Info about Ancient Enemy:

Official game description:
  
Ancient Enemy is a strategic RPG card game in which you make interesting tactical decisions as you battle distorted enemies and overcome challenging puzzles. Face a horde of deadly enemies, each one emerging from a world in which evil has already triumphed. You must not only endure, but also rebuild your powers to vanquish evil and fight one last duel against your monstrous nemesis!  
Travel through a scarred landscape with dozens of atmospheric levels, draw power from the Earth, and struggle for the soul of the world itself. Test your skills against a host of foes in unique solitaire-style turn-based combat!  
*   Innovative, strategic, turn-based combat.  
*   Blast the Enemy's monstrous lieutenants with a satisfying range of spells and abilities.  
*   Gather powers from the shattered landscape to heal your mind and enhance your magic.  
*   Choose your own path through a dark, folkloric story.  
*   Three difficulty settings ranging from relaxed to nightmare.  
*   Duel your way to the citadel, and defeat your foe once and for all!
Ancient Enemy is the latest iteration of inventive card game design from Grey Alien Games, this time in collaboration with famed Scottish game artist Jen Pattison, and renowned games designer Jim Rossignol.  
Ancient Enemy is an atmospheric turn-based adventure in the spirit of masterpieces such as Darkest Dungeon and Slay The Spire!

Release date: Apr 9, 2020

Categories: Card-based Gameplay, Turn-based Combat, Single-player Story, Roguelike, Resource Management, Character Progression, Strategic Combat, Multiple Difficulty Levels


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently indicate that the game is not worth its full price and that its only appeal comes at a significant discount. Short length (7-9 hours), repetitive gameplay, and moderate fun are cited as reasons the full price is unjustified. The specific mention of a discounted price point (around 20 yuan ≈ $2.80) as acceptable suggests that the perceived fair value is very low. Considering typical Steam discount tiers (50-75% off), the base price likely falls into a budget range, estimated at $5-$10 USD, which would make the game reasonably priced without requiring a sale.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 10.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviewers report total time to beat the game on Normal difficulty ranging from 7-8 to 12-13 hours, with the most specific claim being 10 hours for a thorough 3-star completion. The 7-8 hour estimate is for a non-completionist playthrough, while 12-13 hours includes all achievements. These converge on roughly 10 hours as a typical gameComplection time. Since beating the game on Normal difficulty encompasses the story campaign, storyCompletion is set to the same 10-hour value. No evidence provides typical session length or dedicated endgame hours, so those metrics remain null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Most players find Ancient Enemy fun and addictive right away, with easy onboarding and rewarding progression. A minority report that enjoyment fades quickly, but the overall profile is immediate appeal.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Tactical Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Strategic challenge and tactical mastery
    - Playstyle: Deliberate planning, weighing risk vs reward, adjusting combos for defense
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Ironcast; Puzzle Quest; Shadowhand
  - Casual Chill Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and casual entertainment
    - Playstyle: Relaxed, flowing through levels without heavy thought
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Achievement Hunter (buy)
    - Motivation: Achieving 100% completion and all achievements
    - Playstyle: Optimizes runs for achievements, uses exploits, replays on hardest difficulty
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: achievement hunters
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Shadowhand Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: More content like Shadowhand
    - Playstyle: Plays similarly to Shadowhand, comparing mechanics and enjoying familiar gameplay
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shadowhand


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:
- Satisfying solitaire experience (weight 0.32): Players consistently highlight the game as a satisfying and fun solitaire experience with a strategic layer. The one-up, one-down mechanic adds an interesting twist, and reviewers appreciate the familiar yet evolving gameplay.
- Enjoyable and relaxing gameplay (weight 0.24): The game is frequently described as fun, chill, and relaxing, making it a pleasant experience for players. Reviewers mention that the gameplay is both enjoyable and easy to engage with.
- Engaging and addictive mechanics (weight 0.24): Players find the game's mechanics engaging and addictive, with a good mix of card game and RPG elements. The strategic depth and variety of cards keep the gameplay interesting and replayable.
- Excellent music and atmosphere (weight 0.15): The music and ambient sounds are praised for enhancing the game's atmosphere and overall experience. Players note that the audio design adds significantly to the game's charm and immersion.
- Positive overall experience (weight 0.15): Players generally report having fun experiences and enjoying the game, with some finding it genuinely fun. The initial enjoyment is noted, though some may find it diminishes over time.
- Enjoyable card battler mix (weight 0.12): The game is appreciated as a fun mix of solitaire and card battler, offering a unique and enjoyable strategic experience. Reviewers highlight the success of this crossover and the variety of cards available.
- Strategic battle gameplay (weight 0.12): Players find the game's strategic elements engaging, focusing on finding the right strategies for each battle. The clear battle strategies and multiple difficulty levels allow for adaptation to different playstyles.
- Appealing art and visuals (weight 0.07): The game's art is consistently praised as really nice and beautiful, contributing to its visual appeal. Players find the visual style both pleasant and well crafted.
- Fun and decently challenging (weight 0.07): Reviewers describe the game as fun and at least somewhat challenging, making it decently interesting. The balance between enjoyment and challenge is appreciated.
- Builds on Shadowhand (weight 0.06): The game is noted for pushing Shadowhand's mechanics further and reprising its good ideas. Players who enjoyed Shadowhand will likely find this game rewarding.

Common complaints:
- Story is weak and uninteresting (weight 0.73): Multiple reviewers found the story bland, absurd, or forgettable, with a dull protagonist and poor writing that fails to engage. The narrative is described as thin, repetitive, and often nonexistent, with unclear stakes and a disappointing ending.
- Gameplay is repetitive and boring (weight 0.52): The core solitaire mechanics become tedious quickly, with many reviewers noting the game's repetitiveness, lack of depth, and shallow content that fails to hold interest. The combat is repetitive, and the game is described as a chore to play.
- Limited strategic depth (weight 0.42): The gameplay is criticized for relying heavily on luck and random card draws, with few meaningful choices. Reviewers noted that strategy boils down to checking enemy resistances and using the same combos, and that there is no deck-building or interesting ability synergies.
- Lack of replayability and content (weight 0.31): The game offers minimal replay value due to the inability to replay chapters or levels, no new game plus, and thin content that can be completed quickly. Reviewers noted that the game is short and shallow, with no incentive to revisit it.
- Difficulty and balance issues (weight 0.28): Reviewers reported inconsistent difficulty, with some finding the game too easy even on Nightmare mode, while others found it frustratingly hard. The balance is criticized for allowing exploits and making certain cards or strategies dominant, while others are useless.
- Poor comparison to Shadowhand (weight 0.28): Many reviewers felt this game is inferior to Shadowhand in terms of story, graphics, depth, and overall enjoyment, describing it as a clone or vastly inferior version. The lack of character evolution and engaging elements was a common disappointment.
- Visual and audio presentation lacking (weight 0.27): The graphics and art are described as mediocre, with limited variety and repeated enemy types, while the music and sound effects do not fit the game's tone. The overall presentation fails to impress, contrasting poorly with previous games.
- Technical and quality issues (weight 0.24): Several reviewers mentioned bugs, clunky mechanics, and poor UX, including load screens and a lack of polish. The game also suffers from a lack of language support and feels under-cooked overall.
- Progression and unlock issues (weight 0.19): Progression is not rewarding, with customization elements unlocked too late and a skill tree that feels like fake progression. Reviewers noted that most abilities and items are not exciting or useful, and that the game is easy enough to ignore them.
- No real RPG elements (weight 0.18): Despite being marketed as an RPG, the game offers little beyond text popups between solitaire rounds, with limited character progression and a static, linear story. Reviewers felt the RPG elements are superficial and not integrated into gameplay.
- Mechanics feel clunky and unpolished (weight 0.17): The game's mechanics are described as clunky, with confusing win conditions and awkward item usage. The AI opponent does not interact with the board, and the lack of interactive elements makes the experience feel isolated and unengaging.
- Content is too thin and stretched (weight 0.16): The minimal content is stretched across 11 chapters, leading to repetitive encounters and a sense of tedium. Reviewers noted that the game's tricks are exhausted halfway through, and the last boss resembles ordinary enemies.
- Lacks character and world-building (weight 0.16): The game fails to create an engaging world, with a gloomy atmosphere, generic fantasy setting, and a lack of neutral characters to interact with. Reviewers found the main character dull and the writing unappealing.
- Unrewarding combat and encounters (weight 0.16): Combat is repetitive and not rewarding, with most fights boiling down to the same strategy and bosses being just tougher regular enemies. The item encounters are numerous and longer than necessary, adding to the tedium.
- Story pacing and depth issues (weight 0.16): The story starts interesting but never develops, with few plot beats and no interaction with characters. Reviewers noted the narrative is told through inner monologue and rarely relates to the action, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying experience.
- Limited enemy variety and interaction (weight 0.13): Enemy types are recycled and don't interact with the board, making fights feel repetitive and lonely. Reviewers noted that enemies block long combos and hit hard, creating frustrating experiences.
- Lack of player agency and choices (weight 0.12): The game offers few meaningful choices, with card draws randomized and no deck-building. Reviewers noted that the outcome is often determined by luck, and that there is no interesting decision-making beyond basic resistance checking.
- Poor ending and lack of closure (weight 0.1): The ending is disappointing and abrupt, with no story resolution until the final battle and no epilogue. Reviewers felt the game ends with nothing more than boss fight and credits, leaving the narrative incomplete.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.09): Many reviewers felt the game is not worth its full price given its short length, lack of content, and repetitive nature. The limited replayability and shallow gameplay contribute to a sense that the price is unjustified.
- Annoying advertisement and bugs (weight 0.05): One reviewer noted a giant popup advertisement for another game, which disrupts the experience. Additionally, some bugs were encountered, including a potentially game-breaking issue that could have led to a game over.

Gameplay feedback:
- Solitaire combat with RPG elements (weight 0.97): The game combines solitaire-style card mechanics with RPG elements and turn-based battles. Gameplay is centered on classic solitaire rules while incorporating character progression and combat encounters.
- Core solitaire mechanics emphasized (weight 0.51): Players use one-up, one-down matching rules typical of solitaire, where cards are selected based on being one rank higher or lower. The core mechanic remains true to traditional solitaire with additional gameplay layers.
- Card battler hybrid style (weight 0.35): The game is frequently described as a card battler or a crossover between solitaire and card battle games. It is not a deckbuilder but rather a strategy card game with solitaire-based combat.
- RPG-lite progression systems (weight 0.26): The game features minor RPG elements including skill trees, active/passive skills, and permanent upgrades between chapters. Players can unlock abilities and customize loadouts before each level.
- Enemy resistances and immunities (weight 0.22): Enemies have specific resistances, immunities, and damage types that require strategic planning. Full information about enemy attacks and defenses is provided before each fight.
- Loot and equipment system (weight 0.16): Defeating enemies grants loot such as gear, cards, and abilities. Loot includes special items like bomb cards and free damage cards, and equipment is managed through multiple slots.
- Roguelike elements present (weight 0.07): Some feedback describes the game as having roguelike mechanics, though this is mentioned less frequently. The core remains solitaire gameplay with strategic layers.
- Combo multiplier for damage (weight 0.06): Longer chains of card plays apply a combo multiplier for increased damage. Strategic chain building is key to maximizing combat effectiveness.
- Similar to Shadowhand (weight 0.06): The game is noted as being very similar or essentially the same as the developer's previous title Shadowhand. This may be relevant for players familiar with the earlier game.
- Mahjong-style variation exists (weight 0.05): One cluster notes the game combines deckbuilding with mahjong-style gameplay, though this is a minor observation. The dominant theme remains solitaire-based mechanics.

Performance notes:
- Inventory causes frequent load screens (weight 0.04): Players report that accessing or exiting the inventory triggers a loading screen each time, which disrupts game flow. This issue appears to be a consistent annoyance rather than a rare occurrence.
- Launch and exit bugs on Windows 10 (weight 0.04): The game exhibits bugs when starting up and shutting down on Windows 10 systems. These issues may cause frustration or prevent smooth session management for users on this platform.
- Average optimization quality (weight 0.04): Players consider the game's optimization to be mediocre, suggesting performance may not meet expectations on various hardware. This could affect frame rates and overall stability, though it is not described as severe.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for solitaire fans (weight 0.28): Multiple reviews recommend the game to players who enjoy solitaire mechanics and card games, emphasizing its puzzle-adjacent gameplay and RPG elements. This is the most frequently cited positive aspect.
- Buy on sale only (weight 0.22): Several reviewers advise waiting for a sale or buying at a discounted price, indicating the full price may not be justified. This is a common sentiment, especially among those who enjoyed the game but felt it was overpriced.
- Similar to Shadowhand (weight 0.21): Comparisons to the developer's previous game Shadowhand are frequent, with some recommending it for fans of that game and others suggesting players play Shadowhand instead. This indicates the game is seen as a variant or sequel.
- Fans of developer's games (weight 0.15): Recommendations are often directed at fans of the developer's previous card games, such as Shadowhand and Regency Solitaire, indicating a target audience.
- Strongly recommended (weight 0.15): Some reviews are highly positive, giving unqualified recommendations and praising the game as a must-play or definitely worth buying. This contrasts with more cautious reviews.
- Card battler with RPG (weight 0.12): The game is described as a card battler with RPG elements, featuring spells and enemy battles. This appeals to fans of strategic card games and card-based RPGs, distinguishing it from pure solitaire.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.12): Some reviewers explicitly state the game is not worth its full price, citing factors like short length or lack of content. They recommend waiting for a discount.
- Achievements need hard difficulty (weight 0.12): Achievement hunters are advised to play on the hardest difficulty from the start to unlock all achievements, as the game's difficulty affects completion. This is a practical tip for players aiming for 100%.
- Weak story and monologue (weight 0.1): Several reviews mention the story is disappointing or hard to appreciate, with melancholic monologues that may not appeal to everyone. This is a notable downside for those who value narrative.
- Strategic and tactical (weight 0.09): Fans of thoughtful, tactical gameplay and slower-paced strategy will find the game appealing, as it involves careful planning and strategy rather than fast action.
- Recommendation varies (weight 0.09): While many give a thumbs up, some provide only qualified recommendations or suggest playing other games instead. This indicates the game's appeal is niche.
- Good for casual play (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for casual, relaxed play, suitable for passing time or as a pleasant distraction. This appeals to those seeking a light, non-demanding experience.
- Mixed value for money (weight 0.06): The game's value depends on individual preferences, with some feeling it's money well spent and others not. The price-to-content ratio is a point of contention.
- Avoid if not genre fan (weight 0.06): Some reviewers advise avoiding the game unless you are already a fan of solitaire or card games, as it may not appeal to a broader audience. This is a caution for newcomers.
- Difficulty modes matter (weight 0.06): The game offers difficulty options, with recommendations to play on harder modes for experienced players to avoid it being too easy, and peaceful mode for those who prefer simplicity.
- Enjoyable for simple tastes (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for players who enjoy simple games, highlighting its straightforward mechanics and relaxed nature.
- Worth a shot for genre fans (weight 0.05): The game is considered worth trying for players who enjoy strategy or solitaire-type games, even if it may not be for everyone.
- Low replayability (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes the game has almost no replayability, suggesting that once completed, there is little incentive to replay. This is a significant limitation for some players.
- Not for sophisticated players (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests that players looking for a more sophisticated game should look elsewhere, implying the game may be simple or lacking depth.
- Good atmosphere and strategy (weight 0.04): The game is praised for its gritty atmosphere combined with strategic solitaire gameplay, appealing to those who want a side of strategy with their card gaming.

Other player notes:
- Shadowhand comparisons dominate (weight 0.51): Many reviewers compare this game to Shadowhand, with mixed opinions on which is superior. Some find Shadowhand more engaging, while others appreciate this game's polished mechanics.
- Other solitaire RPG comparisons (weight 0.28): Reviewers also compare the game to Regency Solitaire, Solitarica, and Forbidden Solitaire, noting similarities and differences in mechanics and style. These comparisons help position the game within the genre.
- Price and value assessment (weight 0.18): Opinions on price vary: some find it a nice little game for the price, while others note it's slightly expensive but acceptable. The actual price is $16.99, but some purchased it on sale.
- Slay the Spire comparisons (weight 0.18): Several reviewers compare the game to Slay the Spire, noting differences in difficulty and mission structure. Some imply it's less challenging and more linear.
- Length and content duration (weight 0.17): The game's length is estimated at 7-10 hours, with 11 chapters and a complete experience in one playthrough. Some reviewers note it's short but acceptable for a solitaire game.
- Mechanics polish and depth (weight 0.17): Reviewers note the game's mechanics are more polished than previous titles, with improvements in weapon handling and enemy stat viewing. Some find it less deep than Shadowhand.
- Story and narrative elements (weight 0.16): The story involves a cataclysm and is presented with pictures and simple text. Some reviewers find it overdone or simple, while others praise the atmospheric presentation.
- Developer reputation and support (weight 0.16): Grey Alien Games is recognized for their solitaire games, and reviewers appreciate their customer care. The game is recommended for fans of the developer's previous work.
- Replayability and modes (weight 0.13): The game lacks new game plus or free play mode, limiting replayability. However, higher difficulties offer more challenges, and achievements can be earned.
- Lack of language support (weight 0.09): The game lacks Japanese and Russian language support, which may limit accessibility for non-English speakers. One reviewer mentioned not understanding the story due to it being in English.
- Budget and production feel (weight 0.09): Some reviewers feel the game was made on a tight budget, with a concept-first approach. It is a small team production that offers a complete experience.
- Difficulty and RNG fairness (weight 0.09): On normal difficulty, reviewers feel the game is fair, with no blame on RNG. Some compare the difficulty to Dark Souls, but others find it less challenging than Slay the Spire.
- Comparison to other genres (weight 0.09): Reviewers compare the game to Puzzle Quest and match-3 games, noting differences in planning and board visibility. It is not a pure RPG but a solitaire-based tactical experience.
- Features and extras (weight 0.08): The game includes features like a rating table for language dependence and solitaire-ness, and a popup ad for another game. Some reviewers hope for Steam cards.
- Graphics and visual style (weight 0.07): The game features hand-drawn characters, landscapes, and a map, which reviewers appreciate. The font is hard to read but fits the medieval RPG style.
- Grinding and progression (weight 0.06): Some grind is present, but the game is not pay-to-win. Reviewers note it offers a few hours of content for the price, with decent progression.
- Map and choices (weight 0.04): The map introduces forks and choices, adding strategic elements between missions. This is a feature that was missed in Shadowhand but is improved here.
- Unique and niche appeal (weight 0.04): The game is described as having nothing else quite like it, appealing to fans of solitaire RPGs. It offers a unique blend of mechanics not found elsewhere.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Players were let down by shallow mechanics and a story that fails to deliver, with repetitive gameplay and underused systems. The game also suffers from being compared unfavorably to its predecessors, lacking depth, variety, and a satisfying narrative.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): The game provides engaging abilities, buffs, and a satisfying difficulty curve, offering a fun and casual experience. Positive feedback highlights the enjoyable card mechanics, strategy elements, and overall pleasant gameplay, despite some flaws.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Frustration stems from high difficulty, lack of replayability, and inability to retry levels, compounded by RNG-dependent card draws and unwinnable hands. Technical issues like bugs and awkward item mechanics further detract from the experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.08): The game quickly becomes repetitive and tedious, with unengaging story and combat that lack variety. The repetitive solitaire gameplay and drawn-out levels lead to boredom, especially toward the end.
- Appreciation (weight 0.08): Players appreciate the polished presentation, atmospheric story, and good integration of music and visuals. The developer's customer care and the game's strategic depth are also praised, making it a standout in the genre.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): The game delivers satisfying combos and strategic depth, with improved mechanics and balance compared to previous titles. The rewarding progression and well-written narrative contribute to an overall satisfying experience.
- Fun (weight 0.03): The game is described as fun and snappy with engaging mechanics, offering an enjoyable mix of solitaire and card battling. The trial-and-error aspect of finding effective strategies adds to the fun.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance arises from intrusive elements like a launch popup ad and frequent loading screens. Repetitive enemies and lengthy item encounters also contribute to the frustration.
- Interest (weight 0.03): The game initially piques interest with its unique mechanics and combat additions to solitaire, keeping players engaged early on. The added depth makes the game more interesting than traditional solitaire.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players expressed surprise at how enjoyable the game turned out to be, especially given its solitaire base. The unexpected fun factor exceeded initial expectations.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): The game earns admiration for its well-written, extensive texts, beautiful and atmospheric art and music, and well-functioning achievements. These elements combine to create a highly polished product.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the subversive worldbuilding and the direction the company has taken solitaire games. The classic solitaire gameplay is addictive and hooks players into the experience.
- Addiction (weight 0.02): The card game mechanics are so engaging that players find it hard to stop playing. The addictive nature keeps them coming back for more.
- Relaxation (weight 0.02): The game is described as relaxing, providing a calm and enjoyable experience for players.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited about replaying on higher difficulties, indicating strong engagement with the game's challenge. The anticipation of the game's release also contributed to excitement.
- Contentment (weight 0.02): The game is enjoyable for genre fans and serves as a relaxed way to unwind. It meets expectations for a soothing yet engaging experience.
- Liking (weight 0.02): Players like the pleasing visual style, music, and effects, as well as the game's breezy simplicity. It offers a nice twist on solitaire that is easy to play.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): The compelling story and engaging gameplay keep players invested throughout. The game successfully holds attention with its narrative and mechanics.
- Disinterest (weight 0.02): The lack of an interesting story leads to disinterest, as the narrative fails to engage players.
- Indifference (weight 0.01): The game never fully clicked for the reviewer, resulting in a neutral, indifferent response to the experience.}