Battle Chasers: Nightwar
- October 3, 2017
- Airship Syndicate
- 33h median play time
Battlechasers is an RPG to kick back and enjoy. It may not have the customization or character development some players enjoy, but with a big main story and plenty of subquests, minigames, and journals to fill out, there’s always something to do.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a turn-based RPG inspired by classic console games, featuring deep dungeon exploration, strategic combat, and a rich story. Prepare in the desolate town of Harm's Way, choosing three heroes, equipping them, and diving into action-packed, randomly generated dungeons filled with loot and foes. Classic JRPG-style combat with a unique mana system and random buffs/debuffs adds an extra layer of strategy.
Reviews
- The art style is fantastic and visually stunning, reminiscent of comic book aesthetics.
- The turn-based combat system is engaging and allows for strategic planning with unique character abilities.
- The game offers a good amount of content, including side quests, crafting, and replayable dungeons.
- The story is weak and lacks depth, making it less engaging for players looking for a strong narrative.
- Combat can become tedious due to slow animations and the inability to skip them, leading to a repetitive experience.
- Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, requiring grinding to progress, which may deter some players.
- story1,016 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Battle Chasers: Nightwar" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be basic and lacking depth. While some appreciate the comic-inspired narrative and character interactions, others criticize it for being generic and underdeveloped, often feeling like a mere backdrop to the gameplay. Overall, the story serves its purpose but does not stand out as a significant aspect of the game, leaving many players wanting more in terms of character development and plot complexity.
“With a compelling story, atmospheric soundtrack, and a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, Battle Chasers: Nightwar stands as a must-play for RPG enthusiasts seeking a rich and immersive gaming experience.”
“The story is entertaining and scales nicely as time passes, also have some pretty badass boss fights!”
“The game is gorgeous, with an interesting story, fun combat system, and cool dungeon/world map flow.”
“Firstly, the story is almost non-existent.”
“Overall it feels like they just did not know how to incorporate the story into this game, and it ends up feeling very tacked on.”
“The story is flat and so forgettable.. the characters are kinda there but it feels like they stopped working on these in the early design concept phase.”
- graphics705 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Battle Chasers: Nightwar" are widely praised for their stunning comic-book aesthetic, vibrant colors, and detailed character designs, which many reviewers find reminiscent of classic RPGs and Joe Madureira's original artwork. While the visuals are often described as beautiful and engaging, some players note inconsistencies, such as the juxtaposition of 3D models with static 2D backgrounds, which can create an awkward contrast. Overall, the game's art style is considered one of its standout features, enhancing the overall experience despite some minor graphical issues.
“Its stunning art style, reminiscent of the beloved Battle Chasers comic series, creates a visually captivating world filled with secrets and exploration.”
“The artwork, animations, design, and cut scenes are stellar.”
“The visuals and overall aesthetic are probably what first caught your eye with Battle Chasers, and yes, they are simply top notch.”
“The graphics are decent, but inside the dungeon it becomes pretty clunky.”
“The visuals could certainly stand to be upgraded, and I find it could use some more/better narrative and character backstory.”
“Yet I cannot overlook the consistent performance problems I have been getting regardless of graphics options, resolution, and windowed/fullscreen modes.”
- gameplay619 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Battle Chasers: Nightwar" is characterized by a blend of classic turn-based JRPG mechanics and innovative features like the overcharge system, which allows players to build up additional mana through basic attacks. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and character progression, some find the gameplay repetitive and grindy, particularly in the mid to late game. Overall, the game offers a visually stunning experience with solid mechanics, though it may not satisfy those seeking deeper or more complex gameplay.
“The game is full of creative ideas and interesting mechanics.”
“The gameplay is fun and leveling up your characters and equipment is very satisfying.”
“Great turn-based RPG action with a lot of interesting mechanics to play with.”
“The gameplay can become a bit repetitive.”
“The gameplay gets old fast and the dungeons are very long and tedious without much variety.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and not fun.”
- grinding365 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often leading to mixed feelings among players. While some appreciate the grind as a staple of the genre that enhances character development and resource management, many others find it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to slow combat animations and the necessity to level up sidelined characters. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but can become a slog, especially in the mid to late game, where excessive grinding may detract from the overall experience.
“Decent length - not ridiculously long, as is common in similar games - not grindy, and a very solid battle system that shines in how it allows the player to combine the party member's strengths in a multitude of ways.”
“Beautiful graphics, wonderful audio, engaging (but not grinding) storyline and interesting (but not too complex) character development system.”
“Very little to no grinding is actually required though you certainly can grind to reduce difficulty.”
“I loved the exploration of it, the overworld and the fight style, the visuals, the music, and especially the gameplay, but after reaching mid-late game the game turned into a boring slog and extremely tedious and grindy.”
“The need for excessive grinding and lack of balance makes the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable adventure.”
“Grinding therefore tends to feel like punishment and/or a cheap way to inflate play time.”
- music280 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as a standout feature. While some found certain tracks to be forgettable or generic, the majority highlighted the music's ability to complement the game's visuals and gameplay, creating an immersive environment. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's charm and appeal.
“With a compelling story, atmospheric soundtrack, and a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, Battle Chasers: Nightwar stands as a must-play for RPG enthusiasts seeking a rich and immersive gaming experience.”
“The music has a way of making everything seem serene and intense at the same time.”
“The soundtrack is utterly phenomenal.”
“The music is very generic, I didn’t find any recognizable strong themes and overall it was 'just background' music.”
“The game's music is Jesper Kyd's worst work ever. It's dull as dishwater, it's forgettable, it's plain mediocre.”
“To really hammer in how boring the title is, the music is very poor and mediocre, and that's when the music plays.”
- replayability66 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is generally viewed as moderate to high, with many players appreciating the randomly generated dungeons, multiple difficulty settings, and the inclusion of a New Game+ mode that enhances replay value. However, some users express concerns about the grindiness and limitations in character variety during playthroughs, which may detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are ample opportunities for replay, the enjoyment may vary based on individual preferences for gameplay style and depth.
“The dungeons have very unique themes and are randomly generated (in most rooms), which allows for replayability.”
“Every dungeon comes with three difficulty settings, giving these locations a genuine replayability.”
“High replay value as there are multiple combos of characters and ways to both win and lose.”
“I don't see myself ever coming back to this, so there is little replay value.”
“Moderate replayability: there's a new game plus and it adds a new dungeon difficulty level along with legendary items, but your level is capped already, no new perks, just doesn't worth another 80 hours in my opinion.”
“It's not perfect: it feels grindy at times, especially if you embrace the replayability of the dungeons. The characters don't really change much in the course of the story, and the difficulty could veer at times.”
- character development59 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of depth and emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. While the character designs and animations are praised for their quality and creativity, the overall narrative and character arcs are often described as bland or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more engagement and complexity. Despite the game's strong visual and gameplay elements, the weak character development detracts from the overall experience.
“The characters are all nuanced and intriguing, whether through mid-dungeon delving dialogue or a heartfelt conversation in an inn; this game manages to deliver decent character development and backstory.”
“The character development system in this game is unique and offers some pretty cool options for 'stacking' your various characters' abilities to make them tremendously powerful.”
“A lot of detail has been given to the story and the character development, and the musical score is excellent.”
“The story and character development are bland as well, and I felt no emotional investment in the heroes or their journey.”
“There's zero character development, there are no plot twists worth mentioning, and there is little world-building.”
“The game seemed to lack a lot in terms of plot explanation and character development, and just felt overall dry outside of combat.”
- stability32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting frequent crashes and freezes, particularly during combat, while others have experienced only minor bugs and glitches. Many users noted graphical issues and unresponsive menus, but a portion of players found the game to be well-optimized and largely bug-free. Overall, while some players enjoy the game despite its stability issues, others find the frequent crashes and glitches significantly detract from the experience.
“It's a high-quality game, no glitches, no issues, or cut corners - which is rare nowadays.”
“Pretty bug-free; I encountered one bug during dialogue, but it was very easy to get around and wasn't game-breaking.”
“Runs great on low-end computers.”
“However, I have had multiple freezes, and it only seems to happen when I kill multiple enemies with a single attack.”
“Fun game, but constantly crashes/freezes going into fights and dungeons.”
“I really want to recommend it, but it crashes constantly (typically the video freezes, while the game keeps running) and hasn't seen a patch in a couple of months.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 84 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Battle Chasers: Nightwar" is widely praised for its enchanting and immersive qualities, characterized by a compelling story, atmospheric soundtrack, and beautiful art style. Reviewers highlight the game's rich world-building and distinct dungeon designs, which contribute to a nostalgic yet innovative experience. Overall, the combination of lively graphics, engaging combat, and attention to detail creates a captivating environment that resonates with players.
“It won me over with its atmosphere and dedication to self-paced fun.”
“Lastly, Battle Chasers had great atmosphere as there was a lot of care and attention to world-building, making each dungeon and area feel distinct and alive.”
“Despite me loving the atmosphere, art, and story of it all, there is one big problem.”
“The exploration part is a little unwieldy, but there at the extremes there is enough atmosphere.”
“The combined atmosphere is enchanting and moody, and you'll definitely get your money's worth there.”
- optimization30 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, particularly on lower-end hardware. While some users noted better performance on the Steam version and specific consoles, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for many, especially in demanding areas. Despite its visual appeal, the lack of consistent performance across various systems highlights a need for further optimization.
“On top of that, the chosen equipment can greatly affect each character’s performance.”
“Your characters must be customized appropriately, which makes it an interesting optimization problem.”
“The game is made in Unity engine and well-optimized as I experience no fatal bugs or glitches in 80 hours.”
“Performance is not good on minimum listed hardware even on the lowest possible configuration (although settings not saving might have something to do with this)?”
“The game is just, plainly, simply horrendously optimized.”
“But the performance was terrible, with black screen crashes after a few minutes of play every time, and constant stuttering both graphical and audio.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the quirky characters, funny dialogue, and dark humor, while others find the repetitive slapstick and flat plot less engaging. Despite some criticisms of the pacing and cutscenes, the overall comedic elements, including amusing side missions and character interactions, contribute positively to the experience. Players generally recommend the game for its humor, alongside its strong visuals and engaging combat.
“They've got great designs, great voice acting, and the dialogue kept me laughing from time to time.”
“I enjoyed the animation style storytelling, and the dark humor within the game.”
“The game is packed with side missions that are interesting with an added humor to them that I found refreshing!”
- monetization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, which many players find refreshing in a market often dominated by predatory practices. Reviewers appreciate the unique in-game currency earned through gameplay, highlighting that the game successfully avoids oppressive monetization strategies while still offering optional purchases like alternate costumes. Overall, the game's approach to monetization is seen as a positive example for the industry.
“I wish more games would use this as an example to have no microtransactions yet still have unique currency that is gathered through gameplay.”
“It's great to have alternate costumes you can buy that are not microtransactions.”
“This game shows how fun mobile games could be if they weren't so disgustingly riddled with microtransactions and other predatory elements.”
“My review wouldn't have been so harsh if the advertising and other reviews were more objective.”
“The game does nearly everything right and not having some BS day one DLC or microtransactions only makes me appreciate it more in the current market.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional impact, with some players finding the game heartwarming and appreciating the character interactions, while others criticize the story for being linear and lacking depth, resulting in minimal emotional investment in the characters or their journey. Despite a few touching moments, the overall narrative is seen as clichéd and uninspiring.
“It's wholesome, especially considering the lack of good games right now.”
“From now on, I'm starting to appreciate the western comic-style art, because the art in this game is simply touching.”
“They didn't feel trope-y to me at all, and I even noticed some emotional complexity in the way they interact with each other.”
“Very linear, boring story.”
Critic Reviews
Battle Chasers: Nightwar Review
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a grand achievement from a small studio that needed a big win. It’s not everyday you get to play a game that tends to reward you for everything you do. Great combat, fantastic dungeon exploration, incredible visuals and a great soundtrack. Battle Chasers: Nightwar hits all the marks
90%Battle Chasers: Nightwar review
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a gorgeous, challenging RPG that’s light on story but big on tactically satisfying battles.
81%Battle Chasers: Nightwar
Grinding The Night Away
78%