Age of Fear: Total
- June 9, 2023
- Leslaw Sliwko
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Get on itch.io Store"Age of Fear: Total" is a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements, featuring fantasy battles and Steam Workshop integration for mods. This game is part of the long-standing Age of Fear series, known for its regular content and feature updates. By supporting this game, you're contributing to the continuing development and expansion of the series .
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Reviews
- The game offers a fun and engaging tactical party-based RPG experience with a wealth of content, including multiple campaigns and open-world scenarios.
- The developer is responsive to player feedback and has shown a commitment to improving the game, which is appreciated by the community.
- The compilation of all previous games in the series into one package provides great value for players, especially with the promise of future content.
- The game's aesthetics and music can be dissonant, with some players finding the visuals lacking and the soundtrack not fitting the gameplay tone.
- There are concerns about the pricing, with some players feeling it is too high for what is essentially a battle simulator rather than a full adventure game.
- The user interface and overall game mechanics can feel outdated, and some players have reported bugs that affect gameplay.
- story28 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is presented as a passion project, featuring a mix of commissioned artwork and stock sound effects, with a comedic tone delivered through voiced narration. Players can engage in a main quest or explore procedurally generated battles, allowing for flexible gameplay that can lead to branching story paths and character transformations. While the narrative is engaging, the mechanics and gameplay elements often take precedence, making it a game that prioritizes tactical battles and inventory management alongside its storytelling.
“This is a clear passion project complete with programmer art and stock sound effects I've heard in other games, and yet he's also gone back and commissioned better artwork for units over the years, as well as put in the effort of hiring voice actors to read the story cutscenes.”
“You have campaign missions where you advance through the story, recruit troops, level up units, give items to heroes, and occasionally make decisions that can branch off a bit.”
“While I'm curious about these stories, and I do love that there are neat branching paths - I died in one level and it wasn't game over, my hero unit actually became a whole new class and the story altered itself - I never lose track of how this is a game you're playing for the mechanics first.”
“The writing is often comedic, and the story is usually delivered with a voiced narration.”
“Also, the random elements they added in the 'free' version and now also populate the world map in the story modules are both a blessing and a curse.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Age of Fear" is highly praised for its engaging tactical turn-based mechanics, RPG elements, and metaprogression features, offering a unique experience with low-number strategies and diverse faction interactions. Players appreciate the depth provided by special unit traits, spells, and morale mechanics, alongside a branching narrative that adapts to player choices. While the game includes some guided elements, it also embraces unpredictability, making it a standout in the fantasy strategy genre without relying on high-end production values.
“Age of Fear is a small squad tactical turn-based game with RPG mechanics and metaprogression.”
“While I'm curious about these stories, and I do love that there are neat branching paths - I died in one level and it wasn't game over; my hero unit actually became a whole new class and the story altered itself - I never lose track of how this is a game you're playing for the mechanics first.”
“This game is a perfect example that you don't need a huge Hollywood-like studio and super effects; the game mechanic is just so well designed, simple in its core but with endless possibilities.”
“While I'm curious about these stories, and I do love that there are neat branching paths - I died in one level and it wasn't game over, my hero unit actually became a whole new class and the story altered itself - I never lose track of how this is a game you're playing for the mechanics first.”
“There is handholding at one part of the game, but no handholding or world progress on the other part (the random part) which can result in unpredictable rogue-like gameplay for what the game isn't designed for in the first place.”
“You have units with special traits and abilities, a variety of spells for most spellcasters, items with special abilities, potions, morale mechanics, damage resistance and vulnerabilities, etc. One thing that differentiates this from other games is it's very much a game of low numbers.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are not particularly stunning, but they effectively immerse players in the role of a necromancer. While the initial visuals may resemble programmer art, the developer has made significant improvements over time by commissioning custom artwork and hiring voice actors for cutscenes, enhancing the overall experience. The top-down perspective and tabletop wargame feel contribute to its unique aesthetic.
“I also can appreciate the artwork since it is at least custom made and not reused from Unity store assets.”
“Not the most aesthetically pleasing game out there, but it does a good job at immersing you in the life of a cold-hearted necromancer obsessed with taking over the world.”
“This is a clear passion project complete with programmer art and stock sound effects I've heard in other games, and yet he's also gone back and commissioned better artwork for units over the years, as well as put in the effort of hiring voice actors to read the story cutscenes.”
“It has top-down graphics (which are odd but work) and some of the feel of a tabletop wargame.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for its inappropriate tone, with players noting that cheerful tavern music plays during dark and gruesome scenes, such as body piling and undead experiments. This disconnect between the music and the game's atmosphere detracts from the overall experience.
“Music needs work - it plays joyful tavern music as the narration is going on where I'm piling up bodies and doing undead experiments.”
“Music needs work - it plays joyful tavern music as the narration is going on where I'm piling up bodies and doing undead experiments.”
“As well, I can separate music from the artist and movies from the director.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game's humor to be a standout feature, describing it as both entertaining and enjoyable.
“This game is pretty awesome and funny.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps me laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”
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