Epic Battle Fantasy 3

About

In Epic Battle Fantasy 3, players navigate a light-hearted yet strategic RPG battle system, collecting and upgrading an array of elemental weapons and skills. The game features three playable characters, each with unique abilities, as they journey through vibrant, hand-drawn environments to defeat the Godcat and restore balance to the world. Humorous dialog and challenging boss battles create an engaging experience for both newcomers and series veterans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,450 reviews

humor218 positive mentions

grinding51 negative mentions

The game is a nostalgic throwback with charming characters and humorous dialogue, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.
The turn-based combat system is engaging and strategic, requiring players to think about elemental weaknesses and resistances.
It's completely free, providing great value for a fun RPG experience without any microtransactions.

The story is simplistic and lacks depth, serving mainly as a backdrop for the gameplay.
Some players may find the humor dated or immature, which could detract from the overall experience.
The game can become grindy at times, especially on higher difficulties, which may frustrate some players.

humor
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of nostalgic, crude, and absurd elements that resonate with fans of late 2000s internet culture. While some jokes may feel dated or juvenile, many players appreciate the quirky dialogue, fourth-wall breaks, and humorous references that contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the game's comedic tone, combined with engaging gameplay, makes it a memorable and enjoyable RPG for those who appreciate its unique style of humor.
- “The stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and hilarious dialogue make it a truly memorable experience.”
- “From battling absurd enemies like giant cats and penguins to encountering hilarious NPCs, the game constantly surprises and entertains with its lighthearted tone.”
- “The self-conscious characters, fourth wall breaks, and funny references allow the game to have a unique sense of humor that I couldn't find anywhere else, and if anything, it's that which I blame for creating all my fondest memories.”
- “They mostly just sound unfunny or simply cringey.”
music
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and nostalgic appeal, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Phyrnna. Players describe the soundtrack as catchy, immersive, and fitting for various game scenarios, often evoking strong emotional responses and memories from their childhood. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, enhancing the overall experience and making it memorable long after playing.
- “The music is catchy and nostalgic, complementing the gameplay and adding to the overall immersive experience.”
- “Never once forgot about this game because its soundtrack stayed glued in my head for years.”
- “The music, by the amazing Phyrnna, is phenomenal.”
- “The music and SFX are low quality, some of the humor is immature, and it's a bit slow at the start.”
- “The music was decent but seemed to be one song per area, so I was getting sick of them really fast.”
- “The world gives no sense of immersion what with the confined scopeless maps with loud generic fantasy music sounding off at all times.”
story
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
7%
The story in *Epic Battle Fantasy 3* is generally considered simplistic and serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, featuring a straightforward plot about three heroes on a quest to defeat an evil being. While the narrative lacks depth, it is infused with humor and comedic moments that resonate with players, making it enjoyable despite its minimal focus on storytelling. Overall, the game is appreciated for its lighthearted tone and engaging combat rather than a compelling narrative.
- “Epic Battle Fantasy 3 is a continuation of the Epic Battle Fantasy saga, telling the story of Matt, Natalie, and Lance who are facing an evil being that threatens the world.”
- “The story is light and easily digested with sprinkles of humor and JRPG satire.”
- “The story is simplistic but funny.”
- “The story is pretty much straightforward: there is an evil being and the party is going to beat it.”
- “The plot hardly got anywhere.”
- “The story is very shallow and more of a parody, with no real reason to play it.”
gameplay
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
The gameplay of "Epic Battle Fantasy 3" is characterized by its straightforward turn-based mechanics, which offer a blend of strategic depth and accessibility, making it suitable for both newcomers and seasoned JRPG fans. While some players find the humor and writing lacking, the engaging combat, unique character abilities, and nostalgic art style contribute to an enjoyable experience, particularly for those who appreciate classic RPG elements. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive gameplay and solid mechanics, despite some criticisms regarding balance and graphical limitations.
- “The gameplay in Epic Battle Fantasy 3 is a perfect blend of strategic combat and exploration.”
- “The gameplay is fluid and well built, with a depth of strategy that you don't often see in these kinds of lightweight games.”
- “The combat mechanics are pretty straightforward, yet they have enough complexity to make every fight interesting, allowing for multiple choices and strategies.”
- “Epic Battle Fantasy 3 is a weak and trite 'satirical' ripoff of Final Fantasy, with poor writing, shallow gameplay, and weak 2D graphics. It's made with Adobe Flash/Air.”
- “The gameplay is really well made and quite challenging in the later areas.”
- “The gameplay's a little rough around the edges, but everything else about the game is lovable enough that I can enjoy it regardless.”
graphics
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The graphics of "Epic Battle Fantasy 3" receive mixed reviews, with some praising its charming retro pixel art and colorful, cartoonish style that evokes classic RPG aesthetics, while others criticize the visuals as lackluster and outdated, especially for a game released in 2010. Despite its limitations, many players appreciate the unique art style and animation, noting that it complements the game's humor and gameplay well. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are considered enjoyable and fitting for the game's indie roots.
- “The graphics in the game are stunning, with beautifully detailed backgrounds and intricate character designs.”
- “The cute, cartoonish graphics, humor, and pop-culture references scattered throughout the game are a lovely touch.”
- “The art style is very pleasing to the eyes, and much of the music stuck with me for years.”
- “Epic Battle Fantasy 3 is a weak and trite 'satirical' ripoff of Final Fantasy, with poor writing, shallow gameplay, and weak 2D graphics (you know even mobile phones can do 3D graphics now? No excuses)... and it's made with Adobe Flash/Air.”
- “The game features really lackluster 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
- “The graphics card does matter (personally), I have an integrated graphics (Intel HD Bay Trail) and gameplay is a bit choppy on max, have to put it on low resolution and frameskip on in order to even have the game be playable, especially during screen transitions (very tolerable) and battle (most annoying, very laggy at higher settings).”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
98%
Overall, the reviews indicate that while some grinding is present in the game, it is generally not excessive or mandatory for progression. Many players found that they could complete the game without significant grinding, especially if they engaged with the content as they progressed. However, a few noted that certain side quests and late-game challenges may require some grinding, but this is often seen as manageable rather than tedious.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but ultimately satisfying.”
- “Even in the short bit I played, I could tell the game was going to be grindy, with items costing thousands of gold, skills costing hundreds of points, and enemies quickly climbing in health.”
- “My only gripe is that it is a bit grindy near the end.”
- “It's always just the question of how much time are you willing to throw away grinding.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
Overall, the game offers strong replayability due to its engaging characters, multiple playable options, and various difficulty levels, including a New Game+ mode. While some players find limited replay value unless pursuing specific challenges like speed runs or farming items, many appreciate the game's enjoyable nature and the fact that it can be completed relatively quickly. The free availability further enhances its appeal for repeated playthroughs.
- “Fantastic characters make it easily replayable and enjoyable every time.”
- “The replay value and it being free are also really nice benefits.”
- “Plus since it's a game with great replay value and you can finish the game in as little as 12 hours, I say download this.”
- “Not much replay value, unless you want to speed run farm perma stat boost items, which is what I'm currently doing.”
- “Only possible downsides in my opinion are length of play and replayability.”
- “Not sure if it will have much replay value, but completely worth a free download.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the entertaining interactions and growth of certain characters, others criticize the dialogue as lacking depth and meaningful engagement. The overall emphasis on humor and quirky elements often overshadows more serious character arcs, leading to a perception that comedy replaces substantial development. Despite this, the unique art style and character designs are frequently praised, contributing to the game's charm.
- “The art style looks good, the character development is so entertaining and the monsters' art style is so cool.”
- “However, the character interactions, while mostly humorous, do give some actual character development.”
- “His character development in EBF 3 really helped people look at him differently than that one guy that was difficult to beat in the previous title.”
- “As most millennials, it believes comedy is a substitute for character development and plot.”
- “What dialogue there is, is mostly meaningless and lacks any form of passion or character design; it's just words on a screen.”
- “The character interactions, while mostly humorous, do give some actual character development.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a lack of emotional connection in the final boss battle, leading to a sense of tedium rather than fulfillment. In contrast, some players find emotional resonance in earlier parts of the series, particularly Epic Battle Fantasy 3, which is praised as a heartfelt homage to classic JRPGs. Overall, while some moments evoke nostalgia and warmth, others leave players feeling indifferent.
- “You might just find yourself enjoying this wholesome hidden gem too.”
- “I have played part 4-5 too but part 3 just brings back to me most memories and emotions.”
- “Epic Battle Fantasy 3 is a playable, heartfelt love letter to the JRPGs of yesteryear.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of humor, nostalgic references, and engaging music that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the effective use of pop culture jokes and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs, with particular praise for the overworld and battle music that sets the tone for various areas and encounters. Overall, the atmosphere is described as unique, comical, and positive, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The music and atmosphere wins!”
- “The humor includes pop culture references that may feel a bit dated, but the atmosphere of the jokes is still effective.”
- “My favorite thing was the atmosphere that reminded me of the old Final Fantasy games.”
- “The overworld music sets the atmosphere for each area so well, and the battle music is incredible - particularly the boss fights.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate improvements in later versions, others note that performance issues persist, particularly due to the limitations of Flash technology. Users with higher-end machines report smoother gameplay, while those with lower specifications may experience significant drops in performance.
- “I bought all EBF games on sale, and I can say that EBF4 even optimized everything that they did well in this game (currently playing 4 at the moment, haven't played 5 yet).”
- “The only real downside to this game is that it's not very well optimized, but then again I do have a subpar computer, so running it smoothly should be no problem if you have a well-built computer.”
- “It's made in Flash, and the performance can really drop no matter how strong your machine is.”
- “Optimization = 7”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game features a completely free-to-play model with no pay-to-win elements, microtransactions, or intrusive ads, making it a refreshing experience for players seeking a straightforward RPG. Despite being considered a downgrade from its predecessor, Epic Battle Fantasy 4, its lack of monetization issues is praised as a significant positive aspect.
- “No pay-to-win, no microtransactions at all.”
- “This game is a literal downgrade from Epic Battle Fantasy 4 in every way, which normally would be a bad thing; however, it's also downgraded in price a lot to $0. For a free game, this is an amazing RPG—no microtransactions, just a fun, good old game.”
- “This is a fun and silly free-to-play turn-based JRPG without horrible microtransactions.”
- “This game is not swarming with ads.”
- “Outclassed almost entirely by Epic Battle Fantasy 4, but it's completely free; no microtransactions or ads in sight.”