A Legionary's Life

About

A Legionary's Life is a single player role playing game with warfare and historical themes. It was developed by Alessandro Roberti and was released on September 25, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

"A Legionary's Life" is a realistic, challenging simulation of a Roman legionary's life. Players experience rigorous training, brutal battles, and historical events while navigating the political landscape of the Roman Empire. With a focus on authenticity, the game offers a unique and immersive look into the life of a soldier in ancient Rome.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,161 reviews

story141 positive mentions

grinding58 negative mentions

Engaging writing and historical accuracy that immerses players in the life of a Roman legionary.
The game offers a unique blend of RPG mechanics and roguelike elements, allowing for character progression through multiple playthroughs.
Combat mechanics are simple yet strategic, requiring players to manage stance and stamina effectively.

The game heavily relies on RNG, leading to frustrating moments where players can miss high-percentage attacks multiple times in a row.
Repetitive gameplay due to the linear story and lack of significant variation in encounters across playthroughs.
Combat can become tedious, with battles often dragging on due to missed attacks and failed recovery attempts.

story
382 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The game's story is highly praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, set against the backdrop of historical events during the Roman Empire, particularly the Punic Wars. Players appreciate the depth of storytelling, character development, and the impact of choices on the narrative, although many note the linearity and repetitiveness of the story across multiple playthroughs. While the writing is well-crafted and offers a rich experience, the reliance on RNG in combat and events can detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration for some players.
- “The historical accuracy is great and if you take the time to read each one of the texts you can really get immersed in the story.”
- “The best part of this game is the story; I believe the combat is fun too.”
- “The story absorbed me and it has replayability value too.”
- “The game play experience just ruins the story and I refunded after losing 4 characters in an hour.”
- “The story is short but has some branching choice trees.”
- “The game is alright, it needs a fast forward button going through combat and the story.”
gameplay
322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The gameplay of "A Legionary's Life" is a mix of text-based RPG mechanics and turn-based combat, which some players find engaging and immersive, particularly due to its historical context and narrative depth. However, many reviews highlight the heavy reliance on RNG, leading to frustrating experiences, especially for casual players, as well as a repetitive gameplay loop that can diminish replayability. While the mechanics can be rewarding once mastered, the steep learning curve and punishing nature of combat may deter some players from fully enjoying the experience.
- “The writing is beautiful, the combat system is really innovative and cool, and the gameplay loop is simple, engaging, and has yet to get repetitive.”
- “If you take the time to read and experiment with this game's mechanics, it leads to a surprisingly deep and rewarding experience.”
- “The gameplay is, at least for me, very gripping and in proportion to its simplicity the result is also astounding.”
- “The core gameplay loop is far too reliant on RNG for it to be a fun game, especially for a more casual player.”
- “The gameplay is not interesting; the narrative is the only good part of this game.”
- “But the absolutely atrocious RNG-based combat system, and forced roguelike mechanics for a linear campaign, really just make this game an exercise in frustration gameplay-wise.”
replayability
177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the fun and engaging gameplay loop, multiple story paths, and character progression systems that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some reviews note that the linearity and historical accuracy can limit variability, the presence of random events and achievements adds to the replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of text-based RPGs. Despite some criticisms regarding content depth, the consensus is that the game offers significant replayability for its price.
- “This severely increases the replayability as you progress your stories from one of an ordinary legionary to that of a renowned centurion with some of the best swordsmanship in the army and potentially a game ending as a consul.”
- “The art and atmosphere is fitting and enhances your experience, the story and setting appears to be quite accurate and educational, and it has a ton of replay value as there are multiple-choice events, items to find, and the amount of points you get in character creation is based upon the score you have gotten in prior play-throughs.”
- “Great game with lots of replayability for achievements.”
- “The replayability is somewhat hampered by the linear story.”
- “There isn't a ton of replayability after your first few playthroughs, but for less than $10 that's plenty.”
- “This game is not only replayable, but it is designed with replayability in mind.”
graphics
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
58%
8%
The graphics of the game are generally described as minimalistic and retro, often evoking an old-school aesthetic that may not appeal to everyone. While some players appreciate the simplicity and find it charming, others criticize the lack of visual detail, noting that the game relies heavily on text and gameplay mechanics rather than graphical presentation. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics are basic, they do not detract from the immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay experience.
- “The graphics definitely feel less like they're dated and more like they're for a modern recreation of an old-school game.”
- “The interesting story and unique art style really make this game stand out.”
- “The graphics, as you may have guessed already, are minimalistic and just show you strictly what you need to know, relying entirely on the UI and text for conveying information which works quite well.”
- “The lack of any graphics also doesn't do much to alleviate the feeling of angry boredom I felt while playing the game.”
- “The graphics are crap and could be nicer but are not essential for a game of this type.”
- “There's very little in the way of graphics; all the encounters are described textually.”
grinding
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as tedious and repetitive, often exacerbated by a frustrating RNG-based combat system that can lead to a sense of unfairness. While some players appreciate the thematic elements and the sense of accomplishment that comes from character and attribute building, many express dissatisfaction with the excessive time required to progress, particularly when starting over after character deaths. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant barrier to enjoyment, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience.
- “But there's no grinding for a specific outcome because, either way, you reach the enemy camp and can go from there.”
- “The only thing I really dislike is the phalanx combat; maybe I'm doing something wrong, but it just feels incredibly tedious and time-consuming.”
- “I wanted to like this game, but it's so repetitive, so grindy, so luck-based, and so infuriating, I can't.”
- “It's an interesting concept, but ultimately a very RNG-dependent, grindy experience devoid of rewarding progression.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its fitting atmosphere and dramatic tension during battles, while others criticize its repetitiveness and limited variety, often consisting of just a few royalty-free tracks. Despite some finding the soundtrack enjoyable, the lack of diversity and the tendency for tracks to become annoying over extended play sessions are common points of contention. Overall, while the music enhances the game's ambiance, it could benefit from a broader selection to maintain engagement throughout longer gameplay.
- “The music and stellar writing, despite its simplicity, give quite the iconic experience. I often come back from nostalgia to do another playthrough, following Scipio up the walls of Novo Carthago and Flaminius against the dreaded Macedonian phalanx again.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, and I often sit on the same screen for several minutes just to admire it for the masterpiece that it is.”
- “While there was a lack of diversity in the soundtrack, it is perfectly fitting and sets the mood and tone of the game very well, once more adding to the atmosphere.”
- “The game's soundtrack is made up of three royalty-free tracks, and although they aren't bad, they get pretty annoying after a dozen or so hours of play.”
- “Although some constructive feedback - why in the world are there like 3 songs for the entire game and why are they like 1 minute long each?”
- “The music is very repetitive.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
33%
20%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its historical accuracy and immersive setting, effectively capturing the experience of being a Roman soldier during the Second Punic War. While some reviewers noted a lack of visual diversity and soundtrack variety, the overall mood and tone are well-executed, enhancing the storytelling and replayability. Despite some gameplay criticisms, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that resonates with players interested in ancient history.
- “This game doesn't have the visuals, but it nails the atmosphere and the feeling.”
- “The art and atmosphere are fitting and enhance your experience; the story and setting appear to be quite accurate and educational, with a ton of replay value due to multiple-choice events and items to find.”
- “Historically accurate with a great atmosphere in the game.”
- “What fails these indie games most of the time is that they rely on their atmosphere or story and neglect gameplay.”
- “This atmosphere of being just a small number in some document makes you feel insignificant in a giant war machine that was the Roman legion.”
- “While there was a lack of diversity in the soundtrack, it is perfectly fitting and sets the mood and tone of the game very well, once more adding to the atmosphere.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, players appreciate the game's unique character progression system influenced by previous performances, but many express a desire for better optimization, particularly for platforms like the Steam Deck. While the mechanics are engaging, the game is still in early access, and users hope for future patches to enhance performance and address issues related to gameplay balance and AI behavior.
- “I like how the failure of your earlier characters allows you to develop better ones later on by generating bonus character generation points dependent upon your Hall of Fame performance.”
- “Death isn't always horrible - while you won't get your character back, you'll get points based on your performance that you can then use to improve your next character.”
- “Overall, I just absolutely love the training, and it feels like your performance in battle actually has an effect.”
- “Game is not optimized enough for playing as a roguelike.”
- “The game is in early access, so I understand that it needs some optimization and patches.”
- “If the creator were to make a sequel with some optimization, different wars in antiquity, expanded story (or multiple campaigns), and actually not letting the AI cheat, it would be an absolute must-have.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes a wide range of intense emotions, from the thrill of success to the pain of failure, largely due to its mechanics like permadeath and character attachment. The emotional investment in characters and their stories, such as heartfelt conversations and personal losses, creates a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players, reminiscent of childhood adventures in fantasy literature. Overall, the game's ability to elicit strong emotional responses is highlighted as one of its standout features.
- “There is no other game that made me feel this intense over failure and success alike.”
- “I got so emotionally invested in my centurion.”
- “The perma-death reality really makes you think about your choices, and you get emotionally attached to characters who have gone on great runs or get lucky in tough fights.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is praised for its solid integration with storytelling and combat mechanics, offering players the ability to shape their character's journey through meaningful decisions and relationships. While the narrative effectively balances action and character growth, some reviewers feel that the impact of choices could be deeper, suggesting that more branching paths in character dialogue would enhance the experience of evolving from an unknown soldier to a figure of renown. Overall, the character development is engaging but could benefit from additional complexity.
- “Great mix of solid storytelling, combat mechanics, and RPG character development.”
- “A simple yet interesting game, featuring character development, turn-based combat, and a storyline with plenty of decisions that affect your character as well as small-scale events in the war.”
- “The story is both engaging and well presented, with a good balance between character development, action, and exposition.”
- “Both a plus and a minus, a lot of the content is centered around being driven through a storyline with relatively minimally impactful decisions (which was sort of the point, tell a legendary tale, not some hero's). However, it seems to me that the appeal of the game is to develop from a relatively unknown soldier into one of great renown; this would be more attainable or perhaps more rewarding if there were even more branches and decisions that had an effect on the story, or at least more branches in character development dialogue.”
- “It is deceptively simple, with strong character development abilities.”
- “Also more in-depth character development, like being able to make a friend throughout the story of the game, and also being able to restart your history.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever and absurd soldier names, which contribute to a lighthearted experience alongside engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of comedic elements with historical accuracy, making it both entertaining and immersive. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with its combat mechanics, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
- “Best part of this game is the hilariously stupid names you can give your soldier.”
- “Second best part is watching the growing number of hilarious names in your hall of fame.”
- “This game, historically accurate, with a good set of ancient campaigns (and more to come!), has a very funny set of activities and a good combat/battle system, making it a real gem.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users rate the stability of the game positively, giving it an 8/10 for its impressive and bug-free gameplay, especially for an early access title, while acknowledging that there is still room for improvement.
- “I would rate it, based on my opinions, a solid 8/10, due to its ample room to improve, but its already amazing and bug-free gameplay for an EA game.”