ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery)

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"ADOM " is a complex and challenging roguelike game with grid-based movement and turn-based combat. The game features a large, varied world to explore, with numerous monsters, items, and quests to discover. Its deep mechanics, including character development, magic, and environmental interactions, provide a rich and immersive experience for fans of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 940 reviews

graphics48 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

ADOM offers unparalleled depth and complexity, making each playthrough unique and engaging.
The game has a rich history and has been continuously updated, providing a nostalgic yet modern experience.
The variety of character classes and races allows for diverse gameplay styles and strategies.

The steep learning curve and complex controls can be overwhelming for new players.
Many players experience frustrating and unfair deaths due to the game's RNG mechanics.
The user interface can feel clunky and outdated, making navigation and gameplay less intuitive.

graphics
202 mentions
24 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the updated tile graphics that enhance accessibility and visual appeal compared to the original ASCII format. While some users find the graphics simplistic or reminiscent of the 90s, others praise the polished and clean design that complements the game's depth and complexity. Overall, the graphical improvements are seen as a positive addition, making the game more approachable for new players while still allowing veterans to enjoy the classic ASCII experience.
- “The graphics are reasonably middle-of-the-road, being simplistic enough for everything to appropriately stand out from the environment, but are subtly animated and overall very appealing.”
- “I enjoyed the modern graphic tile interface over the classic text interface.”
- “The new graphics, soundtrack, and new options have made this gem new again, and I look forward to playing it for years to come.”
- “The graphics are practically early-90s, the sound likewise.”
- “Imagine a developer has a labor of love for over 10 years making a game - and puts no effort into upgrading the graphics.”
- “This new steam version is buggy and the graphics ruin visibility of maps.”
gameplay
119 mentions
25 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of ADOM is characterized by its deep complexity and challenging mechanics, reminiscent of classic roguelikes, which can be both rewarding and frustrating for players. While the game offers a rich tapestry of systems, including character progression and various interactions, many users find the lack of clear in-game guidance and the steep learning curve to be significant drawbacks. Overall, ADOM appeals to those who appreciate intricate gameplay and are willing to invest time in mastering its many mechanics, despite its dated elements and occasional lack of polish.
- “Adom is one of the classic original roguelikes; like Nethack, it keeps the original spirit of roguelikes, by being a very difficult, unforgiving, and occasionally unfair game, with a steep learning curve, concerning both mechanics and progression.”
- “The gameplay is a bit dated but if you feel like a lot of the games you are playing lately are just sparkling cash grabs with no depth of gameplay then this is the game for you.”
- “At the heart of Adom lies its unparalleled depth of mechanics.”
- “Lack of any in-game information related to many mechanics, for example eating corpses of monsters doesn't give you a note in monster memory about the corpse effects, inability to inspect items to show their proper descriptions (you need to cast a spell for that and even then you are not always sure what it does), lack of proper crafting system, lack of proper shops, lack of proper alchemy, lack of proper herbalism/gardening, lack of proper enchanting, etc.”
- “The core gameplay loop of ADOM remains the 'gotcha' style gameplay that permeated roguelikes in the 90s but has not aged particularly well into the modern gaming era.”
- “The mechanics are too opaque for me, and the deck is stacked against the player a little too much.”
story
102 mentions
23 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex tapestry woven with multiple quests, lore, and character interactions, offering players a rich narrative experience that can vary significantly with each playthrough. While some players appreciate the depth and replayability, others find the quest structure confusing and reliant on external guides, leading to frustrations with mutually exclusive quests and a lack of a clear core narrative. Overall, the game balances intricate storytelling with roguelike mechanics, providing a unique blend of emergent narratives and challenging gameplay.
- “A complex roguelike with a deep story and a huge variety of mechanics interaction.”
- “It's not just the tactical gameplay itself, and the chess-like difficult decisions that have to be made, that make ADOM a gem, but also its story, its lines of obscure philosophy and poetry, a game that makes you wonder, as you strive to get your character to survive, become more powerful, and save the world... or destroy it altogether.”
- “The story is also surprisingly good; make sure you talk to any named characters you meet, as there is a whole lot of interesting lore to be discovered beyond the main story, and multiple endings are possible.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There is no core story driving you at the start, and so many people complain about quest fetching.”
- “Random crashes, horrible controls, crap gameplay, dungeons all seem to have the same senseless layout, story seems to be on par with Pac-Man.”
replayability
44 mentions
50 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players noting that each playthrough offers a unique experience due to its procedural generation, diverse character options, and challenging gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's depth and variety, making it feel fresh and engaging even after numerous attempts. Overall, it is considered one of the most replayable titles in the roguelike genre, promising countless hours of enjoyment.
- “It's immersive, has infinite replay value, no games are ever the same, each adventure is unique, each character, and action, matter.”
- “Limitless replayability, incredible depth and variety, relentlessly challenging without being unfair.”
- “Though there is a great level of complexity and depth to this game, and replayability, a lot of the game is based highly around text.”
- “15 euros can buy you more recent, visually impressive, or (to be honest) more streamlined games after all, but ADOM takes time to master, and beating it once is nothing, considering the endless replayability the genre itself has to offer.”
- “Now I happen to think this is a strength; there is immense amounts of replayability in the game due to a variety of races and classes you can play as, in addition to a huge amount of procedural generation when it comes to monsters you encounter, loot you find, and dungeon layouts you will explore.”
music
34 mentions
29 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the dungeon-crawling experience and adapting to the player's alignment. While some users report issues like music cutting out or being overly simplistic, many appreciate the soundtrack's ability to blend into the background, contributing to the overall ambiance. However, there are mixed opinions on the sound effects, with some finding them grating, and a few users note that the volume control is lacking.
- “The music matches all the atmospheres that the player could be in.”
- “The music is also appropriate - a good soundtrack tends to fade into the background of your awareness, neither being too loud or quiet, too over the top, or too subtle, but just catching your consciousness now and then despite generally being always there.”
- “The soundtrack is one of my favorites in video games.”
- “The music is unpleasantly mediocre, and sound volume can't be changed in-game.”
- “The music is awful, the UI is half-made (it's still ASCII mostly, inventory, advanced settings, etc.), the animation is either none or too fast (I didn't notice).”
- “Game is probably slightly overpriced, and worth probably in the 9.99 for the basic overall quality of the game (there really is no soundtrack for example).”
grinding
21 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant and often frustrating aspect, with many players finding it tedious and unenjoyable. While some appreciate the complexity and variety of classes, the overall sentiment suggests that the grinding mechanics can detract from the fun, making the experience feel like a chore rather than an engaging challenge. Players warn that those averse to grinding should avoid the game, as it often requires repetitive actions and can lead to a sense of suffering without meaningful rewards.
- “So if you were planning to roll up a spell caster class, you probably want to pick one of the races that levels up quickly, and grab the traits that increase your XP gain; because grinding is actively detrimental for you.”
- “The first hour of the game is mostly grinding, and I just didn't have fun restarting for the nth time.”
- “It's not interesting; the rewards for becoming uber pious are kind of lackluster when I consider how grindy and unenjoyable reaching that point is.”
stability
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience visual issues, such as UI glitches and missing text, alongside unpredictable performance problems that make the game feel unplayable. Overall, the stability issues detract from the experience, leading to frustration and requests for refunds.
- “I was excited to play this, but unfortunately it was so buggy I could not.”
- “My first problem with this game is that it's buggy and crashes frequently.”
- “However, it is buggy and unplayable thanks to frequent and unpredictable crashes.”
atmosphere
9 mentions
56 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its polished graphics and atmospheric music, which enhance the overall experience and adapt to the player's alignment. While many players find the combination of detailed visuals and immersive soundtracks captivating, some feel that the atmosphere can feel incomplete at times. Overall, the game successfully creates a rich and engaging environment that complements its challenging gameplay.
- “The music is very atmospheric; the level-up theme even changes depending on your alignment, it seems!”
- “The music matches all the atmospheres that the player could be in.”
- “I played it quite a while, first the free version and then the Steam version, and I am still charmed by its music, by its atmosphere, by its depth.”
- “Again, the atmosphere of the game feels incomplete.”
optimization
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has faced significant criticism, with users reporting poor performance, long load times, and crashes reminiscent of outdated titles, despite its minimal initial size. However, recent patches have addressed many of these issues, leading to smoother gameplay and improved overall performance. While initial experiences were marred by technical problems, the game is now more stable and enjoyable.
- “Performance issues have been fixed in the latest patch, and everything runs smoothly now.”
- “Performance issues aside, this is a very fine roleplaying experience with a unique morality and karma system that really makes your character feel like a living person in the world of Ancardia at times.”
- “The game has the graphics and clunk of a 90s RPG but the load times, resource appetite, graphics and input lag, and stuttering sound of a 2020 Ubisoft AAA title.”
- “The two most prominent features of this game are horrible performance and crashes.”
- “Major gripe is generally poor performance, but it's not enough to put down the experience as it's turn-based.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its darkly comedic and unpredictable character deaths, often resulting from absurd situations like wearing cursed armor or being sacrificed by goblins. Players find the blend of hilarity and tragedy engaging, as each run offers new, unexpected outcomes that keep the experience fresh and entertaining. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that adds a unique charm to the gameplay.
- “Your characters will die in hilariously unpredictable ways, and you won't be ready for it. From accidentally kicking an altar to putting on a new suit of armor in dwarf-town—before you've identified it—and finding out it's mithril chain mail of hate, leading the entire town to suddenly hate you.”
- “So incredibly hilarious, yet sad at the same time. In my first run, I died because I was sacrificed by a goblin to its gods. It's extremely funny because one would think the creatures wouldn't have the same options as you, and you learn through each run so you probably won't die the same way again.”
- “Hilariously, even with the new mouse controls, I still play entirely with the keyboard.”
character development
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and complexity, featuring a robust system that includes skill leveling, training, and unique character traits based on birth signs. Players appreciate the extensive choices available, which enhance the overall experience and contribute to a more engaging gameplay environment.
- “I also enjoy the additions of leveling up with skills, training, the sign you were born under, and more. The character design has more depth than many other games in the genre.”
- “Even with the complexity of the environment, the depth of character development and the exhilaration of narrowly escaping death while enjoying great rewards is well worth it.”
- “One of ADOM's defining features is its character development system, which offers an astounding array of choices and possibilities.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “Despite the potential for growth, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for its simplicity and lack of intrusive ads or microtransactions, offering a refreshing experience compared to many modern titles that prioritize profit over gameplay depth. Players appreciate the absence of load times and unnecessary distractions, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience.
- “The gameplay is a bit dated, but if you feel like a lot of the games you are playing lately are just sparkling cash grabs with no depth of gameplay, then this is the game for you.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a rollercoaster, with experiences ranging from heartbreaking losses to moments of humor, highlighting the blend of challenge and unpredictability that evokes strong feelings.
- “Some losses will be heartbreaking, while others will be hilarious.”
- “The emotional weight of the story left a lasting impact on me.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters, which made their struggles feel personal.”