Info about An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire:

Official game description:
The Imperial Battle College has lost contact with the Battlespire, an elite training center hidden in a pocket realm of Oblivion. An agent sent to investigate discovers the Battlespire’s staff dead and the gate back to Tamriel blocked. With the facility under siege by vile daedra, the only way out is to go deep into darkness and into the Daedric Realms.

Release date: Apr 26, 2022

Categories: First-Person Dungeon Crawler, Character Customization, Dialogue-based Puzzle Solving, Story-driven Gameplay, Dark Fantasy, Action RPG, Multiplayer, Cooperative Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Wiki Mandatory for Basic Progression; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant reliance on external guides and wikis to understand and progress through the game. Key issues include the complexity of game mechanics and the necessity of external resources for quest completion. These points highlight a high severity impact on user experience, as players feel compelled to use external guides to fully engage with the game.
- Proton/Linux: score 80; verdict: Barely Playable; summary: The game has significant issues running on Linux through Steam. Users report that it does not work out of the box and requires considerable effort to get it running. However, purchasing the GOG version and running it through Lutris is suggested as a flawless workaround.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews suggest that the game is considered worth the price when it is cheap or on sale for a few dollars. Users recommend buying it on sale, implying that the full price might be higher than what the community considers fair. The mention of 'less than 5' dollars as a sale price indicates that the fair price range is likely below this threshold.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 25.3h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple direct statements about the time it took players to complete the game. The quotes indicate a range of playtimes for game completion, which can be used to estimate typical playtime metrics. The most frequently mentioned playtimes are around 24-27 hours to complete the game. There is no specific evidence provided for story completion, session length, or endgame playtime, so these fields are marked as null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Battlespire has significant early friction due to poor controls and repetitive gameplay, but it can become fun in multiplayer mode, especially in co-op.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Multiplayer co-op mode
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Poor controls and user interface; Boring and repetitive music; Tedious mechanics; Linear and repetitive levels
  - Unlock drivers: Multiplayer mode; Co-op play
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Nostalgic multiplayer experience
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Elder Scrolls Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: To explore the history and legacy of the Elder Scrolls series.
    - Playstyle: Endures punishing gameplay and technical issues for the sake of the story and franchise history.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: hardcore Elder Scrolls fans; completionist
    - Reference games: The Elder Scrolls series; Daggerfall; Arena
  - Newcomer Struggler (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To learn and adapt to the game's challenging mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Experiences frustration and setbacks but is motivated by the challenge of learning the game's systems.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: brand new player
    - Reference games: Daggerfall; Arena; Redguard
  - Old-School Dungeon Crawler (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To experience the challenge and nostalgia of old-school dungeon crawling.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys unforgiving gameplay and classic mechanics, motivated by challenge and nostalgia.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: old school player
    - Reference games: Daggerfall; dungeon crawler games


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:
- Unique Setting and Lore (weight 0.52): The game's unique setting and lore were frequently mentioned as captivating and interesting. The focus on Daedra and the Daedric Planes of Oblivion was particularly appreciated.
- High-Quality Voice Acting and Sound Design (weight 0.4): The voice acting was praised for being better than expected and above standard for the time. The sound design and music were also highlighted as strong points.
- Improved Dialogue and Choices (weight 0.4): Players enjoyed the unique dialogue options, including the ability to converse with enemies. The dialogue was praised for being some of the best in the series.
- Engaging and Enjoyable Story (weight 0.29): Players appreciated the story, finding it entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish. The lore was particularly highlighted as a strong point.
- Interesting and Fluid Gameplay (weight 0.22): The gameplay was described as interesting and fluid, providing a unique and engaging experience. Some players found it brutal but fair.
- Enjoyable Visual Style (weight 0.14): The visual style was described as interesting, unique, and enjoyable, adding to the overall aesthetic of the game.
- Unique Character Customization Mechanics (weight 0.1): The game features unique character customization mechanics, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Fun and Satisfying Puzzles (weight 0.1): The puzzles in the game were found to be satisfying and rewarding, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.
- Customizable and Easy-to-Use Controls (weight 0.1): Players found the controls easy to use once learned and appreciated the ability to customize them.
- Early DOOM Vibe (weight 0.1): The game gives off an early DOOM vibe, which was noted by some players.

Common complaints:
- Clunky and unintuitive controls (weight 0.49): Many players find the controls to be non-intuitive, awkward, and poorly integrated with the user interface, making the game difficult to navigate and play smoothly.
- Game-breaking bugs and glitches (weight 0.47): The game is plagued with numerous bugs, including severe and game-breaking ones that significantly impact gameplay and player experience.
- Poor game balance and design (weight 0.28): Players report that the game is unbalanced and poorly designed, leading to confusing and frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Jumping mechanics issues (weight 0.24): The jumping mechanics are reported as janky and unreliable, often leading to unintended deaths and frustration during platforming sections.
- Save file corruption (weight 0.19): There are issues with save files becoming corrupted, especially with frequent saving and loading, which can lead to progression loss.
- Character getting stuck (weight 0.18): Characters frequently get stuck in textures, walls, or geometry, which can hinder progression and cause frustration.
- Extreme difficulty (weight 0.18): The game is noted for its brutal difficulty, which can be punishing and frustrating for players.
- Enemies knockback mechanics (weight 0.17): Enemies often knock the player character back excessively, which can be frustrating and disruptive to gameplay.
- Confusing level design (weight 0.14): The levels are designed in a confusing manner, making it difficult for players to navigate and understand where to go.
- Outdated graphics (weight 0.13): The graphics are considered old and low resolution, which detracts from the visual experience of the game.
- Unplayable on certain platforms (weight 0.11): The game is reported as unplayable on certain platforms, such as Steam, due to various issues.
- Soft locking in levels (weight 0.1): There are instances of soft locking in some levels, preventing players from progressing further in the game.
- Game restarts on death (weight 0.1): The game restarts every time the player dies, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
- Lack of resources and strategies (weight 0.1): Players report a lack of resources and established strategies, making it difficult to progress and succeed in the game.
- Character creation frustration (weight 0.1): The character creation system is crucial but can cause frustration due to its complexity and impact on gameplay.
- Boring soundtrack (weight 0.09): The soundtrack is described as boring and drab, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Unique and difficult gameplay (weight 0.28): The game features a unique old-school gameplay style that is challenging and requires strategic thinking.
- Dungeon crawler focus (weight 0.26): The game emphasizes dungeon navigation and story-based dungeons, providing a true RPG dungeon crawler experience.
- Enemy and NPC conversations (weight 0.25): Players can engage in dialogues with various enemies, demons, and NPCs, adding depth to interactions.
- Linear game structure (weight 0.2): The game offers a linear adventure experience, focusing on a structured path through the story.
- Combat mechanics and puzzles (weight 0.15): The game combines combat mechanics with puzzle-solving, offering a unique blend of action and strategy.
- Challenging combat (weight 0.15): Combat in the game is difficult and requires tactical planning, offering a challenging experience.
- Thought-provoking puzzles (weight 0.14): The game includes puzzle elements that require careful thought and add to the gameplay complexity.
- Diverse level design (weight 0.14): Each level has different themes and objectives, providing varied and engaging gameplay experiences.
- Multiplayer modes (weight 0.11): The game offers multiplayer options for both PvP and co-op play, enhancing replayability.
- Engaging boss fights (weight 0.1): The game features intense and strategic boss fights, adding to the combat challenge.
- Expanded lore (weight 0.1): The game expands on the existing lore, offering deeper story elements and background.
- Tamriel setting (weight 0.1): The game is set in the Tamriel universe, specifically in the Oblivion realm, providing a rich backdrop.
- Daedric politics and diplomacy (weight 0.1): The game introduces a Daedric diplomacy system, allowing players to engage in political interactions.
- Platforming elements (weight 0.1): The game includes platforming mechanics, adding variety to the gameplay.
- Customization options (weight 0.1): Players can customize their character's face and controls, allowing for a personalized gaming experience.

Performance notes:
- Game is extremely buggy (weight 0.62): The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that significantly impact the gameplay experience. Players report frequent crashes, game-breaking issues, and general instability.
- Character movement and collision bugs (weight 0.21): Characters frequently get stuck in textures, walls, or geometry. Additionally, there are reports of characters falling through the map and pieces of the map disappearing.
- Fullscreen mode problems (weight 0.17): The game has difficulties running in fullscreen mode, requiring players to adjust configuration settings manually to get it to work properly.
- DOSBox emulator issues (weight 0.17): Since the game runs on an outdated DOSBox emulator, players face limitations and compatibility issues. Some recommend using DOSBox Staging for a better experience.
- Audio issues (weight 0.09): Players report problems with audio, including cutting out and general glitchiness, which affects the overall experience.
- Compatibility issues on Linux (weight 0.05): Players on Linux face compatibility issues, making it difficult to run the game smoothly without specific setups.
- Poor graphics and sound design (weight 0.05): The game has been criticized for its poor graphics and sound design, which detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Lack of console or cheats (weight 0.05): The game lacks a console or cheat options, which can be frustrating for players looking for additional ways to interact with the game.
- No community patches (weight 0.05): There are no unity solutions or fan-made patches available to address the game's issues, leaving players to deal with the problems as they are.

Recommendations:
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.14): Several reviews suggest waiting for a sale or discount before purchasing the game.
- Worth the price (weight 0.11): Many players find the game worth checking out and believe it is worth the price.
- For hardcore Elder Scrolls fans (weight 0.11): The game is recommended primarily for patient and die-hard fans of the Elder Scrolls series.
- Adjust cycles for smooth gameplay (weight 0.06): Players recommend adjusting the game cycles to achieve smoother gameplay.
- Look up a build guide (weight 0.06): It is advised to look up a build guide to enhance the gaming experience.
- Potential for future games (weight 0.06): The game has a compelling concept that could be useful for future games.
- For old-school RPG fans (weight 0.06): The game appeals to fans of old-school RPGs and dungeon crawlers.
- Give it a fair chance (weight 0.06): Despite some criticisms, many reviews still recommend giving the game a fair chance.
- Try alternative games (weight 0.06): Some players suggest trying Arena and/or Daggerfall Unity instead of this game.
- For fans of Daedric lore (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for fans of Daedric lore.
- Hope for a Unity port (weight 0.06): Players express hope for a Unity source port of the game.
- Deserves a remake (weight 0.06): Some reviews mention that the game deserves a remake.
- Not replayable (weight 0.05): Some players express that they won't play the game again.
- Play for novelty (weight 0.05): Some players suggest playing the game for its novelty value.
- Avoid Battlespire (weight 0.05): Players advise against playing Battlespire.

Other player notes:
- DDOSbox limits to 1-2 cores (weight 0.07): The game can potentially harm your computer because DDOSbox restricts usage to only 1-2 cores.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.33): Players are frustrated primarily due to the game's technical issues, including frequent crashes, game-breaking bugs, and poor performance. The combat mechanics and controls are also criticized for being clunky and difficult, further exacerbating the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stems from the game's technical issues and poor design choices, which include clunky controls and confusing level design. Many players feel the game falls short of expectations, particularly in comparison to other titles in the series.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the game's story, dialogue, and unique lore, which are highlighted as strong points. The atmosphere, music, and dungeon design also contribute to a positive gameplay experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction comes from the game's unique setting, challenging combat, and engaging atmosphere. Players also appreciate the music, visual style, and the game's puzzles and lore.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.07): Nostalgia is driven by fond memories of playing the game in the past and its historical significance within the Elder Scrolls series. Players appreciate the game's availability on modern platforms and its memorable gameplay experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.05): Amusement is derived from the game's unique and often humorous dialogue, including interactions with characters like the male spider Daedra. The voice acting and funny dialogue options contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience.
- Interest (weight 0.05): Interest is sparked by the game's unique features, such as conversing with enemies and its challenging nature. The game's lore and connections to other titles in the series also pique players' curiosity.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players are frustrated by technical issues and bugs that hinder gameplay. Additionally, issues with full-screen mode and weird controls contribute to this frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation comes from the game's unique style and mechanics. Players also value the multiplayer and dungeon exploration aspects of the game.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Excitement is driven by the anticipation and joy of finally being able to play the game.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Disappointment arises from a poor gameplay experience that did not meet the player's expectations.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated by the game's unique weapon swinging mechanics, which players find engaging and fun.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from the overall enjoyment of purchasing and playing the game, reflecting a positive experience.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is inspired by the potential for a remake, which players believe could improve and modernize the game.}