Atonement: Scourge of Time
- July 15, 2015
- Astronomic Games
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique atmosphere with a captivating story and memorable music that enhances the overall experience.
- Combat mechanics are strategic and engaging, requiring players to think carefully about their character's abilities and resource management.
- The dual storylines provide replayability and allow players to experience different perspectives and character growth.
- The graphics are dated and lack polish, which may deter players looking for a more modern visual experience.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive and linear, with some players finding the turn-based combat to be boring and uninspired.
- Engine limitations and poor controller support can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, such as difficulty navigating menus and using items.
- story42 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game features a dual storyline with two distinct arcs—Nail and Elleria—each offering unique quests and character development, which enhances replayability. While the narrative is engaging and well-written, it occasionally falls into predictability, and some players feel it could benefit from deeper plot exploration. Overall, the story is considered decent, with a gothic atmosphere and interesting character dynamics, making it enjoyable for RPG enthusiasts.
“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 story did grab me and I like the way you can play from two different perspectives with differing stories.”
“Then after the mission, your character is asked to do something else (obviously to keep the plot going), but he was like 'nah fam, I already did what you asked, so I'm free.' But the elder of the village pushes you with a quite literally 'but your brother is in that village,' to which the main character reluctantly accepts and magically becomes determined to see things through.”
“These characters are all duct-taped with a sob story too.”
“The story and characters are decently well-written, and the plot, while nothing too remarkable, is interesting enough.”
- music13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its memorable and catchy tunes, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere, with standout tracks like the boss combat theme and the theme for the abandoned fort Caskell. While some reviewers noted a mix of generic elements, many highlighted the soundtrack's old school charm and emotional depth, describing it as excellent and enchanting, with a few even expressing a desire to purchase the OST. Overall, the music enhances the game's storytelling and character development, making it a notable aspect of the experience.
“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.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally criticized for being poor and reminiscent of typical RPG Maker titles, featuring dark, muddy visuals that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric elements, many find the graphics dated and unappealing, which may not satisfy players seeking modern JRPG aesthetics. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant drawback, though the game's unique story and enjoyable combat may still appeal to certain audiences.
“It seems deceptively simple at times, with its dull, subdued colors and dated graphics, but this only adds to the atmosphere of the game.”
“If you are looking for a westernized Final Fantasy 1 clone, with non-anime graphics, then this is 100% the game for you.”
“Don't let the graphics persuade you into not buying this.”
“Poor graphics and wonky controls.”
“It's a decent enough game, sure, but it's basically your typical generic RPG Maker game at its core with some custom graphics and a dark gothic style atmosphere. However, it's unfortunately paired with ugly and tired RPG Maker graphics.”
“The boring turn-based combat present in the majority of these games is here once again, only now it's paired with very dark, muddy graphics and mostly generic music.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a dark gothic style, enhanced by melancholic music and a unique story, creating a compelling experience despite its RPG Maker roots and dated graphics. While some reviewers find it generic, others appreciate its distinct ambiance and subdued color palette, which contribute to its overall mood.
“The atmosphere was done well with maps, music, and story.”
“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.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fun characters and engaging mechanics, offering a well-balanced experience with two difficulty modes. Players appreciate the interesting combat mechanics and the overall enjoyment, with the game being completable in about four hours at level 20, keeping them on edge throughout.
“Well balanced gameplay with 2 difficulty modes.”
“I love the combat mechanics of this game as they are also interesting.”
“Only needed to get to level 20 and about 4 hours of gameplay to beat the game.”
“I was on edge most of the time during the gameplay.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some recommend it for farming purposes, others find it boring and repetitive, suggesting that grinding is unnecessary for progression.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, but the rewards just aren't worth the time invested.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding in this game quickly becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is enhanced by the option to choose between two distinct parties, encouraging players to explore different paths and experiences within the traditional 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.”
“The game offers two paths, but the lack of meaningful choices makes replayability feel limited.”
“While the classic RPG style is appealing, the replayability is hindered by predictable outcomes.”
“Despite having multiple paths, the game fails to provide enough variation to encourage replaying.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with well-designed characters that evolve throughout the story. Players appreciate the nuanced backstories and relationships that enhance emotional engagement, making the characters feel relatable and dynamic. Overall, the combination of strong character design and meaningful growth contributes significantly to the game's narrative impact.
