Battle for Esturia
- March 19, 2021
- Esturia Games
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam"Battle for Esturia" is a turn-based strategy RPG that lets you explore a vast open world and recruit a party of up to six companions, each with unique abilities. Battle enemies in tactical grid-based combat, and make important decisions that will impact the challenges you face and the destiny of your people. With over 30 unique skills to learn and many side quests to discover, the game offers a rich and immersive experience.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Charming retro-inspired graphics and engaging gameplay reminiscent of classic RPGs like Ultima.
- Variety of character classes and skills, allowing for strategic combat and replayability.
- Short playtime of around 6-10 hours, making it accessible and easy to pick up for casual gaming sessions.
- Limited to a single save file per run, making it difficult to experiment with different choices without starting over.
- Combat can feel repetitive due to the lack of a party 'end turn' button, requiring individual clicks for each character.
- The story and quests can be somewhat linear and predictable, lacking depth and innovation.
- story42 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story is generally straightforward and follows a classic "defeat the big baddie" narrative, which some players find to be its weakest aspect. However, the writing and dialogue are praised for their quality, and while the main quest may feel linear and typical, the inclusion of side quests and branching choices adds some depth. Overall, the game offers a charming experience with decent storytelling, though it may not break new ground in terms of plot innovation.
“Short and well-focused game with a decent story, good writing, varied challenges, and a charming look.”
“The story is fun, with a few plot choices that have some impact on the course of events as you go.”
“The main story is not anything new, but what makes the story shine is the dialog.”
“The story is probably the weakest area, but it works well enough.”
“My main critique would be that (so far) the quests have been rather linear and typical, nothing too fancy nor surprising nor innovative... so may be a bit too classical?”
“I'd say that the replay value is just to explore all the other classes, but to be honest with the large party size that fills various roles, it's more like a one and done (apart from a few quests with branching endings).”
- music14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding the soundtrack catchy and immersive, contributing to a soothing atmosphere. However, some users expressed a desire for more musical content to enhance their experience further. Overall, the music complements the gameplay effectively, adding to the game's charm.
“The soundtrack is very catchy.”
“The music creates an immersive atmosphere; it's also quite soothing.”
“That said, it runs well, has a cute little soundtrack, quests and stuff right out the gate, intuitive map/UI, and plenty that makes me curious despite my preferences.”
“Been as a 'modern' cue, there is actual music and sounds.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their charming old-school aesthetic, appealing particularly to fans of retro styles. While they may not suit everyone's taste, many players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and find them well-executed for the game's adventurous theme. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, especially for those who enjoy vintage design.
“Personally, I really love the aesthetic.”
“Of course this game is retro, so the graphics and controls won't work for everybody.”
“A game that sold itself to me on the graphics (and font, believe it or not) alone.”
“The graphics and audio, while very old school, are nicely done for what they are.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability primarily through the option to explore different classes, though some players feel that the large party size makes it feel more like a one-time experience. While the game is relatively short, many find it enjoyable enough to complete multiple times without losing interest, particularly due to a few quests with branching endings. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun and replay value.
“It's fun, replayable, and short enough to reasonably complete (several times, even) without losing interest.”
“There is some replayability through choosing a different class.”
“I'd say that the replay value is just to explore all the other classes, but to be honest with the large party size that fills various roles, it's more like a one and done (apart from a few quests with branching endings).”
“- relatively short for the price but there is some replayability through choosing a different class.”
“There's a lot of replayability value to it.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers 6-8 hours of solid tactical combat, featuring balanced mechanics and classes that allow for character leveling, resulting in varied playthroughs. However, some players feel that the repetitive nature of the combat leads to a lack of depth and potential for diverse mechanics.
“6-8 hours of solid tactical gameplay.”
“Combat mechanics and classes are very balanced and fair; it is possible to level up characters (stats + skills), so every playthrough will be kind of different.”
“The gameplay offers a great mix of strategy and action, keeping players engaged throughout.”
“It's just a bunch of back and forth dogpiling and removes the potential for so many mechanics.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the cumbersome process of ending turns individually for each unit, which disrupts strategic positioning. Additionally, the limited effectiveness and high mana cost of the healing spell contribute to a frustrating experience, making it less viable for both combat and out-of-combat scenarios.
“The ability to 'end turn' without having to click on every unit one by one every turn is frustrating; many times I want to just position a few units and wait, and it's needlessly tedious.”
“Some general balance issues - the only healing spell you have heals for awful amounts and the mana cost increases quickly, making it really tedious to use outside of combat, and not useful in combat either.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently described as funny and charming, often presenting itself in unexpected ways that delight players.
“Funny and charming in unexpected ways.”
“Funny and charming in unexpected ways.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the game evokes a sense of intelligence and accomplishment, contributing to a positive emotional experience.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive and soothing music, which enhances the overall experience and draws players into the game world.
“The music creates an immersive atmosphere; it's also quite soothing.”
