Bastard
- May 14, 2018
- Aterdux Entertainment
Get on Steam"Bastard" is a single-player Warfare Role Playing game set in a gritty, realistic medieval world. The game features an intriguing story that challenges players to consider the cost of being good in a bad world, with tactical combat and a detective plot. Players' choices determine the outcome of the story, with multiple possible endings and a unique narrative system. It also includes RPG elements known from "Legends of Eisenwald."
Reviews
- The game features a coherent and engaging story that encourages players to pay attention to details and make meaningful choices.
- The introduction of the Authority System adds depth to gameplay, allowing for various moral and strategic decisions that affect the story and endings.
- The writing and dialogue are well-crafted, providing a thought-provoking experience that resonates with players who enjoy narrative-driven RPGs.
- The game suffers from a lack of balance, making it difficult to progress on higher difficulties, often leading to frustrating encounters.
- Many players find the choices presented to be superficial, with a clear bias towards 'evil' actions being more rewarding than 'good' ones, resulting in a black-and-white morality system.
- The game is criticized for being overly linear and short, lacking side quests and meaningful exploration, which diminishes replayability.
- story30 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally regarded as coherent and engaging, with players appreciating the moral choices that influence the narrative and lead to multiple endings. However, it is criticized for being overly linear and lacking in depth, with some reviewers noting that the writing quality is subpar. Despite these criticisms, many players find value in the story's themes and the opportunity for reflection it provides, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven RPGs.
“The overall story is more coherent; it had me paying attention and trying to remember details rather than mashing the next button to get to the next encounter.”
“It has a good storyline with some hard decisions you have to make.”
“For story, I played the main campaign several times and it was amazing.”
“Quality of the story, dialogues, and writing in general is so low that anything else is not relevant.”
“While the gameplay is largely the same, the story here is a dull string of hipster and SJW morality.”
“It should be pointed out that, unlike 'Legends of Eisenwald' and all its other additional scenarios and DLCs, 'Bastard' is rather an adventure/interactive novel with a somewhat simplified gameplay: no side quests, no castle management, not so much combat etc.: it lets you concentrate on the story.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is largely similar to its predecessor, "Legends of Eisenwald," featuring turn-based tactics and narrative-driven mechanics, making it suitable for fans of story-based RPGs. While it introduces some new elements, it is criticized for lacking depth and complexity, focusing more on storytelling than traditional gameplay features like side quests or combat. Overall, players can expect a streamlined experience that prioritizes narrative over intricate mechanics.
“Although I gave the previous game a thumbs-down, I feel this version is much improved both narratively and mechanically, so I would recommend it to anyone who likes story-based RPGs or enjoys some story with their turn-based tactics game.”
“If you liked that game, get this one; it's just more of the same with a new mini campaign and some new mechanics.”
“The game is easy to understand and doesn't have bugs or mechanical flaws (I didn't encounter any at least).”
“Morality plays need to have a meaningful game mechanic behind them; an advantage/disadvantage to playing either side, or I see it as pointless.”
“While the gameplay is largely the same, the story here is a dull string of hipster and SJW morality.”
“It should be pointed out that, unlike 'Legends of Eisenwald' and all its other additional scenarios and DLCs, 'Bastard' is rather an adventure/interactive novel with a somewhat simplified gameplay: no side quests, no castle management, not so much combat, etc.; it lets you concentrate on the story.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has minimal replay value, with users noting its short length and lack of engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is considered barely worth the investment, particularly for those seeking meaningful gameplay experiences.
“The game itself is very short with little reason for replayability.”
“It was just barely worth the couple of dollars I paid for it, and has very little replay value.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game shows significant potential, with immersive worlds that captivate players; however, many reviewers feel it is ultimately undermined by a lack of content and an unfinished quality. This inconsistency leaves players wanting more, suggesting that while the foundation is strong, the execution falls short of expectations for a long-term franchise.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making you feel like you're part of the story.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you've put the game down.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and evocative, creating a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
“Now here we have the latest installment with so much potential, like all the worlds, going to waste due to a lack of content and an unfinished atmosphere.”
“Both gameplay and atmosphere have the makings of a long-term franchise, yet each installment gets smaller and feels more like a tease.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its good soundtracks, enhancing the overall experience and immersion for players.
“The game features an incredible soundtrack that perfectly complements the gameplay.”
“I love the variety of music tracks; they really enhance the overall experience.”
“The sound design and music in this game are top-notch, making every moment feel epic.”
