FATE

About

"Fate is a single-player Fantasy Role Playing game with outstanding gameplay, pretty visuals, and compelling music. The game offers a classic dungeon crawler experience, with vicious creatures to battle, unique weaponry to collect, and powerful spells to learn. Fate also includes new Steam features like trading cards, badges, emoticons, and profile backgrounds, making it very replayable."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,092 reviews

gameplay150 positive mentions

story54 negative mentions

story
468 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
77%
12%
The game's story is minimal and largely non-existent, focusing instead on a repetitive loop of randomly generated quests and dungeon crawling. Players engage in simple tasks like defeating monsters or retrieving items, with little narrative depth or character development. While the lack of a compelling storyline may disappoint some, the gameplay offers a nostalgic and relaxing experience for fans of dungeon crawlers.
- “The ability to select the order of quests and when to start them gives the player a lot of freedom.”
- “You have to work your way through each level fighting monsters, completing quests from townsfolk, and gradually collecting nicer and nicer gear/weapons/spells until eventually you kill the big bad, retire, and have the option of continuing the game as your descendant, handing them down an 'heirloom' (gear/weapon) that remains the level you gift it at and can continue to be handed down generation to generation.”
- “A charming and nostalgic game with a simple and yet a tried and tested formula; go down into the endless amount of dungeons to complete quests and fight enemy after enemy with increasing difficulty, all the while you loot for things to get gear to help you progress on your journey...”
- “Length of the game depends on how you play as everything is basically a sandbox with no story, just a 'final boss' randomly generated at floors 40-50.”
- “There is no real story like with a traditional RPG - it is a 'kill everything or die trying, and grab all the loot and sell most of it' game that fans of Torchlight 1 & 2 will find somewhat familiar and easy to fall into.”
- “The story is essentially non-existent and the gameplay is pretty shallow - you basically just run through randomly-generated dungeons killing hordes of monsters while completing meaningless quests.”
gameplay
450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The gameplay of this retro dungeon crawler is characterized by its simplicity and addictive mechanics, offering a solid loop of exploration, combat, and loot collection that remains engaging despite its repetitive nature. Players appreciate the ease of understanding the mechanics, the variety of character customization options, and the nostalgic charm, although some note that the graphics and overall design feel dated. While the game excels in providing hours of entertainment, it may not satisfy those seeking a deep narrative or modern gameplay complexity.
- “Fate is an extraordinary action role-playing game that captivates players with its enchanting world and addictive gameplay.”
- “The addictive loot-driven mechanics provide a constant sense of reward and progression, as players discover powerful weapons, armor, and magical artifacts to customize their character.”
- “Fun dungeon crawler, probably one of the best out there, originally coming out in 2005 the game was ahead of its time in regards to solid gameplay loops, decent combat mechanics, and a procedurally generated dungeon where no two dungeon runs will be the same.”
- “The gameplay is too dull and balancing is terrible.”
- “However, gameplay is extremely bland - consisting of holding left click with no other player input outside of using hotkeys to casting spells (if you have magical investment) and consuming charms/potions.”
- “The gameplay can be of an extremely repetitive nature, so if you expect a brand new and unique challenge each time you turn the game on, you're never going to get it, the game deals its hand very early on.”
graphics
384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
56%
14%
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, reflecting its 2005 release, but many players find them charming and adequate for the gameplay experience. While some reviews note limitations such as low resolution and repetitive environments, others appreciate the colorful art style and nostalgic appeal, suggesting that the visuals still hold up reasonably well given the game's age. Overall, the graphics may not meet modern standards, but they are often described as decent and fitting for a classic dungeon crawler.
- “The colorful and vibrant visuals brought the fantastical world to life, with its whimsical characters, detailed environments, and stunning spell effects.”
- “The art style is charming and the music used in town is to be instantly loved.”
- “Great game, well balanced, good dynamics and graphics that, taking into consideration how old this game is, stood the test of time.”
- “The graphics are outdated and the audio is clunky, and the gameplay gets grind-y as the story takes a backseat for your character to get stronger.”
- “The graphics have not aged well.”
- “This is a poor man's Diablo 2, except worse in every aspect, including graphics.”
music
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, featuring catchy medieval instrumental tunes that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some players note the soundtrack's limited variety and repetitiveness, many find it memorable and fitting for both the town and dungeon settings. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “From epic orchestral melodies during intense battles to serene tunes in peaceful moments, the music enhances the overall immersion and adds another layer of enjoyment to the experience.”
- “The music is very good and memorable, and the environments are sufficiently detailed, especially the town of Grove, which is a bright and lively antithesis to the dark dungeon.”
- “Fate also offers a delightful soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's magical ambiance.”
- “The game makes you listen to the same music track over and over again.”
- “Also keep in mind that the soundtrack is very small.”
- “But the music in the dungeon sucks so I play with the sound off.”
grinding
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
97%
The game is widely regarded as extremely grindy, requiring significant time investment to progress, which can lead to a tedious experience for many players. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and the rewarding nature of grinding for loot and character upgrades, others find the repetitive gameplay and lack of variety in dungeon layouts to be a major drawback. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy classic dungeon crawlers but may deter players who dislike grinding.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This is a game that I never finished as a kid, not because it's hard, but because it requires a mind-numbing amount of grinding to beat without cheating.”
- “And the only options were really to either grind and turn off my brain on dungeon floors that do not reset conveniently since you have to run several floors down to reset the current one, or to lower the difficulty just to beat the game.”
- “The game did begin to feel quite grindy by about 12 hours in.”
replayability
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its random dungeon generation, character customization, and a unique retirement system that allows players to pass on items to descendants. Many reviewers highlight that no two playthroughs are the same, making it an engaging experience that encourages repeated play. Overall, players find it to be a timeless dungeon crawler with virtually endless replay value, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players alike.
- “As far as I'm concerned, this game has infinite replayability as there are too many directions you can build in to not want to give it another go eventually.”
- “What sets Fate apart is its dynamic and endlessly replayable gameplay.”
- “The replayability is great as you never know what kind of random attributes you'll get on an item.”
- “For a nearly 2-decade-old game, it doesn't feel fair or worth it to price it at $8. The summer sale had it at $0.79, so I got it; otherwise, I'd maybe pay $5 for this game. It does get repetitive yet has a lot of replay value.”
- “A cute little Diablo clone, worth it to play through at least once. Once you complete the game, there is a descendant system where your main hero retires and passes on an item of your choosing. It becomes an heirloom with boosted stats to help your descendants early on in their adventure, so there is some replayability. Maps, monsters, and quests are randomly generated, a bit repetitive but serve their purpose, for it's not too lengthy of a game.”
- “The game is a bit short for what it is, but it has the most replayability of any game I've ever seen.”
optimization
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
47%
27%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, especially during busy combat scenes where frame rates can drop drastically. While some users report decent performance on higher-end systems, others find the game poorly optimized, requiring manual adjustments to run smoothly. Overall, it appears that players with less powerful rigs may struggle, while those with better hardware might still encounter frustrating lag.
- “I have yet to experience a game crash or error and the performance is pretty good, a few frame drops with some of the busier dungeons but otherwise it runs decent for an older title.”
- “Runs smoothly, great gameplay, solid replayability.”
- “It is easy to learn and runs smoothly (unless you have a crappy laptop like I do).”
- “The performance is also dreadful.”
- “Game is unoptimized (the game lags when there are multiple enemies being rendered on the screen. My PC specs are overkill for the requirements of this game and I'm still lagging).”
- “This version is poorly optimized; you will regret playing this game if you don't have a powerful rig to play this game.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report no significant bugs or glitches, others highlight various issues, including texture glitches, optimization problems during large enemy encounters, and bugs related to achievements and fishing mechanics. Overall, it appears that while the core gameplay is enjoyable, players should be prepared for some technical hiccups, particularly in certain features and integrations.
- “Amazing game, no glitches or bugs. I played this back in my childhood, and let me just say this brings back memories!”
- “No glitches, although I wish the cheat functionality wasn't removed.”
- “Don't bother with the sequels; they are pretty buggy.”
- “This game is very very buggy.”
- “The steam integration is a little buggy and the pet AI.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
25%
15%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, combining haunting sound effects, eerie music, and a captivating setting that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance between a wholesome adventure and a dark, creepy ambiance, particularly in the dungeons, which are described as top-notch in terms of atmospheric design. Despite some limitations in animation, the atmospheric elements significantly contribute to the enjoyment and engagement of the gameplay.
- “From the moment I stepped foot into the town of Grove, I was spellbound by the game's immersive atmosphere.”
- “The dungeons have an eerie atmosphere comprised of haunting sound effects, eerie music, and of course all the monster noises, grunts, death cries, etc. Overall, dungeon atmosphere is top notch.”
- “A very enjoyable game to play; Fate really brings out a creepy and sometimes jump scare-inducing atmosphere from using different sounds, monsters, and the overall gameplay.”
- “The dungeons have an eerie atmosphere comprised of haunting sound effects, eerie music, and of course all the monster noises, grunts, death cries, etc. Overall, the dungeon atmosphere is top notch.”
- “A very enjoyable game to play, fate really brings out a creepy and sometimes jumpscare-inducing atmosphere from using different sounds, monsters, and the overall gameplay.”
- “The atmosphere and animation support a feeling of wholesome, simplistic adventure, and the inventory/commerce and random event mechanics add a nice touch.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often driven by nostalgia and the wholesome experiences it evokes, such as memories of playing with loved ones. The ability to train and bond with pets enhances this emotional engagement, leading to moments of joy and even tears. Overall, the game's atmosphere and mechanics contribute to a heartfelt and memorable adventure.
- “The ability to train and equip pets, as well as witness their growth and development, creates a strong emotional bond between the player and their trusty companion.”
- “The nostalgia made me cry.”
- “Hearing the menu music made me cry from nostalgia.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players enjoying its quirky elements, such as turning a dog into a spider and the amusingly named items and characters. While the gameplay can be repetitive, the comedic moments, like discovering an overpowered weapon called "le chop," provide plenty of laughs. Overall, the game is considered funny and entertaining, especially given its low price point.
- “3.5/5 you can fish and turn your dog into a funny spider.”
- “For my Twitch stream, I started a new file and on the first floor I got a crazy overpowered weapon called 'le chop' and we all died laughing.”
- “The gameplay is solid, if not a bit repetitive, the story writing is repetitive also, but it has its randomly generated bits, which quite often spawn some pretty hilarious names (i.e. headfighter and nightshiner).”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a complete lack of storyline and character progression, rendering it one of the most generic RPGs available. While the music and character designs, particularly for some monsters, received praise, the overall experience is deemed lacking in depth and variety, making it less engaging compared to other titles.
- “There is not much to be said in terms of story or character development.”
- “The most generic RPG since Progress Quest; there is literally zero storyline, character development, or driving impetus to get to the next level, which is really the only thing to do in the game.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express a strong desire for games that do not include microtransactions, highlighting a preference for a more straightforward and enjoyable gaming experience without additional costs.
- “Imagine a game with no microtransactions?”
- “Imagine a game with no microtransactions?”