enjoy or progress, leading to a sense of unfairness.
- Dominance of Bots in Matches (weight 0.25): A significant portion of matches are filled with bots, which are often useless, have poor AI, or exhibit 'cheat-like' behavior. This makes the game feel like a single-player experience, diminishes the competitive aspect, and leads to boring or frustrating gameplay.
- Poor Game & Character Balance (weight 0.22): The game suffers from severe balance issues, particularly with party play creating significant advantages and certain classes (like Mage) being overpowered. This leads to one-sided matches and a lack of strategic depth, especially for solo players.
- Intrusive Anti-Cheat Software (weight 0.19): The anti-cheat program is highly problematic, running in the background even after the game is closed, scanning hard drives, and being difficult to uninstall. Some players suspect it causes system instability or even hardware damage, raising significant privacy and technical concerns.
- Severe Technical & Launch Issues (weight 0.18): Many players report persistent technical problems, including frequent crashes, inability to launch the game, getting stuck on loading screens, and various error codes. These issues prevent players from even accessing the game, leading to frustration and wasted time.
- Harsh Penalties for Disconnects/Leaves (weight 0.1): Players are receiving lengthy penalties (30 minutes to an hour) for leaving matches, even due to game crashes or disconnections. This punitive system exacerbates frustration, especially when technical issues are beyond the player's control.
- Slow Progression & Steep Grind (weight 0.1): The game features a very slow and stingy progression system for skills, items, and character experience. This steep grind makes it difficult for newcomers to catch up and can lead to boredom, especially when combined with other gameplay issues.
- Inaccurate Language Support (weight 0.09): The game falsely advertises support for certain languages (e.g., Korean, Russian, Turkish) which are either missing or have been discontinued. This misrepresentation frustrates players who expect localized content.
- Lack of Reconnect Feature (weight 0.07): The absence of a reconnect feature means players who disconnect due to internet issues or game crashes cannot rejoin their matches. This results in lost progress, stats, and contributes to the frustration of receiving penalties.
- Gender-Locked Classes (weight 0.06): Classes are gender-locked (e.g., Warrior and Mage are male, Cleric is female), which players find outdated and restrictive. This limits character customization and player choice.
- Prevalent Cheating & Exploits (weight 0.06): The game is plagued by cheaters using speed hacks, aimbots, and other exploits, which severely undermines fair play and ruins the competitive experience. This issue was present even during alpha/beta testing.
- Limited Communication & Social Features (weight 0.06): The game lacks essential communication tools like in-game text chat, voice chat, or a communication wheel, hindering team coordination and making solo play feel isolated. This limits strategic depth and social interaction.
- Ineffective 'Great Magic' System (weight 0.05): The 'Great Magic' system, intended as a comeback mechanic, is flawed in its implementation. It often spawns in disadvantageous positions or is difficult to use effectively, making comebacks nearly impossible.
- Boring Solo & Base Building (weight 0.05): Some players find the solo experience, particularly base building, to be boring and unengaging. They also express a desire for more diverse character options beyond individual ones.

Gameplay feedback:
- Class-Based Combat System (weight 0.5): Players choose from three core classes: Warrior, Mage, and Cleric, each with distinct roles, skills, and playstyles. Character progression involves unlocking and equipping skills and gear, with higher-tier items having greater cost and impact on gameplay.
- Unique Large-Scale PvP Combat (weight 0.47): The game offers a distinctive blend of MOBA, hack-and-slash, and strategic castle siege elements in large-scale PvP battles, supporting up to 100 players. It combines third-person action with strategic objectives like capturing towers and destroying enemy cores, setting it apart from typical battle royale or FPS games.
- Dynamic In-Match Character Progression (weight 0.44): The game features a unique 'Title' system and in-match leveling. Players start with basic characters and earn deployment points and 'honor' during matches to unlock and deploy stronger, higher-tier characters with better gear and skills. These powerful characters, however, come with deployment cooldowns and specific conditions.
- Bot-Filled Matchmaking Concerns (weight 0.23): Despite being advertised for large-scale player battles, many matches are heavily populated with bots, especially for newer players. This can lead to an uncompetitive experience and raises questions about the actual player count in 20v20 modes.
- Strategic Siege Weaponry (weight 0.09): Siege weapons like catapults and cannons are crucial for strategic gameplay, enabling players to destroy enemy fortifications and disrupt opponents. Effective use of these tools is often key to securing victory in the castle siege battles.
- Skill-Based Abilities and Counters (weight 0.09): The game offers a variety of abilities and skills, some of which may lack clear counter-play, impacting balance. However, it also features unique mechanics like shields with no durability and a 'Great Magic' system for potential comebacks.

Performance notes:
- Mixed optimization feedback (weight 0.1): Optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting good performance on older hardware (e.g., 1080TI, 5700XT) and no issues, while others with newer systems (e.g., RTX 3060) struggle to maintain stable frame rates. There's also a report of the game capping GPU usage at 100%.
- Streaming performance impact (weight 0.01): One user noted that streaming the game caused performance to degrade, becoming 'chunky.' This might be related to encoder settings or general system load.

Recommendations:
- Mixed Reception, Try for Free (weight 0.53): Player sentiment is highly divided, with many recommending against the game due to various issues, while others encourage trying it, especially since it's free-to-play. There's a strong suggestion that players should form their own opinions.
- Enjoyable with Friends (weight 0.51): The game experience is significantly enhanced when played with a group of friends. Many players recommend gathering friends to dive into the game for a more enjoyable and memorable adventure.
- Uninstalled Due to Issues (weight 0.39): Several players have uninstalled the game, citing a lack of rewarding gameplay, the time commitment required for optimal strategy, or general dissatisfaction.
- Pay-to-Progress Concerns (weight 0.29): There's a mention of the game having a pay-to-progress faster aspect, which some players are willing to tolerate while others advise caution.
- Good Core Gameplay Idea (weight 0.19): Despite its flaws, the game's core concept, particularly 'castle sieges' and 'multiplayer battles,' is appealing to many. Some players see it as a 'gem' with potential, especially for fans of action and tactical multiplayer genres.
- Matchmaking Needs Improvement (weight 0.11): A significant concern is the current matchmaking system, with players requesting separation of solo and fixed parties, more granular rank tiers, and matching with players of similar skill. Unfair matchmaking is seen as a major deterrent.
- Concerns About Game Longevity (weight 0.08): There are worries about the game's future, with some suggesting its service might end soon or that it should revert to an early access or beta state. The current player base and potential for 'BOTlander' status are also mentioned.
- Hope for Future Development (weight 0.05): Some players express hope for future improvements and developments, wishing the game would grow and address its current issues.
- Anti-Cheat Program Issues (weight 0.03): A notable issue is the anti-cheat program, with some players strongly advising against the game due to difficulties in removing it from their PCs.
- Community Engagement Recommended (weight 0.03): Players suggest joining the game's Discord group for communication and seeking help from experienced players to understand game details.
- Watch Gameplay Videos (weight 0.03): New players are advised to watch gameplay videos on YouTube or streams from major streamers to better understand the game and its fun aspects.
- Patience for Solo Players (weight 0.02): Solo players are advised to be patient, especially when starting to play with real and ranked players after their first loss.
- Support Game with Season Pass (weight 0.01): Players who wish to support the game's development are encouraged to consider purchasing a season pass.
- Consider Professional Units (weight 0.01): A suggestion was made to consider adding special limited-appearance professional units for high military ranks.
- Use Rental Characters (weight 0.01): Beginners are advised to use rental characters while developing their own and enjoying the hack-and-slash elements.
- VPN for Connection Issues (weight 0.01): One player found that using a VPN helped resolve a connection error and allowed the game to open normally.
- Bot Matches Desired (weight 0.01): A player stated they would not play the next installation if it doesn't include bot matches.
- Fix Issues or Remove Penalty (weight 0.01): A player demands that the game's issues be fixed or the penalty time removed.
- Respect Player Opinions (weight 0.01): For a reboot, it's suggested that respecting the opinions of players who left the game, rather than old-timers, would lead to a better game.
- Avoid Support Tickets (weight 0.01): One player advises against bothering to send in support tickets.

Other player notes:
- Game's Future Uncertain (weight 0.36): Players express concern about the game's longevity, with some predicting its decline and others hoping for its survival. There's a strong desire for the game to gain more recognition and players, despite some acknowledging its 'mid' or 'okay' status.
- Positive Potential & Casual Appeal (weight 0.31): Despite its flaws, many players see great potential in the game, finding it interesting and enjoyable. It's often described as a casual experience suitable for a wide range of ages, with some comparing it favorably to other titles.
- Desire for New Content (weight 0.29): Players are looking forward to future updates and new content, including specific requests like a PvE dungeon mode and improvements to defensive structures. There's a hope that developers will address feedback and continue to evolve the game.
- Mixed Reception & Review Bias (weight 0.27): Many players feel the game receives undue negative criticism, often from those with limited playtime or misunderstanding game mechanics. There's a sentiment that early negative reviews, especially on Steam, are 'off-target' and harm the game's reputation.
- Anti-Cheat Controversy Debunked (weight 0.14): There were initial concerns about the Sentry Anti-Cheat being spyware, but these claims have largely been disproven by developers and community members. Many believe negative reviews regarding the anti-cheat are misinformed or based on hearsay.
- Launch Issues & Timing (weight 0.04): The game launched without events and had a staggered release across platforms, which may have impacted its initial reception and player engagement.
- Developer Reputation (weight 0.03): The developer, Toylogic, is noted for its involvement in well-regarded projects like Nier Automata and NieR Replicant, which may influence player expectations or perceptions of quality.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.28): Players frequently experience frustration due to technical issues like constant crashes, launch failures, and network errors, often leading to penalties or an inability to play. Matchmaking problems, including long wait times, low player counts, and being matched against significantly higher-ranked or 'pay-to-win' opponents, also contribute heavily. Additionally, the presence of cheaters, unbalanced gameplay mechanics (e.g., mage dominance, stun locks), and a perceived lack of developer attention to these core issues exacerbate player frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Disappointment stems from the game's failure to live up to its potential, often attributed to a low player count, bot-filled matches, and a perceived lack of content or developer care. Players are also let down by poor game balance, pay-to-win elements, and technical issues that prevent enjoyable gameplay. The game's decline in quality and community, along with unfulfilled promises like crossplay or language support, further contribute to this sentiment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.16): Players find satisfaction in the game's fun and engaging core gameplay, particularly its competitive aspects, strategic depth, and the rewarding feeling of coordinated team play. The game's free-to-play model, impressive atmosphere, and enjoyable class mechanics are also sources of satisfaction. Many appreciate the game despite its flaws, highlighting its potential for casual play and the enjoyment derived from mastering its combat system.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is generated by the game's fun, engaging, and chaotic gameplay, often described as an 'absolute blast' or an 'action movie' experience. Players are excited by the game's unique blend of genres, its potential for future development, and the prospect of attacking castles with friends. The overall quality and unique style of the game also contribute to this positive emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Enjoyment comes from the game's fun and engaging gameplay, particularly its large-scale multiplayer battles and fair PvP when matches are balanced. Players enjoy the progression system, customization options, and the ability to play with friends. The core action, team play, and strategic build planning also contribute to a positive and entertaining experience.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger arises from perceived injustices and severe game issues, such as persistent matchmaking problems, unfair bans, and the presence of cheaters. Players are also angered by perceived developer incompetence, misleading information (e.g., false advertising, language support), and predatory monetization practices. Technical issues like poor netcode and anti-cheat problems that potentially damage hardware further fuel this anger.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Players express hope for the game's future, desiring a proper revival, more recognition, and improvements to combat, character creation, and overall optimization. There is a strong wish for developers to address game balance issues, fix technical problems, and attract more players to ensure the game's longevity and success.
- Concern (weight 0.03): Concern is primarily focused on the game's future, particularly regarding its low player count, potential pay-to-win elements, and persistent balance issues that lead to one-sided matches. Players are also concerned about the intrusive nature and reliability of the anti-cheat system, as well as the lack of local servers contributing to high ping.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is experienced through the game's chaotic and fun nature, especially when playing with friends or family. The intense melee combat, strong strategic elements, and the overall engaging experience contribute to this positive emotion. Players also find joy in the game's helpful community and its ability to provide a fun and great time.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is triggered by the game's strong resemblance and comparison to 'Happy Wars,' a previous title. Players feel a connection to older games through the current game's playfeel, evoking fond memories of past gaming experiences.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the discrepancy between their own positive experiences and the widespread negative reviews or 'hate' for the game. Players are also confused by complex UI, progression systems, and uncertainty about the actual player activity versus bot presence.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt over the game's lost potential, with players wishing that unfair matchmaking and other issues had been addressed earlier. Some express regret over the amount of time spent on the game, wishing they had chosen a different title instead.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom is primarily caused by playing alone, the repetitive nature of base building, and frequently encountering bots in matches. Players quickly lose interest after a single match due to a lack of engaging content or challenge.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players express surprise at the game's low player count and are genuinely shocked that such a fun game isn't more widely known. Some are pleasantly surprised by the game's quality despite negative reviews.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by the game's penalty system and the intrusive anti-cheat software, which is perceived to scan the entire hard drive and remain on the computer even after uninstallation.
- Helpfulness (weight 0.01): Helpfulness is demonstrated by players who provide detailed guides, tips, and instructions to assist others in understanding and excelling in the game. The primary motivation for these reviews is to support the player community.
- Sadness (weight 0): Sadness is expressed over the game shutting down or the unique experience of being the only one affected by a specific purchase bug, leading to a feeling of isolation and loss.
- Neutral (weight 0): Neutral observations involve objectively noting combat mechanics, potential improvements, and the state of the player base and game type without expressing strong positive or negative emotions.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement is derived from humorous in-game events, such as falling off the map, or from observing poor player skill and bot behavior, which can lead to an entertaining sequence of events.
- Interest (weight 0): Interest is sparked by specific game features, such as the ability to play as King Henry III, or by the game's unique style and its comparison to 'Happy Wars,' which piques curiosity.}