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Hard to Be a God

Hard to Be a God Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, stability
84% User Score Based on 50 reviews
Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Hard to Be a God Game Cover

About

Hard to Be a God is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Burut CT and was released on August 24, 2015. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In "Hard to be a God," players navigate a medieval world as a graduate of a secret service high school, using combat and diplomacy to complete missions for a highly developed Earth race. The game features a non-linear storyline, real-time combat system, and original character development, all set in a detailed, interactive world inspired by the works of Russian sci-fi writers the Strugatsky brothers.

Genres & Tags
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Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
Hard to Be a God screenshot
+2
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84%
Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews
story17 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating and intricate story that keeps players engaged throughout their journey.
  • Combat mechanics allow for strategic play, including blocking and weapon swapping, which enhances the overall gameplay experience.
  • The game is rich in content, offering more depth and variety than many contemporary RPGs, making it a hidden gem for fans of the genre.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
  • The English translation is often poor, resulting in awkward dialogue and inconsistencies that detract from the narrative.
  • Combat can be unbalanced and frustrating, with some encounters feeling overly difficult and punishing for players.
  • story
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is generally praised for its intriguing plot and rich world-building, though it suffers from poor translation and pacing issues that detract from the overall experience. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative, with many quests offering multiple solutions and engaging NPC interactions, but some find the combat mechanics and certain quest designs frustrating. While the story is captivating and has the potential to be great, its execution is marred by glitches and inconsistencies, leaving some players wanting more coherence and polish.

    • “Great story and super ahead of its time.”
    • “The writing and quests complement each other so well, it really hooked me.”
    • “Underrated storyline with witty dialogue and characters you'll get attached to.”
    • “The game seems to make a lot of references to the book (which I haven't read yet), but since you play as a new character completely unrelated to the plot, doing it may be considered spoiling.”
    • “Sadly, the game kind of does not seem to know where it wants to go with this, and at some points, the game can't even keep its story consistent (I blame the translation).”
    • “Towards the halfway point, it feels like the story is about to end, but then the game just gives you a massive time-waster of a quest line that hardly progresses the story at all, but takes up a bit over half the game's total playtime.”
  • graphics
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game, while not ultra-realistic due to its 2007 release, are generally praised for their cel-shaded style and aesthetic appeal, creating a charming atmosphere that remains visually appealing even today. Players appreciate the unique character designs and medieval outfits, though some acknowledge occasional glitches and the need for manual resolution adjustments. Overall, the graphics are considered impressive for a game of its age, especially given the limitations of its in-house engine.

    • “The graphics in this game are surprisingly good; it still looks nice even today.”
    • “Considering this game uses an in-house game engine made by small teams in 2007, it's very impressive. I think games nowadays have no excuse to use simplified flat graphics, especially compared to 15 years ago.”
    • “The graphics are good and rather pretty, setting up a nice atmosphere.”
    • “The game is quite old, so you have to be a little forgiving with the graphics and having to manually change the resolution every now and then.”
    • “Game with a lot of glitches, but the plot is really good and gameplay is kind of okay. If you have a lot of patience and are not really dead set on graphics or a modern high-end gaming experience, you'll really enjoy the game.”
    • “Considering this game uses an in-house game engine made by small teams in 2007, it's very impressive. I think games nowadays have no excuse to use simplified flat graphics, considering how easy it is to get AAA engines and assets these days compared to 15 years ago.”
  • gameplay
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it fun and easy to pick up, while others criticize its clunky mechanics and numerous glitches. Although the game features a variety of elements, including a stealth system and roles, many feel that these aspects are underdeveloped and detract from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that with improvements to combat mechanics, graphics, and interactivity, the game could be significantly enhanced.

    • “In terms of actual gameplay, I found it really fun!”
    • “The gameplay is quite easy to pick up.”
    • “Nice gameplay, captivating story and (this only applies to me really), fond memories of it.”
    • “I was very interested in the story, but couldn't get past the atrocious combat mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is crude, even for an older game; the story has yet to develop any interesting aspects.”
    • “Gameplay is clunky, but isn't anything unplayable.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is noted for its significant stability issues, including numerous glitches and bugs that can affect gameplay and translation quality. Despite these problems, many players find the intricate plot and immersive world engaging enough to overlook the technical shortcomings, suggesting that patience is required for an enjoyable experience. Overall, while the game is not polished, it remains playable and enjoyable for those willing to accept its flaws.

    • “Game with a lot of glitches, but the plot is really good and gameplay is kind of okay. If you have a lot of patience and are not really dead set on graphics or a modern high-end gaming experience, you'll really enjoy the game.”
    • “Not a perfect game - it has problems with glitches and it definitely could have used some actual proofreaders checking the text before publishing it - but the story and the world are so intricate and engrossing that those issues barely bothered me.”
    • “It's buggy, it's poorly paced, the translation is sometimes so bad that the game ends up contradicting itself, and sometimes they just change the name of minor characters.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, particularly the battle and main menu themes, which contribute positively to the atmosphere and storytelling. However, some users report technical issues with sound effects and voiceovers, leading to a repetitive experience due to the limited number of tracks available.

    • “While it does suffer some minor issues, the atmosphere, soundtrack, and story all make up for it - the latter especially.”
    • “Good graphics and a decent soundtrack.”
    • “I have to restart it every now and then because sound effects and voice stop working, so only the background music still plays.”
    • “I'd rather have it the other way around, as the game only seems to have two tracks - normal music and battle music.”
    • “The music is okay; I really like the battle theme and main menu theme.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is primarily derived from its poor translation and inconsistent voice acting, leading to numerous unintentionally funny moments. While these elements contribute to a comedic experience, they also hinder the narrative flow. Overall, players find the humor to be a highlight, despite its flaws.

    • “The bad Borat-style translation makes for some hilarious moments but slows down the narrative at the same time.”
    • “This game was translated from Russian, so there are plenty of typos which result in funny moments.”
    • “The outstanding part of this game is the hilariously horrible translation and inconsistent voice acting.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features an original character development system that allows for unique and personalized growth, enhancing player engagement and investment in their characters.

    • “The original character development system is incredibly engaging and allows for deep customization.”
    • “I love how the character development evolves throughout the game, making each choice feel impactful.”
    • “The depth of the character development really enhances the storytelling and makes you feel connected to the characters.”
    • “The character development system feels incredibly shallow and lacks depth.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little my choices impacted character growth.”
    • “The progression system is poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its engaging soundtrack and compelling story, which enhance the overall experience despite some minor issues. Additionally, the graphics contribute positively, creating a visually appealing environment that complements the game's mood.

    • “While it does suffer some minor issues, the atmosphere, soundtrack, and story all make up for it - the latter especially.”
    • “The graphics are good and rather pretty, setting up a nice atmosphere.”
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50%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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17h Median play time
15h Average play time
17-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Hard to Be a God is a role playing game.

Hard to Be a God is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 15 hours playing Hard to Be a God.

Hard to Be a God was released on August 24, 2015.

Hard to Be a God was developed by Burut CT.

Hard to Be a God has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Hard to Be a God is a single player game.

Similar games include Drova: Forsaken Kin, Risen 2: Dark Waters, Atom RPG, VALKYRIE ELYSIUM, Asterigos Curse of the Stars and others.