Elements II: Hearts of Light

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 55 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Elements II: Hearts of Light Game Cover
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"Elements II: Hearts of Light" is the sequel to "Elements: Soul of Fire," set 360 years later in an age of unrest and intolerance. This RPG features enhanced gameplay, a deeper party system, and customizable magic. With easy mode for beginners, crafting, quest-tracking, and extensive keyboard shortcuts, players can explore a beautiful world, build friendships, and uncover dark mysteries.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 55 reviews
story6 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling story with unique characters and a lot of optional content to explore.
  • The soundtrack is well-received, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • There are multiple party members to choose from and a variety of gameplay mechanics that can provide replay value.
  • The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including random crashes and slow performance, particularly in town areas.
  • Many players find the art style and layout unappealing, describing it as poorly executed and reminiscent of low-quality RPG Maker games.
  • The game is considered unfinished and abandoned, with broken achievements and a lack of guidance for new players.
  • story25 mentions

    The game's story is engaging and continues from the first installment, featuring a mix of familiar and new characters, though it suffers from slow cutscenes and vague quest descriptions. Players can explore a rich world filled with optional quests and secrets, but the quest log lacks detail, making navigation challenging. Overall, while the narrative has its flaws, many find it compelling and well-written, enhanced by a dynamic day/night system that adds depth to gameplay.

    • “The story is compelling and continues after several years of the events of the first game.”
    • “The story presented so far is very intriguing and well written.”
    • “The smooth animation and precise timing make it easy to immerse in the story whenever anyone is having a moment.”
    • “This suffers from the same slow cutscenes, poor plot hooks, caricatured hero and antagonist dynamics, and homebrew audiovisual assets as the original.”
    • “The quest log was very vague, just giving the initial location of the quest giver, and that a quest is open there but without any details, hints, or even an accurate description of the task.”
    • “If you have played the first game, the plot is pretty much similar with some tweaks on the characters and bosses.”
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay features a mix of familiar themes and mechanics, with a mountain setting that offers visual variety. However, the abundance of mechanics can be overwhelming and often leads to certain strategies becoming irrelevant once players become overpowered. While some players appreciate the improvements in gameplay, others criticize the complexity and ineffectiveness of various systems, particularly in combat.

    • “Some areas remind me of the first game due to their theme and mechanics, and although most of them use the same mountain setting, they still look different from each other.”
    • “The game introduces an attribute mechanic where your party's status will get boosted permanently after each battle.”
    • “Overall, I enjoyed the gameplay from Elements II so far and I am looking forward to any other surprises as the game progresses.”
    • “The numerous amount of mechanics can turn people off from playing the game.”
    • “Moreover, some can be complicated to remember, especially when combined with other mechanics that you need to learn.”
    • “The introduction of the attribute mechanic makes all strategies useless.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the unique artwork and retro aesthetic, while others criticize it as poorly executed and reminiscent of amateur designs. Despite the use of a basic graphic engine, some players appreciate the effort put into the visuals, suggesting a blend of charm and nostalgia. Overall, opinions vary widely, reflecting a divide between those who enjoy the artistic direction and those who find it lacking.

    • “The artwork is fine and the soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “I adore the artwork.”
    • “Love this retro graphic!”
    • “On the upside, they've replaced some of the RPG Maker cookie-cutter assets with their own artwork... on the downside, the artwork is completely terrible MS Paint dribble that you would expect to see from a 6th grader, rather than on the Steam store.”
    • “Gameplay graphics everything suck.”
    • “Even though this game is still in production at this stage, it is proving to be another great game from this developer with a lot of thought and artwork put into it.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting the amazing soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. The acoustic guitar elements create a folk-inspired atmosphere that complements the scenes and battles beautifully, contributing to a strong sense of immersion and replay value. Overall, the music is consistently rated as a standout feature, with some users even hoping for future DLC to expand the soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and enhances the overall experience of the game.”
    • “The music flows very well with the scenes and battles, creating an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The beautiful original acoustic guitar soundtrack gives the whole game the feel of a folk hero or ballad.”
    • “Most of the music I couldn't stand now sounds alright.”
    • “The custom music, exhaustive amount of dialogue, events, and variables used to make almost every action have an effect almost everywhere suggest there will be a lot of replay value... or at least a lot of exploration as encouraged by NPCs in the starting town Circlet.”
    • “The mostly guitar style of the Elements Saga has grown on me, and I hope in the future there will be a DLC for the soundtrack.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players note that the game features significant grinding, particularly for achievements, with some requiring extensive effort depending on individual playstyles. Those who enjoy RPG Maker games with ample optional content and don't mind the grind will find this aspect appealing, as grinding is both encouraged and necessary for progression.

    • “Grinding is encouraged.”
    • “If you like to play RPG Maker games with a lot of optional content and don't mind grinding, play this game.”
    • “Hard grinding.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game is praised for its clever humor that adds a lighthearted touch to the RPG experience, enhancing the expansive world and engaging story. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the gameplay, making it both entertaining and enjoyable.

    • “A title with a touch of humor that will make you laugh.”
    • “An RPG with a sense of humor, an expansive world that shifts dramatically depending on the time and day (in-game), complex stats and abilities, and a story I'd like to delve into more one day.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players highlight the game's high replayability due to its immersive system that allows for varied playthroughs, such as pacifist runs, and the extensive dialogue, events, and variables that influence outcomes. This encourages exploration and experimentation, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.

    • “The custom music, exhaustive amount of dialogue, events, and variables used to make almost every action have an effect almost everywhere suggest there will be a lot of replay value... or at least a lot of exploration as encouraged by NPCs in the starting town.”
    • “The custom music, exhaustive amount of dialogue, events, and variables used to make almost every action have an effect almost everywhere suggest there will be a lot of replay value... or at least a lot of exploration as encouraged by NPCs in the starting town circle.”
    • “This system makes the game more immersive and provides a lot of replay value as you can do different runs (e.g., pacifist run).”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game is criticized for its lack of stability, being described as buggy and resembling abandonware, with numerous broken achievements that detract from the overall experience.

    • “Buggy abandonware with broken achievements.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting its blend of modern gameplay mechanics with classic aesthetics that foster strong emotional connections through crafting, moral choices, and magical learning.

    • “The game beautifully intertwines different systems, creating emotional ties that resonate deeply with players.”
    • “I love how the classic aesthetics enhance the emotional experience, making every crafted object feel significant.”
    • “The moral attributes in the game add layers to the emotional journey, allowing players to connect with the story on a personal level.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as immersive and engaging, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

    • “It is incredibly atmospheric.”
    • “The game creates a hauntingly immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the game's character development and dialogue, noting improvements in the writing of cut scenes that enhance the overall narrative experience.

    • “I especially enjoy your knack for character development and dialogue, and you've tightened up the writing in the cut scenes, which is great.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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