Antihero

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 401 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Antihero Game Cover
A charming board game-esque strategy game that doesn't go quite as far as it should have.
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Run a thieves’ guild in a gas-lit underworld. Antihero is a fast-paced strategy game with an (Oliver) Twist. Recruit urchins, hire thugs, kit out your master thief, upgrade your guild… and bribe, blackmail, and assassinate your opposition. A turn-based multiplayer strategy game about running a thieves' guild. Antihero is all about short play sessions with super-interesting decisions. Recruit s…

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 401 reviews
gameplay47 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Engaging turn-based strategy with a charming Victorian theme and unique art style.
  • Offers a variety of gameplay mechanics, allowing for different strategies and playstyles.
  • The asynchronous multiplayer mode is a great feature, allowing players to take turns at their convenience.
  • The single-player campaign is relatively short and may feel like a tutorial rather than a full experience.
  • The AI can be unbalanced, leading to frustrating moments where luck plays a significant role in victory.
  • Multiplayer can suffer from a lack of active players, making it difficult to find matches at times.
  • gameplay123 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its easy-to-learn mechanics and engaging turn-based strategy, offering a satisfying blend of fun and challenge, particularly in multiplayer settings. While the campaign serves as a solid introduction to the mechanics, some players find the depth lacking, with a few expressing concerns about memorization and the AI's competitive edge. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable, with charming art and a rhythm that rewards strategic planning, though some feel it could benefit from additional complexity and multiplayer options.

    • “It's easy to learn, with a short campaign that introduces mechanics as you go and showcases the game's many objectives.”
    • “The gameplay is enjoyable and challenging, definitely setting the game up to be a thinking man's game.”
    • “The core gameplay is just amazing.”
    • “The game overall is ok, with average sound, graphics, and gameplay that is simple and kind of boring.”
    • “The strategy and gameplay lack any real depth.”
    • “At the end of the day, the praise this game receives is much to do with its art style and theme, and less so with its gameplay, which is not great.”
  • graphics88 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and unique art style, which effectively complements the game's theme and atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the cartoonish visuals and polished animations, noting that they enhance the overall experience, even if the gameplay itself may not be as engaging for everyone. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is a significant draw, making it a visually enjoyable title.

    • “The graphics are charming, the art style consistent, and sound and music fit the theme nicely.”
    • “Beautiful 2D graphics, playful turn-based gameplay, and a nice story.”
    • “Great game to chill out with... and the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic, held up by well-designed graphics, fantastic animations, and a sound effects board that goes with the game very well.”
    • “Disliked: if you peel away the cute graphics, it may detract from what you're really doing.”
    • “The game overall is ok, ok sound, ok graphic and gameplay simple and kinda boring.”
    • “At the end of the day the praise this game sees is much to do with its art style and theme, and less so to do with its gameplay, which is... not great.”
  • story75 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered enjoyable but notably short, with most players completing the single-player campaign in around 3 to 6 hours. While the narrative provides a charming backdrop and introduces various gameplay mechanics, many reviewers express a desire for a more complex and extended storyline, as well as higher replay value. The aesthetic and light humor are appreciated, but the campaign often feels more like a tutorial than a fully fleshed-out experience.

    • “The aesthetic is great, and through the scenarios you'll guide street urchins, gangs, thugs, and eventually even a sisterhood of assassins in your quest to rule the gaslit streets.”
    • “The campaign, while not story heavy, sets up a nice context in addition to a charming and fun world which supports the mechanics used in the singleplayer and multiplayer.”
    • “Delightful story, interesting mechanics that reward patience and optimization.”
    • “The single player campaign is an extended tutorial across 10 levels that tells a side story that you will not be able to remember in a week from now.”
    • “The story mode isn't very long as you can tell from my play time but it does have replay value as you could pursue different win conditions in the level.”
    • “It's singleplayer campaign didn't really get me the way that other singleplayer campaigns with side objectives and extra difficulties that makes it that extra special to play because... unfortunately, I was able to guess where the plot would go at one point immediately and that made it really dull to continue once it was revealed.”
  • music31 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its evocative quality and fitting Victorian-era theme, complemented by charming sound effects and voice work. While some players find the soundtrack delightful and immersive, others note that it can be repetitive and occasionally unremarkable. Overall, the art style and music contribute positively to the game's experience, though opinions vary on its originality and thematic consistency.

    • “The music is delightfully evocative; so are the accents to my American ear.”
    • “The presentation, cartoonesque sprites, soundtrack, and goofy English-Cockney-French accents in the game all contribute to the experience.”
    • “The music and little soundbytes from the characters and units help to complement the Victorian-era theme.”
    • “The music and sound effects are okay but repeat often.”
    • “Not to mention the music which absolutely does not fit the theme whatsoever (although it's nice music if you like Pachelbel's Canon, which I think it is based on).”
    • “The soundtrack fits the setting and does an okay job, but is otherwise unremarkable.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers solid multiplayer options and customizable arcade modes that enhance replay value, many players find the single-player campaign short and lacking in variety after completion. Some users express hope for expansions to increase replayability through new characters, challenges, and randomly generated elements, while others note that the limited cast and repetitive gameplay can diminish long-term engagement. In summary, the game has potential for replayability, particularly in multiplayer, but may fall short for those seeking extensive single-player content.

    • “A deep and atmospheric game with solid replayability.”
    • “Aside from that, the multiplayer lobby adds to the replayability, and the game has a dedicated Discord server for matchmaking if you want to meet up and play with someone.”
    • “Each time you replay, the game feels slightly different, adding replayability.”
    • “The replayability is also really low.”
    • “Still, I was able to beat the campaign in 4 hours of play, and once you've done that, the game doesn't have much replay value.”
    • “So in all, the game doesn't have much replay value once you've completed the story.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its deep, immersive qualities, enhanced by unique art styles and effective sound design. Reviewers highlight its Dickensian vibe and clever gameplay, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric board games. Overall, the combination of graphics, animations, and sound creates a fantastic environment that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “A deep and atmospheric game with solid replayability.”
    • “The art style is unique and suits the atmosphere and world that the game takes place in, and the sound design complements the atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “Great game to chill out with... and the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic, held up by well-designed graphics, fantastic animations, and a sound effects board that goes with the game very well.”
    • “If you're into the Charles Dickens atmosphere and you love intelligent, demanding board games, then this one is for you.”
    • “The art, gameplay, and atmosphere are lacking.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the game world.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and charming art style, providing an entertaining experience throughout the campaign. While many players find the humor engaging and addictive, some critiques highlight inconsistencies and frustrations within the gameplay that detract from the overall comedic experience. Overall, the humor is a notable aspect, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.

    • “To my surprise, it's awesome and fits the 'dark humor' and storylines that look like a comic of some sort.”
    • “The campaign is funny and there is a lot of depth to the strategy in this game.”
    • “I found this game addicting and funny.”
    • “I dunno, it's a mixed bag. This sort of dominant strategy that sees infinite trade wars favoring whoever makes the first move, due to the inability to train multiple thugs early, causes so many frustrating issues it's not funny.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find that the grinding aspect of the game can be completed relatively quickly, often within one or two days, and appreciate the engaging art and robust systems that keep it enjoyable. However, the multiplayer experience can become tedious, as it may lead to stalemates after resource gathering, making it less appealing for extended play. Overall, the game is better suited for short, single-player sessions rather than prolonged multiplayer grinding.

    • “You probably can finish the whole campaign in one or two days of grinding.”
    • “It works much better as a short, single-player game instead of a long, grindy multiplayer where both players come to a stalemate after gathering the map's resources.”
    • “While it sounds fun and competitive, it can be somewhat tedious.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game runs well on systems like the iMac with Big Sur, though some users have reported occasional bugs and glitches during gameplay.

    • “Runs great on my iMac with Big Sur.”
    • “I think one or two parts of the game may have been a bit buggy.”
    • “I encountered several glitches while playing.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is highlighted by appealing designs and strong voice acting, contributing to an engaging overall experience.

    • “The character designs are very cute.”
    • “I really enjoy the character design, and the voice acting is pretty good.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's optimization, noting that it enhances the overall experience by rewarding patience and strategic planning, which complements its delightful story and engaging mechanics.

    • “Delightful story, interesting mechanics that reward patience and optimization.”
    • “The game has potential, but the optimization is severely lacking, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
    • “I love the concept, but the optimization feels rushed and makes the gameplay experience less enjoyable.”
    • “Despite its engaging gameplay, the optimization problems make it hard to fully appreciate the game's strengths.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Antihero

Play time

13hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
3-70hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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