Artifact Adventure
- June 1, 2015
- bluffman
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"Artifact Adventure" is a modern open-world RPG with classic aesthetics, allowing players to travel and explore a vast world in their own way. Every quest has multiple ways to complete it, and player choices significantly impact the game's outcome. With three starting options and over 70 possible endings, this game offers a high level of replayability and a unique adventure each time.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Artifact Adventure captures the nostalgic feel of classic 8-bit RPGs like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, offering a charming retro aesthetic and engaging gameplay.
- The game features a wide range of choices that significantly impact the story and outcomes, providing high replayability and moral dilemmas that make each playthrough unique.
- Players appreciate the open-world exploration and the ability to customize their party with various classes and artifacts, allowing for diverse strategies and playstyles.
- Many players find the lack of clear instructions and the clunky user interface frustrating, with some mechanics being poorly explained or unintuitive.
- The game suffers from balance issues, with difficulty spikes that can lead to frustrating experiences, especially for players unfamiliar with old-school RPG mechanics.
- Technical issues such as limited controller support, small windowed play, and untranslated menus detract from the overall experience, making it less accessible for some players.
- story74 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Artifact Adventure" is minimal and reminiscent of classic NES RPGs, primarily revolving around the quest to defeat the swamp king, but it features a wealth of side quests with multiple endings and moral choices that enhance replayability. While the main plot lacks depth, the game compensates with original and engaging side stories that allow players to make impactful decisions, echoing the charm of old-school Dragon Quest titles. Overall, the narrative structure is designed to encourage exploration and experimentation, though some players may find the lack of guidance and quest tracking frustrating.
“The plot is simple: save the world from the swamp king, who has turned people into his followers (even the king's daughter) via a poisonous substance from which his swamps are made of.”
“Excellent old-school RPG with nice stories in the side quests and many decisions with actual consequences.”
“There is no main story at all unless you pick the correct starting gift, which the game doesn't explain.”
“The overall story setup is paper thin ('swamp king evil, go kill'), but there are all sorts of smaller stories as you progress through the game and help/hinder people, all of which is reflected in the ending you get.”
“But if you don't like 8-bit graphics and interface, mostly nonexistent storyline, classic JRPG turn-based combat, and hints mentioned by townspeople that aren't recorded in-game, I guess you won't like it.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of classic JRPG mechanics and modern elements, offering deep satisfaction through experimentation and character customization, though it suffers from outdated graphics and a lack of intuitive instructions. While some players appreciate the addictive nature and decision-based progression, others find the mechanics uninspired and the combat reminiscent of older titles, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. The presence of time mechanics and a lack of guidance may detract from the experience for some players.
“There's a lot of things to experiment with, and there's deep satisfaction in engaging with this world's mechanics.”
“I love seeing the simple design from classic JRPGs working seamlessly with modern game mechanics such as decision-based progression, morality, immense character customization, and a boatload of secrets to discover.”
“It takes the core mechanics and concepts of those old RPGs, but applies the lessons of newer RPGs like the Elder Scrolls series to make a free-roaming adventure that you're sure to enjoy.”
“The mechanics are uninspired; character classes feel unaffordable.”
“But it's gated behind very, very old-school gameplay and graphics.”
“Artifact adventure is like an NES generation Final Fantasy with less restrictions on gameplay and even less content.”
- grinding15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed perspective on grinding in the game, with some players appreciating the depth it adds while others find it excessive and tedious. Many note that while grinding is often necessary for progression, it can lead to frustrating difficulty spikes and a clunky experience, particularly with inventory management and NPC interactions. Overall, the game balances grinding with meaningful choices, but the time investment required may deter some players.
“Unfortunately, the incredible difficulty spikes that would insta-kill my party in a new area after being able to easily/comfortably beat enemies in a previous area made this game extremely grindy.”
“However, hunting around to make sure I talked to all the NPCs so I didn't miss anything crucial, sifting through clunky inventory menus, and grinding for gear upgrades and levels so I can progress are not things I'm nostalgic for.”
“The story's okay, but there's too much grinding between points where it's possible to actually advance.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic retro aesthetic, reminiscent of classic NES titles, which appeals to fans of old-school RPGs. While some players appreciate the charming simplicity and modern design philosophy applied to the retro visuals, others may find the outdated graphics and interface off-putting, particularly if they are not fond of 8-bit styles. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia, making it a hit for those who enjoy traditional JRPG elements.
“I like that this game takes a retro aesthetic and applies a lot of modern game design philosophy to it.”
“Graphics are pretty nostalgic, and the music's not bad.”
“The game itself is an RPG with turn-based battles, 8-bit graphics, an open story (several endings), and open decisions. I loved the 8-bit JRPGs on my NES, and this game will bring you back to the good old days.”
“But it's gated behind very, very old-school gameplay and graphics.”
“But if you don't like 8-bit graphics and interface, mostly nonexistent storyline, classic JRPG turn-based combat, and hints mentioned by townspeople that aren't recorded in-game, I guess you won't like it.”
“Don't buy this game if NES-style graphics and sound bother you.”
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it repetitive and outdated, while others appreciate its nostalgic NES quality and catchy battle themes. Overall, while the music may appeal to fans of retro-style games, it can become tiresome over extended play sessions.
“The art is great, the music is great, the game is clever.”
“Good art and music (for NES-era).”
“The battle music is particularly good; it will get stuck in your head!”
“Also, the music is trashy.”
“Above all, Artifact Adventure is a retro-styled turn-based RPG, -repetitive music and all-, so if you're not drawn into it, don't waste your time.”
“The music is repetitive.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability, particularly for fans of classic RPGs, due to its diverse class options, decision-locked events, and moral choices that significantly impact gameplay. Players can explore various outcomes and party styles, making each playthrough unique and rewarding experimentation. Overall, it encourages multiple runs to fully experience its different narratives and rewards.
“There are several determining variables, such as classes and decision-locked events that, far from discouraging, lend more weight to your choices and lots of replayability to the game.”
“Once out, would you pick up the flower and take it to the NPC who asked for it or will you respect its inner world and forfeit your possible reward? All of your decisions change the game in some way, so there's replay value and I really loved this.”
“The game is not long, but there is some replayability with all the classes you can pick, or even the starter artifact you choose.”
“Lots of replay value with this one to check out different outcomes and try different styles of party.”
“However, not only does the artifact adventure give you different ways to end quests and receive different rewards for replay value, but it also presents plenty of moral decisions regarding your actions.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by self-aware jokes and amusing AI behaviors, such as the automatic use of learned abilities. While some players appreciate the retro design and comedic elements, others find the humor can become overbearing and feel more like a practical joke than genuine entertainment.
“This game is admirably designed, a retro feel with open world aspects, but honestly, played to the end, it feels more like a practical joke that considers itself hilarious to a point of being obnoxious.”
“Like a mash-up of Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior/Quest, with lots of self-aware humor.”
“What's funny is the AI always auto-uses your 'Ultima' once learned.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from poor optimization, particularly in its inventory management and user interface, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
“This game is hardly optimized, especially when it comes to inventory slots and the user interface.”
“The optimization is a major issue; it feels like the game is struggling to run smoothly.”
“Performance issues abound, making the overall experience frustrating due to poor optimization.”
