Info about The Last Flame:

Official game description:
The Last Flame is a roguelike auto-battler which focuses on build creation, strategy and decision making. Every run, you will create amazing builds to progress through the ascension difficulties or attempt to beat your high score in the endless mode! Recruit special heroes, fight deadly encounters, loot and craft powerful gear, discover and create unique synergetic builds!
The Last Flame offers an incredible amount of build diversity. With 65 heroes, 325 items, 150 relics and 60 origins, every run will be unique and challenging! Hero and team building have been designed with flexibility and freedom at their core which allows you to discover and create unique synergetic builds every single run!
In between the automated combats, you will have to cleverly guide your heroes through the adventure by making the smart decisions! Manage your resources, choose the optimal path in the map, make powerful builds, and strategically position and plan the combat phase!
*   Progress through 5 difficulties which will challenge your knowledge and strategy!
*   Push your builds to their limit in the endless mode, a mode where you try to reach the highest floor!
*   Experience the game in diverse and fun new ways with the 20 available challenges!

Release date: Jan 9, 2025

Categories: Roguelike, Auto-battler, Build Crafting, Strategy, Deckbuilding, Turn-based Combat, Procedural Generation, Endless Mode

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game generally works well on Steam Deck, indicating good compatibility with Proton/Linux. Some minor tweaks may be required for optimal performance.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has received mixed feedback regarding its compatibility with the Steam Deck. While it is playable, users have reported issues with UI readability and lack of controller support, which significantly impact the user experience. Additionally, the game requires some tweaking to optimize the experience on the Steam Deck. However, the game's mechanics have been praised for their depth and strategic elements.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that users find the game to be of good value at or below the $20 price point. Multiple reviews mention that the game is worth the price, even at its normal asking price of $20. This indicates that the community generally considers $20 to be a fair price for the base game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: 600.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides a range of playtime metrics. The mention of 600 hours suggests a high level of engagement, likely indicating extensive playtime including endgame content. The statement that full games take 45 to 60 minutes to complete provides a clear indication of session length. The comment about playing for five hours and feeling like everything has been seen suggests a shorter playtime for story or campaign completion. Finally, the mention of playing for 30 hours and getting all achievements indicates a playtime for game completion.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has an initial learning curve and ramp-up period, after which players find the experience rewarding and enjoyable.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding the game's systems and mechanics
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Learning curve; Deliberate pacing; Initial confusion about mechanics
  - Unlock drivers: Investing time into the game's systems; Understanding the learning curve
  - Conditions: Willingness to engage with the game's slow, thoughtful pacing; Appreciation for meditative, narrative-rich experiences
- Player Archetypes:
  - Chill Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and low-pressure strategy.
    - Playstyle: Casual and relaxed, often multitasking while playing.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Chill Guy; Casual Gamer
    - Reference games: Teamfight Tactics; AFK Arena
  - Novelty Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Discovery and learning new game mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Exploratory and experimental, trying out different strategies.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: New Player; Genre Explorer
    - Reference games: Slay the Spire
  - Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Achievement completion and mastery.
    - Playstyle: Thorough and meticulous, aiming for 100% completion.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Achievement Hunter; Genre Veteran
    - Reference games: Teamfight Tactics; Slay the Spire
  - Mastery Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery and optimization.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and analytical, focusing on build crafting and optimization.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Hardcore Gamer; Strategy Enthusiast
    - Reference games: Teamfight Tactics; Dota 2


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:
- Variety of combinations and builds (weight 0.61): Players appreciate the vast number of combinations and build varieties available in the game. This includes different heroes, items, relics, and synergies that offer endless fun and strategic depth.
- Fun and engaging auto battler (weight 0.53): The game is praised for its enjoyable auto battler mechanics, combining elements from Dota-like heroes, Slay the Spire, and Teamfight Tactics. Players find it highly entertaining and recommend it for fans of the genre.
- Well-balanced and challenging (weight 0.33): The game is noted for its well-balanced difficulty and challenging gameplay. Players find the challenges to be a great part of the game that adds variety and depth.
- High replayability and unique runs (weight 0.28): The game offers high replayability with each run being unique. Players enjoy the different strategies and game modes that keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- Enjoyable learning curve (weight 0.13): The game has an enjoyable learning curve with lots of things to learn and explore. Players find the initial experience and progression fun and engaging.
- Enjoyable visuals and sound effects (weight 0.1): Players appreciate the good visuals and sound effects in the game, which enhance the overall gaming experience.

Common complaints:
- Balance issues in gameplay (weight 0.27): There are widespread complaints about balance issues, including disparities among heroes, units, and various playstyles. Players feel that certain strategies and builds are overpowered or underpowered.
- Hero strength disparity (weight 0.21): Players frequently mention a significant imbalance in the initial strength and overall effectiveness of different heroes. This issue is highlighted as a major concern affecting gameplay balance.
- Rerolling mechanics are tedious (weight 0.2): The rerolling system is criticized for being repetitive and punishing. Players express frustration with the lack of a reroll option for characters at the start and in the shop.
- Over-reliance on RNG (weight 0.17): Players feel that the game depends too much on luck and randomness, which can be frustrating. This includes random character skills and high dependence on RNG for success.
- Excessive and bloated items (weight 0.14): Many players find the number of items overwhelming and feel that there are too many low-quality or trash items. This bloat makes it difficult to find and use the items that are actually beneficial.
- Confusing and unclear mechanics (weight 0.11): Players find some game mechanics and ability descriptions confusing and unclear. This includes interactions between mechanics and the wording of abilities.
- Poor visual and interface design (weight 0.09): The interface and visual design, including hero models, are criticized for being unappealing and ugly, detracting from the overall gaming experience.
- No multiplayer or online features (weight 0.07): There is a notable absence of multiplayer or online features, which players feel is a significant drawback.
- Heroes feel too similar (weight 0.07): Many players feel that the heroes in the game resemble each other too much, leading to a lack of variety and uniqueness among characters.
- Overwhelming number of heroes and items (weight 0.06): Players are overwhelmed by the sheer number of heroes and items introduced in the game, making it difficult to manage and strategize effectively.
- Lack of controller support (weight 0.05): There is a notable lack of controller and Steam Deck support, which limits the accessibility and convenience for some players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Character and item synergies (weight 0.27): Players appreciate the variety of character combinations and how they interact with different items, creating unique gameplay experiences.
- Auto battler genre (weight 0.17): The game is frequently compared to the auto battler genre, with players noting its similarities to auto-chess and roguelite mechanics.
- Variety of heroes and team compositions (weight 0.12): The game offers a wide range of heroes and team compositions, allowing for diverse strategies and gameplay styles.
- Complex mechanics (weight 0.12): Players highlight the depth and complexity of the game's mechanics, including balancing and buff/debuff systems.
- Character equipment and abilities (weight 0.1): The game features a range of character equipment and abilities, which players find engaging and strategic.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the variety of game modes, including Endless mode and Custom mode, which add to the game's replayability.
- Mix of Slay the Spire and RPG (weight 0.08): The game is often compared to Slay the Spire, with players enjoying the mix of roguelike and auto battler elements.
- Strategic gameplay (weight 0.08): Players appreciate the strategic depth of the game, including combat control and decision-making.
- Relics and upgrades (weight 0.08): Relics and upgrades are a key feature, providing players with additional strategies and customization options.
- Build diversity (weight 0.08): The game offers a variety of build options, allowing players to craft and augment their builds in different ways.
- Winning strategies (weight 0.08): Players enjoy discovering and implementing different strategies to win, adding to the game's depth.
- Active and passive abilities (weight 0.08): The game features a range of active abilities and passive skills, which players find powerful and engaging.
- Game balance (weight 0.08): Players discuss the game's balance, with some noting the need for adjustments in certain areas.
- Hero and item management (weight 0.08): Managing heroes and items is a key aspect of the game, with players enjoying the strategic depth it adds.
- Automatic combat (weight 0.07): The automatic combat system is a notable feature, with players appreciating the dynamic nature of battles.
- Various playstyles (weight 0.07): The game accommodates different playstyles, with players appreciating the variety of approaches they can take.
- Randomness in gameplay (weight 0.07): Some players note the casino-like randomness in gameplay, which can be both exciting and frustrating.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.08): The game is frequently played on Steam Deck and runs well on the platform, indicating good compatibility.
- Optimization and Stability (weight 0.06): The game is noted for its stable optimization, but there are also reports of the game crashing.
- UI and Controller Support (weight 0.06): The game's UI needs better settings for Steam Deck, and there is no controller support, which can affect the gaming experience.
- Technical Issues (weight 0.05): Players have encountered specific errors like the 'Missing Glyph' or 'Tofu' error, and the game has a very slow startup time.
- Sound Effects Criticism (weight 0.03): The game has been criticized for having bad sound effects, which can detract from the overall experience.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for autobattler fans (weight 0.23): The game is frequently praised by players who enjoy auto-battler, deck-building, and roguelite strategy genres. It is considered a must-have for enthusiasts of these genres.
- Worth trying on sale (weight 0.12): Several reviews suggest that the game is worth trying, especially if purchased on sale. It is seen as a good option when there's nothing else to play.
- Hope for more content in sequel (weight 0.1): There is a common desire among players for more characters, unique modes, and additional content, which they hope to see in a potential sequel or updates.
- Suggestion to reroll heroes (weight 0.06): Players have suggested the addition of a reroll button for starting heroes, indicating a desire for more control over character selection.
- Open workshop for mods (weight 0.06): Players have suggested opening a creative workshop for mods or storylines to keep the game alive and engaging for a longer period.
- Suitable for casual play (weight 0.03): The game is considered suitable for casual play, making it accessible for a wider audience.
- Suggestion for boss mode (weight 0.03): There is a suggestion from players to add a boss mode, which could enhance the gameplay experience.
- Add feature to disable recipes (weight 0.03): Players have suggested adding a feature to disable certain recipes and heroes, providing more customization options.
- Wait for updates before replaying (weight 0.03): Some players have indicated that they will not play the game again before significant updates are released.

Other player notes:
- AI and free assets used (weight 0.06): The game's art is reported to heavily utilize AI-generated material and potentially incorporates free online art assets.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players are frustrated primarily due to balance issues, overwhelming complexity, and repetitive gameplay. The introduction of new elements in later stages and the lack of variety contribute to a sense of monotony. Additionally, technical issues such as game crashes and poor design choices exacerbate the frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.23): Players enjoy the game due to its fun auto battler gameplay, variety of characters and items, and the ability to discover new strategies and synergies. The high replayability and addictive nature of the game, along with the enjoyment of building different teams and combos, contribute to a positive experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.14): Players feel satisfied with the game's build variety, fair yet challenging gameplay, and the depth of mechanics. The satisfying combat, variety of heroes, and well-balanced difficulty contribute to a rewarding experience. Additionally, the game's value for money and the enjoyment of its mechanics and challenges add to the overall satisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Players express disappointment due to the lack of content, repetitive gameplay, and balance issues. The absence of multiplayer mode and updates, along with the game's simplicity and lack of challenge, contribute to a sense of wasted potential. Additionally, the lack of meta-progression and character diversity issues further disappoint players.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited about the unique gameplay experience, engaging mechanics, and the depth of hero growth and equipment systems. The variety of options, builds, and strategies, along with the potential for jaw-dropping synergies, contribute to a sense of excitement and endless replayability.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's unique combination of Slay the Spire and auto battler mechanics, along with the variety of customization options. The fun of trying new characters and items, and the potential for powerful combinations, contribute to a sense of excitement and enjoyment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's variety, value, and mechanics. The enjoyment of replaying the game even after 100% completion, and the appreciation of the game's mechanics and value, contribute to a sense of enthusiasm and continued engagement.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players are frustrated with the game's balance issues, randomness, and card pool problems. The lack of a ban button and the pollution of the card pool contribute to a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the gameplay experience.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Players describe the game as addictive, comparing it to the addictive nature of a casino. The game's mechanics and the desire to keep playing contribute to a sense of addiction and problematic engagement.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's complexity, strategic depth, and the effort put into its design by a single developer. The game's atmosphere and emotional depth, along with its unique combination of genres, contribute to a sense of admiration and appreciation.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for its potential, enjoyable gameplay, and tactical depth. The game's mechanics and the fun of discovering new strategies and synergies contribute to a sense of love and appreciation for the game.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players express anger due to updates that ruined the game and the high difficulty being impossible to beat. The frustration with the game's balance issues and the sense of wasted potential contribute to a sense of anger and dissatisfaction.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game despite its balance issues, enjoying the gameplay and suggesting improvements. The fun of discovering new strategies and synergies, along with the enjoyment of the game's mechanics, contribute to a sense of happiness and satisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from the game's enjoyable and rare gaming experience, having a lot of fun and appreciating the game's unique mechanics. The fun of discovering new strategies and synergies, along with the enjoyment of the game's variety, contribute to a sense of joy and happiness.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the depth and thought put into the game's design, along with the developer's effort in creating interesting mechanics. The game's unique combination of genres and the enjoyment of its mechanics contribute to a sense of appreciation and admiration.
- Overwhelmed (weight 0): Players feel overwhelmed due to the large amount of heroes and the complexity of the game's mechanics. The sheer number of options and the depth of the game's systems contribute to a sense of being overwhelmed and needing time to fully grasp the gameplay.
- Confusion (weight 0): Players are confused by the game's complex and unclear rules, along with the lack of guidance and explanation for its mechanics. The game's complexity and the need for more clear instructions contribute to a sense of confusion and frustration.
- Satisfied (weight 0): Players feel satisfied after beating the last difficulty of the game, appreciating the sense of accomplishment and the game's challenging yet fair mechanics. The enjoyment of the game's variety and the depth of its systems contribute to a sense of satisfaction and achievement.}