Heads Will Roll: Downfall

About

Heads Will Roll: Downfall is a combination of a tactical role-playing game and visual novel, in which you will assume the role of a medieval soldier.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 185 reviews

story16 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

The game offers a challenging and rewarding experience, especially for those who enjoy roguelite mechanics and character progression through repeated attempts.
The story is engaging with unexpected plot twists, and the combat system allows for strategic decision-making, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
As a free demo, it provides a solid introduction to the mechanics and atmosphere, making it appealing for fans of tactical RPGs and visual novels.

The game suffers from significant RNG issues, leading to frustratingly unpredictable combat outcomes that can feel unfair, especially for new players.
Many players find the difficulty spikes, particularly in later chapters, to be excessively punishing, making it hard to progress without extensive grinding.
The user interface and systems are not well communicated, which can leave players confused about mechanics and hinder their enjoyment of the game.

story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
6%
The game's story is generally well-received, featuring engaging characters and a mix of humor and darker themes set in a medieval context. However, players note that the pacing can be slow, and the permadeath mechanic may detract from character attachment, leading to a more disposable view of characters. While some appreciate the depth and choices within the narrative, others find the writing inconsistent, with typos and a lack of innovation in the plot.
- “Well it's a nice game, with a great story full of blood, pain, and tough moral situations, and at the same time full of bright and cheerful characters and funny moments which is very refreshing.”
- “This game is remarkable, and the dialogue and variety of choices keep you hooked on the story.”
- “A great story, strategic combat system, and choices that actually matter.”
- “As you rank up through the story, you'll gradually lower your interest in bonding with your character, and will eventually start calling them 'a', 'b', 'c', and whatever other letter you care to press because of how expendable your character truly is in that difficulty...”
- “The story is kinda ....meh; it isn't painful to read but it's not all that engaging either.”
- “There are many typos and the storytelling is lackluster so far.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
67%
8%
The gameplay of "Heads Will Roll: Reforged" is characterized by its challenging mechanics and a mix of randomness that can frustrate some players, particularly those unfamiliar with the systems. While the combat mechanics are engaging and offer a variety of build possibilities, the reliance on RNG and poorly communicated mechanics can lead to a steep learning curve and repetitive gameplay. Overall, players who invest time to understand the mechanics may find the experience rewarding, but the balance between challenge and fairness remains a point of contention.
- “As a prologue and demo of sorts to 'Heads Will Roll: Reforged', I had quite a bit of fun playing this. It is quite difficult in the beginning, especially when you do not understand the mechanics very well, but it can be quite rewarding to play. Reforged offers a more polished experience and is actually easier, though still challenging.”
- “The gameplay consists of picking activities in your army camp; each activity passes a bit of time, and after time runs out, you get a battle.”
- “The gameplay is turn-based combat, in which we have to think carefully about our every move, because our actions determine whether we win or lose.”
- “Tldr: for many players, the high randomness of battles and the generally punishing difficulty will end up a turn-off after 1-2 hours of gameplay.”
- “Unfortunately, the systems and UI in this game aren't very well communicated, leaving the game not difficult due to a well-communicated challenge, but because you are struggling with the mechanics themselves.”
- “Game mechanics are off; 100% hit chance constant blocks by shields, meanwhile my shield just breaks every time. I tried this even with saving and loading, same results.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them charming and clean, while others describe them as merely passable or "meh." Notably, the art style evokes nostalgia for older games, and many appreciate the beautiful visuals and interesting design that enhance the medieval setting. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point by some, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “The flash game graphics are charming and there is apparently more variation in equipment and actions that your character can take.”
- “Beautiful graphics, great music.”
- “How long have I wanted to play a game in the likeness of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, but simpler, with an entourage of the Middle Ages? This game was met with amazing art and interesting events. Everyone who drew for this game, I want to say well done! If you are a fan of beautiful art mixed with gameplay about the Middle Ages, you will enjoy this game just like I do!”
- “Graphics are clearly meh.”
- “Graphics remind me of that PS2 Robin Hood game.”
- “Graphics are passable though not animated.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it less tedious and more enjoyable after initial hours of play, others criticize it for being overly repetitive and reliant on RNG mechanics. Many suggest that the grinding could be streamlined or made optional to enhance the overall experience, as it often feels like a barrier to engaging gameplay. Despite the grind, some players still find the game addictive and rewarding once they progress past the initial stages.
- “Just to upkeep and generate income to sustain the costs of grinding more capital to upgrade and purchasing, but capped due to a ticking clock.”
- “I say the number checks should be scrapped; instead, let players choose what they want and show the outcome. Don't extend your gameplay with useless grinding.”
- “You have to click through five minutes of text, garbage, and mindless (also RNG-based) grinding to even get to the first (completely RNG) battle.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The music in the game is consistently praised, with many users highlighting it as amazing and a standout feature, contributing to the overall enjoyment despite some gameplay imbalances. The soundtrack is described as great, enhancing the experience even for those who may not typically enjoy the genre.
- “A wonderful game with a great soundtrack.”
- “Beautiful graphics, great music.”
- “I will say right away that the music here is amazing.”
- “I don't like this genre; I tried it for the sake of music.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere at all.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highlighted as immersive and detailed, effectively capturing a medieval setting complemented by a romantic plot. Players appreciate the combination of cool visuals and well-developed mechanics, which contribute to a relaxing and engaging experience.
- “The game is worth a look for its variety of mechanics and a certain atmosphere.”
- “There are many details that make the game atmospheric.”
- “Cool art style, well-developed mechanics, the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, and a romantic plot line make it pleasing to the eye.”
- “For me, a novel is such a thing when you can lie down on the sofa, relax and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. However, this is my second novel that I decided to play, and I immediately noticed that I can't play it for a long time.”
- “Cool drawing, well-developed mechanics, but the atmosphere feels lacking despite the middle ages setting and romantic plot line.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a modern tone that contrasts with its medieval setting, blending dark themes with lighthearted characters and amusing moments. Players appreciate the refreshing balance between serious moral dilemmas and comedic elements, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
- “The story is well written, though the humor and the tone are more modern than medieval.”
- “Well, it's a nice game with a great story full of blood, pain, and tough moral situations, and at the same time, it's full of bright and cheerful characters and funny moments, which is very refreshing.”
- “Funny enough, there is a second combat, and I alone had to face two shielded enemies equipped with spears.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
Players find the game highly replayable due to its engaging combat and enjoyable story, with some noting that mastering the save system enhances the overall experience.
- “The combat is engaging, the story is enjoyable, and the game offers a lot of replayability.”
- “Personally, the game became much more enjoyable after I understood the save system and the concept of save scumming.”
- “The game only became more enjoyable after I figured out the save system and started save scumming.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to replay it since the story doesn't change much.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have stability issues, including bugs that cause loops and freezes during combat, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “It's buggy too.”
- “There are still some bugs, like loops and freezes during combat.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Character development is criticized for having numerous typos and lacking essential information at the beginning, which hinders players' understanding and engagement with the characters.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to truly shape their characters' personalities and backstories as they progress.”
- “I love how the choices I make impact my character's growth and relationships with others, making every decision feel meaningful.”
- “The evolution of my character throughout the game is one of the highlights; I felt a genuine connection to their journey and transformation.”
- “There are significant typos and a lot of information is left out at the early stages of character development.”
- “The character development feels rushed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices in character development; it feels like my decisions don't matter.”