Alvora Tactics
- May 7, 2017
- Rad Codex
- 15h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Alvora Tactics" is a turn-based strategy game with tactical combat and RPG elements. Lead a group of heroes through a rich, intricate story filled with difficult decisions and deadly encounters. Customize your characters with unique skills and equipment to defeat powerful enemies and save the world of Alvora.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The combat system is engaging and offers a lot of variety with numerous classes and abilities, allowing for deep character customization.
- The game features a unique setting and premise, exploring the insides of a giant serpent, which adds an interesting twist to the dungeon-crawling experience.
- Despite being shorter than its predecessor, Alvora Tactics provides a fun and addictive gameplay loop with replayability through procedural generation and character builds.
- The game is quite short, with many players feeling it lacks sufficient content and exploration compared to Voidspire Tactics.
- Procedural generation leads to repetitive dungeon layouts and a lack of meaningful exploration, diminishing the sense of discovery.
- The user interface can be cumbersome and unpolished, making it difficult for players to navigate and understand certain mechanics.
- gameplay56 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of tactical turn-based combat reminiscent of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics and Divinity: Original Sin, featuring a deep class system and engaging mechanics. While the shift to procedurally generated dungeons offers a streamlined experience, it can lead to repetitive gameplay that some players may find tedious over time. Overall, the solid combat mechanics and class variety make it a worthwhile experience, especially for fans of its predecessor, Voidspire Tactics.
“Seriously, the gameplay is fantastic - turn-based combat at its finest.”
“The classes you unlock were fun and interesting, and the gameplay cycle really makes you want to keep going back into the dungeon and explore further.”
“It's a bit light on story and the exploration is of limited interest due to a reliance on procedural generation, but it more than makes up for that with the gameplay.”
“Mechanically, it's the same game, except now, instead of exploring a hand-crafted world, you dive into a procedurally generated dungeon, get as much loot and XP as you can, get back into town, buy upgrades, rinse, repeat.”
“Alvora keeps all the mechanical bits of Voidspire, but instead of exploring new, pre-created places constantly, you repeatedly delve into an ever-shifting procedurally generated dungeon over and over, fighting your way through the same areas repeatedly just with different layouts and enemies.”
“Some of the controls and mechanics are a little awkward and unclear--I was happy to come in with Voidspire experience.”
- story54 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in Alvora Tactics is generally considered minimal and lacking depth, especially when compared to its predecessor, Voidspire Tactics, which features a more engaging and non-linear narrative. While some players appreciate the focus on tactical gameplay over story, many express disappointment at the missed potential for character development and world-building. Overall, the game is enjoyable, but its narrative shortcomings leave players wanting more.
“It's a really good tactical RPG series and both games have a really good story too, albeit this one is really short.”
“Voidspire has a great non-linear (sort of) story and world, and its balancing was great.”
“I love tactics games and that extends to this, but what I loved about Voidspire was the world-building, the story, and the exploration.”
“Basically, without a decent story, there's just no reason to play.”
“The story is a little lacking and reminds me of Tower of Druaga for those anime fans reading this.”
“This game could support a much longer story.”
- music32 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its originality, variety, and thematic appropriateness for different areas and combat encounters. While some noted occasional inconsistencies and recycled tracks, the overall sentiment highlights the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience. Many players expressed a deep appreciation for the music, considering it one of the game's strongest aspects.
“The music was the part I enjoyed the most, top notch all around, graphics and mechanics wise were highly competent and the dungeons although small, really piqued my curiosity to explore around.”
“To whoever made the soundtrack: Yuzo Koshiro would be proud.”
“The occasional puzzle and puzzle room is a great change of pace, and the music is remarkably good, with each area also having its own theme and combat music.”
“- mostly recycled music”
“- mostly recycled music”
“You normally won't hear the same combat music more than twice in a row, and feels appropriate for the combat encounter.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game effectively capture the charm of 8-bit retro aesthetics, with solid pixel art that resonates well with fans of classic RPGs. While minimalistic, the visuals are praised for their competence and ability to enhance the overall experience, complementing the game's mechanics and music. Players appreciate the nostalgic art style reminiscent of titles like Ultima and Final Fantasy Tactics, making it a delightful addition for those who enjoy retro graphics in a modern context.
“The graphics emulate 8-bit retro graphics well.”
“It mixes a Final Fantasy Tactics-ish class/skill system and Super Nintendo era graphics with a more western dungeon-crawl RPG sensibility and throws in a bit of roguelike as well.”
“The artwork is in the same boat.”
“There are subtle class variation visuals, but they're not pronounced enough to rely on at a glance.”
“Even though the graphics are minimalistic, they still work very well.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, enhanced by its class system, multiple difficulty levels, and unlockable upgrades. Players appreciate the procedurally-generated levels, which, despite occasional emptiness, contribute to a varied experience on subsequent playthroughs. Overall, many users find the game enjoyable enough to revisit, especially on higher difficulty settings.
“This leads to some more replayability, especially with the upgrades you can unlock for your team.”
“Game has definite replayability though, and I'm enjoying the hardest difficulty, hardest AI for a second playthrough.”
“That said, there's a lot of replayability due to the class system, multiple difficulties, and unlocks.”
“Levels are procedurally generated, which leads to a few emptier rooms, but the replayability value is higher.”
“But it's still a fun strategy RPG, and it does offer some replayability.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a central aspect of the gameplay loop, often described as repetitive and tedious, leading to a lack of enjoyment. However, some players appreciate the optional farming mechanics introduced in Alvora, which allow for a more flexible approach to character progression and achievements, enabling a quicker completion of the game if desired. Overall, while grinding is prevalent, its necessity varies based on player choice.
“The main reason I liked Voidspite Tactics is that grinding was never required, even on the higher difficulties -- here, the entire game loop is a grind.”
“It's repetitive, tedious, doesn't feel rewarding, and just isn't very fun.”
“If you don't feel like grinding up extra party members or getting all the achievements or hunting for secrets, you can beat it in like 15-20 hours probably.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent crashes and random freezes reported by users during gameplay.
“However, the game always crashes or randomly freezes during play.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's character optimization is praised for its depth, comparable to that of Final Fantasy Tactics, while also offering a distinctive dungeon crawl experience.
“Character optimization is as deep as Final Fantasy Tactics, and it has a unique dungeon crawl feel to it.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the hilarious dialogue of at least one NPC, which adds a comedic touch to the overall experience.
“The dialogue of at least one NPC is hilarious.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its near perfection in execution, with players expressing a desire for even more depth and content in this aspect.
“The tactical combat and character development are executed to near perfection for me; my only wish is that there was more of it.”
