Victor Vran ARPG
TLDR
This game is definitely worth a buy.
The core of Vran is a classic dungeon crawler. Kill monsters, take loot, upgrade equipment, and experience the story. The action is fantastic, and there are countless ways to be creative with your builds. There’s enough depth to this game that people are still creating unique, competitive builds 3 years after release.
Voice acting is excellent, but the campaigns are short and full of tropes, although they do the tropes well. Motorhead is a really cool, original idea in many ways, but still pretty tropey.
– Real player with 889.7 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hack and Slash Co-op Games.
Quick Summary: Victor Vran is a “simplified” action RPG in the same vein as Diablo, Torchlight, and Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing. In terms of art and level design the game is extremely similar to Van Helsing, fighting spooky monsters in a sort of steampunk world. The game does have some different mechanics though, that will take some getting used to if you’ve only played the previously mentioned ARPGs:
*You can Jump. This is actually not as big a deal as you might think since jumping doesn’t really dodge enemy attacks very well. It’s mostly used to cancel your channeling spells and wall jump into secret areas.
– Real player with 49.4 hrs in game
The Slormancer
A good, and promising ARPG. There are a lot of original mechanics, and concepts compared to other games of the same genre that make the game play quite enjoyable. Many of the flaws I am seeing in the game are because of its early access status rather than poor game design which leaves this title with much promise in the future!
Please note that some of the cons listed below are more easy to ignore for me because of its “early access” title although that may not be the same case for every player. Nothing wrong with wanting a “complete game”, and if that is you then I highly recommend looking elsewhere in potential titles such as ‘Grim Dawn’ or ‘Chronicon’. Also please note that everything listed below is highly subjective to change at any time. I’ll try to update this review whenever I can, but some of the bullet points can become invalidated with future game updates before I can follow through on my part. If you are interested in someday buying this game while being hesitant to pulling the trigger on a purchase then I encourage you to look into recent update logs rather than Steam reviews before doing so.
– Real player with 29.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hack and Slash Dungeon Crawler Games.
While the game today, on release, is quite fun, and the mechancics feel solid, there is always one big issue: Early Access.
Now, I bought the game because it seemed fun, first and foremost. Of course some buyers will have some sense of pride in the dev team because of their nationality, especially when you know of Wolcen. I still shudder to think about the sheer mediocrity, and even complete incompetence of this dev team. That said, one could say they had nothing concrete under the hood in the first place, and we should have all went away after they did some weird shit in the early stage.
– Real player with 27.7 hrs in game
Anima : The Reign of Darkness
The Opposite of PoE!
Playing Path of Exile since 8/2011, it slowly derailed for me from hack and slash to build (or better copy) , buy , and now study bossfight phases and anounced abilities.
If you want to go back to the roots and frag some stuff 2 sec. after you logged in and dont want to plan heists or syndicates or 10 other timewasters - this may be your game for the next hours.
pro:
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copied the right stuff from 20 other games for a unique feel
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nice Itemsystem ( merge the stats of 2 items and upgrade items 40x 5% in Power)
– Real player with 649.9 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hack and Slash Dungeon Crawler Games.
This game is an ode to the original ARPG’s like the original Diablo. It’s a ton of fun and I’ve blown almost 10 hours into it already and seems like I’ve been playing for a couple hours tops. The drops are fun and even has lower level legendary and set items to loot and at just a bit over $10.00 is well worth the price. So far at early leveling I have one large tower like dungeon with
many different levels to explore and quests given in town with merchants and NPC. It’s a fun
game and I see a lot of mixed reviews. I think considering the price and the fun it’s well worth $10+
– Real player with 228.5 hrs in game
DEADHUNTERS
A cooperative rogueplaying game.
Choose your hero, embark on missions and make decisions together.
Loot, level up and die again and again in an ever changing world of darkness.
Conquer the damned and earn your rightful place in the Guild of Deadhunters!
SKILL BASED HACK’N’SLASH COMBAT
In DEADHUNTERS every hit counts. You need to aim all of your attacks and make sure that you dodge those of your enemies! If you are skilled enough you can make your enemies hit each-other, helping you get rid of them all!
EXTENSIVE PROGRESSION SYSTEM
Collect a wide variety of weapons and magical artifacts to inflict as much damage on your foes as you can. Level up your characters and unlock their unique traits to help you defeat the Dead Plague!
CHOICE BASED NARRATIVE
Whether you play with others or alone you will have to make decisions on every mission you take on. On the way you need to choose where to go, who to fight and what to discover!
GRIM ATMOSPHERE IN A UNIQUE STYLE
Immerse yourself in this cursed world filled various intriguing characters. Enjoy their banter and get to know their stories as you progress in the game!
PROCEDURAL ENVIRONMENTS
Along with the changing narrative your surroundings change as well. The world of DEADHUNTERS is unforgiving and you will suffer ceaselessly but never in the same place!
Grand Battle
Must buy if you like RPGs!
It’s nice to see a solid, well presented and very playable game of this type appear without the usual hype and fanfare, and get plenty of attention for its gameplay rather than its sexy heroine or Hollywood guest stars. These game has made it work. I can tell this is going to be extremely replayable. There is 10 heroes and you make a party of 4 at any one time. You also choose a starting hero and your first partner varies depending on who you choose.
– Real player with 19.2 hrs in game
The game takes a little adjusting to but honestly is really enjoyable and reminiscent of a classic old school RPG. You can stat up characters, use equipment slots and seems like there are a lot of abilities just like you would expect. Not a huge story game but seems like a fun hack and slash.
– Real player with 17.9 hrs in game
Naxia
My review for Naxia.
I saw Naxia here in steam, and loved the art style and the character of Ajira. I bought it for myself and also as a present to a steam friend (mousafiris). We played it both. Naxia is a very polished, diablo-styled game, with its own character, and much to anticipate. Although in early access, the chunk of the game that is playable is astounding. The character recently got a revamp (Ajira), and the model is even more detailed and beautiful than the previous one (although, to be perfectly honest, i liked so much the old one that i would like it to be added as an option in the future…even told the devs about it via a comment). Also, all the graphics got a turn upwards, getting even more beautiful, and the game less heavy for a medium pc (as my own). The animations are superbly fluid, and i loved the executions the character does. It never gets old or repetitive for me to see the heroine skillfully slash to pieces a goblin or an assasin mob… The sound is very good, although sometimes i would prefer it to be a little more intense, and i would personally love the sound to have some more oriental vibes, but that is just my own personal preference and of course, since the game is still being made, it can be done, as the devs always look into our comments. What i can truly say, is that the sound and voiceovers that are available, are of high quality and very atmospheric. You will never see something in this game that is of lower quality. Everything is top-tiered. I am much excited to see the final product. The characters look interesting, especially Ajira and the Necromancer. I would love also, another female character to be added, so we get two males and two females (maybe turn barbarian or mage into a female). But that again, is my own personal opinion, and the reason of the review is to let the devs make the game even better. The questline is promising, and i would love to see what happens next. The boss fight i played was spectacular, it had interesting game mechanics for this type of game. I loved the metamorphosis the char does later in the game, it is what separates it from other diablo styled games. I also would love to see all the armor types, and even heavier armor types for Ajira (not only leathery ones for a rogue class). Gameplay wise, the game is simple, i love the WASD controls and even more the gamepad support, which is good.And i love the games to be simple, because i want to play and feel nice, not feel encumbered with what to do, what to press etc. It is as complex as it should be. Loot pool is big, and interesting, loved the change the devs did.
– Real player with 21.0 hrs in game
Alright so I guess it’s my turn to make a review since I have time before going to work :)
I had this game on my radar a long time ago. (You need to understand this is an Early Access so they will have to change stuff before releasing.)
For now there is only the rogue class; I can’t wait to try the Mage and especially Necromancer! The other melee fighter will be my last to try, if I’m lazy, but maybe the Execute animation and Rage Form could be a game-changer!
I am not that much of a melee-type, but like FFXIV you feel forced to play Tank if you want to enter dungeon in a flash and not waiting for 30min (Yes I am talking when the game was released a long time ago “Abyss King” at your service!)
– Real player with 17.5 hrs in game
Ortharion project
The game is a bit different than your traditional ARPG, but almost all of what it does works and its one of the most fun arpg games I have played since diablo 2.
One of the big differences is the controls, its wasd+mouse to aim, this is normally associated with MMO’s not arpg’s but it really works for this game and I have just as much fun rounding up groups of mobs to aoe to death as with traditional mouse point and click controls.
This game has one of the deepest/richest item, skills, loot systems I have ever seen in a arpg. It’s too complex to explain breifly, but if you like grinding for gear and min/maxing stats..this game won’t disappoint you!
– Real player with 60.5 hrs in game
Pros:
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A myriad of build options, including character attributes, a large passive tree, an evolution tree, spell upgrades, spell runes, gear crafting, gems, build-enabling abilities on epic and legendary gear, plus achievements that provide bonuses (and not just to your current character). Digging through the possibilities is perhaps the best aspect of the game.
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Drops are frequent, and thanks to the crafting system, getting decent gear for your level is straightforward.
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Everything you find is useful in some way (if only to change into gold), and there’s a clear endgame (being able to reliably complete +100 dungeons).
– Real player with 55.5 hrs in game
Wo Yao Da 我要大
I dunno. This game is really silly but yet tries to take itself seriously. The English is broken due to some copy paste google translate. The graphics are basic unity graphics. All assets are bought and the fighting mechanics are like a really janky version of dynasty warriors.
The most irritating part of the game is the fact you cannot get rid of the default windows cursor and it does not centre while playing. To do a 180 you have to drag your mouse a couple times to over steer and then pull it back to the centre so it in the middle while running forward.
– Real player with 14.7 hrs in game
If you want a game with beautiful graphics, a dynamic and interesting story, and excellent gameplay mechanics please go visit another game because this one is not meant for you. If you’re not playing this game to play a game and just enjoy yourself with all the ridiculousness that it has to offer it’s a work of art. I was hardly ever not entertained because everything from weird gameplay mechanics to speaking and text popping up was always so ridiculous that there was some fun to be found in them.
– Real player with 3.1 hrs in game
Young Souls
As orphans, Jenn and Tristan’s life path brought them to a mysterious scientist, who took them in and cared for them as his own children. But one day, he disappeared under very odd circumstances.
While searching desperately for him, the duo found a hidden cellar and the Moon Gate portal, transporting them to a dangerous parallel world where goblins thrive.
Your adventure begins as you fight to bridge these two very different worlds.
● Play a dynamic & deep side-scrolling RPG beat‘em up as Jenn and Tristan, solo or in co-op, as you explore the four unique biomes of the goblins' twisted world and the stylish world of the humans.
● Customise your combat gear by unlocking & upgrading hundreds of weapons, armour sets and accessories, to save the world as you know it.
● Unlock unexpected story paths as you fight your way through dozens of epic dungeons, hordes of enemies and over 20 fearsome bosses in the goblin realm.
● Young Souls combines the classic beat‘em up and story-rich role-playing genres through a beautifully crafted story, and in a world crafted with stunning art direction.
Fighting goblins is not as easy as fighting the weight machine at Happy Fit. Combat is punishing and demanding, but you’ll be rewarded with loot chests, which will help you forget the injuries you suffer on the battlefield.
There are tons of possible combinations that vary the stats of your equipment, weapons and the gameplay of your character. Adopting an attacking, defensive or balanced strategy is easy for anyone who dares venture to the land of goblins.
Brawling with enemies obviously means epic boss fights that will make you sweat.
Young Souls is a journey between two worlds, each one full of experiences and encounters that will shape the character and fate of our heroes.
After a well-deserved nap, you can hit the gym at Happy Fit and improve your statistics to gain more strength, resistance and stamina.
If you’re not too stiff, make sure to pay a visit to Solid Sneakers to get yourself the best kicks in town that will give you style and boost your characters' stats on the battleground. Teen Spirit shop is also open to those who need a makeover or just purchase a cool hat that fits with your brand-new sneakers.
When you are done with having fun, it’s time to kit yourself out from head to toe and enter the world of goblins – the place you want to be to bash some skulls and find the professor. Mobs of enemies will be waiting for you with spears and swords in the vain hope it will be enough to stop you…
Chronicon
Amazing game. It has:
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very malleable yet fairly easy enchanting system
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interesting skill trees and crazy equipment powers that combined can produce builds almost breaking the game at extremes
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awesome endgame mode that offers tons of fun
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sweet qol features like very configurable radial loot pickup
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otherwise has familiar structure like acts, elites, bosses, gems etc.
What’s a bit missing:
- given the possible complexity and interconnections of builds, I’d absolutely love a proper build benchmark, like a minute recording of the actual damage you make that’s reported to you with some details.
– Real player with 186.0 hrs in game
One of the reasons I like the Steam platform so much is that it offers opportunity for development teams to release early access versions of their games.
Of course some games never get out of early access for many reasons or the dev teams take little notice of the player base that are effectively ‘testing’ EA/Alpha/beta versions and the player base walk away.
Chronicon is a perfect example of Early Access done well.
I believe the earliest version was 5 years ago.
I picked the game up back in November 2017 and looking at my Steam logs played it for just a couple of weeks.
– Real player with 159.2 hrs in game