Antagonist

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 50 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Antagonist Game Cover
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"Antagonist" is a game that blends Visual Novel and RPG elements, where you play as D'Vil, a Dark Lord and rising star at Evil Productions. You can team up with Hero of Light Ralph or Cat Burglar Teeth, and unleash devastating combos on foes in intense encounters. The game features a compelling story where you uncover a conspiracy behind the video game cutscene industry, while deciding whether to work with the hero or clash like true adversaries.

  • PC
  • Windows
Play Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews
story14 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming and humorous story with plenty of clever parodies and references to other games, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
  • The characters are likable and well-designed, contributing to an engaging experience that keeps players invested throughout the short playtime.
  • The unique combination attack system adds an interesting twist to the combat, allowing for strategic gameplay despite some AI limitations.
  • The combat system can be frustrating due to the reliance on AI partners, which often leads to interrupted combos and unpredictable outcomes in battles.
  • The game lacks depth in terms of plot and mechanics, feeling more like a visual novel with RPG elements rather than a fully fleshed-out RPG experience.
  • Technical issues, such as crashes and poor UI responsiveness, detract from the overall enjoyment and can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • story34 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by its humor and charm, offering a unique twist on the classic hero vs. villain trope, which many players found engaging and amusing. While some reviews noted that the plot can be simplistic or linear, the overall experience is enjoyable, with likable characters and a creative narrative that keeps players invested. However, a few critiques pointed out that the story's execution can feel forced or underdeveloped, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and resolution.

    • “I love their take on the generic hero vs. villain story too!”
    • “I found plenty of the jokes funny, the plot was simple yet engaging in a shounen manga sort of way, and I found myself surprised that I was actually emotionally invested during the final battle, as silly as the path was towards it.”
    • “You can tell nothing but pure effort was put into not only the characters but the story itself!”
    • “The plot is too forced, and just doesn't make any sense, and it's never resolved even by the end game.”
    • “The mechanics are grossly primitive, the battles are overly tedious and long, the AI is stupid, the characters are unmemorable, the parodies are weak, the inventory system is restricted to potions and revives, the story is almost entirely linear, the game lasts only a few hours (although given how bad it is, this might be a good thing) and the list goes on and on.”
    • “Overall, I would honestly call this less of a game, more of a neat short story.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of simplicity and frustration, with some players appreciating the casual approach and short playtime, while others criticize the primitive mechanics, tedious battles, and poor AI. The turn-based combat system is seen as both enjoyable and problematic, with issues like unbalanced difficulty and a lack of engaging character interactions. Overall, the gameplay is described as a mixed bag, offering light challenges but marred by significant flaws.

    • “The battle mechanic takes some time to get used to, but I found it quite enjoyable!”
    • “Humor, interesting comboing battle mechanics, amusing characters... this was such a treat to play.”
    • “On the whole, the antagonist has a fairly entertaining story, marred by somewhat troublesome combat mechanics.”
    • “The mechanics are grossly primitive, the battles are overly tedious and long, the AI is stupid, the characters are unmemorable, the parodies are weak, the inventory system is restricted to potions and revives, the story is almost entirely linear, the game lasts only a few hours (although given how bad it is, this might be a good thing) and the list goes on and on.”
    • “However, the AI will not match their attacks with yours and the chain is interrupted by enemy attacks, making this mechanic extremely random.”
    • “It was kinda fun, with light challenges here and there until there came a fight where the enemy selection, bad fight mechanics, worst companion AI, and the hateful RNG made it impossible for me to advance.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky, light-hearted tone and clever video game parodies, featuring amusing character spoofs and puns that resonate with players. Many reviewers found the jokes engaging and the overall comedic approach enhanced their emotional investment in the story, making for a fun and entertaining experience. The combination of likable characters and a simple yet engaging plot contributes to a consistently humorous atmosphere throughout the game.

    • “The copyright-friendly characters are quite hilarious, also if the general story humor isn't enough to amuse you.”
    • “It tried to be realistic in a fantastical sense, and there was a pretty constant feeling of light-hearted humor as you got over most of the characters being spoof versions of other video game characters.”
    • “The humor in this game is all about video game parody, puns, and silliness.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics in the game are a mixed bag; while the character sprites and overall art style are visually appealing and distinctive, the RPG Maker engine limits the resolution and lacks customization options, which may disappoint modern PC gamers. Despite these technical shortcomings, the creative energy and charm of the visuals contribute positively to the overall experience.

    • “Visuals, especially character sprites, are very pleasing to the eye.”
    • “Quite nice and distinctive artwork as well.”
    • “Likable characters in a funny story with good graphics and the chance to save before each fight, which keeps the frustration low.”
    • “As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the characters and story, particularly highlighting the impactful music and the heartfelt development of friendships, such as that between Ralph and d'vil. The game's multiple paths and endings evoke a sense of investment, with players feeling both excitement and heartbreak as they navigate the narrative. Overall, the blend of humor and engaging plot elements contributes to a surprisingly deep emotional experience.

    • “I believe the music made it so that I got really hyped at the final boss of one ending; it really sweeps you off your feet emotionally if you fall for the characters rather quickly.”
    • “The way Ralph's and D'vil's friendship developed was adorable and touching, and I especially liked how Ralph was not thick-headed for a classic hero, raised and forged on the hate towards evil and dark lords (or one dark lord in particular).”
    • “I found plenty of the jokes funny, the plot was simple yet engaging in a shounen manga sort of way, and I found myself surprised that I was actually emotionally invested during the final battle, as silly as the path was towards it.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    The game lacks traditional grinding elements, such as leveling up or farming, which may appeal to some players; however, it suffers from tedious battles, poor AI, and a linear story, ultimately leaving fans of the JRPG genre wanting more in terms of depth and engagement.

    • “The game offers a rewarding experience without the need for excessive grinding.”
    • “I appreciate how the game balances progression, making grinding feel meaningful rather than tedious.”
    • “The absence of grinding for levels allows me to focus on enjoying the story and gameplay.”
    • “The mechanics are grossly primitive, the battles are overly tedious and long, the AI is stupid, the characters are unmemorable, the parodies are weak, the inventory system is restricted to potions and revives, the story is almost entirely linear, the game lasts only a few hours (although given how bad it is, this might be a good thing) and the list goes on and on.”
    • “The game is clearly made for the JRPG fan audience, yet it lacks many of the things that define the genre, such as dungeons, farming, exploring map secrets, party and equipment management, side quests, or length.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, particularly during climactic moments like the final boss battle, enhancing the overall experience and connection to the characters.

    • “The music really hyped me up during the final boss of one ending; it sweeps you off your feet emotionally, especially if you quickly connect with the characters.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing every moment and making the experience unforgettable.”
    • “Each track is beautifully composed, adding depth to the storytelling and immersing you in the game's world.”
    • “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
    • “I found the soundtrack to be forgettable and uninspired, which detracted from the overall experience.”
    • “The music doesn't match the game's tone, often feeling out of place and disrupting the immersion.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, primarily featuring different dialogue options and a single choice that affects the final cutscene, resulting in minimal variation in gameplay experience.

    • “Not much replay value; there are just different lines to be said and one choice at the end for the final cutscene.”
    • “The game lacks significant replayability, as the variations in dialogue don't change the overall experience.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play through it again since the outcomes are largely the same.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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