Athenian Rhapsody

About

Athenian Rhapsody is a humorous turn-based RPG set in the World of Athens, allowing players to create their unique story through decisions and interactions. The game features real-time-dodging combat and quirky methods to make friends or enemies, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience. Try the free preview, Thunder Goober's Personality Dungeon, to get a taste of the adventure that awaits.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 308 reviews

humor92 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Athenian Rhapsody is a charming and humorous RPG that successfully blends elements from Undertale while establishing its own unique identity.
The game features engaging combat mechanics, colorful graphics, and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
Players appreciate the quirky characters and the variety of choices that lead to multiple endings, making it highly replayable.

Some players feel the game suffers from pacing issues, with repetitive dialogue and encounters that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
The combat system has been criticized for being unbalanced, with certain bosses feeling overly difficult and mechanics that can lead to frustration.
There are complaints about the humor being hit-or-miss, with some jokes landing flat and the writing occasionally feeling excessive or drawn out.

humor
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Athenian Rhapsody" is a defining feature, drawing comparisons to "Undertale" with its quirky, absurdist comedy that resonates well with fans of Gen Z humor. While many players find the writing consistently funny and engaging, some note that the humor can become repetitive or hit-or-miss over time, with occasional reliance on lowbrow jokes. Overall, the game is praised for its entertaining dialogue and charming characters, making it a delightful experience for those who appreciate its unique comedic style.
- “Good combat, challenging gameplay, interesting storyline with tons of quirky humor and interesting characters.”
- “The game is absurdly funny while still having a deep story and a good message, the character designs are weird, funny, and overall very pleasing, the characters are expressive and fun, and you actually feel connected to the party members you recruit, everything just feels so alive and incredibly fun.”
- “The witty dialogue and zany scenarios had me laughing as I navigated through a series of unpredictable challenges…”
- “So far I've been enjoying it on the pacifist route. I'm so happy when I play this game, but the humor is funny until it's not. We're tired of your shenanigans!”
- “Unfunny memes one after the other.”
story
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The story of "Athenian Rhapsody" is characterized by its quirky humor, memorable characters, and a focus on player choice, allowing for multiple routes and endings that enhance replayability. While many players appreciate the comedic and heartfelt elements, some criticize the narrative for being too linear or superficial, with a lack of depth in character development and plot progression. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that blends absurdity with meaningful messages, though opinions on its execution vary widely.
- “Athenian Rhapsody has its own story to tell, one of self-reflection, with the whole thing being a test recorded in a save file you can show your friends.”
- “The game is absurdly funny while still having a deep story and a good message. The character designs are weird, funny, and overall very pleasing, the characters are expressive and fun, and you actually feel connected to the party members you recruit; everything just feels so alive and incredibly fun.”
- “With many avenues and routes to take on your journey, you get to create a story all about yourself, the player!”
- “It felt like it didn't have a story at all until the end. I know the game says to create your own stories, but it's too linear to really do that.”
- “The story isn't about you, the player, but more about the game itself. It's not truly replayable since there is only one viable path, and that is pacifism. Trying to go neutral or genocide will only make the game near impossible later on.”
- “The story spent a lot of its time meandering before dumping most of the exposition in the last hour. None of the reveals felt earned, and the difficulty felt very poorly balanced with consistent swerves back and forth between ludicrous difficulty spikes and mind-numbingly easy stretches.”
gameplay
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
The gameplay is a mix of engaging combat mechanics reminiscent of Undertale, quirky minigames, and a humorous narrative that keeps players entertained. While many appreciate the variety and charm, some criticize repetitive enemy encounters and certain design flaws, particularly in boss battles. Overall, the game offers a fun and challenging experience, especially for fans of unique humor and creative gameplay elements.
- “It was one of my favorite games of 2024 due to its creative gameplay, memorable characters (particularly Thunder Goober, Richard, and Horatio, in my case), catchy music, and interesting story.”
- “The combat throughout the game was stellar as each enemy has their own gimmicks and mechanics, and the difficulty curve feels very fair throughout the game as well.”
- “An absolute delight of a game full of silly jokes, wacky characters, heartfelt storytelling, and absolutely bonkers unexpected combat mechanics.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the constant backtracking and repetition of the same enemies you've already fought 20 times gets boring too.”
- “The gameplay (in battle) of ARHAP is a copy of Undertale; that on its own isn't a real problem, but only if the game is fair and has good hitboxes. Unfortunately, ARHAP is not the case; sometimes when fighting a boss, you have to pray because of the clunky hitboxes and the bad game design.”
- “Another annoying mechanic if you choose to go the combat-only route is that about half the bosses in the game are basically scripted to survive a certain number of turns and feel ridiculously tanky and unfair to deal with until they suddenly give up without warning and let you instantly defeat them.”
music
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as "amazing" and "banging." Composed primarily by one individual, the music is noted for its catchy and varied tracks that enhance the game's quirky humor and engaging gameplay. While some players found certain sound effects annoying, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing and the art is quite good.”
- “The music goes insanely hard and there are some genuinely hilarious scenes but they feel more like little sketches rather than anything connected.”
- “The music in this game is pretty great and I like how silly it is.”
- “Couldn't find songs that stick in my head but definitely worth listening to.”
- “Athenian Rhapsody has music that is just 'okay', and the sound effects can be a tad bit annoying in most cases - especially when characters are talking.”
- “Gameplay is solid enough and the art and music are solid too but if you don't rock with the humor you may not enjoy this one.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The graphics of the game are described as quirky and charming, with a unique art style reminiscent of Earthbound and Undertale. While some may find the visuals silly, many reviewers appreciate the beautiful animations, expressive sprites, and the overall aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. The combination of engaging graphics and a captivating soundtrack contributes to the game's delightful and unhinged atmosphere.
- “The graphical style, music, and the combat system all are phenomenal!”
- “Graphics and animations in this game are beautiful.”
- “2 hours in as of writing, absolutely fabulous Earthbound-inspired RPG with amazing music and visuals.”
- “The graphics are weird and silly, and the game has many NPCs with their own backstories and lives.”
- “The graphics will not be everyone's cup of tea.”
- “---{ graphics/art style }---”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag among users; while some praise its numerous endings, alternate routes, and engaging side quests that encourage multiple playthroughs, others feel it lacks sufficient replay value. Many highlight the importance of player choices and the variety of content available, suggesting that those who enjoy exploration and experimentation will find ample reasons to return. However, a few users express disappointment, indicating that the game may not offer enough incentive for repeated plays.
- “The game is fun, I laugh a lot throughout my run. It's one of the few games where I like all the side quests that are quite fun. The side characters (the optional ones) are all unique and enjoyable in their own way. The game has a lot of endings and routes, and every choice is important, leading to changes during your run. The best thing about the game is the (almost) infinite replayability.”
- “Another aspect I love about this game is that it is extremely replayable, and the game encourages you to play it over and over again.”
- “The sheer amount of secrets, optional content, and experimentation with what the world lets you do absolutely helps with replayability as well.”
- “My only complaint is that there doesn't seem to be much replayability, despite the description sounding like multiple playthroughs are intended.”
- “Didn't feel like there was any replayability :(”
- “It's also replayable if you want to get multiple endings.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
24%
63%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often unfair, with battles becoming more challenging as they level up due to scaling enemy damage. While some appreciate that the game isn't excessively grindy, many feel that the repetitive nature of combat and the disconnect between party characters and the main plot detracts from the overall experience. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary but frustrating part of gameplay that can lead to a lack of enjoyment.
- “At least it's not grindy, but I can always be fully stocked on items with no issue.”
- “It's boring and tedious on repeat runs when you know this.”
- “The only reason I would recommend getting this game is if you think what you've seen of it so far is really funny and you don't mind the tedious battles, 'cause the best that this game offers is just that same type of joke being made over and over.”
- “Combat's tedious in ways that feel unfair (RNG projectile directions, enemy damage scales with level but your defense doesn't, healing items are way too inefficient), the party characters are extremely disconnected from the main plot while disappearing once they join you, and the rhapsody at the end was kind of disappointing for how little it cataloged.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its engaging and expressive character designs, which contribute to a vibrant and humorous atmosphere. Players feel a strong connection to the diverse party members, enhancing the overall experience, despite some mixed opinions on the game's overall value. The combination of a compelling story, fun character interactions, and a catchy soundtrack further enriches the character development aspect.
- “The game is absurdly funny while still having a deep story and a good message. The character designs are weird, funny, and overall very pleasing. The characters are expressive and fun, and you actually feel connected to the party members you recruit; everything just feels so alive and incredibly fun.”
- “Character designs are fun and varied.”
- “Killer soundtrack, a great take on an Undertale-style battle system, and great character design.”
- “Character development lacks depth and feels superficial.”
- “The characters are charming, but their growth is minimal and unengaging.”
- “While the soundtrack is great, the character arcs are disappointing and uninspired.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its unexpected emotional depth, blending humor with heartfelt storytelling that resonates with players. Users appreciate how it tackles personal themes, such as identity and connection, while maintaining a whimsical and entertaining atmosphere. Overall, it successfully evokes genuine emotions amidst its silly and bizarre elements.
- “Important ps: don't let the silly and bizarre stuff fool you, this game is wholesome as heck.”
- “As a trans woman, Richard having trouble talking to me and apparently having trouble with talking to girls actually made me feel better.”
- “An absolute delight of a game full of silly jokes, wacky characters, heartfelt storytelling, and absolutely bonkers unexpected combat mechanics.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report experiencing minor bugs and occasional freeze glitches, which have led to some instances of unsaved data loss during gameplay.
- “Minor bugs and freeze glitches occurred during my run, resulting in some unsaved data being lost.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
- “I experienced several stability issues, including random disconnects and lag spikes that ruined the gameplay experience.”