Darco: Reign of Elements
- May 4, 2018
- TP-STUDIOS
"Darco: Reign of Elements" is a post-apocalyptic early access game where you, as a mechanic, explore a fleet of flying ships with your dragon. Scavenge for resources, defend against creatures and other players, and build your base to ensure survival. Mechanical beasts and hostile dragons roam the world, but they can be converted or bred to aid your exploration and battles. The story follows your journey in this vast, elemental world.
Reviews
- The game features a unique steampunk theme with interesting mechanics, such as mechanical animals and a dragon companion.
- The developers have shown good engagement with the community, responding to suggestions and fixing reported bugs promptly.
- The graphics are appealing for an early access title, and there is potential for the game to evolve into something great.
- The game is officially abandoned, with no further development planned, leaving it in an unfinished state.
- There are numerous bugs and optimization issues, making gameplay frustrating and often unplayable.
- The pricing is considered high for the current state of the game, leading many to feel it is not worth the investment.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features intriguing mechanics and visually appealing steampunk elements, such as mechanical animals and a baby dragon companion, which initially captivate players. However, many users express disappointment with the execution, citing aggressive mechanical mobs and a lack of substance compared to the promising introduction. Overall, while the game has potential, it struggles to deliver a satisfying experience.
“Saw some neat ideas in the first few minutes; the steampunk/mechanical animals looked awesome, and who doesn't want a baby dragon that handles storage, appears to have the potential to be a mount, and randomly appears at your side when you are killing stuff!”
“I was on the fence with the whole concept of mechanical mobs, but thought, 'what the hey' when I got the email that it was released for early access, and it wasn't expensive.”
“Mechanics are familiar, but have a different feel to me.”
“The mechanical animals are way too aggressive.”
“The mechanical beasts can't be lowered by the audio settings.”
“Mechanics are familiar, but they feel different to me.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics in this title receive mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the visuals as commendable for an EA game, others experience significant performance issues, struggling to achieve even 15fps despite lowering settings.
“Nice graphics for an EA title.”
“Good graphics for an EA title.”
“I personally have a computer that can run any game on the market at a minimum of 30fps, but I cannot exceed 15fps in this title, even after lowering the graphics settings as much as possible.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
“I was disappointed by the visual quality; it feels like a step back compared to other recent releases.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized, as developers, despite being vac banned and claiming not to engage in a cash grab, continue to sell an unfinished product that they have stated will not receive further updates. This has led to skepticism about their intentions and the overall value of the game.
“Devs have been VAC banned, and they swear they aren't doing a cash grab, yet they still have this game (which they admit is unfinished in a post and will no longer be worked on) up for sale.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is considered somewhat interesting, managing to capture attention, though it may not be as engaging as narratives found in other titles.
“The story is intriguing and manages to capture your attention, even if it may not be as compelling as other titles.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it as one of the worst they have encountered.
“The optimization is horrible; it is one of the worst I've seen to date.”
“The game's performance is severely lacking, making it frustrating to play.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's music is notably absent, leading to frequent silences that can make the environment feel lifeless, with players only hearing their footsteps or nearby animals. This lack of musical accompaniment contributes to a sense of emptiness in the overall atmosphere.
“It has no music, so there are long silences where you only hear your footsteps or an animal approaching. Outside of those moments, it feels completely lifeless.”
“The absence of music makes the game feel empty and dull, with only the sound of footsteps and occasional animal noises breaking the silence.”
“Without any musical score, the game lacks atmosphere, leaving players in a void of silence that detracts from the overall experience.”