- Excellent humor, clever writing defines the experience.
- Unique art style and music are appealing.
- Enjoyable gameplay with rewarding elements.
- Memorable characters with good development.
- Game is too short for its price.
- Combat lacks depth and variety.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 97% · Negative 3%. Score: 3 / 100
Positives:
- The game is praised for its excellent humor, witty dialogue, and engaging story. Reviewers often compare the humor to Monty Python, noting its blend of dark comedy and historical references. The writing is a strong positive, enhancing the overall experience and making the game memorable.
- The game features a unique and appealing art style, often drawing comparisons to PS1-era graphics, medieval art, or a blend of different styles. Reviewers highlight the distinctive visuals, well-crafted animations, and the way the art style enhances the game's atmosphere and charm. The music complements the visuals, creating an immersive experience.
- The game offers enjoyable and engaging gameplay, with a focus on exploration and rewarding player curiosity. The combat system is simple yet satisfying, and the game avoids tedious grinding or unnecessary side quests. Many reviewers express surprise at how much they enjoyed the game, even if they are not typically fans of the genre.
- The game features well-developed and memorable characters, with engaging interactions and compelling storylines. The protagonist, often a flawed or unconventional character like a drunken knight, adds to the game's charm and uniqueness. Reviewers appreciate the depth and relatability of the characters.
- The game rewards exploration, offering a wealth of side content, secrets, and historical trivia. The world, though small, is dynamic and filled with interesting locations and characters. Reviewers encourage players to thoroughly explore the map and interact with NPCs to uncover hidden quests and stories.
Negatives:
- Many reviewers found the game to be too short, with playthroughs averaging 4-6 hours. This brevity led to a desire for more content, deeper character progression, and more exploration of the game's world and themes. The short length was often cited as a major drawback, especially considering the game's price.
- The combat system is criticized for being simplistic, repetitive, and lacking depth. Many reviewers found it to be the weakest part of the game, with battles becoming tedious and uninspired. Some found it too easy, while others struggled with specific encounters due to a lack of clear feedback or strategic options.
- The game's graphics and overall aesthetic are frequently described as unpolished, outdated, and reminiscent of early RPG Maker games or the PlayStation 1 era. This visual style was off-putting to many players and detracted from their initial impression of the game. The UI and menus also suffer from this RPG Maker aesthetic.
- The game's dialogue and story are often difficult to understand due to the use of archaic English and references to 15th-century Slovakian history. This can make it hard for players to follow the plot and become immersed in the game's world. Some reviewers found the writing style grating and unpleasant.
- The game's difficulty is inconsistent, with some reviewers finding it too easy and others finding it too challenging. Some felt the game became trivial after obtaining certain items or leveling up, while others struggled with specific encounters due to stun-locking or a lack of strategic options. The lack of difficulty modes was also noted.
Gameplay:
- The game features simple, traditional turn-based JRPG combat and mechanics, often compared to RPG Maker style games. It avoids excessive grinding and random encounters, focusing on straightforward gameplay. The difficulty is generally considered easy to moderate, with strategic thinking sometimes required.
- The game deviates from traditional leveling systems, instead focusing on equipment and item usage to improve character stats and skills. Skills are often tied to equipped weapons, encouraging strategic choices beyond raw stats. This system rewards exploration and finding new gear.
- Battles require strategic planning, especially against specific enemy types like Hussites and cultists. The game incorporates historical elements, such as Western sword techniques and early firearms from the Hussite wars. Some encounters may seem impossible initially but become manageable later.
- The game is made using the RPG Maker engine. The developers have worked well within the engine's limitations to create a unique experience.
- The game features an old-school design where the player needs to figure things out without explicit guidance or tutorials. Multiple correct solutions exist for each quest, with the game providing ample hints.
Performance:
- The game is optimized to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including low-end PCs, laptops, and the Steam Deck. Players have reported that the game runs without issues on Linux using Proton. This widespread compatibility ensures accessibility for players with varying hardware configurations.
- The game features an intentionally acidic and electric funk soundtrack. This soundtrack is a key element of the game's overall bizarre and unique presentation, contributing to the game's distinctive atmosphere. The soundtrack enhances the game's unconventional style.
- The game incorporates both autosave and manual save features. This save system prevents loss of player progress and provides flexibility in managing game saves. Players can rely on autosaves for convenience or create manual saves at strategic points.
- Some players have reported encountering a few bugs during their playthroughs. The reports are vague and do not specify the nature or frequency of the bugs. This point has a low importance due to the lack of specific details.
- The game includes 3D cutscenes. This is a minor technical detail that does not significantly impact the overall gameplay experience. The importance is low due to the lack of specific details about the quality or impact of these cutscenes.
Recommendations:
- The game is overwhelmingly recommended as a unique, well-crafted, and memorable experience, often described as a masterpiece or hidden gem. Reviewers praise its story, characters, humor, art style, and music, and consider it well worth the asking price, with many hoping for a sequel or more content from the developers.
- The game is particularly recommended for players who enjoy specific themes and styles, including medieval settings, dark fantasy, JRPGs, historical fiction, and games with a Monty Python-esque sense of humor. Some reviewers suggest that understanding the historical context enhances the experience, while others recommend playing the game in Slovak for the best immersion.
- Many reviewers expressed a strong desire for a sequel or more content, indicating high satisfaction with the existing game and a desire to further explore its world and characters. This suggests the game left a lasting positive impression and a hunger for more.
- The characters Pavol and Matej are a highlight of the game, with some reviewers wishing for more adventures with them. Also, players should avoid hoarding items and coins, as the game provides more than enough resources to complete it.
- The game is best experienced with Slovak subtitles or if you understand the Slovak language, as it enhances the humor and overall experience.
Miscellaneous:
- The game is a JRPG set in 15th-century Slovakia (specifically the Felvidek region of the Kingdom of Hungary), a unique setting that heavily influences the game's narrative, themes, and cultural elements. It incorporates historical events, figures, and conflicts from the region, including Hussite raids and Ottoman influences, providing a distinct Central-Eastern European vibe.
- The game utilizes a stylized form of Early Modern English in its dialogue, which can be challenging but adds to the immersive medieval atmosphere. It also authentically portrays the medieval Catholic worldview, offering a refreshing perspective rarely seen in modern media.
- The game's plot heavily revolves around coffee, even going so far as to present an origin story for coffee in 15th century Slovakia. This quirky element adds to the game's overall weirdness and charm.
- The game's humor and historical/cultural references may be difficult for some players to understand, potentially hindering their enjoyment. The use of archaic language and dialect, while adding to the atmosphere, can also pose a barrier to comprehension.
