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Armello

Overall, Armello has a level of polish and depth that is rare for an indie title, and especially for a studio’s debut. It’s truly another feather in the cap for the Australian gaming industry.
Armello Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, monetization
82% User Score Based on 8,343 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 31 reviews

Platforms

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Armello Game Cover

About

Armello is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by League of Geeks and was released on August 3, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Armello" is a digital tabletop game that combines elements of strategy, role-playing, and card play. In this strategic fantasy game, players control anthropomorphic animal characters as they compete for the throne of a dying king in a dynamic, procedurally-generated world. Battles, quests, and strategic decisions drive the narrative as players navigate a unique, story-rich experience each time they play.

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Play Modes
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
Armello screenshot
+15
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82%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,343 reviews
gameplay729 positive mentions
stability239 negative mentions
  • Armello features a unique blend of strategy, role-playing, and card mechanics set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world with anthropomorphic animals.
  • The game offers multiple paths to victory, allowing for diverse strategies and replayability, making each match feel fresh and engaging.
  • The art style and animations are stunning, contributing to an immersive experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game suffers from significant bugs and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can lead to frustrating experiences and lost progress.
  • RNG plays a major role in gameplay, which can lead to feelings of unfairness and unpredictability, making it difficult to rely on strategy alone.
  • The AI is often predictable and lacks challenge, diminishing the single-player experience and making it less enjoyable without human opponents.
  • gameplay
    2,059 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Armello is characterized by its blend of strategic depth and chance, utilizing a mix of card and dice mechanics that create a unique experience with each playthrough. Players navigate a beautifully crafted board, engaging in quests and combat while managing various character abilities and resources, though the reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating moments. While the game offers multiple paths to victory and encourages tactical decision-making, some players find the complexity and randomness can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Armello is a beautifully crafted digital board game that successfully blends elements of strategy, role-playing, and card-based mechanics into a rich, immersive experience.”
    • “The gameplay is great; I especially love that you can take actions during opponents' turns (keeps things interesting!).”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the multiplayer is really awesome.”
    • “The learning curve can be steep for players unfamiliar with card or strategy games, and the sheer amount of mechanics might feel daunting initially.”
    • “You'll need to study the mechanics in whatever way you prefer just to have a fighting chance, so it lacks the draw of intuitive gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay itself is fine, but playing against AI feels bland and gets boring fast.”
  • graphics
    1,364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Armello are widely praised for their stunning art style, which combines charming character designs and beautifully animated cards, creating an immersive and visually appealing experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's unique aesthetic, reminiscent of fairy tales, and commend the fluid animations that enhance gameplay. However, some players have noted issues with graphical glitches and performance, which can detract from the overall experience, despite the game's captivating visuals.

    • “The art for the characters, the board environment, the dice, and especially the artwork on the cards give the world of Armello so much character.”
    • “Armello is a beautifully crafted digital board game with a fantastic art style and fluid animations that bring its world to life.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the storytelling is compelling, the gameplay is simple but effective, and it has just the right level of difficulty to keep you coming back for more.”
    • “I really enjoyed the game while playing it with friends, but I can no longer recommend it because of the frequent crashing and graphical glitches that render the game unplayable after a couple of turns.”
    • “Unfortunately, the numerous bugs and crash-causing graphics issues make it nearly unplayable, and playing without friends feels pretty pointless after 3 or 4 games.”
    • “The graphics are hampered by overuse of blur and fog, making it difficult to discern objects fully zoomed-out and makes it look ugly when fully zoomed in.”
  • story
    1,063 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Armello is set in a richly crafted world where players take on the roles of anthropomorphic heroes vying to dethrone a corrupted king, influenced by a dark force known as the "rot." While the game features a compelling prologue that introduces its lore and characters, many players express disappointment over the lack of a deeper, ongoing narrative or campaign mode, as the gameplay primarily revolves around randomized quests and mechanics rather than a cohesive story. Despite this, the game's charming art style and character backstories contribute to an engaging atmosphere, allowing players to create their own unique stories through each match.

    • “Armello is a game that feels like stepping into a living board game: one drenched in fairy tale mystique, grim storytelling, and gorgeously animated art.”
    • “Each hero comes with a backstory that unfolds throughout the game, and the overall setting is filled with lore that adds depth without overwhelming the player.”
    • “The story is engaging and immersive, with each game feeling like its own unique tale filled with twists and turns.”
    • “The story is practically non-existent; I'd be fine with it if the mechanics were better.”
    • “The plot itself is limited and plays out over the course of a game.”
    • “The game lacks some content; it's not an expensive game, but for $20, I'd like more than one level or at least some content for solo players like a short campaign with a basic storyline.”
  • music
    529 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Armello has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the game's enchanting visuals and enhancing the overall experience. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke a mystical ambiance, with some tracks described as hauntingly beautiful and fitting for the game's fantasy setting. While some users noted that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the general consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The animations are fluid and charming, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s mystical, storybook-like atmosphere.”
    • “The character animations are smooth, the card art is gorgeous, and the orchestral soundtrack is evocative and fitting, especially in more dramatic turns.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and the soundtrack is incredible.”
    • “The soundtrack is nothing to write home about; it does its job, that is, add to the atmosphere.”
    • “The music is basically nonexistent; there's little voice acting (and that which is there isn't great), and the sound effects are pretty bog standard.”
    • “Some music tracks can get a little repetitive.”
  • replayability
    294 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse characters, unique strategies, and random elements that ensure no two matches are the same. Players appreciate the variety of win conditions and the ability to unlock new content, which enhances the overall experience. However, some users note that the game can become repetitive over time, particularly in single-player mode, and occasional bugs may detract from the experience.

    • “The heavy RNG element makes it more replayable because you never really know what will happen in the next game.”
    • “Game modifiers let you tweak the rules and create unique, tailored experiences, adding endless replayability.”
    • “With a large variety of characters, accessories, cards, and paths to victory, this game has great replay value.”
    • “The lack of game types or customization destroys the replayability of this game, and therefore it's only a great game for the first few hours, and I would recommend spending your money elsewhere.”
    • “I can't really recommend this as I personally don't feel there is much replayability here solo, perhaps if you bought all the DLC but then I don't feel like that would make it very good value.”
    • “The game's strategic depth is very low, and the small number of unique characters, events, and cards make the game barely replayable at all.”
  • stability
    243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay, especially in multiplayer modes. Many players express frustration over game-breaking issues that can freeze the game or prevent matches from starting, leading to a lack of recommendations for potential new players. Despite some enjoyment of the core gameplay, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is plagued by technical problems that have not been adequately addressed by the developers.

    • “Works out of the box and runs great; there is no problem with cross-platform (Linux and Windows).”
    • “Runs great, looks great; the learning curve is really nice.”
    • “GW2 runs great on this machine, by the way!”
    • “The game is extremely buggy and with how long it has been out, it's clear that the devs simply do not care enough to actually fix the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, it's so buggy that it is barely playable at the best of times and now it has stopped working completely for me, constantly crashing during load despite several reinstalls and drive changes.”
    • “The multiplayer experience is somewhat better, but it's still buggy.”
  • atmosphere
    126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Armello is widely praised for its enchanting, storybook-like quality, characterized by stunning hand-painted visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the game's mystical environment. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a cohesive and immersive experience, blending charming aesthetics with a dark fairy tale ambiance, making it a standout feature that elevates the overall gameplay. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the rich atmosphere remains a significant draw for players, contributing to its appeal as a digital board game.

    • “The animations are fluid and charming, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s mystical, storybook-like atmosphere.”
    • “Its stunning hand-painted visuals, atmospheric music, and deep strategy make every game feel fresh and engaging, with a perfect balance of luck and skill.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, and art are great and really perfect the experience!”
    • “The soundtrack is nothing to write home about; it does its job, that is, add to the atmosphere.”
    • “You can still see everything if you scroll around enough, so it's not adding anything to the game except 'atmosphere' and annoyance.”
    • “The devs have reduced the fog in the game for better visibility, but I just want to zoom out more and see the whole board at once; the devs are obsessed with the artistic atmosphere and zoom is nerfed.”
  • monetization
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the presence of aggressive microtransactions and DLC in a buy-to-play title, often labeling it as a cash grab. While some users appreciate that many microtransactions are cosmetic and non-intrusive, others feel that the overall monetization strategy detracts from the gameplay experience, leading to frustrations over pay-to-win elements and excessive in-game purchases. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the monetization practices, despite some acknowledging the game's replayability and enjoyment.

    • “Getting set up with all the DLC wasn't too much at all, less than other AAA or indie games with tons of microtransactions, and there's enough cards and RNG in the games that each round feels unique to the last, giving it a ton of replayability with all the characters unlocked.”
    • “Has DLC and other microtransactions, and the latter is normally a turn-off for me, but it's non-intrusive and you'll be fine without any of it.”
    • “There are microtransactions, but apart from bona fide expansion packs, they're all entirely cosmetic, and you do at least get a free cosmetic loot chest once a day.”
    • “Buy to play game with aggressive free-to-play monetization.”
    • “I find it insulting that they expect you to pay a premium for the game, buy DLC, and have loot boxes on top of that. I feel like this game has turned into a cash grab and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.”
    • “Visually stunning, great mechanics and a lot to work towards... then I realized... this game is just a cash grab, was really a nice game and I was excited for it, but a lot of the content I would have had to pay more for instead of earning.”
  • character development
    87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in Armello is highlighted by its stunning visual and character design, with players praising the diverse roster of characters, each possessing unique abilities and charming animations that reflect their personalities. The rich lore and captivating artwork enhance the immersive experience, although some reviews note a lack of meaningful character progression beyond initial design. Overall, the game's aesthetic appeal and character design are consistently celebrated, contributing significantly to its engaging gameplay.

    • “Honestly, the lore of this game and the character development is probably my favorite thing.”
    • “Armello is certainly able to bring you into its world; the lore is incredibly rich, the character designs and stories are compelling, and the supplementary animations are just absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “The character designs are amazing, and the card system is on point.”
    • “There is no meaningful character development, there is no sense of adventure, just a huge amount of fate.”
    • “Starting with the pros, it has a really neat art and visual style with unique character designs that you could give much personality to if there was such a large and engaging story to be had than just simple vignettes.”
    • “The world and its characters are fascinating; even with little character development, the animations alone are enough to convey each character's personality, and aspects like the rot are mysterious enough to be captivating.”
  • humor
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its clever anthropomorphism and dark comedic elements, often leading to unexpected and hilarious moments, especially during multiplayer sessions with friends. Players appreciate the witty character dialogues and the unpredictable nature of gameplay, which can turn frustrating situations into sources of laughter. Overall, the game balances serious themes with lighthearted humor, making it an engaging and entertaining experience, particularly in social settings.

    • “It's funny and unpredictable till the very end of every match, and yeah, sometimes it can be frustrating as well!”
    • “The multiplayer gave me so much fun through endless curses and lots of laughter (the chat is set to preset phrases for each character and sometimes the effects are hilarious!).”
    • “It's a hilarious strategic game with friends, but online with random strangers it can become a real slog.”
    • “It's not funny in any case.”
  • grinding
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the replayability and the streamlined mechanics that reduce tedium, many find the process of unlocking achievements, cosmetics, and character progression to be excessively grindy and frustrating. Overall, players express that while the game can be enjoyable, the grinding required for certain rewards can detract from the overall experience, making it feel tedious and repetitive at times.

    • “Although they're only cosmetics, I'd like to collect in-game items simply by playing the game and defeating challenges, not grinding and paying actual money (although that seems to be a controversial view to hold in 2020 for some reason).”
    • “And the player community seems to be welcome and open to all, not grinding and cheesing their way through games, albeit this might be just phenomenal luck on my part as I queue for random lobbies.”
    • “No tedious turns or units to manage.”
    • “Playing this is tedious and frustrating, like playing an otherwise good game using only chopsticks and no hands.”
    • “Grinding to unlock everything is a weird part of this game.”
    • “The game is fun, but I wish there was more variety and progression than just grinding for things like dice skins.”
  • optimization
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, lag, and crashes, even on high-end PCs. While some users have experienced smoother gameplay after updates, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the overall experience. Despite its engaging gameplay and beautiful art, the persistent performance problems detract from its potential as a standout title.

    • “Would make it 10/10 if it was optimized a bit better.”
    • “The game runs perfectly fine with no technical hitches at all; being able to play at 4K resolutions on ultra-high settings makes this a really well-optimized PC port.”
    • “This game really needs some optimization, and I think it's needed in the CPU department.”
    • “The game is also very poorly optimized.”
    • “The performance of the game is absolutely horrible if you're on a machine that meets the minimum specs or is slightly above (my machine falls into the latter category).”
  • emotional
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create significant personal stakes in victories and defeats, drawing players into a heartwarming yet chaotic narrative reminiscent of classic tales. Players experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy and triumph to frustration and sorrow, as they connect deeply with characters and their struggles. The game's art direction and storytelling evoke strong feelings, making it both a thrilling and heart-wrenching experience that resonates with players on multiple levels.

    • “This narrative integration helps make each victory or defeat feel significant and personal, heightening the emotional investment.”
    • “It is a tale of a kingdom's tragic spiral into chaos and the fight to end a king slowly dying upon his throne, sick and twisted by a foul corruption. The story made me feel sorrow and pity towards the denizens of the kingdom because I felt like I could connect to that conflict.”
    • “Overall, I'm impressed with the game's theme, style, and structured tutorial, which is heavily story-line focused, making you gain an affinity for the characters, then suddenly have them turn villain on you as soon as you are invested in them emotionally.”
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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 31 critic reviews
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21h Median play time
64h Average play time
2h Main story
109h Completionist
8-93h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 61 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Armello is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Armello is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 2 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 109 hours to finish. On average players spend around 64 hours playing Armello.

Armello was released on August 3, 2017.

Armello was developed by League of Geeks.

Armello has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Armello is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include For The King, Gremlins, Inc., Gloomhaven, Demeo, Faeria and others.