Entropy Review Summary

Excellent worldbuilding, combat, and art direction with high-stakes permadeath, but early access content is too short, camera controls are problematic, and hard mode lacks real challenge.

Worldbuilding is excellent: The worldbuilding is highlighted as sublime and exceptional, with interesting lore and atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the immersive and unique setting, often comparing it favorably to Dread Delusion.

Game is enjoyable: Many reviewers express that the game is really good, fun, and a pleasant surprise. It is seen as a gem with solid bones and a fantastic experience so far, with high potential noted.

Combat is praised: Reviewers consistently praise the combat system for being punchy, snappy, and fun with old school appeal. It is described as straightforward yet deep, with tactical elements like limb cutting and a party system.

Art direction admired: The art direction and aesthetic are widely praised for being beautiful and fitting the grim dark fantasy setting. The grotesque yet absurdly beautiful style is a big highlight for players.

Mechanics are liked: The mechanics are generally liked, with many interesting features such as party assembly, first-person view, and modern conveniences. The leveling system and build variety are also positive points.

Early access too short: Multiple reviewers note that the early access content is disappointingly short and unbalanced, with only one act available. This limits the overall experience and leaves players wanting more.

Camera controls problematic: Camera controls are inconsistent, with inverted axes, jarring angle changes, and wonky behavior on rails. This affects player comfort and can cause disorientation.

Hard mode not challenging: Players report that the hardest difficulty is not very hard, with combat feeling somewhat easy. This reduces the sense of challenge and replayability for experienced players.

Final boss difficulty spike: The act 1 ending boss presents a massive difficulty spike, requiring significant grinding to overcome. This creates frustration and disrupts the pacing of the game.

Lack of localization: Players request Russian and Portuguese (PT-BR) language support, noting that the game would be practically perfect with Portuguese localization. This limits accessibility for non-English speakers.

Turn-based tactical RPG: Players describe the game as a turn-based tactical RPG with classic mechanics like front and back rows, ranged and melee combat, and similarities to Dragon Quest V and Metaphor Refantazio. This indicates a familiar yet engaging combat system that appeals to fans of the genre.

Permadeath with high stakes: The game features permanent character death, making battles intense and units valuable. This mechanic is compared to Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, and players note that party members are often treated as expendable resources.

World map with random events: The world map includes random enemy encounters and random events, similar to E33. Exploration is encouraged, with players advised to check suspicious areas and dark places for hidden content.

Hard intended difficulty: The intended difficulty is hard, with combat remaining high-stakes until characters max out a combat skill. This suggests a challenging experience that rewards progression and careful strategy.

Class-based companion system: Players can recruit companions with distinct classes like Tank, Rogue, Anchor Caster, and Shaper Caster. The active party can include up to six members, with reserves available at an additional cost.

Strong overall recommendation: Players widely endorse the game, describing it as worth buying, highly recommended, and well worth its price. Clusters 1, 7, 9, and 15 collectively indicate a high level of satisfaction among reviewers.

Recommended for Dread Delusion fans: Multiple reviewers specifically recommend the game to fans of Dread Delusion, stating they will love it, though one reviewer dissents. Clusters 2 and 6 capture the positive sentiment, while Cluster 10 shows a contrasting opinion.

Early access caution advised: Some reviewers warn about the early access state, suggesting waiting until more content is developed and noting that only one act is currently available. Clusters 11, 12, and 13 advise patience for those concerned about incomplete content.

Great for dark fantasy RPG fans: The game is highly recommended for enthusiasts of dark fantasy RPGs with lethal turn-based combat and grimdark turn-based tactics, where character death or maiming is routine. Clusters 16 and 18 highlight this appeal.

Suitable for episodic content consumption: The game is recommended for those comfortable with receiving chapters incrementally, and trying the demo is suggested for hesitant players. Clusters 14 and 4 emphasize this flexible approach to early access.

Game completion: 5.0h.

Story completion: 5.0h.

Endgame: 2.0h.

The game is enjoyable initially with good pacing and exploration, but a severe difficulty spike at the act 1 boss turns the experience into a slog, causing a drop in fun. A gameplay change from the developer's previous title is also off-putting.

Friction: change in gameplay is off-putting.

Old-School Turn-Based Enthusiast: Tactical turn-based combat, willing to grind, enjoys party management. Motivation: Nostalgia and appreciation for old-school turn-based RPG design with modern conveniences. Stance: buy.

Worldbuilding & Atmosphere Devotee: Story-focused exploration, enjoying the setting and characters. Motivation: Immersion in a well-crafted dark fantasy world with rich lore and atmospheric audio. Stance: buy.

Grind-Averse Difficulty Critic: Grind-heavy play due to difficulty walls, possibly completionist. Motivation: Seeking a balanced challenge without excessive grinding. Stance: no buy.

Comparison to Dread Delusion: Many reviewers compare the game to Dread Delusion, a previous title by the same developer, sharing a similar aesthetic and vibe. Some call it a hidden gem in the same style, while others note it is a different style with a similar aesthetic.

Early access limits content: The game is currently in early access with only Act 1 available, though more acts are planned. Reviewers note the final boss is present but the experience is currently short, with some mentioning it can be completed in a few hours.

Inspired by classic RPGs: The game draws comparisons to classic Final Fantasy titles (including Final Fantasy 9) and other RPGs like Dragon Quest 5, plus tactical games like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics. These comparisons suggest a blend of traditional JRPG storytelling and tactical elements.

Unique genre blend: Reviewers compare the game to a variety of titles including XCOM, Kenshi, Battle Brothers, Lisa: The Painful, and CRPGs, indicating a unique mix of genres. This array of references points to innovative gameplay mechanics.

Art by Artyom Trakhanov: Reviewers specifically highlight that the art is by Artyom Trakhanov, contributing to the signature art direction seen in Lovely Hellplace's games. The distinctive visual style is a notable positive point.