Info about Ancient Kingdoms:

Official game description:
**Ancient Kingdoms** is a classic 2D RPG game meticulously crafted to evoke the nostalgia and charm of beloved RPGs from the golden era of gaming. Designed by dedicated fans for fellow enthusiasts, it offers an experience that celebrates the timeless elements of traditional role-playing games, with special attention to making the game accessible for beginner players in the genre, and entertaining and deep enough for veteran players.  
Discover the rich, immersive world of Eratiath in "Ancient Kingdoms", a classic RPG experience that harkens back to the genre's roots. Choose from six distinct and powerful classes (Warrior, Ranger, Cleric, Rogue, Wizard, Druid) and a diverse array of races including elves, dwarves, humans, and goblins.  
Embark on an epic journey through a vast world teeming with secrets, ancient ruins, and mysterious catacombs. Test your mettle against formidable adversaries such as orcs, dragons, and even ancient gods. Overcome these challenges to uncover incredible treasures and gear that will empower your hero.  
Forge your own path, alone or with friends in a cooperative party of up to four players. Explore the captivating world of Eratiath and become the hero of your own legendary tale in "Ancient Kingdoms".  
**Visual Style and Graphics:**  
*   Retro Aesthetic: "Ancient Kingdoms" boasts pixel art graphics reminiscent of 16-bit classics. Each sprite, background, and animation is lovingly designed to capture the look and feel of the RPGs from the late '80s and early '90s.  
*   Detailed Environments: Players can explore a variety of meticulously crafted environments, including lush forests, bustling towns, mysterious dungeons, and ancient ruins, each with a distinctive visual flair that pays homage to classic RPGs.
**Gameplay Mechanics:**  
*   Tap Target Combat: The game features tap target combat, where players must carefully plan their moves, utilizing a range of abilities and spells to defeat enemies. Classic mechanics such as tactical positioning and resource management are important keys of the gameplay.  
*   Character Customization: Players can create and customize their characters, each with different races, classes like Warrior, Cleric, Druid, Ranger, Rogue and Wizard, and unique skills and attributes.  
*   Exploration and Quests: "Ancient Kingdoms" offers an expansive world filled with hidden secrets, side quests, and lore. Players are encouraged to explore every nook and cranny, interact with NPCs, and uncover the rich history of the game world.  
*   Inventory and Equipment: A robust inventory system allows players to manage their gear, find and equip powerful weapons and armour, and use a variety of items to aid them on their journey.
**Story and Setting:**  
*   Epic Narrative: The story focuses on the classic theme of good versus evil, where our heroes must face the evils that lurk in “Eratiath”  
*   Rich Lore: "Ancient Kingdoms" is set in a richly detailed fantasy world with its own history, cultures, and myths. The game provides deep lore for players to discover, adding depth to the overall experience.
**Audio and Music:**  
*   Chiptune Soundtrack: The game’s soundtrack is a delightful collection of chiptune compositions that perfectly capture the spirit of classic RPGs. Each track is designed to enhance the atmosphere, from the tranquil melodies of village life to the intense battle themes.  
*   Immersive Sound Effects: Carefully crafted sound effects bring the world to life, from the clanging of swords in combat to the ambient sounds of nature during exploration.
**Community and Development:**  
*   From Fans to Fans: Developed by a passionate team of RPG enthusiasts, "Ancient Kingdoms" is a labour of love aimed at fellow fans of the genre. The developers actively engage with the community, taking feedback and incorporating it into updates and expansions.  
*   Ongoing Support: The game is regularly updated with new content, bug fixes, and enhancements, ensuring a continuously evolving experience for players.
In summary, **"Ancient Kingdoms"** is a heartfelt tribute to the classic 2D RPGs of yesteryear. It combines nostalgic visuals, engaging gameplay, and a rich narrative to provide players with a timeless adventure that feels both familiar and fresh. Whether you are a veteran of classic RPGs or new to the genre, "Ancient Kingdoms" promises an enchanting journey filled with wonder and excitement.

Release date: Jan 15, 2025

Categories: 2D Side-scrolling, RPG, Character Customization, Exploration, Cooperative Multiplayer, Inventory Management, Nostalgic Gameplay

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game has mixed reviews regarding its performance on Linux. While some users report graphical issues, others have a smooth experience without any problems. The overall consensus suggests that the game is playable on Linux, but there may be some minor issues for certain users.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has several issues that affect the Steam Deck experience, notably with UI text size and partial controller support. While some users report a seamless experience on Linux, others face challenges that require additional tinkering or custom setups.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users generally find the game to be a good value for its price. Phrases like 'pretty good deal,' 'worth the price tag,' and 'good value' suggest that the community perceives the game as fairly priced. Additionally, mentions of the game being a 'cheap purchase on sale' imply that the base price is considered reasonable, and sales make it an even better deal.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 300.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 50.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided gives a clear indication of the extensive playtime required for various aspects of the game. The first quote suggests that the game offers hundreds of hours of content, indicating a high value for game completion. The second quote mentions spending tens of hours farming veteran levels per boss, which supports the idea of significant endgame content. The third quote indicates that the reviewer has spent close to 60 hours grinding, which further supports the extensive playtime required for progression. The fourth quote, while mentioning a crash, does not provide direct evidence of playtime but is included to show the context of gameplay sessions.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a slow start with a steep learning curve, but it becomes more enjoyable around level 45. Playing with friends enhances the fun.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Reaching level 45
  - Time to anchor: 15h 0m
  - Friction: steep learning curve; slow pacing; repetitive tasks; confusing menus; limited early-game mobility; grindy progression
  - Unlock drivers: understanding game systems; reaching higher levels; playing with friends; progression system
  - Conditions: playing with friends; understanding the tutorial; reaching higher levels; exploring the game world
- Player Archetypes:
  - Progression Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Progression and content variety
    - Playstyle: Long-term engagement with various classes and steady progression.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Grinder; Completionist
    - Reference games: World of Warcraft; EverQuest
  - Hardcore Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Overcoming challenging content
    - Playstyle: Persistent grinding and tackling difficult content.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Hardcore Gamer; Grinder
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Old-school MMOs
  - Casual Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and casual progression
    - Playstyle: Leisurely exploration and moderate progression.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Casual Gamer; Explorer
    - Reference games: Stardew Valley; Animal Crossing
  - Social Gamer (buy)
    - Motivation: Community and social interaction
    - Playstyle: Collaborative gameplay with a focus on social experiences.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Social Player; Community Enthusiast
    - Reference games: World of Warcraft; Final Fantasy XIV


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:
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.52): Players find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, with a satisfying loop that makes it fun to play solo or with friends. The game is described as addictive and meditative.
- Old-school MMO style (weight 0.5): The game captures the essence of classic MMOs, reminiscent of titles like Ultima Online and EverQuest. It appeals to fans of traditional MMORPGs with its retro style and gameplay mechanics.
- Active and responsive developers (weight 0.48): The development team is highly active, frequently updating the game, fixing bugs, and adding new content. They are also responsive to community feedback and engage with the player base regularly.
- Enjoyable solo and co-op play (weight 0.32): The game offers enjoyable solo play and co-op modes, making it versatile for different play styles. Players appreciate the ability to play alone or with friends.
- Well-balanced and varied classes (weight 0.22): The game features well-thought-out and balanced classes, providing players with a variety of options and play styles. The classes are different and well-developed.
- Satisfying grind and progression (weight 0.22): Players enjoy the grinding mechanics and find the progression system satisfying. The game offers a meaty level grind that is enjoyable.
- Rewarding exploration (weight 0.2): Exploration is a key feature, with a large world full of content, secrets, and exciting places to discover. Players find the exploration satisfying and rewarding.
- Good value for money (weight 0.14): The game is considered a good value for its price, offering a great quality-price ratio. Players feel they get their money's worth.
- Nostalgic feel and atmosphere (weight 0.12): The game evokes a sense of nostalgia with its art style, atmosphere, and sound effects. It captures the essence of classic RPGs and MMOs.
- Promising game idea (weight 0.12): The game is seen as having an excellent and promising idea, with the potential to be amazing. Players appreciate the unique concept and execution.

Common complaints:
- Excessive grind in gameplay (weight 0.36): Players frequently mention that the game involves a significant amount of grinding, which can feel tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the endgame and at max level.
- Underwhelming skills and abilities (weight 0.21): The skills and abilities in the game are often seen as dull and underwhelming, lacking variety and impact, which makes combat less engaging.
- Low drop rates (weight 0.2): Players are dissatisfied with the drop rates for gear and items, describing them as too low and rare, which affects the overall gaming experience.
- Poorly explained crafting systems (weight 0.18): The crafting and gathering systems are often cited as confusing and poorly explained, leading to frustration among players who find these mechanics unclear.
- Long respawn timers (weight 0.17): The respawn timers for bosses and monsters are noted to be excessively long, causing players to wait for extended periods, which detracts from the enjoyment.
- Difficult solo play (weight 0.17): Playing solo is described as extremely difficult and not well-balanced, making it a challenging experience for single players.
- Inventory management issues (weight 0.12): Inventory space management is cited as painful and limited, causing frustration among players.
- Boss spawn issues (weight 0.12): Bosses might not spawn without clear explanations, and some bosses are overpowered for the level at which they are encountered, leading to frustration.
- Gear durability issues (weight 0.1): Players are unhappy with the gear durability system, especially the loss of durability on death, which adds an extra layer of frustration.
- Slow movement speed (weight 0.1): The movement speed in the game, particularly early on, is described as very slow, which can be frustrating for players.
- Balance issues (weight 0.08): There are notable balance issues in the game, affecting the overall fairness and enjoyment of gameplay.
- Limited quest variety (weight 0.07): The game often only provides one quest at a time, leading to limited quest variety and a more linear gameplay experience.
- Controller support needs improvement (weight 0.07): Controller support is noted to be only partial and needs significant improvement to be fully functional and user-friendly.
- High level NPC mobs (weight 0.07): The presence of high-level NPC mobs and groups of mobs can make the game overly difficult and challenging in certain areas.
- Lack of class customization (weight 0.07): There is a noted lack of customization options for classes, which can make character development feel limited and uninspired.
- Mercenary resurrection issues (weight 0.07): Mercenaries do not reappear after resurrection in certain locations, such as the Milldenn tavern, causing inconvenience and frustration.
- Game designed to frustrate (weight 0.06): The game is perceived as being designed to frustrate players and disrespect their time, leading to a negative experience.
- Tank class lacks damage (weight 0.06): The tank class, particularly the Cleric, is noted to be tanky but lacks sufficient damage output, making it less effective in combat.

Gameplay feedback:
- Grind-heavy RPG gameplay (weight 0.47): The game features a grind-heavy, repetitive gameplay loop reminiscent of classic RPGs and MMOs, with a focus on grinding for experience, equipment, and veteran levels.
- MMO-style elements (weight 0.36): The game incorporates many elements from traditional MMORPGs, including old-school MMO styles and roles.
- Progression systems (weight 0.26): The game offers various progression systems, including character leveling, skill progression, and equipment progression, contributing to a sense of character growth and improvement.
- Class customization (weight 0.22): The game features extensive class customization, with class-specific molds, upgrades, and differences, allowing for class-based gameplay and character customization with race and class choices.
- Multiplayer options (weight 0.22): Players appreciate the availability of both solo and multiplayer options, including LAN and cooperative multiplayer gameplay.
- Loot and gear system (weight 0.19): The game includes a loot and gear system where players can farm for worthwhile loot and grind for monster drops.
- Balance and difficulty issues (weight 0.18): There are concerns about the balance of difficulty, class balance, and overall power balancing, with some players finding the game's difficulty scaling to be high.
- Mercenary AI and system (weight 0.17): Players have noted the mercenary system, including AI behavior and the ability to hire and resurrect mercenaries, as a significant aspect of the game.
- Exploration and open world (weight 0.16): Players enjoy the exploration aspects of the game, with many explorable locations and an open-world RPG style.
- Combat mechanics (weight 0.13): The combat system is noted for its old-school, class-based mechanics, which are central to the game's core loop.
- Boss encounters (weight 0.09): The game features boss fights and dungeon bosses as part of its combat and progression systems.

Performance notes:
- Blurry graphics complaints (weight 0.1): Multiple players have complained about the graphics appearing blurry. This could be due to various reasons such as resolution settings or post-processing effects.
- Smooth gameplay experience (weight 0.08): Many players report that the game runs smoothly and performs well. This indicates a positive experience in terms of gameplay fluidity for a significant number of users.
- Resolution issues (weight 0.07): There are reports of problems with resolution, specifically mentioning issues with 4K resolution. This suggests that the game may not be optimized for higher resolutions.
- Mixed feedback on crashes (weight 0.07): Some players report crashing issues while others experience no crashes at all. This suggests that crashes may be dependent on specific hardware or software configurations.
- High VRAM usage (weight 0.07): The game uses nearly all 6GB of VRAM with discrete graphics, indicating high memory usage which could be a concern for players with limited VRAM.
- Runs on low-spec computers (weight 0.04): The game is reported to run well on low-spec computers, indicating good performance optimization for lower-end hardware.
- Controller support (weight 0.04): There are mentions of controller support, suggesting that the game is compatible with controllers, which is a positive for players who prefer this input method.
- Spike lag issues (weight 0.04): There are reports of spike lag, which refers to sudden and significant drops in frame rate, affecting the smoothness of gameplay.
- Graphical settings and performance (weight 0.04): There are mentions of issues related to graphical settings and performance, suggesting that players may need to adjust settings to achieve optimal performance.
- UI scaling issues (weight 0.04): Some players have reported issues with UI scaling, which could affect the user interface experience on different screen sizes and resolutions.
- No performance issues on Linux (weight 0.04): Players on Linux report no performance issues, indicating that the game is well-optimized for this operating system.

Recommendations:
- Future updates and improvements (weight 0.13): Many players are excited about the potential for future updates and improvements, indicating a belief in the game's evolving quality and content.
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.11): The game comes highly recommended by numerous players, suggesting a strong endorsement for its current state and enjoyment factor.
- Worth the price (weight 0.1): Players feel the game is worth its price tag, especially for cooperative play, indicating good value for money.
- Recommended for classic MMORPG fans (weight 0.08): The game is particularly recommended for fans of old-school MMORPGs, highlighting its appeal to a specific audience who enjoy classic gameplay mechanics.
- Recommend at full release (weight 0.04): Some players suggest waiting for the 1.0 release before fully recommending the game, implying that the game has potential but may need more polish.
- Great for gradual character development (weight 0.04): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy gradual character development, indicating a strong role-playing element.
- Mutual learning with Erenshor (weight 0.04): There is a mention of mutual learning between the game and Erenshor, suggesting a potential for cross-game improvements and inspirations.

Other player notes:
- Low Player Base (weight 0.04): The game currently lacks a significant player base, which may affect multiplayer experiences.
- Draggable Map Feature (weight 0.04): The game includes a feature that allows players to drag the map for better navigation.
- Quest Indicators on Mini-Map (weight 0.04): The game features quest indicators on the mini-map to help players track their objectives.
- Town Teleportation Suggestions (weight 0.04): Players have suggestions for improving town teleportation points within the game.
- Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.04): The game is compatible with and can be played on the Steam Deck platform.
- Chinese Language Update (weight 0.04): The game has received an update that includes Chinese language support.
- Additional Game Information (weight 0.04): The game provides a website link for players to access more information about the game.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players are frustrated primarily due to the excessive grinding required for progression and the poorly explained mechanics, such as skill leveling and crafting systems. Additional frustrations stem from game balance issues, difficulty spikes, and various technical problems like crashes and poor inventory management.
- Excitement (weight 0.14): Players are excited about the engaging dungeons, worthwhile loot, and the rich content that the game offers. The game's depth, mechanics, and future possibilities, along with its classic MMO-style gameplay, contribute to this excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.14): Players are satisfied with the developer's attentiveness and frequent updates, which enhance the gameplay experience. The straightforward tutorial, solid visual quality, and enjoyable gameplay loop also contribute to their satisfaction.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.1): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's similarities to classic MMORPGs like EverQuest and Ultima. The art style, atmosphere, and gameplay mechanics remind them of childhood RPG games and old-school MMOs.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Players are disappointed with the underwhelming skills, limited content, and poorly explained mechanics. Issues such as high bank upgrade costs, poor drop rates, and outdated mechanics also contribute to their disappointment.
- Hope (weight 0.06): Players are hopeful about the game's future due to the active and responsive developers. They believe in the game's potential and look forward to future updates and optimizations.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the old-school style grindy RPG gameplay, including combat, boss fights, and exploration. The variety of classes, races, and the mercenary system also contribute to their enjoyment.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Players experience joy from fun exploration, engaging gameplay loops, and playing with friends. The satisfying looting mechanics and enjoyable solo play also bring them joy.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players feel anger due to high death penalties, slow movement speed, and frustrating game design. Mobs respawn during boss fights, adding to their frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the world and enemy design, as well as the developer's engagement. The game's appeal to fans of old-school MMOs is also appreciated.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the impressive level design, strong atmosphere, and beautiful pixel art. The solid RPG mechanics and responsive developers also contribute to their admiration.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused due to unclear equipment acquisition and hidden game mechanics. The lack of explanations and difficulty in finding items like arrows add to their confusion.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the variety of activities and content the game offers. Enjoying the game with friends and appreciating the developers' work also contribute to their happiness.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic due to the sound effects and comparisons to older games. These elements remind them of past gaming experiences.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Players feel addicted to the game due to its engaging content and the 'just one more task' feel. The game's ability to keep them playing for extended periods contributes to this addiction.
- Optimism (weight 0.01): Players are optimistic about the game's future due to its good spot in Early Access and huge potential. The great amount of content also contributes to their optimism.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's features and incredible depth. The really fun systems and engaging gameplay mechanics contribute to their enthusiasm.
- Excited (weight 0): Players are excited about having fun with the game. The engaging and enjoyable gameplay mechanics contribute to their excitement.
- Hooked (weight 0): Players are hooked on the game due to its content and developer interaction. The engaging gameplay and frequent updates keep them coming back for more.
- Impressed (weight 0): Players are impressed with the game's content and design. The beautiful pixel art, solid RPG mechanics, and responsive developers contribute to their impression.}