Felvidek
- March 29, 2024
- Vlado Ganaj
- 6h median play time
Felvidek is a single-player Role Playing game with a unique atmosphere, featuring fantastic graphics, outstanding music, and plenty of humor. Traverse the hand-painted world, meet interesting characters, and engage in turn-based RPG combat to progress the story. As Pavol, a fair knight with alcohol problems, stop the Hussite pillagers and Ottoman spies in this emotionally charged alternate history of Slovak Highlands, completed in 3-4 hours.
Reviews
- Unique art style and engaging visuals that enhance the overall experience.
- Hilarious and well-written dialogue that captures the humor and absurdity of the setting.
- Short but sweet gameplay that respects the player's time while providing a compelling story.
- The game is quite short, with a playtime of around 4-6 hours, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with some players finding it too easy.
- The use of archaic English in dialogue can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
- story406 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its humor, engaging characters, and unique setting in 15th century Slovakia, blending comedic elements with deeper themes of love, loss, and redemption. Players appreciate the well-crafted narrative that offers multiple choices and interactions, enhancing replayability, though some express a desire for clearer guidance on quests. Overall, the narrative is described as charming, concise, and filled with memorable moments, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The story isn't trying to be more complex than it needs to and leaves you with some great characters to bond with.”
“Felvidek is a labor of love and it's shown in every nook and cranny, aside from the funny humor there is depth in its story and characters.”
“The story unfolds with a simple premise, quickly devolving into a mystery that is certainly above the main character's pay grade.”
“The story was absurd and overall I do not get what the fuss is all about.”
“However, characters feel underdeveloped, story kind of meaningless.”
“The plot is kooky, you fool around, you make stupid jokes, get robbed, smack people, fight invaders and monsters, get loot, make new friends and most importantly learn to forgive.”
- music299 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its unique and engaging soundtrack that complements the game's atmosphere and art style. Descriptions highlight a blend of genres, including retro, prog-rock, and ambient sounds, which enhance the overall experience and evoke a strong emotional response. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and memorability.
“The music is amazing and the visuals are one of a kind.”
“The soundtrack is kind of perfect for the piece, focusing on mood and ambiance over historical realism.”
“The music is psychedelic.”
“The ending is also meh and the music gets annoying after a while, especially the last stage with that awful droning guitar effect.”
“I think the music was charming as well but it could be a little unfitting or way too intense, borderline annoying sometimes where you just wanted to mute it or it could be a little too jolly when the scene was way more serious and terrifying, so the set of atmosphere didn't sync always in consistency.”
“However, I did find some of the combat music and 'ominous' music near the end of the game to be some of the weaker pieces.”
- graphics279 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique and highly stylized art style, reminiscent of retro RPGs and medieval illustrations. Reviewers highlight the impressive visuals, including beautifully crafted environments and engaging 3D cutscenes, which contribute to an immersive atmosphere. The combination of stunning artwork and a captivating soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The art style is amazing and has some of the best visuals ever, and is also extremely impressive considering how this game was made in RPG Maker.”
“The combination of the fantastic writing, the beautiful art style, and the animations make this game one for the books.”
“The visuals, especially the cutscenes, are exquisite.”
“If Dürer went deranged and decided to seek inspiration in PSX-style graphics and Terry Gilliam's vignettes, you'd get Felvidek's art style.”
“Not something that really bothers me personally, but the color palette here will definitely turn a lot of people off, and if you aren't really a fan of charcoal drawings, you probably won't like the art style.”
“The characters, visuals, and narrative are where Felvidek really shines.”
- humor246 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging character interactions, and a unique blend of absurdity and dark comedy. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and the ability of the game to balance lighthearted moments with deeper themes, often drawing on Slovak cultural references and JRPG tropes. Overall, the humor is described as charming, memorable, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
“A really lovable cast of characters and a great sense of humor poking fun at JRPG tropes and Slovak cultural esoterica. It shares the trait with the very best RPG Maker games where it feels unlike anything else you will ever play.”
“The writing is incredibly funny, and can also deliver on some touching moments at times.”
“The characters are quite unique and the humor between characters is incredibly funny and feels so real and true to the personalities.”
- gameplay120 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game is characterized by classic turn-based JRPG mechanics that, while simple and somewhat traditional, are engaging and well-executed. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and accessibility, with many noting the enjoyable combat system and the game's charming art style and soundtrack. Although some find the gameplay a bit short and lacking in depth, it is generally regarded as satisfying and complemented by a strong narrative and character development.
“Classic gameplay mechanics with an awesome soundtrack, great character designs, and excellent art direction.”
“The gameplay is thoughtful and well executed.”
“A great game with engaging mechanics (and it was made in RPG Maker!), beautiful animations and graphics, and jazzy music, and charismatic protagonists; I was waiting for it for a while and this wait was definitely worth it.”
“The character development system seemed really primitive; the same can be said about battle mechanics.”
“The gameplay itself is quite simplistic; there are no typical RPG stats like 'str, agi, int'; the game relies on weapon stats, tools, and armor.”
“The biggest downside to gameplay is that the game wraps up just as the more interesting four-party-member strategy comes online.”
- atmosphere45 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a unique art style, engaging music, and humorous dialogue. Many reviewers noted that the medieval English language adds to the charm, despite being challenging for some players. Overall, the game successfully combines dark humor with a captivating aesthetic, creating a memorable experience that resonates with players.
“The music is also really good; I found myself loving so many tracks, and they are perfect in building the atmosphere of this game.”
“The game oozes with so much atmosphere and carries its dark humor with so much confidence.”
“Art style, music, and audio design create a bittersweet, otherworldly atmosphere that still manages to convey a feeling of mundane medieval life.”
“I think the music was charming as well but it could be a little unfitting or way too intense, borderline annoying sometimes where you just wanted to mute it, or it could be a little too jolly when the scene was way more serious and terrifying, so the atmosphere didn't always sync in consistency.”
“It's nothing super heavy and rich with content, but you can tell a lot of thought was put into this between the story (which isn't all that compelling but it's neat watching an authentic adventure instead of a contrived one), the tone, the graphics, and atmosphere, and of course let's not forget the music.”
“The dialogue can be drawn out and hard to read at times, but it kind of adds to the atmosphere.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews highlight a positive shift away from traditional grinding mechanics often found in JRPGs, with many players appreciating the streamlined gameplay that avoids tedious leveling and random encounters. Instead, the focus is on strategic combat and engaging events, making the experience more accessible for those who prefer shorter play sessions without the burden of extensive grinding. However, some players noted that while the absence of grinding is refreshing, it can lead to combat feeling tedious due to high enemy health.
“No leveling, no grinding, just you and the world and the enemies in this world.”
“There are no decade-long tutorials, no grinding, no empty collectathon side-quests, and no live service/trendy mechanics jammed in for no reason.”
“Combat is solid (for an RPG Maker game), there is no grinding, no random encounters or XP, and your skillset derives from your equipment.”
“Not every game needs to be 500 hours of grinding for dopamine...”
“Found it quite tedious for an RPG Maker game.”
“The combat can be really tedious at times because the enemies have way too much HP.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to its branching story paths and multiple choices that can lead to different outcomes. While the playtime is relatively short (around 3 to 5 hours), players may find value in revisiting the game to explore missed content and alternative resolutions to quests. However, some reviewers noted that the replay value is limited, suggesting that while enjoyable, it may not compel players to return frequently.
“I know I must have missed some hidden things in my playthrough, and there are several choices to be made that branch the story too, so there is replay value.”
“Without getting too much into the plot, there's some decent replayability here, with different ways to resolve quests, and the game is short enough that if you really get into it, it wouldn't be unheard of to jump right back into another playthrough.”
“The game is short, but there's quite a lot of replayability via branching story paths and optional quests that can alter the way the story plays out.”
“Not much replayability, but still a fun little story and experience even if it is just for the banging soundtrack.”
“The only negative thing I would say is that it does lack replay value.”
“Not much replayability, like to unlock things or choose different choices.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted characters and a touching narrative that balances humor with heartfelt moments, leading to a bittersweet ending. Players appreciate the engaging story and the emotional depth it brings, often finding themselves reflecting on the experiences and feeling a genuine connection to the characters. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from laughter to introspection, making it a memorable experience.
“This game will make you think, make you laugh, make you reflect, and might even make you shed a tear or two.”
“The characters (including random NPCs) are well crafted, consistent with their personalities throughout, and our main hero has a nice emotional throughline which makes the story much more impactful.”
“The ending to this story is genuinely touching.”
- character development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its impressive writing and distinct character designs, which contribute to a rich visual and narrative experience. While some reviewers found the character development system to be somewhat basic, the overall execution of character interactions and unique designs left a positive impression, enhancing the game's appeal. The art direction and character portrayals were particularly praised, making each character feel unique and memorable.
“I easily underestimated it and it surprised me with the writing, character development, the direction, and last but not least, the art style.”
“Of course, the art direction by itself deserves recognition and praise; I enjoyed every single character design present in this game and how they were rendered in the portraits.”
“The character designs are also impeccable; everyone that needs to be distinct is very distinct and all the other side characters or mooks have such unique faces and stances that they feel unique and interesting even if you've seen them a few times during your playthrough.”
“The character development system seemed really primitive; the same can be said about the battle mechanics.”
“The character designs are also impeccable; everyone that needs to be distinct is very distinct, and all the other side characters or mooks have such unique faces, stances, etc., that they feel unique and interesting even if you've seen them a few times during your playthrough.”
“The character development lacks depth and fails to engage players, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting a bug-free experience during the felvidek play-through, aside from a single unwinnable fight. Additionally, it performs well on the Steam Deck without requiring any adjustments.
“Mechanically, the entire Felvidek playthrough remained bug-free, with only one instance of a fight becoming literally unwinnable.”
“Runs great on Steam Deck too.”
“Runs great on deck out of the box.”