Einlanzer

About

"Einlanzer is a single-player Role Playing game with a compelling story and splendid game mechanics, reminiscent of 90's JRPGs. The game offers a 40+ hour campaign, tons of side-quests, and 28 original music tracks. Its strategic battle system and permanent storyline changes based on moral decisions provide a unique and immersive experience."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 113 reviews

story54 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Engaging story with interesting characters and multiple endings that provide replay value.
Challenging combat that requires strategy, with a variety of skills and character customization options.
Nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic JRPGs, with a well-crafted world and plenty of content to explore.

Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially with random encounters that may feel unfair.
Some characters and subclasses may feel underwhelming or unbalanced compared to others.
Minor grammatical errors and repetitive music can detract from the overall experience.

story
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The game's story is a blend of classic JRPG tropes, featuring a familiar "save the world" narrative enriched by engaging characters and emotional depth, particularly in the latter stages. While some players find the plot predictable and filled with clichés, others appreciate its nostalgic feel and the impactful choices that can alter the storyline. Overall, the storytelling is well-executed, with a strong emphasis on character development and a variety of side quests that enhance the experience.
- “The storyline is strong and well-told, with interesting twists and neat surprises throughout. The game presents several moments where you're required to make major decisions that impact the direction of the story, and the characters are almost all likable.”
- “The story is very immersive and gives you a sense of purpose as you play the game.”
- “Everything pushes forward the story in a simple to understand linear fashion of the games of old, after a somewhat confusing dream that your lead character, a swordbearer named Victor, has while on guard duty on the day the beginning events of the Einlanzer story unfold.”
- “Now the main reason I dropped the game was that I had huge issues with the story.”
- “These plot holes made the story pretty unbelievable, and when it stops feeling believable, I stopped caring for it.”
- “The story ended up being quite a treat, though it was a bit too flat for most of the game.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
The gameplay in Einlanzer features a traditional turn-based combat system with a variety of character customizations, including subclasses and numerous skills, which enhances strategic depth. While many players appreciate the nostalgic design and the replay value offered by different moral choices and endings, some express frustration with difficulty spikes and the frequency of random encounters. Overall, the gameplay is polished and engaging, though it may feel lengthy for some, and it successfully captures the essence of classic RPGs.
- “Einlanzer does some very important things right: it has customizations for every character in the form of subclasses and multiple equippable item types.”
- “The combat is fun and very strategic, especially on harder gameplay difficulties.”
- “There's a vast amount of skills available to every character, which allows for great strategic play, and even more so when paired with other combat mechanics you can utilize.”
- “Gameplay has unpredictable difficulty spikes, which seems to be a trend for RPG Maker titles.”
- “There were some parts that caused immense frustration, especially with deaths that reversed hours of gameplay.”
- “The one area I dislike, though it is very fitting for the era of games this pays homage to, is the combination of enemy density and a horrid escape mechanic that basically means you have to fight every single battle.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
57%
19%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and reliance on stock RPG Maker tracks, which can become tiresome during extended gameplay. While some found certain themes enjoyable and well-composed, particularly in capturing the essence of classic JRPGs, others criticized the lack of variation and the jarring volume inconsistencies during key moments. Overall, while there are highlights, the soundtrack is generally seen as average, with a few standout pieces amidst a backdrop of mediocrity.
- “Everything is fairly believable for what it is, and all of the art and music assets are used appropriately.”
- “Visuals are satisfactory and music is well-composed in the style of JRPGs from the nineties.”
- “Audio: the soundtrack is, surprisingly, very good.”
- “The music is repetitive (most of them are also standard RPG Maker background scores).”
- “If you like the same 10-second blaring horns for battle music on loop, over and over again, this is for you!”
- “There might be a tune or two that fit the scene, but 85% of the music is bad, just bad.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The graphics of the game are generally described as satisfactory, evoking nostalgia for classic SNES titles, which appeals to fans of the JRPG genre. While some players prioritize story over visuals, many appreciate the aesthetic and tone, noting that the graphics are good but not groundbreaking compared to modern standards. Overall, the visuals are considered a solid homage to retro JRPGs, complemented by well-composed music.
- “Good worldbuilding, aesthetic, and tone.”
- “Einlanzer stands above those games and has a vast array of visuals for both buffs, debuffs, and other effects.”
- “The graphics are really pretty and there are numerous original music scores.”
- “Problem with most games nowadays is that they are too focused on fast-paced action and the graphics.”
- “While the combat visuals aren't quite as extensive as, say, FF6 or Chrono Trigger, they're still good and I wasn't disappointed.”
- “Visually, you can expect SNES graphics, but for us fans of JRPGs, that is not much of a concern for us.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players appreciate the balanced difficulty that minimizes the need for grinding, others find certain bosses require specific strategies and equipment that can lead to repetitive gameplay. Many agree that the game is designed to reduce grinding, especially on harder modes, but some players still encounter tedious sections that necessitate grinding or backtracking. Overall, the game offers a variety of experiences, with some players enjoying the challenge while others feel it can become monotonous.
- “The creator built the leveling up into the game so there is almost no grinding.”
- “I feel like hard mode is the best way to play the game due to this reason as the game is super satisfying on hard mode, with no grinding required, which is nice.”
- “+no grinding required”
- “You'll be doing the same things down the path of a linear storyline just the same, though your party composition could dramatically alter how you go about beating different bosses and grinding your XP and GP.”
- “They are long, tedious mazes that make you beg for an exit/warp spell that does not exist; you will waste a lot of time traversing through the snoozefest levels.”
- “Avoiding fights was not a choice, because the new stage 'regulars' would own you, which equates to grinding or save/walk/reset (trying to escape is a bad joke).”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players noting a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and clever character banter that enhances the overall experience. While the story and dialogue are praised for their wit and charm, some players also mention that the humor is balanced with challenging gameplay, creating a memorable and entertaining adventure. Overall, the writing is highlighted as a strong point, contributing to both character development and comedic relief.
- “At times, Einlanzer made me burst out laughing with the characters' banter; other times, I was cursing out a boss for wiping my party with two of the same Tsunami II spell.”
- “Dialogue is cute and funny, also concise and flavored, which is a bonus.”
- “The writing is solid with a good mix of character development, character growth, and humor.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the characters and storylines in JRPGs, often describing experiences as heart-wrenching and memorable. The narratives evoke strong feelings of love and hate, leading to a desire to replay the games and share positive recommendations. Many reviewers prioritize the emotional depth of the story over graphics or gameplay, highlighting the lasting impact of these experiences.
- “I got emotionally attached to the characters, and it had a good story.”
- “Heart-wrenching events make players hooked to a JRPG, making them want to play the game until they finish it. This creates a memorable experience that encourages replaying and garners positive reviews and recommendations.”
- “Surprisingly mature, emotional ending.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings, a morality system, and impactful choices that alter gameplay and outcomes. Players can explore various side quests and character compositions, enhancing the overall experience with each playthrough. Overall, the design encourages players to revisit the game to discover different narratives and endings.
- “Multiple playthroughs are needed to see what I suspect to be three different endings, and the replay value of the game largely rests on the part composition and the gameplay experience you focus on.”
- “Because of all the choices you make that affect the gameplay and outcome, there is definite replay value, and I look forward to seeing what ending I get next time.”
- “The game seems to have a morality system, and depending on the outcomes of the different choices you make, this could lead to immense replay value.”
- “Multiple playthroughs to see what I suspect to be three different endings and go both ways with your morality are clearly intended, though the replay value of the game on the whole will largely rest on what part composition and thus what gameplay experience you wind up focusing on.”
- “The game seems to have a morality system, and depending on the outcomes of the different choices you make, this could make for immense replay value.”
- “Also, did I mention that the decisions you make can profoundly change the course of the game all the way up to the very end, giving it lots of replay value to top things off?”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is generally viewed as solid, featuring a mix of growth and humor, though some interactions may feel overly sentimental. However, opinions vary, with some players noting a lack of depth and meaningful progression in character arcs. Overall, while there are moments of good development, expectations for profound storytelling should be tempered.
- “Character development is good, although some of the interactions are a bit saccharine for me, but they are not that many, so I can deal with it.”
- “The writing is solid with a good mix of character development, character growth, and humor.”
- “In fact, there is zero character development.”
- “The plot is pretty decent with some okay character development, but don't come looking for anything deep and meaningful.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it delivers on its promise of a substantial RPG experience with over 40 hours of content, suggesting that players feel they are getting value for their investment.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its engaging writing, rich worldbuilding, and well-developed characters, contributing to an immersive experience. However, some players express a lack of motivation to replay the game despite appreciating its atmospheric elements.
- “I enjoyed the writing, the worldbuilding, the characters, the class system, and the atmosphere.”
- “I enjoyed the writing, the worldbuilding, the characters, the class system, and the atmosphere, but I don’t think I will ever have the willpower to play through it again.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is reported to be relatively bug-free, indicating that extensive beta testing likely contributed to its stability prior to release.
- “So far, this game is relatively bug-free, which means that there was probably extensive beta testing prior to the release.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “I've played for hours without encountering any issues, which speaks volumes about its stability.”