Basements n' Basilisks: Storms of Sorcery
- February 27, 2023
- eNVy softworks
Get on Steam"Basements n' Basilisks: Storms of Sorcery" is a unique blend of visual novel and RPG elements, where every decision matters and outcomes are unpredictable. Encounter diverse creatures, engage in tactical combat, and navigate intricate storylines in a whimsical fantasy world. The game offers a brief but immersive experience, allowing you to forge lasting bonds with fictional characters.
Mac OS
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Reviews
- The game is a charming and humorous parody of tabletop RPG sessions, capturing the essence of D&D gameplay with witty dialogues and relatable character dynamics.
- At a low price point, it offers a fun and engaging experience that is well worth the cost, providing several hours of entertainment through multiple playthroughs.
- The writing is well-crafted, with clever humor and pop culture references that resonate with fans of TTRPGs, making it an enjoyable experience for both seasoned players and newcomers.
- The game is quite short, with playthroughs lasting around one to two hours, which some players feel is insufficient for a full gaming experience.
- Limited choices and a linear storyline can make the gameplay feel repetitive, leading some to perceive it as more of a demo than a complete game.
- The lack of voice acting and a 'skip scene' feature can hinder the experience, as players may find themselves clicking through dialogue multiple times during replay.
- story56 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as lighthearted and engaging, featuring fun characters and witty dialogue that appeals to tabletop RPG fans. However, many reviewers note that the narrative is quite short, often feeling more like a demo than a full experience, with limited locations and a linear plot. Despite its brevity, the story is praised for its humor and interactive elements, leaving players eager for potential expansions or sequels to explore unresolved plot threads.
“The story, the artwork, and the music of this short visual novel are nice, and if you are a TTRPG lover, you will have a great time for sure!”
“I found the plot to be engaging and the dialogues well written, and the party's dynamic worked really well for me.”
“Great witty dialogues and an intriguing story!”
“Ultimately, there isn’t too much to the story.”
“As it stands, although the dialogue is quite cool, the concept is quite promising, the story is so short (you only really visit 3-4 places of interest), and you have to click a lot to progress the story.”
“I was able to complete a playthrough in just 30 minutes, and although there is some replay value with different dialogue, the story is rather linear and you likely will just encounter similar events with minor dialogue differences.”
- humor46 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, relatable scenarios, and engaging dialogue, often drawing comparisons to the experience of playing tabletop RPGs. While some players found certain elements tedious or felt the game was too short, many appreciated the charming and funny moments that evoke laughter and nostalgia. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with a cozy atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
“The writing is enjoyable and humorous, and I appreciated the feeling of playing a game within a game.”
“It's a visual novel bustling with lively conversation and crosstalk, and the humor that permeates the writing and story hits home more often than not.”
“A charming, hilarious, and well-made visual novel about doing exactly that, highly recommended!”
- graphics27 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their artistic quality, featuring clean lines and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience. While some reviews note that the visuals are basic, they consistently maintain a solid quality that complements the engaging story and humor. The combination of beautiful artwork and fitting music creates an immersive atmosphere, making it enjoyable for both tabletop RPG enthusiasts and casual players alike.
“The artwork is artistic with clean lines and colors.”
“From the moment I started playing, I was struck by the stunning art style that truly immerses you in the game's world.”
“The attention to detail in the visuals and music create an immersive world that players will want to explore for hours.”
“The audiovisuals are basic, but of a consistent quality throughout.”
“Visuals provide a basic approximation of what a TTRPG should look like.”
“The graphics are very polished.”
- music25 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere that complements the engaging story and humor. Players appreciate the standout tracks that fit well with the game's themes, contributing to a fun and enjoyable environment reminiscent of tabletop RPG sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, adding depth and excitement to the gameplay.
“The multi-soundtrack is full of tracks that stand out and are used to good effect as the journey unwinds.”
“The attention to detail in the visuals and music create an immersive world that players will want to explore for hours.”
“Atmosphere, music, and art are amazing.”
“The music really immerses you in the world and the pain that this poor gm (bm, sorry!) goes through with the party will really make you feel like home.”
“Well-written dialogues and music that matches with the atmosphere.”
“Just started getting into the story, I'm enjoying the meta-commentary and really love the music and sound effects!”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily scripted with minimal role-playing mechanics that enhance the narrative experience, though some players feel the character backgrounds are underdeveloped due to limited gameplay time. Despite comparisons to other narrative games offering more hours, the game is praised for its humor, engaging visuals, and straightforward mechanics that make it easy to pick up and enjoy. Overall, it delivers a fun and unique adventure, showcasing the developers' commitment to creating a niche genre.
“It delivers an enjoyable gameplay experience and incorporates humor and satire to create a truly unique adventure.”
“This game features expertly crafted writing and satisfying gameplay, which makes it an absolute blast to play.”
“Very well done game with great visuals and fun gameplay!”
“The party member's background stories are shallow due to the lack of gameplay time.”
“While there are other narrative games at a similar price that offer more gameplay hours, I do recognize and appreciate the development team's commitment to creating a niche game genre.”
“Underpinning this are some minor role-playing mechanics used at key events.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cozy and engaging qualities, reminiscent of playing tabletop games with friends. Reviewers highlight the excellent music, well-written dialogues, and a delightful sense of humor that enhance the overall experience, creating a charming medieval vibe that appeals to both D&D fans and newcomers alike.
“I really love the atmosphere that this game creates.”
“Excellent atmosphere, nice jokes, the dude reference (and more!) for an overall delightful experience, even if you are not into D&D.”
“Atmosphere, music, and art is amazing.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it features some branched routes and alternate choices that provide a degree of replay value, many players find the story to be largely linear with only minor variations in dialogue. Some users appreciate the potential for different endings and lore, but there is a consensus that the game could benefit from further development to enhance its replayability.
“Replayable as different choices completely change up the ending and lore you experience.”
“So there is definitely replay value.”
“While it has virtually no issues, it has only a minimum of replay value.”
“I was able to complete a playthrough in just 30 minutes, and although there is some replay value with different dialogue, the story is rather linear and you likely will just encounter similar events with minor dialogue differences.”
“Looking ahead, I hope that the development team can use the game system they have built to expand on several storylines, offering players better replayability and a more well-rounded TTRPG adventure experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly brief and often nonsensical, with choices leading to bizarre outcomes. Additionally, the frequent use of trademark symbols after invented names is seen as tedious rather than humorous.
