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.

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"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,306 reviews

gameplay474 positive mentions

stability145 negative mentions

The game features beautiful art and animation, creating an immersive experience.
Gameplay allows for varied strategies and multiple win conditions, keeping each match fresh.
It's a fun game to play with friends, enhancing the overall experience.

The AI can be too easy, making single-player less challenging.
There are significant bugs and connectivity issues in multiplayer, often leading to frustrating experiences.
The game relies heavily on RNG, which can lead to unpredictable and sometimes unsatisfying outcomes.

gameplay
1,302 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Armello is characterized by a blend of strategic depth and randomness, with mechanics that are easy to learn but offer significant complexity as players explore different strategies and character abilities. While many players appreciate the unique combination of board game elements, card mechanics, and the charming art style, there are frequent complaints about the heavy reliance on luck, which can lead to frustrating experiences and a sense of imbalance. Overall, the game provides a fun and engaging experience, particularly in multiplayer settings, but may feel repetitive and overly reliant on RNG for some players.
- “The mechanics are solid and simple to grasp after a few quick games.”
- “Purchased for the art style and anthropomorphic animals, committed for the pretty good gameplay and the joy that comes from discovering new playstyles 90+ hours into the game.”
- “The gameplay is a nice mix of variability with what blend of hero you choose, strategy, and luck.”
- “The gameplay itself is incredibly boring, even by board gaming standards.”
- “Gameplay has an overwhelming reliance on RNG, resulting in skill and tactics offering no significant impact on the game's outcome and making the gameplay generally frustrating.”
- “The gameplay is really dull and boring, and it's far too slow-paced for my liking.”
graphics
851 mentions
65 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of Armello are widely praised for their beautiful art style, charming character designs, and vibrant animations, which create an engaging and immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in the animated cards and environments, although some mention occasional graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is a significant draw for players, enhancing the enjoyment of the strategic gameplay.
- “The artwork is beautiful, the music is great, and the atmosphere is absolutely amazing.”
- “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.”
- “Armello is a beautiful game with a lovely art style.”
- “The game does continue to have quite absurd glitches such as the rare chance of a match being rendered unplayable due to the visuals cutting out; and other soft locking scenarios that require the game to be restarted.”
- “I unfortunately had to refund this game because of the game-breaking bugs that I experienced within the first 20 minutes of playing (i.e. missing graphics during the prologue which prompts you what to do during the tutorial, missing dice, mouse not being able to move to certain parts of the screen to click on items, graphics appearing off screen, and finally a prompt to open the inventory and equip items but no keyboard or button inputs are recognized).”
- “Practically unplayable with blurred foggy graphics and a very restricted zoom.”
story
651 mentions
17 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in Armello is primarily framed around a kingdom in decline, with players vying to dethrone a corrupted king, which provides a backdrop for the gameplay. While the game features a charming art style and character backstories, many players feel that the narrative lacks depth and progression, often reduced to a series of quests that can feel repetitive and heavily reliant on luck. Despite the engaging prologue and the potential for rich storytelling, the absence of a dedicated story mode leaves players wanting more narrative substance and variety in their quests.
- “The story is engaging and unfolds differently with each game, making every playthrough feel unique.”
- “The art style is beautiful and accentuates the background story, keeping every turn engaging.”
- “The quests and various other activities like defeating players and monsters on the map give you prestige, the player with the highest prestige when the king dies wins the game.”
- “The story is very intriguing, but with just a digital board game aspect, I don't see how the story can unfold -- the way it could with a card game or RPG.”
- “The lack of a storyline I was expecting found a good replacement in the eerie fairy-tale atmosphere of the game.”
- “The story ends after the prologue, and there is no real universe created.”
music
348 mentions
69 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its beauty, atmospheric quality, and ability to enhance the overall gaming experience. While some reviews noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, the majority highlighted its immersive nature and high production quality, often mentioning the emotional impact it has during gameplay. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The artwork is phenomenal, the music is great, and the atmosphere is absolutely amazing.”
- “Visually it's amazing, the soundtrack is epic, atmospheric, dynamic, and a delight to listen to, and the gameplay is unique and objectively really, really fun.”
- “The music is beautiful, I sometimes lose a turn just basking in it.”
- “The soundtrack is nothing to write home about; it does its job, that is, add to the atmosphere.”
- “The music is very pleasant, but you know, you can only listen to the same song and jingles that many times.”
- “The music can be a little too calm and becomes unnoticeable after a while; consider having your own fantasy playlist on standby.”
replayability
206 mentions
53 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, with a variety of characters, strategies, and randomized elements that ensure no two playthroughs are the same. Players appreciate the depth and diversity of gameplay, which is enhanced by unlockable content and different win conditions. However, some users note that the experience can become repetitive over time, particularly in single-player mode, and that certain bugs may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Solid board game with a lot of replayability and an incredible, memorable art style.”
- “Addictive world with plenty of replayability - change up the dice, pick up different amulets through earning XP, almost endless possibilities.”
- “The variety in characters, abilities, and win conditions make each match unique and provides tons of replayability.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Random map generation does not really help replayability because of the small map size and a small handful of different tiles.”
stability
149 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder the multiplayer experience. Many have experienced issues such as freezing screens, disconnects, and unresponsive menus, often requiring multiple restarts to continue playing. Despite some players enjoying the gameplay, the overwhelming consensus is that the game remains a "buggy mess," with long-standing issues that have yet to be 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!”
- “Bugs that have existed since before the 2.0 update still exist, as well as even more game-breaking bugs, crashes, and glitches caused in part because of said 2.0 update.”
- “The game is unbelievably buggy.”
- “Crashes, freezes, disconnects, and all manner of weird miscellaneous bugs are all but guaranteed in any given play session.”
atmosphere
75 mentions
57 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning artwork, immersive soundtracks, and enchanting world design, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a unique blend of charm and tension, reminiscent of beloved fantasy settings, while also noting the effective integration of music and visuals that enhance the overall ambiance. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the consistent feedback emphasizes that the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The artwork is phenomenal, the music great, and the atmosphere is absolutely amazing.”
- “Armello manages to create a wonderful, laid-back, and exciting atmosphere that would be fun to play at any age.”
- “The soundtrack is very atmospheric and blends seamlessly with the game's many sound effects.”
- “The lack of the storyline I was expecting found a good replacement on the eerie fairy-tale atmosphere of the game.”
- “When going for victory, especially in multiplayer, Armello's RNG either keeps you on the track to victory or pushes you off it permanently, facilitating the kind of anguished min/maxing that goes - in my opinion - against the game's atmosphere.”
- “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, but the devs are obsessed with the artistic atmosphere and zoom is nerfed.”
monetization
52 mentions
6 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
35 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the aggressive implementation of microtransactions and DLC in a buy-to-play model, often labeling it as a cash grab. While some microtransactions are purely cosmetic and non-intrusive, others feel they disrupt gameplay balance and detract from the overall experience. Overall, players express frustration over the presence of in-game purchases, particularly in a game that they initially expected to be free of such monetization practices.
- “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.”
- “This is a solid board game, with plenty of replay value and mostly non-intrusive microtransactions.”
- “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.”
- “This is a microtransactions pay-to-win game.”
- “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.”
- “Even though you might have paid $20 for this game, the developers still force you through banner ads every time you complete a game.”
grinding
51 mentions
6 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often comparing it to a cumbersome experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the community support and cross-play features that alleviate matchmaking wait times, many express dissatisfaction with the repetitive nature of grinding for cosmetic items and achievements, which can feel excessive and off-putting, especially for those seeking a more casual multiplayer experience. Overall, the grinding is seen as a necessary but burdensome element that can hinder the game's fun factor.
- “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 welcoming 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.”
- “It becomes tedious very quickly, and I personally find myself annoyed more than I find myself enjoying the game.”
humor
48 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a blend of cute and dark elements, with players enjoying preconfigured phrases that reflect each character's personality, leading to hilarious interactions and unexpected outcomes. While the game can be frustrating due to bugs and randomness, these moments often result in laughter, especially in multiplayer settings with friends. Overall, it strikes a balance between serious themes and lighthearted fun, making it a delightful experience for those who appreciate strategic gameplay infused with humor.
- “Communication with other players is done via preconfigured phrases, and every character has different (very funny) phrases according to their own personality.”
- “It's a hilarious strategic game with friends, but online with random strangers it can become a real slog.”
- “The game strikes an excellent balance between serious subject matter and occasional touches of humor, like the slanderous toad telling me the other heroes are all 'big stupidheads'.”
- “It's not funny in any case.”
character development
48 mentions
60 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive and diverse character designs, each accompanied by unique abilities and charming animations that enhance their personalities. While the artwork and lore are praised for their richness and depth, some players feel that the actual character development lacks meaningful progression and adventure. Overall, the game's aesthetic and character design are celebrated, contributing to an engaging and visually appealing experience.
- “Each player picks from an impressively diverse roster of characters, each with their own abilities to dictate their gameplay and charming animations and character design to highlight their own personalities.”
- “Armello is certainly able to bring you into its world, the lore is incredibly rich, the character designs and stories compelling and the supplementary animations are just absolutely gorgeous.”
- “From the deep tactics of its living board game gameplay to the sheer charm of its world-building and character designs, it's a turn-based quest filled with back-stabbing, political power plays and rampaging monsters that’s different each and every time you play.”
- “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.”
- “Great gem of a game, civ-esque to the extent of being tile based, but beyond that it has more in common with games like King's Bounty, but with increased character development focus and less defined goals.”
optimization
31 mentions
16 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including lag and crashes, even on high-end PCs. While the art and gameplay are praised, the poor optimization detracts from the experience, making it difficult for players with minimum specs to enjoy the game smoothly. Many reviewers suggest that the developers should prioritize performance improvements over aesthetics to enhance gameplay.
- “All in all, this game is a flawed masterpiece; it does so much right from its incredible character design and animation to its innovative integration of a physical board game and a digital medium, but lingering performance issues and a reliance on randomness could make it a hard sell for some players.”
- “Interesting game, needs a pretty good computer to run smoothly.”
- “Update: 7/15/17 -- developers have continually patched multiplayer performance and added new cards and events to the game as free content and work on balancing the cost/values/stats of cards.”
- “This game really needs some optimization, and I think it's needed in the CPU department.”
- “Plus, the game is poorly optimized and struggles to run on even high-end PCs.”
- “The performance of the game is absolutely horrible if you're on a machine that meets the minimum specs or is slightly above.”
emotional
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartwarming yet tragic narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sorrow, as players connect deeply with the characters and their struggles. While the gameplay is engaging and technically impressive, some players express disappointment over the lack of single-player content, which can amplify feelings of loneliness. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth and the ability to create a strong attachment to its story and characters.
- “It's full of emotional ups and downs; it can be as funny and glorious as it can be frustratingly cruel. As you learn characters and strategies, you find a game that is always readable and seemingly simple, but surprisingly deep with tiny little moments that can alter the entire flow of a game.”
- “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.”
- “It's fun, thrilling, sometimes heartbreaking, and just technically really well done.”