Azarine Heart
- July 19, 2024
- RH616
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Get on itch.io StoreAzarine Heart is an open-world RPG, where choices, actions, and words all matter. Like the butterfly effect, a small action can have unforeseen consequences. Stranded on the isle of Acadia, a small but important island off the mainland of Ralvan, you must find your way through Blight-ridden camps, dust storms, vicious bandits and killers, dangerous wildlife, and above all else, your own pitiful se…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a rich atmosphere with engaging lore and a variety of NPCs to interact with, enhancing the overall experience.
- The real-time combat system is enjoyable and offers a mix of challenge and strategy, allowing players to assess their abilities against enemies.
- The developer is highly responsive to player feedback, quickly addressing bugs and implementing requested features, which shows a commitment to improving the game.
- The game suffers from some bugs and glitches, including pathing issues and unclear quest journal entries that can hinder gameplay.
- The control scheme can be cumbersome, especially for gamepad users, requiring additional effort to map controls effectively.
- Certain gameplay mechanics, such as encumbrance and blocking, may need balancing to improve the overall combat experience.
- story14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story of Azarine Heart is praised for its depth and engaging lore, offering players a rich narrative experience filled with numerous side quests and secrets from NPCs that lead to varied gameplay. While some players noted issues with quest clarity and journal updates, the overall sentiment is that the game provides a compelling main storyline centered on the protagonist's journey to save their sister, complemented by opportunities for exploration and character development. Fans of role-playing games with a strong narrative focus are likely to find this game enjoyable.
“He came up with the lore himself and wanted to bring a game that had depth, story, and purpose over a lot of today's modern run-of-the-mill titles.”
“This game had time and love put into the creation of it, resulting in an entertaining game with an equally entertaining story.”
“It seems like every NPC has some sort of secret or quest for you to complete, and I would wager that if 10 people played this game for an hour, they would all have wildly different experiences due to how wide open the game is.”
“The story?”
“I played for almost two hours and I didn't even scratch the main story in the slightest and was just distracted by checking out the world.”
“Some of the quests need to be more clear in the journal and the notebook isn't updating and that's kinda annoying.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the joy and innocence of childhood gaming experiences. This emotional connection is highlighted as a significant factor in their enjoyment, contrasting with the often commercialized nature of modern games.
“He's put a lot of time into trying to bring back the reason we all fell in love with video games as kids because in today's world of cha-ching, you don't find much wholesome value.”
“Playing this game made me feel like I was a kid again, playing those classic games from the early 2000s, and that's probably a huge reason why I loved this game so much - it just flooded me with nostalgia.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is addictive and shows promise, with the fundamental mechanics for controller use being well-established, though it still requires further refinement.
“The gameplay itself is pretty addictive.”
“It's not quite there yet, but the basics of gameplay via a controller have been sorted out.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with users appreciating their cool aesthetic; however, some have noted issues with text readability, particularly given the limitations of the VX Ace engine.
“The graphics are stunning and truly immersive.”
“The visual design is incredibly detailed and vibrant.”
“The art style is unique and adds a lot to the overall experience.”
“I use VX Ace, so I'm familiar with the graphical limitations, but some of the text was borderline unreadable.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them look flat and unappealing.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with players appreciating the rich lore and engaging narratives shared by NPCs, which enhance the overall immersive experience.
“The atmosphere of the world is excellent, and I have really enjoyed the lore entries I have read so far and what NPCs have shared.”
“The immersive environment truly draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The haunting soundtrack and detailed visuals create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is subtle and intertwined with everyday life themes, encouraging players to reflect while fully engaging in their roles.
“There's hidden humor and everyday life meanings in the playthrough that are meant to make you think while you're immersed in your role.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout the game.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability has some issues, including glitches that can prevent players from exiting rooms, potentially ending their runs. However, the developer is proactive in addressing these bugs, with patches already implemented for reported issues.
“As of this writing, there are a few glitches to be ironed out, such as rooms that cannot be exited (which ended my run since I saved within the room, oops!).”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“I encountered several bugs that caused the game to freeze, forcing me to restart multiple times.”
