Guardians of Ember

51%
Game Brain Score Based on 394 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Guardians of Ember Game Cover
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Guardians of Ember is a massively multiplayer role-playing game set in a dark medieval fantasy world. With 60+ dungeons, 300+ skills to level-up, and various PVP options, players can expect a compelling visual and audio experience. However, the game can be very grinding and buggy, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.

  • PC
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

51%
Audience ScoreBased on 394 reviews
graphics37 positive mentions
grinding21 negative mentions
  • The game has a unique mix of MMORPG and ARPG elements, providing a fresh experience for players.
  • Character customization is robust, allowing players to create diverse builds with the dual class system.
  • The graphics and art style are appealing, creating an immersive fantasy world.
  • The combat feels clunky and unresponsive, with noticeable input lag and delayed actions.
  • There are significant server issues, including lag spikes and frequent crashes, making gameplay frustrating.
  • The game lacks depth in its quests and story, often feeling repetitive and uninspired.
  • story96 mentions

    The story in the game is generally perceived as lackluster and uninspired, with many players feeling disconnected from the narrative and character motivations. Quests are often described as repetitive and simplistic, contributing to a grindy experience rather than an engaging storyline. While some players appreciate the backstory of different races and the inclusion of public quests, the overall consensus is that the story fails to captivate, serving more as a backdrop to gameplay rather than a compelling narrative.

    • “Each race’s backstory is pretty fleshed-out, which really helped me engage with the narrative and the main plot elements from the get-go.”
    • “A very nice and detailed open world, storylines, and much more to discover.”
    • “At no point does it feel particularly grindy, but you work through the story (yes, there is a main quest storyline) at a convenient pace while getting to know your skills and abilities.”
    • “Not to mention that the one thing that could possibly keep me invested in this game - the story - well, where is it...? I have no idea why my character is doing what they are doing and am not invested at all in the lore of the game world.”
    • “The storyline is boring and the only reason I continued to play this game was for achievements and because the graphics were pretty good.”
    • “The quests are all very simple and the dungeons are as well for most of the game.”
  • graphics87 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the aesthetic quality and intricate designs, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking polish. Many users note issues such as frame rate drops, clipping problems, and generic animations, which detract from the overall visual experience. Overall, while some find the graphics appealing and immersive, others feel they fall short compared to contemporary standards in the genre.

    • “Beautiful graphics with very well thought out and intricate dungeons.”
    • “The graphics and details are simply amazing.”
    • “Fantastic graphics right off the bat for a hack and slash MMORPG (and early access).”
    • “The game isn't very polished, still a few bugs and the graphics leave a lot to be desired.”
    • “Clunky controls, clipping issues everywhere, and graphics are extremely dated.”
    • “The game is dated graphically and horrible looking at that.”
  • gameplay83 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying its blend of MMORPG and ARPG elements, while others criticize its slow pace, clunky mechanics, and issues like stun locking. Many appreciate the depth and customization options available, but there are concerns about microtransactions affecting gameplay and the overall polish of the game, especially since it is still in early access. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, significant improvements are needed to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The combat gameplay experience is heavily dependent on whether you pick a class that offers a playstyle that suits your preference.”
    • “The gameplay and combat feel fresh and smooth.”
    • “There are tons of mechanics to play around with, and every level brings a little more excitement to the game.”
    • “I cannot recommend a game that has microtransactions that affect gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is lacking as every spell feels clunky.”
    • “This one is worth a try, because gameplay, graphic and feature-wise this game is not behind the best games of this genre.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the constant engagement with monsters and find the grind enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings, others criticize it as tedious and lacking depth, particularly in the early levels. Overall, the game offers a typical MMORPG experience with significant grinding for gear and materials, which may appeal to dedicated players but can feel repetitive and slow for others.

    • “There are monsters everywhere down paths, so you're constantly grinding, which makes it feel like you're always doing something while heading somewhere for a quest.”
    • “I tortured myself grinding to something like level 56 alone; I think I did maybe 2-3 group dungeons.”
    • “Plays clunky, the character system isn't really deep or meaningful, leveling takes forever and feels very grindy.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its quality and nostalgic elements reminiscent of earlier titles, while others find it repetitive, lacking depth, and at times poorly composed. Overall, the soundtrack is described as decent but not exceptional, with sound effects needing improvement to enhance the overall experience.

    • “A very good graphic engine and cool music.”
    • “Looks good, sounds good, music's good.”
    • “I personally think the music is good.”
    • “I had to turn the music off.”
    • “The music is probably one of my biggest gripes.”
    • “Music is boring and adds no feeling.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with frequent frame rate drops and occasional gameplay freezes reported by users, despite some improvements since early access. While major bugs have been addressed, minor glitches and input lag persist, leading to a somewhat clunky experience. Overall, players suggest waiting for further updates to enhance stability before diving in fully.

    • “Runs great, awesome gameplay, and very nice to watch for hours.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience throughout.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a very stable gaming experience.”
    • “The gameplay freezes a lot as the frame rate drops regardless of graphic setting.”
    • “Be aware though there are still issues with the game crashing to desktop, a couple broken quests and some graphic glitches here and there.”
    • “Runs acceptably if not for the 2-5 second freezes sometimes.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering in fullscreen mode and a locked frame rate of 50 fps. While some players have not experienced major performance problems, the overall consensus indicates that the game engine is poorly optimized, leading to frustration among the community. Additionally, there are concerns about the game's hit detection and the responsiveness of NPC interactions.

    • “If the performance issues were fixed, I would go back and maybe spend a little more money on it.”
    • “The skill system offers near unlimited character optimization with over 300 active and passive skills.”
    • “The game engine seems to be poorly optimized.”
    • “Originally, there were quite a lot of bugs and performance issues.”
    • “There is still some stuttering during fullscreen, no matter what resolution you play.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it genuinely funny and appreciate its lighthearted elements, others criticize it as lacking depth and effectiveness. Overall, the game includes amusing features and moments, but its comedic value may not resonate with everyone.

    • “Funny and cool game.”
    • “Hilariously, as of today, you can see an approximation of what I'm talking about in the gif on the store page (the first one below the features section).”
    • “The housing system is kinda funny and a good alternative if you need some time off fighting.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has received significant criticism, with players expressing concerns over microtransactions that impact gameplay and labeling it as a cash grab. Many reviewers suggest that the presence of pay-to-win elements could detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to other titles in the genre that handle monetization more effectively.

    • “I cannot recommend a game that has microtransactions that affect gameplay.”
    • “Just another well-hyped cash grab.”
    • “Has potential, but with games like MU Legends and Lost Ark coming out, which do it far better, I would suggest heading over to Path of Exile for your ARPG fix. The MMO part of this is lacking, and the skill delays and microtransactions are just off-putting.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is closely tied to its MMO aesthetic, with players appreciating the detailed enemy character designs and an intuitive user interface that enhances the overall experience. However, a preference for MMO character designs and economic systems is essential to fully enjoy this aspect.

    • “You must like MMO character designs and economy to appreciate this game.”
    • “Aesthetically, I love the enemy character designs, and the UI is intuitive and non-intrusive.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is often praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many players highlighting the effective use of sound design, visuals, and environmental storytelling that enhance the overall experience. The combination of these elements creates a captivating and sometimes haunting ambiance that draws players deeper into the game world. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Play time

25hMedian play time
74hAverage play time
10-250hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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