Fantasy Grounds VTT
- November 5, 2020
- SmiteWorks USA, LLC
Get on SteamFantasy Grounds Unity is a virtual tabletop platform for pen and paper role-playing games. It provides a rich ruleset library, character creation tools, and dynamic 3D environment for immersive gameplay. This Unity-based version offers enhanced features, improved performance, and modular add-ons for tailored gaming experiences. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned gamers to enjoy RPGs online with friends.
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Reviews
- Fantasy Grounds Unity offers a robust platform for playing tabletop RPGs online, with excellent automation features that streamline gameplay.
- The dynamic lighting and line of sight features enhance the immersive experience, making it feel closer to in-person gaming.
- The community support and availability of tutorials make it easier for new users to learn the system, despite its steep learning curve.
- The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new users to navigate and set up games without extensive research.
- Many essential features and modules require additional purchases, leading to a high overall cost for users who want a complete experience.
- There are frequent bugs and stability issues, particularly with the installation process and connecting players, which can disrupt gameplay.
- story36 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is highly praised for its depth and the ability to facilitate immersive role-playing experiences, allowing players and GMs to focus on narrative rather than mechanics. Users appreciate the automation tools that streamline gameplay, making it easier to manage encounters and character interactions, while also highlighting the availability of pre-written campaigns that enhance storytelling. However, some users express a desire for improved editing options within the story management system to better maintain formatting and organization.
“I love it because it is one of the best mediums of self-expression that there is, and because it can be a deeply intimate and spiritual experience with people who you care about in a story where people overcome their problems and good overcomes evil.”
“As a DM for 5e, the automation of so many rolls and checks makes my life so much easier and allows me to keep the focus on the story and not get bogged down by checking stuff.”
“Fg organizes the story, the NPCs, the encounters, and the maps with 'pins', so that as I'm looking at the story, I can click a pin and boom, I have the map.”
“When I'm DMing, my only tiny gripe is the 'story' edit options... it would be helpful to have the ability to copy and paste text and keep the formatting (even if it's an internal copy and paste from one story to another).”
“And the same goes for table formatting within a 'story' page.”
“Fairly decent learning curve, but once you get over it, there really is quite a bit there by way of automation tools and mapping capabilities to really help bring the story alive.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a decent digital adaptation of tabletop RPG mechanics, with features that automate dice rolls and basic game functions, making it easier for DMs to manage sessions. While the engine supports various rule sets and allows for custom battlemaps, users note that the graphics are basic and the controls can be unintuitive, requiring some effort to learn. Overall, it offers a rich set of features for immersive gameplay, but lacks access to essential handbooks and some core mechanics.
“It automizes dice and basic game mechanics with no problem and, if you are a DM, there are official tutorials on how to code every variation you might need.”
“Not only does it harness all of the game mechanics, but you can create your own battlemaps inside it (it's included in the software package... with map animations and everything you might need).”
“The line-of-sight mechanics of FGU are more advanced than any isometric CRPG's I've ever seen.”
“You don't get access to any handbooks, even the basic PHB, and this doesn't even support basic gameplay. Things like sneak attack, grappling, etc. The map graphics are basic and hard to look at, and the controls are terrible with little in-game help available.”
“For those new to the genres, the license gives the bare bones for a platform to use plus the SRDs for basic gameplay.”
“I would highly recommend the free modules that are popular as most of them are made to handle 5E mechanics that aren't programmed in the vanilla version.”
- optimization18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game shows mixed results; while users report significant improvements in performance and stability, particularly with the 64-bit engine, issues persist, especially on Mac systems where optimization is still lacking. Some users experience freezing when accessing folders with many assets, even on high-end PCs, indicating that further optimization is needed. Overall, while there are advancements, the game is not yet fully optimized across all platforms.
“Huge upgrade in performance and stability compared to the original.”
“64-bit engine improves stability and performance substantially over the previous version.”
“Based on personal experience, I recommend using Discord in conjunction with FG, as it is designed for and optimized for gamers, allowing you to maintain multiple, persistent chat logs, as well as providing easy voice-channel hopping.”
“Another problem is performance; even with a new PC with an SSD, when you open a folder with many assets, it freezes for a few seconds to a minute.”
“Optimization: on my PC I can run multiple instances without any problem, but it's not fully optimized yet on Mac, for example. It's getting better though.”
“And lastly, for its performance, I haven't had the chance to try it out thoroughly enough to comment.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users praising the complexity and interface compared to other virtual tabletop systems, while others criticize the outdated aesthetics and poor quality of map graphics. Many feel that the artwork from rulebooks is poorly represented, and the overall visual presentation lacks modern appeal, resembling older software like Windows 98.
“Best graphics ever”
“But mainly because I find the interface, ease of use, plug-ins, and graphical presentation better than what I've experienced in other VTTs.”
“The aesthetics are very old; for example, when you select where the campaign folder will be, the selection window looks like Windows 98 and it also doesn't let you create a new folder.”
“The map graphics are basic and hard to look at, and the controls are terrible with little in-game help available.”
“Some of the newer VTTs promise 3D graphics and the like, but until I find one that can match FGUs complexity under the hood, I am sticking with the tried and true.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has drawn significant criticism, with users highlighting a frustrating user interface, pervasive advertising, and numerous cash grabs that detract from the experience. While the free version is not heavily restricted, the reliance on in-app purchases and the potential shift towards microtransactions and proprietary content has raised concerns about the future of traditional gameplay. Overall, the monetization approach is viewed as detrimental to the integrity of the hobby.
“Those hopes were dashed upon the rocks of a terrible UI, a seemingly infinite number of cash grabs, and a profound inability to import custom content.”
“Incessant advertising.”
“It is an unacceptable change in the structure of the hobby, and it will lead us down a path of exclusive microtransactions, skins, proprietary virtual tabletops, and phasing out the tradition of pen and paper over playing from a phone.”
- stability12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is notably inconsistent, with users reporting frequent bugs and performance issues, particularly when handling large asset folders, which can cause significant freezing. While improvements have been made over time, players still encounter annoying but non-game-breaking hiccups during extended sessions. Overall, the experience can feel tedious and buggy, though some aspects have become more immersive.
“It isn't bug-free, so you will run into some hiccups, but nothing game-breaking. Just annoying, and you only get 1 or 2 per long all-day game session.”
“Another problem is performance; even with a new PC with an SSD, when you open a folder with many assets, it freezes for a few seconds to a minute.”
“Extremely buggy.”
“Very buggy.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, feeling that recent changes have made the experience more tedious and time-consuming. While there are improvements in map creation and automation features that enhance immersion, the overall sentiment is that the added complexity detracts from enjoyment, leading to repetitive tasks and potential bugs.
“Why change what wasn't broken? Why make it harder, longer, and more tedious?”
“The little tedious things that require you to check each line multiple times or have nasty surprises during play.”
“Automates (or makes it easy to automate yourself) everything I find tedious about D&D.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music aspect of tabletop role-playing games is highlighted as a vital component that enhances the creative community surrounding them, with recommendations for tools like Syrinscape to enrich gameplay. Users appreciate the ability to integrate music seamlessly into their sessions, allowing for a more immersive experience while managing game mechanics. However, there is a sense of skepticism regarding the industry's support for creative talents in music and other artistic fields.
“If you fall in love with it, check out Syrinscape online as another add-on for music.”
“Then when they know how to do this well, you can use the time they are messing around with their sheets to study the enemies' tactics notes, prepare the next encounter or text block, queue up the next music track, and so on.”
“Tabletop role-playing games have always fostered a community that has heavily been a creative one, full of amazing artists, writers, modelers, musicians, actors, and countless other skillsets that really shine through in their creations.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the reviews is characterized by a blend of personal anecdotes and absurdity, with users finding solace in humor during tough times. The comedic elements often involve playful observations about online business practices, highlighting the absurdity of using unconventional methods like drawing maps on a blackboard and rolling dice on camera. Overall, the humor serves as a coping mechanism and adds a lighthearted touch to the reviews.
“When dealing with difficult life events, I often retreat to humor, as I did with this review, and I hope that your team and others enjoyed the rant.”
“The funny thing is, I found that it is more profitable to run online companies if you open some online blackboard and draw a map there, and all the important information is stored in the Excel file, and the dice can be thrown just on the camera.”
