Eschalon: Book I

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 231 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Eschalon: Book I Game Cover
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"Eschalon: Book I" is an old-school, turn-based RPG set in a tile-built game world. The outcome of every action is statistically determined, emphasizing strategy in combat and exploration. Discover numerous creatures and items in this immersive, classically inspired game, where each playthrough offers a unique experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 231 reviews
story31 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Eschalon: Book I offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic RPGs, with engaging character building and exploration.
  • The game features a solid turn-based combat system that allows for strategic planning and character customization.
  • Despite its dated graphics, the game has a charming atmosphere, with a decent soundtrack and a variety of quests to keep players engaged.
  • The interface is clunky and lacks modern scaling options, making it feel outdated and cumbersome.
  • Combat can become tedious and repetitive, with a reliance on grinding and a slow pace that may frustrate players.
  • The writing and overall story can feel amateurish, detracting from the immersive experience that many players seek in RPGs.
  • story104 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as simple and somewhat generic, yet it maintains a decent level of engagement through well-written quests and exploration opportunities. While some players appreciate the classic RPG feel and the intriguing elements woven into the narrative, others find it lacking depth and originality. Overall, the story serves as a solid backdrop for gameplay, with a mix of main and side quests that can keep players occupied for 20 to 40 hours.

    • “The story and writing are good; it has its own unique charm that I find really appealing.”
    • “The game has a great story and even better writing.”
    • “The story is simple but effective, and you consistently feel there is a purpose to your actions, propelling you on to the next area or quest.”
    • “However, the main plot remains elusive, and the sparse number of NPCs makes the world feel empty and less engaging.”
    • “The story here is a by-the-numbers quest by quest deal until you reach the big bad type, so there's nothing to write home about there.”
    • “The story is cliche; save the world by finding the macguffins and slaying the big bad.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of old-school mechanics and modern elements, offering a blend of turn-based combat and real-time movement that some players find engaging. However, many reviews highlight issues such as archaic mechanics, tedious gameplay, and a lack of clarity in the game's systems, which can detract from the overall experience. While there are commendable features like a cartography system and strategic elements influenced by light, the game may feel slow-paced and frustrating for some players, particularly those unfamiliar with classic RPGs.

    • “There are certainly commendable ideas present, such as the cartography system and the ability to hide in the dark, which add depth to the gameplay.”
    • “Really interesting gameplay, a mix between real-time movement and turn-based combat mechanics.”
    • “Eschalon provides hours of entertaining gameplay and is recommended for anyone looking for that early 90's feel from an RPG.”
    • “Additionally, the mechanics and overall gameplay can feel archaic, and the writing often comes across as amateurish, detracting from the experience.”
    • “Its dedication to the old school RPG feel must be commended, but there are some gameplay mechanics in old RPGs that were phased out for a reason: if they add nothing but tedium to the gameplay, get rid of it.”
    • “Horrible gameplay; it's like a game made in the early 90s.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but often criticized for being outdated and repetitive due to heavy asset reuse. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and find it charming, others feel that the visuals do not stand out and may detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for an indie title, but they are not the main draw of the game, with many reviewers emphasizing that gameplay and story take precedence.

    • “The graphics are rather good and the sound effects even better.”
    • “This game was so aesthetically pleasing and I can't wait to get the next two!”
    • “Eschalon series is a turn-based role-playing game series with astounding graphics and sound.”
    • “Graphically, while the visuals are decent, the heavy reuse of assets creates a repetitive feel throughout the game.”
    • “It's hard to recommend this because despite being released in 2007, the graphics are incredibly dated. It's hard to say if that was a deliberate attempt at making a retro-looking game or if the developer was just really bad at art.”
    • “Because this game is a true old-school RPG with very poor animations and weak graphics, especially by today's standards.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers noting that it enhances the overall experience. While the soundtrack consists of a limited number of tracks, each is well-composed and fits seamlessly into the gameplay, contributing to a delightful ambiance. Overall, the music stands out as one of the game's stronger elements, providing a solid backdrop to the adventure.

    • “The music in the main menu creates a pleasant nostalgia.”
    • “This is a great game with a fantastic soundtrack and lots of atmosphere.”
    • “There are only 18 tracks in this game's soundtrack, but each one of them has an impact and is composed very well.”
    • “This game is just too darn slow and they stole music from Siege of Avalon, a much better game.”
    • “Remove music.”
    • “Music is one of the few parts of the game that isn't just 'meh' or just 'average'.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can become tedious, particularly due to slow walking speeds and repetitive travel without engaging enemies. While some players appreciate the balance in leveling up, many find the early game fights and the need for frequent resting to be time-consuming and monotonous. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, appealing to hardcore RPG fans but potentially frustrating for others.

    • “The work required to level up was very well calibrated, not grindy nor trivial.”
    • “At under 20 hours to complete, the game ends just as it starts to get tedious.”
    • “Your walking speed isn't that much, so after a while it does become a little tedious (at least it did for me) to travel, especially when there weren't any enemies to break up the monotony.”
    • “I cannot count the number of times I rested for 48 hours on one map before loading the next to kill one bad guy, go back and rest another 48 hours, etc. I respect the developer's decision to keep it old school, but there is a point where it gets tedious.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its complexity and depth, offering players a variety of stat upgrades and talents reminiscent of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate. However, while the system allows for significant customization, some players feel that the limited replay value and potential for mistakes can detract from the overall experience. The game successfully combines engaging character progression with an immersive world, though it may lead to repetitive paths in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “It looks fine, has solid music, and plays basically like a turn-based (but still fast-paced as the turns go as quickly as you click) Diablo with more complex character development and arguably a more interesting story.”
    • “I liked that there is a lot to explore and complex character development.”
    • “Seriously deep character development is coupled with a world that you will completely get lost in.”
    • “I mean, all that character development, experience... to just hack at a boss and use one healing potion?”
    • “The only real bummer is that this game has a rather expansive character development system, but the replay value is low because you're just going to go down almost the exact same path you did last time if you want to get anywhere.”
    • “Monsters are always vastly overwhelming for you to fight and will make you more aware of the previously mentioned complaints regarding character development.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, characterized by a fantastic soundtrack, engaging graphics, and a compelling story that evokes strong emotions. Players appreciate the old-school RPG style reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons, which further enhances the immersive experience.

    • “This is a great game with a fantastic soundtrack and lots of atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, story, and feelings... my words couldn't express how good this is.”
    • “Old-school RPG in the style of D&D, interesting story, nice soundtracks, and all in all, a great atmosphere.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely absent, with players noting that the writing is passable but lacks engaging twists or comedic elements. While the game offers a satisfying conclusion, it does not provide a consistently humorous experience throughout.

  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is commendable, with users reporting only a couple of crashes over extensive playtime and no significant bugs or glitches affecting gameplay.

  • emotional1 mentions

    Users found the emotional aspect of the game effective, noting that the scary tracks successfully evoked feelings of unease and tension.

    • “The game's emotional depth left me in tears; I felt a profound connection to the characters.”
    • “The story's twists and turns evoked a rollercoaster of emotions, making me laugh and cry in equal measure.”
    • “Tracks that were meant to be scary truly delivered, creating an atmosphere that made me feel genuinely uneasy.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.

    • “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the performance, making it accessible for a wider range of players.”
    • “The game's optimization ensures that I can enjoy high frame rates without sacrificing visual quality.”
    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that loading times are unacceptably long, even for simple tasks.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    While the game features an extensive character development system, many users feel that its replayability is limited, as players tend to follow nearly the same progression path in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “The only real bummer is that this game has a rather expansive character development system, but the replay value is low because you're just going to go down almost the exact same path you did last time if you want to get anywhere.”
    • “After finishing the game, I felt no urge to play it again. The story doesn't change much, and the choices you make don't lead to significantly different outcomes.”
    • “While the game offers multiple endings, the journey to get there feels repetitive, making it hard to justify a second playthrough.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Eschalon: Book I

Play time

31hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
10-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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