Info about Griftlands: Official game description: _Griftlands_ is a deck-building rogue-like where you fight and negotiate your way through a broken-down sci-fi world. Every decision is important, be it the jobs you take, the friends you make, or the cards you collect. Death comes quickly, but each play offers new situations and strategies to explore. Play as Sal, Rook, or Smith. Three unique character campaigns with their own specialized decks, abilities and maps to explore. Sal is an adventurer out for profit and revenge. Rook is an aging spy working his own agenda. Smith is an idle loafer who might just save the world. Each playable character's story takes place in a unique environment, with different factions and locations to explore and exploit. Battle Challenging Bosses ------------------------- Test your combat decks against powerful foes with unique mechanics and attacks. Build a Team - or Buy One! -------------------------- Hire mercenaries, find pets, or impose upon your friends to accomplish your goals. Master Hundreds of Cards ------------------------ Each character has unique negotiation and combat decks to draft from. Get powerful item cards from fallen foes, or as rewards. Decisions Matter ---------------- Killing foes may incur the wrath of their friends, but sparing them leaves a dangerous piece on the board. Choose wisely, everyone remembers everything you do! Welcome to Havaria ------------------ Each playable character's story takes place in a unique environment, with different factions and locations to explore and exploit. Explore A Broken-Down Sci-Fi World ---------------------------------- The world of Havaria is a harsh place, full of harsher denizens. Explore lush, hand-illustrated environments full of people who want to kill you. Playing Politics For Keeps -------------------------- Each character has a factional allegiance and an opinion of you. Play politics between rivals, and try to capture the most powerful social boons. But watch out -- doublecross the wrong person, and you'll be subject to their bane! Outwit or Overpower ------------------- Overcome obstacles with the power of your fists - or your words. You'll need to pick your cards and play them right if you're going to survive. Build two decks simultaneously, balancing the tradeoffs of each. Learn from each attempted run through the various stories of the Griftlands. Encounter different combinations of enemies, quests, and events every time you play. Your fate is determined by your choices, and by fate. Release date: Jun 1, 2021 Categories: Deckbuilding, Roguelike, Narrative-driven Gameplay, Character-based Gameplay, Choice-based Narrative, Turn-based Combat, Card-based Gameplay, Single-player Feature scans: - Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game has excellent native Linux support and runs well on Steam Deck with minimal requirements and good gamepad control compatibility. Users report a smooth experience with no notable issues. - Steam Deck: score 30; verdict: Good with Minor Issues; summary: The overall experience of the game on Steam Deck is largely positive, with users praising its native Linux support and good performance. However, there are notable stability issues reported by some users, which significantly impact the user experience. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $12.00 - $20.00 - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users find the game worth purchasing at a sale price of around $12. Additionally, multiple reviews mention that the game is worth its full price, indicating that the perceived value is high even without a discount. This suggests that the community considers the fair base-game price range to be around the sale price they are happy with, up to the full price they still find acceptable. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: 25.0h - Story completion: 5.5h - Session length: 4.0h - Endgame: N/A - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple data points regarding the time it takes to complete the game and its campaigns. One user explicitly states they got 25+ hours of playtime, which suggests a high level of engagement and potentially multiple playthroughs. Another user mentions that successful runs take around 3-5 hours, indicating the time for a single session or attempt. Additionally, it is noted that each story takes around 5-6 hours to complete, which aligns with the game completion time. Finally, a user mentions finishing campaigns for two characters in 8 hours and anticipates playing for 10-20 more hours, suggesting a total playtime of up to 28 hours for full completion. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: Griftlands has an initial learning curve and complexity that can be a barrier to immediate fun, but once players understand the mechanics and synergies, the game becomes engaging and addictive. - Stance: Clicks after - Anchor: Understanding the synergies and mechanics - Time to anchor: 1h 0m - Friction: Considerable learning curve; Complexity of mechanics; Repetitive dialogue; Mandatory filler loops - Unlock drivers: Comprehensive tutorial; Forgiving early runs; Intuitive UI; Engaging gameplay design - Conditions: Patience to learn mechanics; Appreciation for card-based mechanics; Interest in meaningful storytelling; Willingness to experiment with different builds - Player Archetypes: - Strategic Negotiator (buy) - Motivation: Strategic depth and unique mechanics - Playstyle: Uses negotiation mechanics to avoid combat and gain advantages. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: strategist; RPG fan - Reference games: Slay the Spire - Narrative-Driven Card Gamer (buy) - Motivation: Engaging story and unique setting - Playstyle: Enjoys the story and setting as much as the gameplay. - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: story lover; sci-fi fan - Reference games: Slay the Spire; Hearthstone - Genre Veteran (buy) - Motivation: Creative gameplay and storytelling - Playstyle: Experienced with the genre, enjoys creative and story-driven gameplay. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: veteran gamer; genre enthusiast - Reference games: Slay the Spire; Magic: The Gathering; Hearthstone - Deckbuilding Enthusiast (buy) - Motivation: Deckbuilding and strategic challenge - Playstyle: Enjoys building decks and tailoring the gaming experience to their preference. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: deckbuilder; strategy gamer - Reference games: Slay the Spire 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: - Unique and engaging deck-building mechanics (weight 0.33): The game is praised for its unique and engaging deck-building mechanics, which blend various genres including card battler, roguelite, and RPG. Players appreciate the depth and attention to detail in the deck-building system. - Addictive and varied gameplay (weight 0.27): The gameplay is described as addictive and fun, with a variety of mechanics that keep players engaged. The gameplay loop is well-crafted and interesting, contributing to the game's overall appeal. - Beautiful and unique art style (weight 0.26): The game features a visually appealing and unique cartoon art style. Players find the graphics attractive and pleasant, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the game. - High overall game quality (weight 0.23): The game is generally well-received, with players describing it as great, amazing, and very enjoyable. It is seen as a well-made game with high overall quality. - Dual deck mechanics for combat and negotiation (weight 0.2): The game features two distinct card decks for combat and negotiation, adding a layer of strategy and variety to the gameplay. - Excellent and well-written dialogue (weight 0.18): The game is praised for its excellent and well-written dialogue, which includes rich dialogue branches and interesting character interactions. - Rich narrative and character development (weight 0.17): The game features a rich narrative and complex character development, with a focus on story and character relationships. - Unique character storylines (weight 0.16): Each character in the game has a different story, providing unique narratives and gameplay experiences for players to enjoy. - Three unique characters with distinct campaigns (weight 0.15): The game offers three unique characters, each with their own story, map, and gameplay focus. This adds variety and replayability to the game. - Underrated roguelike deckbuilder (weight 0.15): The game is considered an underrated roguelike deckbuilder, recommended for fans of the genre. It is praised for its story-driven gameplay and unique mechanics. - Blends multiple genres effectively (weight 0.14): The game is praised for its unique blend of RPG mechanics, visual novel storytelling, and deck-building roguelike gameplay, creating a fresh and innovative experience. - High replay value and learning curve (weight 0.13): The game offers a lot of replay value, with a learning curve that allows players to unlock new cards and mechanics. It is accessible to both new and experienced players. - Strategic negotiation and combat mechanics (weight 0.13): The game features strategic negotiation and combat mechanics, allowing players to choose between negotiation and fighting to solve problems. - Great sound design and atmosphere (weight 0.13): The game's sound design and music are highlighted as standout features, contributing to a great atmosphere. - Choices and relationships matter (weight 0.11): The game emphasizes the importance of choices and relationships, with decisions affecting opinions, buffs, debuffs, and overall gameplay. Common complaints: - Story is weak and boring (weight 0.18): The story is criticized for being boring, tedious, simple, rushed, and not interesting. Players feel it is a significant drawback. - Lack of updates and DLC (weight 0.16): Players are disappointed with the lack of updates, optimizations, and additional content like DLCs, indicating a desire for more developer engagement. - Combat feels tedious and unbalanced (weight 0.14): The combat system is criticized for being tedious, poorly balanced, and not particularly outstanding, leading to a less enjoyable experience. - Gameplay is repetitive and monotonous (weight 0.12): Players find the gameplay to be repetitive and monotonous, which can lead to a lack of long-term engagement. - Translation and localization issues (weight 0.1): There are notable translation issues, particularly with French and Russian localizations, affecting the overall experience. - Game is too short (weight 0.09): Players feel that the game length is relatively short, leading to a less satisfying experience. - Card pool lacks depth (weight 0.09): The card pool and upgrade paths are criticized for lacking depth, which affects the strategic aspects of the game. - Long and tiring gameplay sessions (weight 0.09): Game sessions are described as too long and tiring, which can be a deterrent for some players. - Deck-building mechanics are shallow (weight 0.07): The deck-building mechanics are criticized for being unsatisfactory and shallow. - High and unrewarding difficulty (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for being very difficult and having an unrewarding difficulty curve. - Negotiation system needs improvement (weight 0.07): The negotiation system is seen as oppressive, overloaded, and in need of more development. - Lacks central narrative and replayability (weight 0.06): The game is criticized for lacking a central narrative and replayability, making it less engaging. - Repetitive and annoying dialogues (weight 0.05): The dialogues are criticized for being repetitive, sometimes annoying, and often useless. - Unappealing art style (weight 0.04): The particular sci-fi graphic style might not appeal to everyone, affecting the overall experience. - Lack of voice acting and NPC depth (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for lacking voice acting and depth in NPCs, leading to a less immersive experience. - Multiple layers of RNG (weight 0.04): The game features multiple layers of RNG elements, which can be insignificant or impactful. - Too much happening at once (weight 0.04): Players feel that the game tries to do too much at once, leading to an overwhelming experience. - Predictable story with insignificant choices (weight 0.04): The story is somewhat predictable, and choices don't really matter as the story culminates in the same ending. - Diplomacy system is underdeveloped (weight 0.04): The diplomacy system is not particularly fleshed out and feels three quarters baked. Gameplay feedback: - Dual deck mechanics (weight 0.6): The game features a dual deck-building system where players manage two separate decks for combat and negotiation. This mechanic is central to the gameplay, allowing players to strategize and adapt to different situations. - Story-driven gameplay (weight 0.4): The game features a rich story mode with text-based storylines and character-driven narratives. Players can experience different storylines based on their choices and character selections. - High replayability (weight 0.29): The game offers high replay value due to its addictive gameplay, multiple characters with unique storylines, and branching narratives. Players can explore different paths and outcomes. - Deckbuilding strategies (weight 0.26): Players can engage in various deckbuilding strategies, enhancing the depth and complexity of the gameplay. This includes RPG elements integrated into the deckbuilding mechanics. - NPC relationship system (weight 0.2): The game features an NPC system with memory and emotional feedback, allowing players to build relationships with NPCs that affect gameplay. Performance notes: - Optimized for Steam Deck (weight 0.11): The game runs perfectly and is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, providing a great gaming experience on this platform. - Technical Excellence (weight 0.1): The game exhibits technical perfection and runs well across different platforms, including lower-end computers. - Lua Crash Issues (weight 0.03): Some players have reported experiencing crash issues related to Lua scripts. - Animation Quality (weight 0.03): The game features high-quality animations that enhance the overall gaming experience. Recommendations: - Recommended for deck-building fans (weight 0.23): The game is highly recommended for fans of deck-building games. It offers a rich and engaging experience for those who enjoy card-based mechanics and strategic depth. - Highly recommended game (weight 0.18): Many players strongly recommend this game, especially for fans of the genre. It is praised for its engaging gameplay and unique features. - Worth the price (weight 0.14): Players find the game worth its full price, especially when on sale. It offers good value for money and a satisfying gaming experience. - Recommended for roguelike fans (weight 0.12): The game is recommended for veterans and newcomers of roguelike and deckbuilder games. It provides a challenging and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. - Positive overall sentiment (weight 0.08): Players generally have a positive sentiment towards the game, praising its gameplay, affordability, and unique features. It is considered a good game overall. - Comparison to Slay the Spire (weight 0.08): The game is often compared to Slay the Spire, with some players preferring it over the latter. It is recommended for fans of Slay the Spire and similar games. - Unique gameplay and affordability (weight 0.08): The game is praised for its unique gameplay mechanics and affordability. It offers a fresh and engaging experience at a reasonable price. - Underrated and overlooked (weight 0.06): The game is considered an underrated gem and criminally overlooked. Players believe it deserves more attention and recognition. - Recommended for narrative goals (weight 0.05): The game is a must-play for those motivated by narrative goals. It offers a rich story and meaningful decision-making. - Good for casual play (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for playing during work breaks or as a distraction. It offers a good way to relax and enjoy a quick gaming session. - Wait for a sale (weight 0.05): Some players suggest waiting for a sale to purchase the game. This could be due to the game being slightly overpriced or not offering enough content at full price. - Recommended for sci-fi and card game fans (weight 0.03): The game is highly recommended for fans of card games and sci-fi worldbuilding. It offers a rich and immersive experience in a sci-fi setting. - Support the developers (weight 0.03): Players encourage supporting the developers due to the quality and effort put into the game. This highlights the game's positive reception and the developers' dedication. - Worth adding to library (weight 0.03): Players find the game worth adding to their library for its unique features and engaging gameplay. It is considered a valuable addition to any game collection. - Contender for deckbuilding roguelike crown (weight 0.03): The game is considered a strong contender for the deckbuilding roguelike crown. It offers a competitive and engaging experience in the genre. - Check external reviews (weight 0.03): Players recommend checking out external reviews, such as those by Indeimaus, for more details about the game. This suggests that additional insights can enhance the gaming experience. - Play in English (weight 0.03): It is recommended to play the game in English for the best experience. This could be due to better localization or more comprehensive content in English. - Consider mods for improvement (weight 0.03): Some players recommend playing with specific mods, such as the Force Awakening mod, to improve the hand feel and overall experience. Other player notes: - Detailed game instructions (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the detailed instructions provided for game settings and paths, suggesting a well-guided user experience. - First roguelike experience (weight 0.03): Several players noted that this was their first roguelike game, indicating a new audience for the genre. - Received game for free (weight 0.03): Some players mentioned that they received the game for free, which might influence their reviews. Emotions: - Enjoyment (weight 0.21): Players appreciate the engaging storyline, unique card mechanics, and the dual deck system. The game's art style, character development, and blend of roguelike elements with story-driven gameplay contribute to a fun and immersive experience. - Frustration (weight 0.18): Players are frustrated by the game's balance issues, high randomness in combat, and repetitive elements. Poor translations, lack of updates, and overly complex mechanics also contribute to this frustration. - Disappointment (weight 0.15): Players feel disappointed due to the lack of updates, shallow mechanics, and repetitive storylines. The game's lack of depth compared to other titles and the absence of significant developer support also contribute to this sentiment. - Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players are satisfied with the game's unique dual deck-building mechanics, engaging stories, and high replay value. The quality of music, voice acting, and animations, along with the game's flexibility and helpful tooltips, enhance the overall experience. - Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's innovative mechanics, engaging stories, and high replayability. The unique blend of RPG and card battler elements, along with the variety of builds and excellent writing, contribute to this excitement. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Players are enthusiastic about the game's unique dual-deck system, strategic depth, and high replayability. The engaging story and unique card mechanics, along with the game's overall high-quality experience, foster this enthusiasm. - Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's unique mechanics, innovative game design, and engaging storytelling. The art style, character design, and well-translated dialogue are also highly valued. - Excited (weight 0.03): Players are excited about the game's unique gameplay mechanics, innovative features, and engaging stories. The blend of RPG and card battler elements, along with the variety of builds and excellent writing, contribute to this excitement. - Joy (weight 0.03): Players experience joy from the game's unique card mechanics, engaging stories, and enjoyable gameplay. The visual style, dialogues, and the game's overall quality enhance this positive emotion. - Satisfied (weight 0.02): Players are satisfied with the game's enjoyable story and gameplay, as well as its engaging mechanics. The game's replayability, unique plot lines, and technical perfection contribute to this satisfaction. - Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are surprised by the game's high quality and depth. The game's ability to capture attention despite initial reservations and its dedication to lore contribute to this surprise. - Impressed (weight 0.02): Players are impressed by the game's smart and layered mechanics, as well as its art style, sound effects, and music. The game's evolution and refinement of concepts and mechanics also contribute to this impression. - Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's originality, innovation, and high-quality execution. The game's design and narrative, along with its unique mechanics, foster this admiration. - Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game's unique playstyles for each character, art style, and overall gameplay. The challenge and enjoyment derived from the game's mechanics contribute to this love. - Hopeful (weight 0.01): Players are hopeful for more content, expansions, and additional characters. The game's potential for future development and updates fosters this hope. - Positive (weight 0.01): Players have a positive sentiment about the game's unique mechanics, story, and characters. The game's art style and gameplay mechanics are highly praised. - Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game's unique features, mechanics, and overall gameplay experience. The positive gameplay experience and detailed comparisons to other games enhance this happiness. - Engaged (weight 0.01): Players are engaged by the game's complex stories, unique art style, and interesting plot and combat growth. The game's unique features and mechanics keep players involved.}