Golem Gates
- May 31, 2019
- Laser Guided Games, LLC
In a land completely ravaged by war you will have to join the battlefield and command armies in a dangerous, dark world.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Golem Gates" is a sci-fi strategy game where players command a harbinger, a warrior equipped with abilities and deployable machines known as golems. The game features a unique blend of card collecting and real-time strategy, as players use the cards they collect to summon units and abilities in the heat of battle. The story revolves around the harbinger's efforts to prevent the destruction of their world by a mysterious and powerful force known as the Ash.
Reviews
- The game features a unique blend of RTS and deck-building mechanics, providing a refreshing gameplay experience that encourages strategic thinking.
- The graphics and art style are highly praised, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The game offers a variety of modes, including a campaign, trials, and multiplayer, which keeps the gameplay fresh and allows for customization of decks.
- The pathfinding and AI can be problematic, leading to frustrating unit movements and collisions during gameplay.
- There is a lack of player base for PvP matches, making it difficult to find opponents and diminishing the multiplayer experience.
- Some players feel that the core gameplay lacks depth and tactical decision-making, leading to repetitive missions and a sense of boredom.
- gameplay33 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a blend of real-time strategy and card mechanics, featuring solid mechanics and a unique summoning system that allows players to draw and accumulate power over time. While some players appreciate the innovative aspects and the potential for strategic depth, others find the gameplay sluggish and tedious, particularly criticizing the 15-second reshuffling mechanic. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable and frustrating elements, with a well-structured campaign and multiplayer modes that showcase its strengths, though it may not appeal to everyone.
“I liked the summoning mechanic; you draw new cards (abilities/units/buildings) slowly, accumulate power to cast them, and there is a maximum power capacity that grows over time.”
“The gameplay is fresh and interesting, and you never truly know what your opponent will do at any point, as even in the middle of a fight they may throw you a curveball with a spell or buff you didn’t see coming.”
“What truly surprised me is the lot of effort put into story design, the good AI in skirmish for this game, and the many gameplay customization options.”
“There was a lot I liked about this game, but ultimately I didn't enjoy the actual gameplay.”
“I had some problems with units not responding as fast as I felt they should. At times, the gameplay can feel sluggish and tedious, definitely a negative for me on a CCG/RTS hybrid.”
“Gameplay: standard 'capture-the-tower/flag' strategy RTS but without any unit factory building.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique art style and appealing visuals, often described as above average for indie titles. Many reviewers highlighted the game's atmospheric design and character aesthetics, which enhance the overall experience, despite some noting issues with gameplay mechanics like pathing. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“I was attracted to this game by the graphics, the demon punk look, and it didn't disappoint.”
“The graphics are well above the indie average but the art direction and design are even more impressive.”
“Awesome graphics with really cool and unique designs.”
“The graphics are serviceable, the sound is actually decent, bordering on good, the whole thing adds up to a competently executed package which in the moment to moment play would be good enough save for the one neat twist to this, the deckbuilding system.”
“Sound and graphical presentation are kind of ok, I would say average at the moment, given the engine.”
“Graphics rating 7/10”
- story21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, described as engaging and reminiscent of a sci-fi movie, though some players find it lacking in depth and originality. While the campaign consists of repetitive mission objectives, it gradually increases in difficulty and offers intriguing mechanics, keeping players invested in uncovering the narrative. Overall, the storytelling is appreciated for its execution and atmosphere, despite some critiques regarding its brevity and reliance on familiar tropes.
“Pretty good game with a great story and music.”
“Nice story, even if it's sadly a rather short one, but it does keep you engaged during the campaign as you try to find answers to what is going on, answers that you do get.”
“It's not going to set the world alight with original storytelling, but what is here is very well told, and done with more than a hint of menace; this is not a terribly nice world, and even the good guys feel more like the good guys who cleanse by exterminatus as opposed to the 'we save the world with hugs and happiness' as you might expect from a more black and white game.”
“The game gets boring without making players care for the story progression or the character you're using.”
“The missions are basically all 'kill this enemy' or 'sit there waiting against waves for a while'.”
“That being said, the story seems like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, one that could be really good if it had a better budget and more storyline.”
- music11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic, electronic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Some users specifically recommend purchasing the soundtrack separately, highlighting its captivating and appealing qualities. However, a few critiques suggest that certain tracks feel out of place, indicating a mixed reception in some instances.
“Must buy along with the soundtrack.”
“Also, I highly recommend putting 'Golem Gates OST' into the internet and listen to the roaring, epic, Blade Runner-inspired, electronic soundtrack.”
“A captivating game of magic and mayhem, lots of bright lights and delightful storm of particles accompanied by a great soundtrack.”
“A little hit or miss; at times it felt like someone was looking through YouTube for the heaviest music they could find and threw it in the game without a second thought.”
“I think they should sell the soundtrack separately.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating visuals, character design, and sound, creating an immersive experience that appeals even to those who aren't typically fans of the RTS genre. The slower pace enhances the enjoyment, allowing players to engage deeply with the unique battle environment and the intriguing concept of manipulating nanites in a barren landscape.
“I am not much of an RTS fan, but the atmosphere in this game draws me in with its visuals, character design, and sounds.”
“The game has lovely graphics and atmosphere, and the main thing that swings it for me is that it's not played at too fast of a pace.”
“It's a game where you have to protect your harbinger in a really cool battle environment, where you have to manipulate and command nanites from the ash, which is a power that has manifested itself into your world's barren atmosphere.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and easy, often feeling that the gameplay can be sluggish and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience, especially in a collectible card game/real-time strategy hybrid.
“They're almost all easy and tedious.”
“I had some problems with units not responding as fast as I felt they should. At times, the gameplay can feel sluggish and tedious, which is definitely a negative for me in a CCG/RTS hybrid.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the reviewer is not typically a fan of real-time strategy games, they find the character development compelling due to the game's engaging visuals, character design, and sound, which enhance the overall atmosphere.
“The atmosphere in this game draws me in with its visuals, character design, and sounds.”
“The character development is incredibly rich, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, their growth feels natural and impactful.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features no microtransactions requiring real money, indicating a monetization model that avoids additional costs for players.
“There are no microtransactions to pay with real money.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend.”
“I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without needing to purchase additional content.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game.”
“It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
“The constant barrage of ads and prompts to purchase in-game currency ruins the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be effective and engaging, contributing to its overall depth and enjoyment. Players appreciate the cleverness of the jokes and comedic elements, which enhance the gaming experience.
“The humor in this game is genuinely hilarious and adds a unique charm to the overall experience.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
“The comedic timing and absurd situations kept me entertained and made the gameplay even more enjoyable.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's high replayability due to daily challenges and the introduction of new cards, which keep the experience fresh and engaging.
“I love the challenges and the new cards daily, which means this game has great replay value.”
“The variety of gameplay options keeps me coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
Critic Reviews
Golem Gates Review
Although the controls aren't exactly ideal, Golem Gates is a thoughtfully crafted title that blends RTS gameplay with some solid deck building. Forging new Glyphs, reorganising a deck to make it more optimal, or simply experimenting with deck types fit so naturally in the RTS genre that it's at times shocking how well realized all the core concepts are. Unfortunately, the title is also plagued by terrible performance issues that didn't seem to be present in its initial PC release back in 2018. Load times are often long, lag is a problem, and this is prone to downright crashing should players spend too much time customising their deck... in a title all about deck building! This is a legitimately good RTS. Just not on PS4 for now.
40%Golem Gates Review
In a land completely ravaged by war you will have to join the battlefield and command armies in a dangerous, dark world.
70%Ashy smashy --- Golem Gates review
Golem Gates is a clever mashup of real-time strategy and card game gameplay. Creating troops from the glyphs you draw and Ash you build up is a nice twist. Difficult situations and some potential crashes put a damper on the fun and may cause you to look elsewhere.
75%
