Info about Aveyond 4: Shadow of the Mist:

Official game description:
  
Boyle Wolfbane wanted to rule the world. He failed. Miserably. Forced into retirement early, Boyle now spends his days arguing with haunted trees and scaring off the occasional knight. At least he still has Fang, his loyal storm wolf. Things could be worse. He could have been born a hero.  
Features include a sophisticated battle and menu system. There are also many things to squash, burn, and collect. And… You. Will. Laugh. (Unless you are a zombie, in which case, we cannot help you.)  
**Features**  
*   Recruit minions to aid you in your quest  
*   Collect magical cheekis along your journey  
*   Offer your skills to become part of a night watch  
*   Join a coven and expand your horizons  
*   Transform friends into creatures  
*   Discover the locations and purpose of mist portals

Release date: Feb 1, 2016

Categories: RPG Maker Engine, Turn-based RPG, Classic RPG style, Story Rich, Humor, Retro Pixel Art Style, JRPG

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: TIER 4: The Tourist; summary: The reviews focus on external guide dependency for navigation and technical glitches when minimizing the game to consult Google or a strategy guide. There are no explicit mentions of farming, drop rates, loot tables, inventory management, crafting requirements, quest outcomes, builds, secrets, or complex mechanics. Under the strict scoring priority, the audit defaults to Tier 4: The Tourist.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.99 - $14.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews show strong fan support for paying full price, and one reviewer explicitly treats full-price value as acceptable when it works out to about $1 per hour of gameplay. However, another reviewer rejects the 15 euro price point and recommends waiting for a sale, where only a few dollars feels appropriate. This suggests the community fair base-game range is below the criticized 15 euro level but still close to the current $14.99, clustering around $10 to $15.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 40.0h
  - Story completion: 20.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Full-completion reports cluster around 35-40 hours, with one quote explicitly saying it takes about 40 hours to complete fully and another translated review estimating 35-40 hours for all missions; I use 40 as the practical full-completion estimate. The '20 hour RPG that takes 40 hours' quote separates the main story experience from completionist play, supporting a storyCompletion value of about 20 hours. The 'couple of hours' quote supports a typical sessionLength of about 2 hours, and the save-anywhere design mentioned elsewhere is consistent with short, interruptible sessions. No separate post-game or endgame duration is reported, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reports cluster around strong initial enjoyment that fades into boredom, repetition, and tedium as the game progresses, especially past the midpoint. A minority of players find the battles, humor, and side quests enjoyable throughout.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Heavy backtracking and walking between locations; Slow movement with no late-game teleportation between cities; Slow character power progression; Annoying fetch quests that bog down the plot; Unclear direction and weak guidance; Endgame gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious
  - Unlock drivers: Mist portals reduce walking back and forth between locations; Hidden-entrance helper saves time and clicks searching every wall
  - Conditions: Tolerance for backtracking and walking affects enjoyment; Intuitive, non-tedious battles support early enjoyment; Full-length playtime is valued over short games; Side quests and secret locations sustain interest; Pacing past the midpoint determines whether players continue
- Player Archetypes:
  - Aveyond Series Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Continuing and revisiting the Aveyond franchise for nostalgia, familiarity, and series improvement.
    - Playstyle: Plays through multiple Aveyond entries, compares them, and replays favorites; expects old-school RPG structure.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Aveyond fan
    - Reference games: Aveyond: Lord of Twilight; Aveyond: Gates of Night; Aveyond: The Lost Orb; Aveyond: The Darkthrop Prophecy
  - Old-School Turn-Based RPG Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Reliving classic RPG feel through turn-based combat, top-down exploration, and RPG Maker style.
    - Playstyle: Plays traditional top-down, turn-based RPGs and compares them to genre classics; values story-driven progression.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Pokemon; Zelda; Final Fantasy 1-7; Cthulhu Saves the World
  - Newcomer and Casual Time-Constrained Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Accessible entry into Aveyond with flexible saves, low grind, and balanced difficulty for interrupted play.
    - Playstyle: Starts with Aveyond 4 without prior series knowledge, plays in short sessions, saves often, and uses easy or normal settings to avoid grinding.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Humor and Story-Driven RPG Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying quirky humor, character banter, and a strong narrative more than mechanical challenge.
    - Playstyle: Follows dialogue and character interactions closely in a turn-based RPG; values fun story and comedy over serious or grind-heavy play.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Hilarious and witty dialogue (weight 0.43): Players frequently highlight the humorous, unique, and engaging conversations. The dialogue is described as funny, tongue-in-cheek, and a major source of enjoyment.
- Engaging and likable characters (weight 0.4): The characters are widely praised as engaging, likable, and interesting. Many players find them a key strength of the game.
- Fun and charming story (weight 0.4): The storyline is described as funny, captivating, and full of charm. It keeps players engaged and wanting to continue.
- Plenty of quests and sidequests (weight 0.28): The game offers many quests and side quests, providing lots of content. Side quests are generally considered fun and interesting.
- Easter eggs and throwbacks (weight 0.28): There are numerous references and callbacks to previous Aveyond games. These easter eggs delight players familiar with the series.
- Standout Aveyond series entry (weight 0.18): For many players, this is the favorite or best game in the Aveyond series. It is highly regarded among fans of the franchise.
- Classic RPG with humor (weight 0.18): The game is a throwback RPG that blends rich storytelling and humor with classic RPG elements. It offers a nostalgic and enjoyable experience.
- Accessible for newcomers (weight 0.18): The game can be enjoyed without having played previous Aveyond titles. It stands on its own while still appealing to series veterans.
- Overall enjoyable experience (weight 0.14): Players generally report high enjoyment and satisfaction with the game. It is consistently described as very enjoyable.
- Improved graphics and animation (weight 0.14): The game features better graphics and animation compared to earlier entries. This enhancement contributes to a more polished experience.
- Multiple endings and choices (weight 0.14): The game includes multiple endings based on player decisions. This adds replay value and narrative branching.

Common complaints:
- Maps Are Maze-Like and Confusing (weight 0.53): Maps are described as poorly designed, overly large, and maze-like, making navigation frustrating and confusing. Many players feel the world map is small and cramped yet still complicated, with frequent disorientation.
- Excessive Backtracking and Walking (weight 0.46): A recurring complaint is the tedious amount of walking back and forth, often through large, maze-like areas with slow movement and no way to speed up. This makes exploration feel like a chore rather than engaging gameplay.
- Combat Lacks Depth and Balance (weight 0.43): Combat is criticized as lackluster with unbalanced moves, repetitive strategies, and sudden difficulty spikes. Some moves are never used, and RNG can cause unfair losses.
- Story Starts Strong, Falters Later (weight 0.42): The narrative begins well but loses focus and quality midway, with many finding it hard to stay engaged. The plot becomes scattered, bogged down by fetch quests, and lacks a satisfying climax.
- Lack of In-Game Maps and Guidance (weight 0.41): Players are frustrated by the absence of maps and minimal in-game help, often resorting to online guides. This exacerbates confusion and makes progression feel like wandering.
- Technical Glitches and Bugs (weight 0.38): Players encounter various bugs, including freezes, sound glitches, and quest-breaking issues. Some bugs persist even after reinstalling, hindering progress.
- Fast Travel Is Inadequate (weight 0.37): The fast travel system is criticized as slow and inconvenient, often requiring physically traversing maps to reach destinations. Portals, ferries, and ships don't significantly reduce travel time, leading to continued tedium.
- Grinding and Repetitive Gameplay (weight 0.28): The game becomes tedious due to excessive grinding, especially in the latter half, and repetitive combat or quests. Many find it boring and overly long for its content.
- Character and Party Development Issues (weight 0.27): Characters are considered bland and less lovable than in previous games, with some feeling underdeveloped or shoved into the background. The party takes too long to assemble, and character interactions are lacking.
- Disappointing Audio and Visuals (weight 0.27): The music and sound effects are considered bad or annoying, with weird battle sounds and footsteps. Character portraits and sprites are criticized as low quality or mismatched.
- Quests Feel Convoluted and Fetchy (weight 0.26): Quests often involve excessive back-and-forth and are poorly explained, with many irrelevant main quests required to proceed. This makes the game feel padded.
- Interface and Settings Issues (weight 0.26): The menu system differs from other Aveyond games and is confusing, with no number displays on health/mana bars and an unappealing layout. Controls cannot be remapped, and sound cannot be fully disabled.
- Slow Movement Speed Unchangeable (weight 0.25): Players complain that movement speed is fixed and slow, with no sprint option or speed-increasing items like boots. This exacerbates backtracking and makes large areas painful to traverse.
- Poor Economy and Loot Balance (weight 0.24): Gold rewards are pitiful and gear is expensive, making it hard to afford upgrades. Side quests often give useless rewards and no experience, while gear importance is downplayed.
- Difficulty Spikes at End Game (weight 0.2): The final areas suddenly ramp up in difficulty with overpowered enemies and bosses, disproportionately harder than the rest of the game. This abrupt change frustrates players.
- Ending Feels Rushed and Weak (weight 0.19): Players report the ending is abrupt and leaves a 'that's it?' feeling, with the story wrapping up weakly after a strong start. The conclusion is widely described as a letdown.
- Little Replay Value (weight 0.15): The game is short and lacks replay value, with few surprises compared to older Aveyond titles. It doesn't feel like a proper Aveyond game to some veterans.
- Puzzles Are Unintuitive and Frustrating (weight 0.14): Many puzzles are described as obtuse and not intuitive, often requiring outside help. A particularly infuriating puzzle section is noted in the middle of the game.
- Screen and Performance Issues (weight 0.12): There are only two screen sizes, with full screen stretching on widescreen and no scaling option. Character rotation in 90-degree chunks adds lag, and mouse controls cause hand pain.
- Unskippable Long Intro Sequence (weight 0.1): The intro is long and interactive, requiring pressing enter after every line, with no way to skip it. This is tedious for players who want to start playing quickly.

Gameplay feedback:
- Extensive sidequest content (weight 0.26): The game includes many side quests, including multipart and unmarked quests. There is a large number of side quests available, and some quests are composed of smaller quests.
- Backtracking required (weight 0.22): Players must backtrack between locations and revisit old areas frequently. There is no fast travel or quick teleport system, making backtracking a significant part of the experience.
- Unique character playstyles (weight 0.21): Each playable character has distinct mechanics, fighting styles, and skill sets obtained in different ways. The game features six characters with unique gameplay and abilities.
- Retro RPG genre (weight 0.2): The game is consistently described as a role-playing game with old-school or classic RPG elements and a retro style. This defines the core genre and target audience.
- Turn-based combat with puzzles (weight 0.2): Combat is turn-based, and the game includes graphical adventure elements such as quests and puzzles. This blend of mechanics defines the gameplay loop.
- Villain protagonist and community (weight 0.15): The main character is a retired supervillain, and there is a supervillain retirement community. Players take on the role of a villain rather than a hero.
- Classic linear RPG storyline (weight 0.15): The game features a classic RPG storyline that is very linear. The main story follows a traditional structure.
- RPG Maker engine style (weight 0.12): The game is made with RPG Maker or features classic JRPG mechanics and visuals reminiscent of RPG Maker. This influences the look and feel of the game.
- Humorous top-down RPG (weight 0.09): The game is a humorous, top-down, turn-based RPG with a sarcastic sense of humor. The tone is lighthearted and comedic.
- World map exploration (weight 0.08): The game includes a world map with continents and islands. This allows for navigation across different areas.
- Difficulty settings available (weight 0.08): The game offers difficulty settings, including a hard mode. Players can adjust the challenge to their preference.
- Goodie caves and item finder (weight 0.08): There are goodie caves to discover, and an item exists that helps find them. This encourages exploration and collection.
- Romance options in party (weight 0.08): The game includes romance options within the party. Players can pursue romantic relationships with certain characters.

Performance notes:
- Audio settings fail to persist (weight 0.1): Audio settings do not persist or apply, forcing music and sound effects despite being disabled. The audio slider for sound does not work.
- Music cuts out after combat (weight 0.06): Sound glitches where music cuts out, often after combat, and the only way to bring it back is to exit the area and return. This disrupts immersion.
- Character rotation lag in chunks (weight 0.06): Character rotation in 90-degree chunks adds several frames of lag, making movement feel unresponsive and choppy.
- Limited screen size options (weight 0.06): Only two screen sizes are available; full screen stretches for widescreen displays, causing distorted visuals on modern monitors.
- Controller support with analog stick (weight 0.05): Plays well on an Xbox One controller, though must use analog stick instead of D-pad. This is a minor limitation for some players.

Recommendations:
- Strong General Recommendation (weight 0.48): A large number of reviews simply recommend the game with high praise, often without detailed reasoning. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.
- Franchise Fans Will Enjoy (weight 0.47): Many reviewers specifically recommend the game to those who have played and enjoyed other Aveyond titles. Familiarity with the series is a strong predictor of enjoyment.
- Great Starting Point (weight 0.27): Several reviews suggest that this game is a good entry point for newcomers to the Aveyond series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone without prior experience.
- Good Value and Worth It (weight 0.25): Many reviewers consider the game worth its price, especially for fans of the genre or series. Some suggest waiting for a sale to get the best deal.
- Humorous and Story-Driven (weight 0.23): The game's humor and engaging story are frequently praised. It is recommended for those who appreciate witty dialogue and narrative-focused RPGs.
- RPG Maker Fans Targeted (weight 0.2): The game is particularly recommended for players who already enjoy RPG Maker games. Those familiar with the engine will find it appealing.
- Nostalgia for Series Veterans (weight 0.16): Long-time fans appreciate the nostalgic elements and character recognition. The game evokes fond memories of earlier titles in the series.
- Mixed Feelings on Quality (weight 0.14): A few reviews express disappointment, calling the game bland, boring, or a parody of the series. Some feel it doesn't live up to the epic fantasy expectations.
- Refreshing Retro Experience (weight 0.14): Some players describe the game as a fun throwback or a breath of fresh air in the retro RPG genre. It offers a lighthearted alternative to more serious RPGs.
- Turn-Based RPG Appeal (weight 0.14): Reviewers highlight the turn-based combat and classic RPG mechanics as a major draw. Fans of the genre are likely to enjoy the experience.
- Not for Everyone (weight 0.08): The game is explicitly not recommended for those seeking intense action, gore, or fast-paced gameplay. It also may not appeal to players who dislike RPG Maker or English text.
- Comparisons to Other RPGs (weight 0.08): Some reviewers compare the game favorably to classic RPGs like Final Fantasy 1-7 and Cthulhu Saves the World. It appeals to fans of those titles.
- Developer Criticism (weight 0.06): A few negative reviews express strong dissatisfaction and state they will not buy from the developer again. This is a niche but serious complaint.
- Fun and Replayable (weight 0.05): Reviewers mention high replay value and overall fun factor. The game is described as truly enjoyable and worth multiple playthroughs.
- Demo Recommended (weight 0.04): One review suggests trying the demo to get an accurate feel for the gameplay. This can help undecided players make a decision.
- Innocent Wonder and Happiness (weight 0.04): A single review recommends the game for those seeking to recover a sense of innocent wonder and happiness. It offers a wholesome experience.
- Overall Rating 6/10 (weight 0.04): One reviewer gives a moderate overall rating of 6/10 based on satisfaction. This suggests a mixed but generally positive experience.
- Anticipation for Next Installment (weight 0.04): Some players look forward to the next game in the series. This indicates a strong ongoing interest in the franchise.

Other player notes:
- Long playtime reported (weight 0.51): Multiple reviewers report playtimes of 20 to 70 hours, with many completing the game in 25-40 hours. This indicates substantial content and replay value.
- Part of Aveyond series (weight 0.4): The game is clearly identified as the fourth entry in the Aveyond series, and many reviewers are longtime fans. It connects to previous games through references and shared universe.
- Standalone but connected story (weight 0.28): While part of a series, the game can be played independently with little overlap to previous stories. Playing earlier games is recommended for full context and to avoid spoilers.
- Comparison to earlier Aveyond games (weight 0.28): Reviewers compare this game to earlier entries, noting a smaller world map and less open travel. Some prefer earlier games, while others praise this one as smoother and less grindy.
- Comparisons to classic RPGs (weight 0.27): Reviewers compare it to classic RPGs like Zelda, Final Fantasy, Secret of Mana, and old Square Soft games. It is praised for its strong story and fun sidequests.
- Developed by Amaranth Games (weight 0.24): Amaranth Games developed this title, consistent with earlier Aveyond games. Fans of the developer appreciate the continuity.
- Maps and navigation criticized (weight 0.24): Some reviewers found the maps poorly designed, confusing, or non-existent, making travel difficult. This was a source of frustration and led some to give up on earlier games.
- Help and guides availability (weight 0.22): A strategy guide is available as DLC, but some found it less helpful than forums. Free online guides and developer website resources exist, though help can be hard to find.
- Unique story and setting (weight 0.21): The story follows a retired villain, Boyle The Horrible, in a dark spooky community. It has a spooky funny tone and is a break from previous entries.
- Purchased on Aveyond website (weight 0.2): Several reviewers bought the game directly from aveyond.com, the developer's site. This distribution channel was important for early adopters.
- Free Steam key for early buyers (weight 0.2): Those who purchased the game at original release on the developer's site received a free Steam key upon its Steam launch. This was appreciated by loyal customers.
- Replay value with choices (weight 0.17): Choices affect interactions and battle skills, and side quests add replay value. Some reviewers played through twice to see different outcomes.
- Retro pixel art style (weight 0.16): The game uses a nostalgic 8-bit or pixel art style, though some note less pixels and different graphics from before. It appeals to fans of retro RPGs.
- Purchase methods and sales (weight 0.15): Reviewers bought the game at full price, during sales, or as part of bundles. The distribution includes the developer's site and Steam.
- Highly addictive and favorite (weight 0.14): Some reviewers find the game highly addictive and consider it their favorite Aveyond game. It is rated highly and stands out in the series.
- Developer support and community (weight 0.13): Support is available through the Aveyond Forum, and developers have addressed issues like missing skills. The community provides help and answers.
- Availability on Steam (weight 0.13): The game is available on Steam, but some earlier Aveyond games are not. This affects accessibility for new players.
- Character art and music praised (weight 0.1): The game features detailed character art portraits for emotions and memorable music tracks in specific locations. These elements enhance the overall experience.
- Tactical combat praised (weight 0.06): Combat is described as dangerous and tactical, adding challenge to the experience. This is a positive aspect noted by reviewers.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.25): Players enjoy the game's humorous storyline, quirky characters, and fun gameplay. The unique villain protagonist, clever dialogue, and rich mechanics contribute to an entertaining experience. The overall lighthearted tone and engaging quests make it a delightful RPG.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Frustration stems from excessive backtracking, maze-like maps without proper navigation aids, and technical issues like glitches and softlocks. Unbalanced combat and sudden difficulty spikes further aggravate players. These design flaws make progression tedious and often require external help.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment arises from a lackluster story, bland characters, and a rushed ending that fails to meet the standards of previous games in the series. Slow pacing, boring fetch quests, and technical problems like missing skills also detract from the experience.
- Love (weight 0.08): Players love the game for its humor, charming characters, and engaging turn-based combat. The Aveyond series holds a special place in their hearts, and this installment delivers a beloved RPG experience with witty writing and a compelling world.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from the game meeting or exceeding expectations, offering dozens of hours of enjoyable content. Consistent quest progress, efficient backtracking, and a fulfilling old-school RPG experience make it worth the time and money.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the developer's passion, the game's art style, character development, and innovative features like the changed battle system. The humor and plot compensate for slow travel, and the handling of heroes and villains adds depth.
- Amusement (weight 0.05): Amusement is derived from the hilarious dialogue, witty banter between characters, and callbacks to earlier games. The silly paladins and villain-turned-hero concept provide plenty of laughs throughout the story.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is fueled by the game's release on Steam, discovering new areas and side quests, and anticipating future installments. References to other games and being hooked early on also contribute to the thrill.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia is evoked by references to previous Aveyond games, including battle music and returning characters. Playing the series years ago and seeing it as a milestone through life changes creates a strong sentimental connection.
- Happiness (weight 0.03): Happiness comes from recognizing characters from other games, finding the game on Steam, and recovering a sense of innocent wonder. Small in-game touches like a suggested subtitle also bring joy.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by the inability to turn off music and sound effects, an unskippable long intro requiring constant input, and repetitive footstep sounds. These audio and interface issues detract from the experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom sets in during the latter half of the game due to repetitive gameplay and tedious backtracking. Confusing quests further reduce engagement, making the experience feel like a chore.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.01): Mild frustration arises from an inefficient fast travel system and the lack of fast walking boots. The early game involves a lot of walking back and forth, which can be tedious.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for excellent developer support, including fixing saved games and providing free Steam keys. This positive interaction enhances the overall player experience.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is found in the abundance of quests and activities to discover and complete. The variety of things to do keeps players engaged and entertained.
- Exasperation (weight 0.01): Exasperation is caused by the constant need to walk back and forth, which becomes tiresome. This repetitive movement detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness stems from the contrast between great storytelling and fun characters and the poor map design that ruins the experience. The potential is overshadowed by frustrating navigation issues.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Delight is brought about by the game's comedic tone, witty plot, and funny dialogue. The humorous writing and enjoyable gameplay create a charming and entertaining experience.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt upon finishing the game, likely due to its length or challenging sections. Completing the journey provides a sense of accomplishment.
- Tedium (weight 0.01): Tedium is caused by the repetitive act of walking back and forth. This monotonous movement makes the game feel drawn out and unengaging.}