Arcane Sorcery

About

Arcane Sorcery is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Andrew Rowe and was released on September 15, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Arcane Sorcery" is a 4x strategy game where you step into the role of a sorcerer king, commanding powerful spells and managing your economy. Engage in high strategy on both the campaign map and in turn-based battles, with a challenging AI that offers a formidable opponent on all but the easiest difficulty. Immerse yourself in a world of magic and conquest.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic 4X strategy games, providing simple yet enjoyable gameplay.
Despite its low budget, 'Arcane Sorcery' has a charming concept and can be entertaining for casual players looking for a quick strategy fix.
The game is free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in trying out a light strategy game without financial commitment.

The graphics and overall presentation are poor, lacking polish and making the game visually unappealing.
Gameplay is simplistic and repetitive, with limited strategic depth and few unique mechanics, leading to low replay value.
The tutorial and game mechanics are poorly explained, resulting in confusion and frustration for new players.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
49%
38%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable despite its linearity and lack of depth, while others criticize the absence of clear explanations for key mechanics. Although it offers some fun and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic strategy games, many feel it lacks polish and innovation, making it a less compelling experience overall.
- “Personally, I had fun playing it. It took me 2 attempts before figuring out the mechanics needed to win, after which it was only a matter of time with little possibility of losing.”
- “It's not a terrible game, but I'll go with a thumbs down because there is no explanation provided for several important game mechanics.”
- “Really linear gameplay and all that jazz; some mostly mindless fun to be had, but there isn't really a 'deeper' level to it.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it feels like Master of Magic with the magic spells and the isometric battle system, but the campaign maps feel more like the original Medieval Total War.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as subpar, with many reviewers noting a flat and basic aesthetic reminiscent of early 90s titles, lacking in detail and cinematic elements. Even considering its status as a free indie game, the visuals are deemed inadequate for the fantasy setting, which typically demands more engaging aesthetics. Overall, the graphics detract significantly from the gaming experience.
- “Fantasy is a setting that has to have good aesthetics.”
- “Graphics aren't the best, but it does have a nice concept!”
- “The graphics are pretty much terrible overall, even for a free game, even for 2015, even for an indie game.”
- “Conquest could be fun, there are some buildings but everything seems so flat, the graphics are basic, there are no cinematics or any ending screen.”
- “As one of the other reviews described, it has an early 90's feel to the graphics (and for once that phrase does not mean 'pixel art', which is a rarity).”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's music consists of only two tracks—one for the strategic map and another for combat—leading to a repetitive experience. Users noted issues with volume inconsistencies during narration, and while some enjoyed the music, others found it unmotivating alongside the game's graphics. Overall, the music's appeal seems to vary significantly among players.
- “I liked the music, but that will be to taste.”
- “The music consists of just two tracks - one for the strategic map and one for combat.”
- “When the narrator is speaking, there are sharp jumps in the volume of the music.”
- “The poor graphics and music demotivate you to play after completing the tutorial.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by quirky details, such as the amusingly misleading version number displayed on the starting screen, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “The funny thing is that the starting screen says 'version 12.3' or something.”
- “The humor in the dialogue is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the quirky character interactions and witty one-liners throughout the game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy has been criticized for being poor, as it resembles a parked domain filled with advertisements, detracting from the overall user experience.
- “Generally, it's approximately as good as the website linked by its developer, which is just a parked domain containing nothing but advertisements.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constantly being bombarded by ads.”
- “I feel like the game is designed more to extract money from players than to provide a fun experience.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has low replayability, with most players feeling that it offers little incentive to play beyond two or three completions, primarily due to the absence of achievements and limited content variation.
- “The replay value is low after two or three playthroughs.”
- “There are no achievements, and not much replay value beyond that.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is often praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, drawing players into a rich and immersive world. However, some reviews note that certain plot points can feel predictable or clichéd, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is a highlight for many, though it may not resonate with everyone.