Info about Dark Envoy:

Official game description:
**Dark Envoy** brings classic RPG mechanics with a skill-based combat system built on classes and specializations, and blends it with diverse tactical options of approaching your battles. You control a party of relic hunters in a tale of destiny set in a conflict-torn world.
What unfolds when you combine the forces of Technology and Magic? A conflict which can have only one winner.
Enjoy the complete freedom of combat without the risk of it becoming monotonous or repetitive, as it continually offers fresh and exciting challenges. There are five different difficulty options, with the highest setting demanding you to effectively break the system.
Delve into a world of diversity as you explore our extensive roster featuring four core classes and a remarkable twelve distinct specializations, each offering a playstyle so unique that there's simply no comparing them to one another.
An extraordinary RPG system with such an expansive design that it nearly resembles a vast sandbox, it offers players boundless opportunities and creative freedom to explore and enjoy.
We don't simply tell; we illustrate choices that possess genuine significance, choices that bear substantial weight, shaping both the story and its conclusion.
They didn’t want to be pulled into all this, but others made this choice for them. Gather your unique party of companions. Your goal may not necessarily be to save the world but each other.

Release date: Oct 24, 2023

Categories: Tactical Real-time with Pause, Character Customization, Character Progression, Story-driven Gameplay, Crafting, Cooperative Multiplayer, Class-based Combat, Skill Tree Progression System

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience is marred by significant performance issues, including lag and frame drops, which severely impact gameplay. Controller support is also a notable concern, with users reporting difficulties in navigation and poor text translations. Battery life is adequate but may not meet the expectations of all users. Despite these issues, some users find the UI comfortable and the game beautiful.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds the game worth purchasing only when it is significantly discounted. Multiple reviews mention buying the game on sale and finding it worth the price at a discounted rate. Specific mentions of prices like $5 and references to deep discounts (70% off) indicate that the community considers a fair price to be much lower than the current base price of $29.99. The general sentiment is that the game is not worth the full price but is enjoyable and worth purchasing at a substantial discount.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 58.0h
  - Story completion: 33.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct mentions of playtime hours. The first quote mentions 33 hours to complete the main story and all companion quests, which aligns with the story completion metric. The second and third quotes mention 60 and 56 hours respectively to complete the game, which aligns with the game completion metric. The fourth quote mentions 12 hours of playtime, which is less specific but still relevant. The session length and endgame metrics are not directly supported by the evidence, so they are marked as null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts slow and has a learning curve, but becomes engaging and fun after a few hours of gameplay as the story picks up and players get accustomed to the combat and progression systems.
  - Stance: Fun after initial learning curve
  - Anchor: Story picks up and gameplay mechanics become familiar
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Slow start; Learning curve; Repetitive combat; Technical issues in co-op mode
  - Unlock drivers: Story progression; Character progression; Satisfying combat challenges
  - Conditions: Playing solo; Playing co-op with friends; Experimenting with different builds; Exploring the game world
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and love for the genre.
    - Playstyle: Willing to restart and put up with bugs for the sake of the genre.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: old sucker; hardcore genre fan
    - Reference games: Tower of Time; Icewind Dale; Baldur’s Gate; Dragon Age
  - Combat Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of combat and strategy.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and thoughtful combat.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: strategy fan; combat enthusiast
    - Reference games: Tower of Time; Songs of Silence; Dawn Of War 2
  - Story Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Engaging story and narrative.
    - Playstyle: Focused on story progression and character development.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: story lover; narrative fan
    - Reference games: Tower of Time; Pillars of Eternity; Dragon Age
  - Co-op Enthusiast (no buy)
    - Motivation: Multiplayer and co-op experience.
    - Playstyle: Focused on playing with others, often with friends or family.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: co-op player; multiplayer fan
    - 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:
- Dynamic and strategic combat system (weight 0.47): The combat system is frequently praised for being dynamic, fluid, and strategic. Players enjoy the tactical real-time combat and the flexibility it offers.
- Customization and character progression (weight 0.34): The game offers a variety of customization options, including character creation, skill trees, and gear systems. Players appreciate the ability to respec character points and the depth of progression systems.
- Positive overall impressions (weight 0.26): Many players express general enjoyment and satisfaction with the game, praising its gameplay, story, and overall quality.
- Unique setting blending fantasy and sci-fi (weight 0.24): The game's setting combines elements of fantasy and science fiction, creating a unique world where magic and technology coexist.
- Comparison to previous games (weight 0.19): Some players compare the game to the developer's previous work, Tower of Time, and other classic RPGs. While opinions vary, it is generally seen as worth the time for fans of the genre.
- High replayability with various builds (weight 0.14): The game offers a high variety of builds and character options, contributing to its replayability. Players enjoy the diversity of gear and skill combinations.
- Crafting and enhancement systems (weight 0.11): The game features well-designed crafting and enchanting systems, adding depth to character development and gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Frequent performance issues (weight 0.5): The game suffers from severe performance issues, including FPS drops, crashes, freezes, and memory leaks. These technical problems significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Uninteresting and weak story (weight 0.44): The story is described as bland, generic, and underwhelming. It lacks detail and interesting plot developments, making it disappointing and unengaging for players.
- Graphical and animation problems (weight 0.22): Graphics are criticized for being average or unbalanced, and animations are described as stiff and poor. There are also minor graphics glitches and issues with facial animations and character models.
- Poor character development (weight 0.22): Characters are criticized for being boring, clichéd, and poorly written. Character development is described as lackluster and lacking depth.
- Game progression issues (weight 0.15): The game has issues with saving progress and requires frequent restarts. Players report losing hours of progress due to freezes and crashes.
- Review bombing and criticism (weight 0.09): Some reviews are highly critical and suggest that the game was not thoroughly tested before release. These reviews often contain strong language and express frustration with the game's technical state and overall quality.
- Co-op mode issues (weight 0.08): Co-op mode has significant problems, including issues with abilities and character redistribution. These issues make the co-op experience frustrating for players.
- Comparison to previous games (weight 0.08): Some players feel that the game is a step back compared to previous titles, particularly in terms of story and overall quality.
- Unmemorable companions and music (weight 0.07): Companions and their quests are described as stale and unmemorable. The music is also criticized for being unmemorable.

Gameplay feedback:
- Dynamic and tactical combat (weight 0.72): The combat system is dynamic and allows for real-time combat with tactical elements. Players can pause or slow down the action to plan their moves, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
- Extensive character customization (weight 0.63): The game offers a wide range of character customization options, including different classes, abilities, skill trees, and specializations. Players can tailor their characters to fit their preferred playstyle, enhancing the role-playing experience.
- Story-driven gameplay (weight 0.51): The game features a compelling story with choices that impact the narrative. Players can engage in a main story, companion quests, and explore randomly generated maps, providing a rich and immersive experience.
- Crafting and enhancement systems (weight 0.45): The game features extensive crafting and enhancement systems, allowing players to create and upgrade gear. This adds depth to the gameplay and provides additional customization options.
- Varied character classes (weight 0.39): The game offers a variety of character classes and specializations, providing players with diverse options for building their party and approaching combat.
- Exploration and loot collection (weight 0.39): Players can explore the world and dungeons, collecting loot and discovering new areas. This adds a sense of adventure and reward to the gameplay.
- Cooperative multiplayer mode (weight 0.13): The game includes a cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing players to team up and enjoy the campaign together. This adds a social dimension to the gameplay and enhances replayability.
- Unique setting blend (weight 0.11): The game's setting blends steampunk, dark fantasy, and sci-fi elements, creating a unique and engaging world for players to explore.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.4): Players report frequent game crashes, hard locks, and freezes, making the game difficult to play.
- Numerous bugs and technical issues (weight 0.22): The game is filled with various bugs and technical issues, including problems with saving and general jankiness.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for tactical RPG fans (weight 0.21): The game is highly recommended for fans of tactical RPGs and CRPG/strategy games. It offers a unique experience for those who enjoy pause-and-play RPG combat.
- Worth playing with caveats (weight 0.18): While the game has its flaws and may not be for everyone, it is worth checking out, especially if it's on sale. Players suggest being aware of its imperfections but still find it fun for those who enjoy the genre.
- Positive overall recommendation (weight 0.15): Despite some flaws, many players are glad they decided to get the game and find it worth the price. It receives a solid recommendation from several reviewers.
- Similar to Tower of Time (weight 0.09): If you enjoyed Tower of Time, this game is worth trying. It is often compared to Tower of Time, and fans of that game might find this one appealing.
- Co-op mode needs improvement (weight 0.09): The game's co-op mode is not recommended in its current state. Players suggest they might return if significant improvements are made to the co-op experience.
- Consider alternative purchase options (weight 0.08): Players suggest getting the game on sale or from specific stores for a better deal. Some recommend alternative platforms or key sites for purchasing the game at a lower price.
- Suggested improvements (weight 0.08): Players have suggested several improvements, such as better advertising for the multiplayer mode, adding an option to remove autosaves, and improving unit collision.
- Story is unique but odd (weight 0.03): The game's story is described as odd and very reminiscent of 90's anime, which might appeal to some players.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.29): Players are frustrated primarily due to a multitude of technical issues, including frequent crashes, saving problems, and bugs that hinder gameplay progress. Additionally, there are significant concerns with game mechanics such as the achievement system, co-op mode issues, combat mechanics, and class imbalances, which detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.26): Players express disappointment mainly due to the game's story and combat mechanics, which are found lacking in depth and engagement. Technical issues, performance problems, and a perceived lack of polish further contribute to the dissatisfaction, with many feeling the game did not meet their expectations or provide good value for money.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players enjoy the game for its engaging combat system, interesting story, and overall pleasant gameplay experience. The character progression, abilities, and crafting system are also highlighted as positive aspects that contribute to the enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players find satisfaction in the game's character building and combat systems, which offer a good balance and freedom to create unique character builds. The storyline and tactical combat are also appreciated, contributing to an overall positive experience despite some initial disappointments.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's design and narrative, as well as its strategic combat system and interesting job construction mechanism. The solid gameplay mechanics and variety of jobs and skills are also noted as positive aspects.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Players are frustrated due to frequent game crashes and issues with combat mechanics, particularly the reinforcement mechanics. Multiplayer experience and various bugs also contribute to the frustration.
- Excited (weight 0.03): Players are excited about the game's features, particularly its strategic and engaging mechanics. The game is recommended to RPG lovers for its exciting gameplay and interesting setting.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players show enthusiasm for the game's combat system, which is described as smooth and engaging. The overall positive experience and enjoyment of the game's RPG elements and developer responsiveness are also highlighted.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's combat system and setting, as well as the rich storyline and tactical combat system. The anticipation to play more and the detailed descriptions of combat and character roles contribute to this excitement.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's quality and the ability to speed up combat. The delightful and well-developed characters and story, along with good gameplay and interesting loot, add to this surprise.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Players are engaged by the combat mechanics and job system, as well as the unique setting and interesting story. The combination of these elements draws players into the game.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players express anger due to the game's poor quality and numerous bugs. The frustration with the game's performance and value leads to significant dissatisfaction.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Players experience boredom due to the repetitive nature of the combat and gameplay. The slow pacing and lack of variety in locations contribute to this feeling of monotony.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with the game's story choices and combat mechanics, which do not meet their expectations. The persistence of issues like freezing despite patches also contributes to this disappointment.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players express hope for future improvements and open-world CRPGs from the developer. Despite some flaws, there is a desire for the game to succeed and improve.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players express gratitude towards the developers for addressing issues and releasing updates. The appreciation for the developers' efforts in fixing problems is noted.
- Hopeful (weight 0.01): Players are hopeful that patches will fix existing issues and that the game will continue to improve. The game is seen as a rewarding and distinct RPG experience despite its current flaws.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the gameplay and character builds, finding the overall experience enjoyable. The balance and variety in gameplay mechanics contribute to this satisfaction.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Players have mixed feelings due to the game's unique charm and consequences of choices, but are also disappointed by optimization issues and the plot. The game has both positive and negative aspects that evoke conflicting emotions.
- Nostalgia (weight 0): Players feel nostalgia for classic games like Baldur's Gate and Dragon Age, which evokes a sense of longing for the past gaming experiences.}