Dark Envoy

About

In "Dark Envoy," players traverse a hand-painted, fantasy world as they command two protagonists in real-time tactical combat. With a focus on strategic choices, players can explore an open world, engage in dialogues, and make decisions that alter the story's outcome. The game combines the elements of spellcasting, alchemy, crafting, and item collection in a non-linear journey with multiple endings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+13

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 602 reviews

story96 positive mentions

stability53 negative mentions

Engaging combat system that combines real-time action with tactical pause/slow-motion mechanics, allowing for strategic planning during battles.
Character customization is robust, with multiple classes and specializations, and a flexible respec system that encourages experimentation.
The game features a rich and intriguing narrative with unexpected plot twists, enhancing the overall experience.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
Level design is repetitive and linear, with many areas feeling similar and lacking meaningful exploration or side content.
Voice acting and cutscenes are often poorly executed, detracting from the immersion and overall storytelling quality.

story
395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The story in the game is generally considered to be decent but often criticized for its linearity and slow pacing, with many players noting that it takes time to become engaging. While there are impactful choices to be made, their significance is often perceived as limited, and the overall narrative can feel generic or poorly conveyed. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the intriguing world and character interactions, suggesting that the story, while not groundbreaking, can still provide an enjoyable experience when paired with the game's combat and gameplay mechanics.
- “The story might start off slow, but it really picks up as unexpected plot twists emerge, gradually revealing a rich and intriguing narrative.”
- “During the main campaign, you have the option to make impactful story choices such as repairing or destroying a powerful machine.”
- “The voice acting is great, and the story pulls you in.”
- “The story introduction is so badly written and makes 0 sense.”
- “The plot is bad; it seems that developers did not put any thought into the world background and characters.”
- “Everything I've mentioned, coupled with one-dimensional, cliché characters, and an overall lack of story substance, has left me disappointed.”
gameplay
127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
68%
2%
The gameplay of "Dark Envoy" is generally engaging and features well-designed combat mechanics, character customization, and a unique tactical pause option that enhances the experience. However, players have noted issues with balance, repetitive mechanics in the later stages, and technical bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game offers a fun combat-focused experience, it may not satisfy those looking for depth in character development or a compelling narrative.
- “The main attraction of the game is its gameplay, which shines at every combat.”
- “This CRPG is really fun, with highly satisfying gameplay.”
- “The tactical gameplay is very interesting, and I really love the 12% speed option during combat; it gives a great sense of real-time without the wait-and-see of turn-based, which suits my slow reaction times perfectly.”
- “First of all, bugs: tons of bugs. Mechanics not working as expected, skills not working as expected, sound issues, AI issues, sometimes game slow mode becomes permanent and you have to exit the game to fix that.”
- “Third, the game is too long; it has nothing new to offer after the first 10 hours: same skills, same missions, effectively same mechanics, rinse and repeat.”
- “Unless you're interested in running through linear levels from one fight to another, I would not recommend 'Dark Envoy' as managing arena fights is the only form of gameplay it provides.”
graphics
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the overall aesthetic and special effects, particularly in combat and environments, while others note issues such as frame rate drops and dated visuals. Some highlight the artwork as fantastic for an indie title, though there are criticisms regarding cutscene quality and character animations. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they are not without flaws, and some players hope for improvements in future updates.
- “The graphics are really very good; I particularly like the ancient tombs architecture, and the spell and weapon effects look great.”
- “I have to say, though, I am really glad I persevered, as the game is very fun to play and the graphics/artwork are absolutely fantastic (especially for a Unity game).”
- “The art/graphics in the game world were just gorgeous.”
- “The graphics, especially in the cutscenes, are meh. I'm aware that the devs wanted to make an adventure RPG, but if you think about Pathfinder or Cyberpunk, then you don't really need cutscenes.”
- “Yes, the graphics are a little dated and the voice acting is... uneven at best.”
- “Graphics make it look like a PS2 game, with non-existent help index.”
stability
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer, leading to frequent crashes and frustrating gameplay experiences. While some players managed to complete the game despite these issues, many recommend waiting for patches before purchasing, as the overall stability feels akin to a beta version. Minor nuisances, such as UI problems and visual glitches, add to the instability, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Don't buy this buggy mess of a game until they have patched it.”
- “Very very buggy, crashed every 2 minutes.”
- “This game feels like it is still in beta with how buggy it is.”
optimization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
58%
17%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing severe performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems. Conversely, others report a smooth experience on higher-end hardware, indicating that performance may vary significantly based on individual setups. Overall, many recommend waiting for updates to address the current optimization and bug-related problems before purchasing.
- “Lastly, the optimization is fantastic and I haven't had a single issue since I started playing.”
- “The graphics are good and the game runs smoothly on my RTX 3070.”
- “Also, the optimization is great so you don't have to play on a high-end PC to have fun.”
- “Severe performance and optimization issues, alongside bugs of various severity, hinder the experience from start to end.”
- “Performance randomly degrades to < 30 fps in some areas, and gets worse the longer you play in the same session.”
- “Dark Envoy has at least one AAA feature — its optimization is utterly abhorrent.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
11%
11%
The music in the game is generally praised for its intensity during combat and its ability to create a dark atmosphere, although some find it basic and repetitive. While the soundtrack complements the gameplay well, it lacks memorability for some players. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's aesthetic, enhancing the experience despite some technical shortcomings.
- “The music is great and pretty intense at times of combat; the OST keeps a similar dark theme and it just sounds so good.”
- “Good level design, nice-looking and satisfying skills, music that introduces the atmosphere of dungeons, simple and pleasant crafting, the difficulty level is not exaggerated.”
- “The soundtrack fits; I like it.”
- “The music is basic and repetitive, as it was in Tower of Time.”
- “The music is basic and repetitive, as it was in Tower of Time.”
humor
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
87%
13%
The humor in the game is a mix of witty dialogue and absurd situations, with players enjoying the comedic elements of the real-time tactical combat and character interactions. While some moments, like the exaggerated death scene of the main characters' parents, are described as "hilariously bad," others, such as a memorable headbutt scene, elicit genuine laughter. However, there are concerns about the humor being too zany and potentially breaking immersion in a war-themed context.
- “I'm enjoying RTS-like combat with slow motion; the level design and cool graphics are pleasing to my eyes, and for now, I find the main characters interesting and funny.”
- “Funny conversations and satisfying mechanics.”
- “The story is nothing that you can compare to BG3, but it wraps up some mature topics mixed with a bit of sarcasm. The first mission hooked me when the bad guy gets headbutted, which made me laugh so hard that I nearly fell off my chair.”
- “And worst of all, the characters are 'zany and wacky'; I don’t want unfunny, immersion-breaking humor in a game about war.”
- “And worst of all, the characters are 'zany and wacky'; I don’t want unfunny, immersion-breaking humor in a game about war.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game offers solid replayability due to its branching choices that significantly impact the story and gameplay, as well as diverse class options. Players appreciate the potential for varied experiences with different character builds and decisions, enhancing the overall replay value. However, some users express a desire for improved accessibility features, such as portable play and customizable controls, to further enhance the experience.
- “There are a bunch of choices here and there which increase the scope of replayability.”
- “The choices in the story feel like they make a difference in the world you are in, giving the game some solid replayability.”
- “Since there are branching choices that alter the story and some dungeons, along with diverse class options, the replay value is overall good.”
- “If it were playable on the portable and the bindings could be changed, then it might be at least partly redeemed.”
- “The choices in the story feel like they make a difference in the world you are in, so giving the game some solid replayability.”
- “And once I get more characters and classes unlocked, I can see the potential for a lot of replay value.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its meticulous level design and immersive elements, including well-crafted environments, engaging music, and a cohesive tone that enhances the overall experience. While some reviewers feel it lacks a unique atmospheric identity, they acknowledge the quality of the graphics and story, suggesting it may appeal to players seeking a rich and enjoyable setting.
- “Every single thing on the map is incredibly well made and atmospheric.”
- “I wish more CRPGs had this framework to help with immersion, atmosphere, and tone.”
- “Good level design, nice-looking and satisfying skills, music that introduces the atmosphere of dungeons, simple and pleasant crafting, the difficulty level is not exaggerated.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
Character development in the game is noted as interesting and engaging, complemented by strong voice acting and character design. However, some players find the writing and voice performances to be cringe-worthy, which detracts from the overall experience. While the crafting and enchanting mechanics are praised, the combat becomes repetitive after a certain point, impacting the depth of character progression.
- “Its got an enjoyable story; the character development is interesting and the crafting and enchanting mechanics are great.”
- “Graphics and sound design were top notch; it is fully voiced, and although there is some jank when it comes to character movement, it really can be overlooked by the great voice acting and character design.”
- “Hope it will improve in future updates; I really like the graphics and character design.”
- “Voice acting, writing, and character design are hyper cringe; the combat was interesting up to around level 6, then it becomes a casual number min-max fest with virtually no variance in encounters throughout all of Act 2.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express disappointment in the emotional depth of the game's characters, describing them as bland and lacking complexity, with limited emotional range. While there are moments of emotional impact, they feel overshadowed by the overall simplicity of the character development and choices available.
- “It's irritating because they are able to do some emotional bits, but those are still artistic scenes.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding is generally viewed unfavorably, as players find themselves repeatedly farming and crafting the same gear with incremental improvements. However, on lower difficulties, the AI can effectively manage gameplay, allowing players to enjoy a more hands-off experience if they have developed a strong character. The crafting system is considered simplified, which may contribute to the repetitive nature of the grinding.
- “Crafting is okay, but simplified, and as you progress through the game you are just farming for and crafting the same gear over and over, but with higher values.”
- “Nobody likes grinding, but on lower difficulties (I played on normal), the AI control is good enough that if you've done the work of putting a good character together, the game can play itself very successfully.”