Atlas Wept
- January 16, 2024
- Kbojisoft
Get on Steam"Atlas Wept" is a humanist retro-style RPG that follows two separate casts of characters on their own quests, with interconnected stories and themes of sincerity and empathy. The game features turn-based combat with bullet hell style dodge mechanics, as well as a variety of unique enemies. Players must fight to uncover the mystery of the entity holding up the ground beneath their feet.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and charming original story that explores deep themes of self-discovery and acceptance, resonating with players on an emotional level.
- The combat system is engaging and innovative, combining elements from various RPGs while introducing unique mechanics like the Stun Bar and character songs that enhance gameplay.
- The art style and character design are appealing, with a quirky 16-bit aesthetic that complements the game's narrative and emotional depth.
- The game suffers from some technical issues, including typos in the dialogue and a lack of detail in the environment, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some players found the difficulty curve to be inconsistent, with battles becoming too easy after adjustments were made, leading to a lack of challenge in the later stages.
- The pacing of the story can feel uneven at times, with certain segments dragging on and themes being overly explicit rather than conveyed organically.
- story41 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story has been praised for its unique charm, emotional depth, and engaging characters, particularly highlighting the quirky nature of the protagonist, Charlie. While some found the narrative a bit confusing at times, many reviewers appreciated its personal touch and thematic richness, with notable plot twists and well-executed pacing that kept players invested. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making the game a worthwhile experience despite some criticisms regarding its execution.
“Intriguing world inspired by mythology, touching story, and engaging mix of shmup/bullet hell and turn-based RPG gameplay.”
“The story feels intensely personal, like the devs were bursting at the seams to tell it, and I feel all the better for having experienced it.”
“This is a great game with a beautiful story; it had me on the verge of tears at moments.”
“One piece of advice I got in school is the more times a story tells its themes, the worse it is.”
“Some of the storyline was a little confusing at first, but it kept me intrigued enough to want to finish it.”
“I wanted maybe about another two hours' worth of plot and maybe some side quest stuff.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay features an intriguing blend of shmup/bullet hell and turn-based RPG mechanics, drawing inspiration from titles like Final Fantasy XIII and Mother 3. While the battle mechanics are innovative, particularly with the stagger system, some players find the gameplay experience to be inconsistent, with bland map design and battles that can feel drawn out. Overall, the mix of engaging elements and occasional monotony creates a varied gameplay experience.
“Intriguing world inspired by mythology, touching story, and engaging mix of shmup/bullet hell and turn-based RPG gameplay.”
“On a gameplay level, Final Fantasy XIII is one of my favorite games ever, and I was surprised to see a game remix some of its mechanics (namely the stagger system) in such an innovative way.”
“Gameplay-wise, this game is heavily inspired by Mother 3, Undertale, and Touhou.”
“Gameplay was admittedly a mixed bag; I have never played a real Touhou game, so I struggled with every new attack. It was strangely easy even though I wasn't good at dodging. I eventually upped the difficulty after both parties got four members, but I think my problem was that I could carry too many healing items.”
“For the maps: they are largely too bland, and it rarely feels like Septimus is an actual world but rather just gameplay segments put together for you to go through.”
“It's not perfect; the battle mechanics get a bit tired by the end, and some of the battles really feel like they drag on.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a standout feature, with characters' songs serving as integral motifs that enhance gameplay, particularly during battles where singing can amplify effects. Players have praised the emotional impact of the soundtrack, including a memorable jazz battle track and poignant moments tied to the title theme. However, some reviews express disappointment with certain aspects of the soundtrack, suggesting a mixed reception overall.
“Singing is an option in battle and each has an effect, costing no resources, just the action, and singing the same song in consecutive actions boosts the effects.”
“I loved the music a lot, there was a jazz battle track, there was one moment where the title track played over a fight that got me teary.”
“Love how parts of the soundtrack are interpolated for battles and then back to the original when exploring.”
“Beautiful story, fun combat, terrible soundtrack.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotional responses through its touching story and well-developed relationships, particularly the endearing bond between the main character and Dezi. Players have reported feeling a deep connection to the narrative, with some even moved to tears, highlighting its impactful blend of mythology-inspired themes and engaging gameplay. Overall, it stands out as a uniquely emotional experience in gaming.
“Made me cry.”
“Her relationship to Dezi is also very cute, and everything about them made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
“I knew I was in for something special when the trailer made me cry.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a quirky 16-bit style reminiscent of Earthbound, featuring a lovely art style and engaging dialogues. While the visuals receive a mixed rating of 3/5, they are praised for their uniqueness and contribution to the overall fun of the game.
“Lovely art style and dialogues.”
“The game's got a fun combat system with a unique and fun art style with a lot to offer.”
“Graphics 3/5: Quirky 16-bit style, but this is the only thing it has in common with EarthBound.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of maturity and child-like wonder in the dialogue, making it both funny and poignant. The characters, while being children, exhibit a level of self-awareness that allows for intentionally humorous moments, enhancing the overall comedic tone.
“Many games have children and young teens cast as the heroines and heroes, but they start very naive. This cast has a maturity coupled with their child-like wonder that makes the dialogue funny and poignant.”
“The characters know they are kids, so some more childish dialogue makes sense and can be intentionally humorous at times.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, rated 3/5, as players may find value in revisiting it to explore missed content or to refine their combat skills, making it worthwhile to return after some time.
“Replayability 3/5: Depending on your desire to cover what you missed or master the combat, it would be worth a sit down a few months or a year down the line.”
“Replayability 3/5: Depending on your desire to cover what you missed or master the combat, it would be worth a sit down a few months or a year down the line.”
