Atonement: Scourge of Time

About

In "Atonement: Scourge of Time," the last king died 400 years ago, leading to a breakdown of law and order. Bandits roam the land, and the few remaining safe havens are small villages. The holy Order of Atonement strives to keep people together, but tensions between sentient races threaten to erupt into war. Some believe a "Vindicator" will one day appear to punish sins and bring about a swift end.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 137 reviews

story33 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features a nostalgic blend of old RPG elements with modern twists, providing an engaging experience for fans of the genre.
The soundtrack is highly praised, enhancing the emotional depth and atmosphere of the game.
The dual storylines offer replayability and unique perspectives, allowing players to experience the narrative from different angles.

The graphics and user interface are considered subpar, detracting from the overall visual experience.
Combat mechanics can feel simplistic and repetitive, leading to a lack of engagement during battles.
The game suffers from linear level design and predictable story elements, which may leave some players feeling unchallenged.

story
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
4%
The game's story is characterized by two intertwining arcs featuring distinct characters, Nail and Elleria, each offering unique perspectives and quests that enhance replayability. While the narrative includes emotional depth and interesting twists on traditional themes of angels and demons, some players find it somewhat predictable and lacking in character development due to its brevity. Overall, the storytelling is engaging enough to keep players invested, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and the game's RPG Maker roots.
- “An emotional rollercoaster with deep storytelling and tactical combat.”
- “The story brings a new twist to angels and demons, and you can experience it through two distinct points of view that complement each other.”
- “Atonement has a good storyline that is told through the eyes of two different characters (each has their own campaign with different quests and unique bosses).”
- “The game was too streamlined with no real choice that affects the story or gameplay.”
- “The story started very cliché, but surprisingly developed into something more than decent, well thought out.”
- “But even if fights worked, the main problem is the lacking plot; in my 8 hours with the game (going through with both characters), I simply lacked the will to go on as the flimsy story wasn't enough to make me want to see the rest of it or to give me a reason to go through the annoying fights.”
graphics
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
60%
17%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users describing them as poor, muddy, and reminiscent of low-budget RPG Maker titles. While some appreciate the unique dark gothic atmosphere and semi-realistic art style, others find the visuals unappealing and dated, detracting from the overall experience. Despite the graphical shortcomings, several reviewers note that the engaging story and gameplay can overshadow the visual flaws for fans of classic RPGs.
- “It seems deceptively simple at times, with its dull, subdued colors and dated graphics, but this only adds to the atmosphere of the game.”
- “It is definitely different and the graphics give a different feel to the game.”
- “Decent graphics for a RPG Maker game.”
- “Horrid graphics, UI, and fight system.”
- “The boring turn-based combat present in the majority of these games is here once again, only now it's paired with some very dark, muddy graphics and mostly generic music.”
- “Like nearly 100% of RPG Maker games, you'll experience asset-flipped pixel graphics, high school failure level dialogue, and terrible gameplay.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
25%
13%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its memorable and atmospheric qualities, often describing it as enchanting and epic. While some noted a mix of generic tunes, the standout tracks, particularly during boss battles and specific locations, contribute significantly to the game's dark ambiance. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's highlights, with several players expressing a desire to purchase the original soundtrack due to its quality.
- “The music is truly memorable, and has quite a few catchy tunes that I think of from time to time.”
- “It definitely has an old school charm, and maybe some of the best music I've heard in a game to date.”
- “The boring turn-based combat present in the majority of these games is here once again, only now it's paired with some very dark, muddy graphics and mostly generic music.”
- “The music is very melancholy, further adding to the dark atmosphere of the game.”
- “Decent soundtrack.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of experiences, with some players enjoying the fun and interactive mechanics, balanced difficulty, and engaging combat systems, while others criticize the streamlined nature and lack of meaningful choices. Many note the nostalgic feel of old-school RPG elements, though some mention subpar graphics and repetitive mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a blend of enjoyable moments and frustrating aspects, with a few standout features that elevate the experience despite its low-budget presentation.
- “The game has a lot of side quests with fast-paced gameplay.”
- “Well balanced gameplay with 2 difficulty modes.”
- “This game is a prime example of how gameplay and story can make a game rise above graphics.”
- “The game was too streamlined with no real choice that affects the story or gameplay.”
- “Like nearly 100% of RPG Maker games, you'll experience asset-flipped pixel graphics, high school failure level dialogue, and terrible gameplay.”
- “Same old mechanics, same combat system, same all.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
13%
50%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal, with many noting that it is well-balanced and does not require tedious farming or repetitive battles. Some users appreciated the lack of grind, while others felt that the combat could become boring due to its simplicity.
- “The game is not grindy for a JRPG.”
- “Combat can sometimes be challenging, but it's easy enough so that no grinding or backtracking is required.”
- “When I remembered how tedious my first playthrough was, I just uninstalled it.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a dark gothic style, enhanced by melancholy music and sound effects that contribute to its unique and immersive experience. While some reviews note a generic RPG Maker foundation, others appreciate the game's distinct atmosphere created through subdued colors and a compelling story. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements fosters a captivating, albeit sometimes simplistic, ambiance.
- “Atonement: Scourge of Time is a fantastic game, with a unique atmosphere I haven't seen anywhere else.”
- “It seems deceptively simple at times, with its dull, subdued colors and dated graphics, but this only adds to the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The music is very melancholy, further adding to the dark atmosphere of the game.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The game offers significant replayability due to its two distinct story arcs, each featuring unique dungeons and quests that largely do not overlap. Players can fully experience both paths, enhancing the overall replay value within the classic RPG framework.
- “The fact that you have two parties to pick from is interesting and adds to replayability.”
- “Within the traditional classic RPG style, this game offers two paths, enhancing its replayability!”
- “Both arcs feel distinct enough to be played fully, and the dungeons and quests for both arcs don't overlap for the most part, which adds a ton of replay value.”
- “Within traditional classic RPG style, this game offers two paths, which enhances replayability.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Character development in the game is noted for its strong writing, though many players feel it is hindered by the story's brevity, resulting in some characters not receiving the depth they deserve.
- “Unfortunately, a lot of character development is cut short due to the length of the story, but there's still good writing behind it.”
- “Unfortunately, a lot of character development is cut short thanks to the length of the story, but there's still good writing behind it.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its deep storytelling and the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, creating an engaging experience that combines an emotional rollercoaster with tactical combat. Users also appreciate the quirky menus, which contribute to the overall emotional atmosphere.
- “An emotional rollercoaster with deep storytelling and tactical combat.”
- “The menus are quirky, and I really liked the emotional feel in the game!”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the dynamic and engaging dialogue between the characters, which keeps the experience fresh and entertaining. Players appreciate the witty exchanges and comedic elements that add depth and enjoyment to the gameplay.
- “I love the characters in this game; they are a very dynamic duo that never gets boring whenever you listen to their choppy and funny dialogue!”
- “Of passion, luck, and funny bits that deliver a spine-tingling experience!”