Banquet for Fools

About

Banquet for Fools is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Hannah and Joseph Games and was released on September 30, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Release DateBanquet For Fools is leaving early access to full release on February 26th, 2026! About the GameStory The deities have shunned the Vollings, and they have turned to paganism to survive. But Vollings are resilient and ever industrious. One lord has embarked on an enterprise to settle an island long abandoned by its dead civilization, braving a cursed land in hopes of farming a lucrat…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 166 reviews

graphics22 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and beautiful art style reminiscent of claymation, creating an enchanting atmosphere that draws players in.
The combat system is innovative, blending real-time action with tactical pause mechanics, allowing for strategic gameplay that feels fresh and engaging.
The developers are responsive to player feedback and actively working on improvements, showcasing their passion for creating a unique RPG experience.

The game lacks essential quality of life features, such as a quest log or map markers, which can lead to confusion and frustration for players trying to navigate the world.
Combat can feel clunky and unrefined, with issues related to targeting and action queuing that detract from the overall experience.
As an early access title, the game is still plagued by bugs and stability issues, which can disrupt gameplay and hinder immersion.

graphics
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique and enchanting art style, which blends elements of gothic and cartoonish aesthetics reminiscent of stop-motion animation. Many players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and detailed visuals, noting that the art design significantly enhances the overall experience. While some users expressed mixed feelings about specific character designs, the majority find the graphics to be a standout feature that draws them into the game world.
- “Gorgeous game with an incredible art style.”
- “Absolutely love the unique aesthetic and world building in this game.”
- “The art style is beautiful and totally unique, with every detail - from the menus to the item designs - coming together to create a world that feels fully realized and consistent.”
- “Jaw-dropping visuals; however, the game needs a lot of work!”
- “Sits looked interesting (though in my opinion the art style was still bad as it was hard to make things out) and Mechajammer is one of the two games I've scored as a '2'.”
- “There are several odd features (and art style) cash grabs devs wouldn't touch, which is why I believe it's a passion project and will be developed to completion.”
gameplay
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The gameplay of "Banquet for Fools" is characterized by its innovative mechanics and immersive atmosphere, blending semi-realtime combat with unique systems that require players to manage multiple characters and resources. While the learning curve can be steep and some mechanics may frustrate new players, many find the gameplay rewarding and engaging once mastered. The game is visually stunning and offers a rich, exploratory experience reminiscent of classic RPGs, though some balance issues with equipment and mechanics have been noted.
- “The gameplay is excellent, exploration feels good.”
- “Gameplay is crisp and fluid, feeling weighty and responsive, perfect for an action RPG.”
- “This is definitely an up and coming game you should keep your eye on; the gameplay is rich and interesting, and while the story is still in its infancy, the depth is already apparent.”
- “Due to the way the mechanics work, dying is extremely common, but there is no real penalty for dying.”
- “But man, the banquet of fools mechanic is really designed to make players feel extremely frustrated.”
- “Overall, the mechanical balance (not combat or difficulty) is all over the place.”
story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
64%
10%
The game's story is characterized by its immersive world and depth, requiring players to manually track quests and details through a note-taking system, as there are no quest logs or markers. While the narrative is still developing and can be vague at times, it offers a rich experience for those who appreciate old-school RPG mechanics and storytelling. Players are encouraged to engage deeply with the lore and dialogue, making the journey feel personal and rewarding, despite some initial confusion regarding the game's context and characters.
- “This is a flat-out beautiful game with great storytelling, highly recommend.”
- “The story and lore are in-depth and unique.”
- “This is definitely an up-and-coming game you should keep your eye on; the gameplay is rich and interesting, and while the story is still in its infancy, the depth is already apparent.”
- “When someone gives you a quest (main or side quest!), you cannot track it or read more about it because a journal does not exist.”
- “The beginning story bits are hard to understand; you don't grasp the world of the game nor the context of what you are really doing at the start, with many names thrown around and words I don't get.”
- “Like Mechajammer and Serpent in the Staglands before it, there is no quest log, map markers, or a compass pointing you in the right direction - you take notes (via a journal that you just... write in), pick up clues, and ask NPCs for directions.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
26%
13%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its enchanting art style, immersive visuals, and nostalgic qualities reminiscent of classic RPGs. Reviewers highlight the exceptional design and music that enhance the overall experience, creating a unique and captivating world. Many express excitement for the game's potential, noting that its atmospheric qualities make it a standout title in the genre.
- “Enchanting atmosphere, absolutely beautiful visuals, gameplay feels almost like an immersive sim.”
- “The game has an incredible atmosphere, it makes me want to cozy up in a wood-paneled basement with a fireplace and carpet and melt into its world.”
- “Sure the map isn't complete yet but the atmosphere is there, the movement and combat works perfectly and I am getting feelings from a long lost time many years ago.”
- “Another thing that stands out to me and makes it feel nostalgic in a similar way as the classics, is how this game just oozes atmosphere.”
- “And that atmosphere is of a particular old school vibe that is almost extinct nowadays, it’s often in the music and the visuals, that have a beautiful rustic roughness to them.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
38%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its unique composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, featuring a blend of instruments like harpsichords and jazz improvisations that complement the game's art style and lore. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, describing it as both lovely and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's enchanting and mystical vibe. Overall, the music is considered a major highlight, elevating the experience and adding depth to the gameplay.
- “The writing and music is unparalleled, it gives you a feeling of being in a mystical Icelandic saga.”
- “Soundtrack: harpsichords, dissonant strings, and jazz improvisations—perfectly accentuating the chaos.”
- “It's bizarre and unique in mostly all of its aspects: gameplay, lore, graphical style, music...”
- “The choice of instruments and the type of music immensely enhances the atmosphere.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is noted for its unique and visually striking designs that evoke a Henson-style fantasy aesthetic, reminiscent of classics like "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth." While the character designs may be considered unconventional, they contribute to an intriguing and distinctive setting that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game features an interesting setting with unique visuals and character designs that evoke Henson-style fantasy, reminiscent of 'The Dark Crystal' and 'Labyrinth'.”
- “The character development is engaging and adds depth to the overall narrative, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
- “The progression of characters throughout the game is well-crafted, allowing players to form a strong connection with their journeys.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs, impacting the overall experience, particularly in character creation, which users find less engaging than expected. Despite these issues, players still find the game enjoyable and are hopeful for improvements in future updates.
- “A buggy mess but fun.”
- “I was liking it, but it's very buggy at the moment and still needs more work.”
- “I find it somewhat difficult, and the character creation is a little buggy and not as exciting as I usually like, as I couldn't create the characters I really wanted or fantasized about.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some find it enjoyable and engaging early on, others feel that it leads to a repetitive and tedious combat cycle.
- “So combat becomes a repetitive pause-attack-unpause-run cycle, which is quite tedious to be honest.”