Astatos
- December 16, 2021
- Studio Klondike Australia
"Astatos" is a fantasy visual novel card-battling game that offers both single-player and multiplayer options, including co-op and PvP modes fort up to eight players. Summon heroes, cast spells, and influence others as you uncover an engaging narrative and navigate the influence you have on those around you. Follow Vitus and Volesus as they flee their order, unleash ancient powers, and search for a new home amidst a country in chaos.
Reviews
- The game features engaging storytelling with well-written characters and emotional depth, making it enjoyable for fans of visual novels.
- The card game mechanics are fun and innovative, offering a unique tug-of-war style gameplay that becomes enjoyable once learned.
- The artwork and character designs are high quality, appealing to fans of furry art and enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from a lack of players, making matchmaking difficult and often resulting in long wait times for online matches.
- Many players find the card game mechanics confusing and lacking clear tutorials, leading to frustration and a steep learning curve.
- The game is still in early access, with missing features and bugs that detract from the overall experience, including unbalanced gameplay and incomplete story elements.
- story49 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its depth, emotional moments, and engaging dialogues, particularly for fans of visual novel-style storytelling. While some users noted the absence of gameplay elements in the story mode and occasional technical issues, the narrative's themes and character development have left a positive impression, making players eager for future updates and expansions. Overall, the story is seen as a strong aspect of the game, complementing its card game mechanics.
“The story and dialogues are engaging.”
“I was absolutely blown away by the level of storytelling in this game; it has some incredibly deep and emotional moments that motivated me to keep on reading.”
“As you progress through the story, you will be given choices; each choice feels like it has some serious weight behind it, like your decision actually matters and will change the world around you.”
“The story mode is just text story and gameplay is missing (stated in the game that trial stages for the story mode will come in the future).”
“While the text for the story seems to be there, I got a lot of text boxes that just said 'error' in the prologue. I'm not sure if they were actual errors or intentional.”
“I kept getting 'error' texts and choices; I don't know if they're intentional, but it doesn't seem like it's supposed to be there in story mode.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its unique mechanics and solid core, while others express disappointment over the lack of content and balance issues. Many noted that the story mode is primarily text-based, with actual gameplay elements still pending future updates. Overall, while the game shows potential and features appealing character designs, it currently feels incomplete and lacks a robust player base.
“The gameplay has a lot of effort put into it, and I would like to experience it if there is a player base for it.”
“The gameplay is quite new (at least to me), the characters are totally awesome, cute, and handsome too.”
“It's admittedly very rough around the edges at this point, but the core gameplay is there and works great, plus the devs have a good track record.”
“The gameplay itself is average, plus there is no game guide; the direct impression score is not good.”
“So far, I enjoy the story portion of the game, though I am a tad disappointed that there is a lack of gameplay.”
“However, I was eager to try the gameplay, though there does not even seem to be a tutorial battle option, and it is strictly limited to multiplayer.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their fantastic artwork and beautiful art style, featuring contributions from favorite artists. Players appreciate the engaging visuals that enhance the overall experience of the card game, although some express a desire for additional content and guides.
“The artwork is fantastic and the card game is fun to play.”
“Great art style.”
“The redone artwork for the characters is amazing.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and seamless integration with the visuals, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the relaxing and well-composed soundtracks, which feature contributions from favorite artists, making it a standout aspect of the game. Overall, the music is described as top-notch and perfectly complements the game's artistic design.
“I should also point out that the art and music in this game is absolutely beautiful. The music fits each scene nicely, and the more casual tunes feel relaxing, like you could leave them on in the background to unwind.”
“Well optimized, very great design, and an awesome soundtrack.”
“And gosh, the music is top notch.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“While the soundtrack has some good moments, it often feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
“The sound effects are jarring and can be distracting, taking away from the overall experience.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to earn coins for unlocking skins, which can also be purchased through in-app purchases. Many express concerns about the game's ability to maintain a multiplayer community due to the extensive grinding needed, and the tutorial process is criticized for being overly cumbersome.
“The gameplay is tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I have serious doubts the game can sustain a multiplayer community, and I had a tough time finding a game (found none). Also, I really hope they make the tutorials a playable section because having to read through it all and not really getting most of it is just so tedious.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its impressive and appealing design, particularly highlighting the quality of the anthropomorphic furry characters.
“The character design is incredibly cool, and the CG is impressive.”
“The anthro furry character designs are really well done and captivating.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the game's monetization approach to be strange and unappealing, particularly disliking the requirement to sign up and the presence of in-game purchases, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The game is interesting, but it lacks proper matchmaking and has strange monetization practices.”
“I also dislike having to sign up for an account and the in-game purchases.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported as buggy since its launch, but the developers are proactive in releasing bug fixes. Despite the stability issues, players see potential in the game, particularly noting balance concerns in PvP.
“It is also buggy, but the devs seem good at releasing bug fixes.”
“Buggy since launch, and Makali is super overpowered in PvP, but this game has a lot of potential.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players are highly impressed by the game's storytelling, highlighting its deep and emotional moments that effectively engage and motivate them to continue the experience.
“I was absolutely blown away by the level of storytelling in this game; it has some incredibly deep and emotional moments that motivated me to keep on reading.”
“The emotional depth of the characters made me feel a connection that I rarely experience in games.”
“This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster, leaving me in tears at some points and filled with joy at others.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as amusing and entertaining, particularly appealing to fans of furry themes. Overall, players find it to be a lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
“This game is packed with hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud!”
“The humor is clever and keeps you engaged throughout the gameplay.”
“I love the quirky characters and their witty dialogue; it adds so much charm to the game!”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the high-quality sound effects significantly enhance the game's atmosphere, contributing to an immersive experience.
“The sound effects are high quality and greatly add to the atmosphere.”
“The immersive environment pulls you in, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“The haunting music and ambient sounds create a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”