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 surprising amount of depth and customization, allowing players to tailor their experience and difficulty settings to their liking.
- The tactical combat is engaging and features a unique radial base movement system, providing a fresh take on the genre.
- The developer is responsive to player feedback and has shown a commitment to improving the game, which is a refreshing change from many larger studios.
- The game suffers from aesthetic shortcomings, with graphics that may not appeal to everyone and music that can feel dissonant with the gameplay.
- Some players have expressed disappointment with the lack of character customization, feeling that the game leans more towards a battle simulator than a full RPG experience.
- There are concerns about the pricing structure, with some feeling that the cost is high for what is essentially a compilation of previous games and scenarios.
- story31 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 84 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story offers a flexible structure, allowing players to engage with the main campaign or explore numerous side missions, including procedurally generated battles that enhance replayability. While the narrative features comedic writing and branching paths influenced by player choices, it is primarily designed to complement the gameplay mechanics rather than overshadow them. Players can enjoy a rich variety of content, including unique character arcs and voice-acted cutscenes, while also having the freedom to focus on combat and strategy.
“While I'm curious about these stories, 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.”
“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.”
“The writing is often comedic, and the story is usually delivered with a voiced narration.”
“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.”
“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.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Age of Fear" is highly praised for its tactical turn-based mechanics, RPG elements, and metaprogression, offering a rich variety of units, spells, and unique faction abilities. Players appreciate the game's low-number mechanics and the ability to mix troops from different factions, which enhances strategic depth. The game balances structured guidance with unpredictable rogue-like elements, providing a polished experience that emphasizes replayability and player choice.
“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 mechanics are just so well designed, simple in their core but with endless possibilities.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are not the most visually appealing, featuring a mix of programmer art and stock sound effects, yet they effectively immerse players in the theme of a necromancer's world. While the top-down visuals may seem unconventional, the custom artwork and commissioned voice acting enhance the overall experience, appealing to strategy game enthusiasts who appreciate creativity over high-budget polish.
“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, often featuring cheerful tavern melodies during dark and intense moments, such as scenes involving body piling and undead experiments. This disconnect between the music and the game's themes 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 to be both entertaining and humorous, highlighting its ability to deliver laughs alongside engaging gameplay.
“This game is pretty awesome and funny.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and absurd scenarios!”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
"Age of Fear: Total" is highly praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a polished and upgraded experience that justifies the investment. Players who enjoy the gameplay will find significant value in replaying the game, making it a worthwhile purchase compared to buying the series separately.
“If you enjoy the gameplay, trust me, Age of Fear: Total is a supremely polished and upgraded experience in comparison, and worth every last penny you'd spend (and ultimately save, vs. buying the series separately!) on getting, if you want sheer replay value above all else.”
“The game lacks significant content updates, making it feel stale after just a few playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in; the side quests are repetitive and uninspired.”
“While the initial experience is enjoyable, the lack of varied outcomes and choices means replaying feels more like a chore than a choice.”
