And So It Was
- February 29, 2016
- VolumeUp Studios
Get on Steam"And So It Was" is a top-down action adventure game with randomized levels and permadeath, where you play as the Boy escaping captivity and uncovering the mystery of his imprisonment. The unique combat system and customizable playstyles add depth to the challenging gameplay. The game features voice-acted narration and intriguing lore, encouraging multiple playthroughs to piece together the full story.
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Reviews
- The game features pleasant visuals and a unique atmosphere that many players appreciate.
- Randomly generated dungeons provide variety and challenge, making each playthrough feel fresh.
- Despite its difficulty, some players find the game addictive and rewarding as they learn to master its mechanics.
- The control scheme is clunky, with movement and attack assigned to the same button, making gameplay frustrating.
- The game is considered overly difficult, with many players struggling to progress past the tutorial due to unfair hitboxes and punishing mechanics.
- There are significant design flaws, including a lack of health pool and non-functional stealth mechanics, which detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay features various mechanics and procedurally generated maps, which some players appreciate for their variety. However, many users express frustration with the mechanics, finding them confusing and unengaging, leading to a lack of motivation to continue playing despite the game's appealing visuals.
“The game has different mechanics to learn and the maps are different every time.”
“The actual game itself looks really good and I love the in-game look, but for game mechanics it seems to fail.”
“Unfortunately, I am not at all fond of the gameplay itself.”
“I'm sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to play this game the way it wanted me to play it - and neither the gameplay itself nor the atmosphere could compel me to struggle through.”
- story7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is set in the late 14th century and features strong female characters in pivotal roles, which resonates with contemporary themes. While the narrative is engaging and well-developed, players note the challenge of the non-saveable story mode, which adds to the overall difficulty. The beautiful animation complements the relaxing atmosphere, despite the initial impression of a hidden story.
“I like the fact that although the story takes place in the late 14th century, the author keeps pace with today’s world and enlists women in key roles as soldiers and leaders.”
“A completely bug-free game, with relaxing, calm, and quite beautiful animation contrasted by the difficulty of the non-saveable story mode.”
“The author also takes time to build characters for the reader to visualize as he tells the story.”
“At first, I thought there was some hidden story.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing a desire for more unique and engaging visuals rather than the prevalent anime and 8-bit styles. Despite the potential for an interesting environment, the overall atmosphere failed to captivate certain players, who found it insufficient to motivate them through the gameplay challenges.
“I don't care for the anime or 8-bit styles that dominate dungeon crawls and roguelike games these days; I just wanted something that was atmospheric and interesting to look at.”
“I'm sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to play this game the way it wanted me to play it - and neither the gameplay itself nor the atmosphere could compel me to struggle through.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the cool and engaging soundtrack that complements the dungeon crawler experience, others feel that it lacks variety and depth, with one reviewer noting the absence of memorable songs.
“This game looked promising - nice design, nice cool music, dungeon crawler.”
“A tale of the ages for no songs to be sung.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as pleasant and visually appealing, suggesting a solid aesthetic foundation for the game. However, there is a sense that the overall potential was not fully realized, indicating a lack of polish in the final product.
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, being described as completely bug-free, which contributes to a smooth and enjoyable experience. The beautiful animations enhance the overall atmosphere, despite the challenge posed by the non-saveable story mode.
“A completely bug-free game, with relaxing, calm, and beautifully crafted animations, contrasted by the difficulty of the non-saveable story mode.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently described as fun and funny, with a charmingly indie vibe that adds to its appeal. Players appreciate the lightheartedness, which complements the game's challenging elements.
“Fun, funny, delightfully indie, challenging.”
“Fun, funny, delightfully indie, challenging.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the character development in the game, highlighting how it is intricately tied to the geopolitical elements, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
“I love the geopolitics alongside great character development.”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-written and deeply engaging.”
“Each character evolves in a way that feels authentic and impactful.”
