Hard to Be a God
- August 24, 2015
- Burut CT
- 17h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features an interesting and captivating story that keeps players engaged.
- It offers a unique RPG experience with a variety of quests and character interactions that can be approached in multiple ways.
- The graphics, while dated, still provide a decent atmosphere, and the game has a nostalgic charm for fans of older RPGs.
- Combat mechanics are clunky and frustrating, often leading to a challenging and unenjoyable experience.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and translation issues, which can detract from the overall immersion and enjoyment.
- Many players find the pacing slow and the gameplay repetitive, with a lack of variety in quests and environments.
- story60 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for its intriguing and complex narrative, with many players appreciating the depth of character interactions and quest design reminiscent of classic RPGs. However, criticisms arise regarding pacing issues, inconsistent storytelling, and translation problems that detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the captivating plot and rich world-building make it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize story in their gaming.
“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.”
“Between timed quests and the worst designed encounters in this game, I find it a wonder that anyone even manages to complete this hot steaming pile of shit.”
“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.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it easy to pick up but ultimately clunky and plagued by glitches. While the combat mechanics are criticized as atrocious and the stealth system feels underdeveloped, others appreciate the variety and potential for exploration. Overall, the game offers a captivating story that may appeal to those willing to overlook its gameplay shortcomings.
“The gameplay is quite easy to pick up.”
“An aspect of the gameplay is that this game has 'roles'.”
“Nice gameplay, captivating story and 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.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, while not ultra-realistic due to its 2007 release, are generally praised for their quality and aesthetic appeal, particularly the medieval designs and atmosphere. However, players have noted the presence of glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience. Overall, those who prioritize gameplay and story over cutting-edge visuals may still find enjoyment in the game's artistic style.
“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, given how easy it is to get AAA engines and assets these days compared to 15 years ago.”
“The graphics are good and rather pretty, setting up a nice atmosphere.”
“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.”
“The game was released in 2007, so the graphics are not ultra-realistic, but that doesn't mean they should be.”
“Speaking of graphics, they may sometimes bug out.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is frequently described as buggy and glitchy, with issues affecting gameplay and translation quality. Despite these stability 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 not polished, the game 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.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with particular praise for 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.”
“The music is okay; I really like the battle theme and main menu theme.”
“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.”
“I'd rather have it the other way around, as the game only seems to have two tracks - normal music and battle music.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor largely stems from its poor translation and numerous typos, which create unintentionally funny moments and enhance the comedic experience. While these elements contribute to the overall hilarity, they can also disrupt the narrative flow. Players appreciate the absurdity of the inconsistent voice acting, adding to the game's charm.
“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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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 completely original, but it lacks depth and meaningful choices.”
“While the game introduces an interesting character development system, it ultimately fails to provide a satisfying progression.”
“The character development is underwhelming, with limited options that don't significantly impact gameplay.”
