An Assassin in Orlandes
- May 12, 2015
- Tin Man Games
Search for a ruthless assassin in this Gamebook Adventure where YOU control the story!
Reviews
- The game features an interesting story with plenty of intrigue and branching paths, making it enjoyable for fans of choose-your-own-adventure narratives.
- User-friendly features, such as a 'cheat mode' that allows players to undo choices and heal, enhance the overall experience and accessibility of the game.
- The combat system, which incorporates dice rolling, adds a layer of strategy and randomness that can be engaging for players who enjoy RPG mechanics.
- The graphics and sound design are outdated and unsightly, detracting from the overall immersion of the game.
- The writing can be awkward at times, and the mechanics are not always clearly explained, leading to confusion during gameplay.
- The game can feel repetitive and linear, with many choices leading to similar outcomes, which may diminish replayability for some players.
- story69 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in "An Assassin in Orlandes" is generally well-received, featuring a mix of intrigue and adventure set in a fantasy world, with multiple paths that enhance replayability. While some reviewers find the narrative linear and lacking depth compared to other choose-your-own-adventure books, many appreciate its engaging writing and the integration of gameplay mechanics. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic gamebooks, appealing particularly to fans of the genre.
“Quite a story-rich adventure, with some genuine surprises towards the end.”
“A wonderful story, full of intrigue where your choices decide how it unfolds.”
“The actual story itself was well written and interesting with various paths that you can take which will certainly increase replayability.”
“Being an avid fantasy book reader, I find the story lacking, but I guess that is to be expected.”
“Most importantly, I found the storyline to be linear compared to other CYOA books out there, where it feels more akin to an on-rails experience than decisions being made that totally change where you are going next.”
“The plot seems to just happen to you, and there is zero indication of where branches will take you or what flags you're setting.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of choose-your-own-adventure elements and light D&D RPG mechanics, appealing primarily to casual readers and light RPG players. While the mechanics are not immediately clear and require some trial and error to understand, the combination of storytelling and simple risk-dice battles creates an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate slower-paced, strategic gameplay. However, it may not satisfy players seeking more action-oriented or hands-on engagement.
“The story and mechanics work together nicely, the music's good, generally very enjoyable.”
“Create your own adventure meets dragons & dungeons RPG mechanics.”
“I quite enjoyed the mix of these two game styles; it makes for very interesting gameplay that mimics the board RPGs quite well and reminds you very fondly of choose-your-own-adventure books.”
“The few game mechanics aren't explicit and must be tried out once before you can actually understand how they work.”
“The game mechanics count our dice and compare it to the opponent's dice.”
“Choose-your-own-adventure book with a simple risk-dice battle mechanic.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics received a mixed review, scoring 4/10, with users noting that while the black and white artworks are visually appealing and well-drawn, the overall graphical quality is typical and lacks the high standards of modern games. The background music and adjustable fonts were appreciated, but the animation and graphical fidelity did not impress.
“The graphical aspect of the book was a bit more typical, but the images (in black and white) were so much nicer to look at, and the maps were also much better drawn.”
“There are some excellent black and white artworks to collect, as well as a set of ten achievements to complete.”
“Good background music, artwork, and adjustable fonts and extras.”
“The graphical aspect of the game was a bit more typical, but the images (in black and white) were so much nicer to look at, and the maps were also much better drawn.”
“Graphics and sound: 4/10”
“There are 23 artworks to find (24 if you include the title page), and when you find all, you are awarded with an achievement, which is most likely the final achievement you find.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and fitting the story's mood, enhancing the overall experience without breaking immersion. However, some users find it repetitive and boring, suggesting a lack of variety. Overall, it serves as a good background element that complements the gameplay and narrative.
“The story and mechanics work together nicely; the music is good and generally very enjoyable.”
“Good background music, artwork, and adjustable fonts and extras.”
“The music is pretty pleasant and didn't break immersion when reading the text.”
“Boring and repetitive music.”
“The music is repetitive but matches the mood of the story.”
“The music can be a negative aspect because it feels monotonous and lacks variety.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is enhanced by its well-crafted story with multiple paths and three difficulty settings, encouraging players to explore different outcomes. However, some players may find the need to revisit chapters tedious, and once all endings are discovered, the replay value diminishes significantly. The challenge of navigating the story's complexities adds a layer of realism that can motivate players to replay for a better experience.
“The actual story itself was well written and interesting with various paths that you can take, which will certainly increase replayability.”
“The game has three difficulty settings and it is long enough and challenging enough to provide a good amount of replay value.”
“Very replayable — it'll take a while to find the 'best' ending.”
“Tldr: re-reading the same chapters over and over hurts replay value.”
“And that is it, after seeing everything once, there is no replayability.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being shallow and unengaging, with players feeling that the narrative lacks depth and emotional resonance. Many express frustration over the repetitive story elements and the inability to skip previously seen content, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters as their stories unfold.”
“I love how the choices I make impact the character's growth and relationships, making every decision feel meaningful.”
“The evolution of the characters throughout the game is masterfully done, showcasing their struggles and triumphs in a way that resonates with players.”
“I had to skip through half of the story that I've already seen in previous attempts. The game doesn't allow for skipping like some visual novels do; instead, you have to leaf through it page by page. The rest of the campaign is just the usual humdrum fantasy tropes: betrayal, sorcery, and nefarious doings that our hero thwarts, but there's really nothing in the way of character development or anything that would make me think or feel.”
“The character development feels incredibly shallow. I expected to see growth and depth, but instead, the characters remain static and uninteresting throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character development. It felt like my decisions didn't matter, and the characters didn't evolve in any significant way.”