Heroes of a Broken Land

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 147 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Heroes of a Broken Land Game Cover
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"Heroes of a Broken Land" is a turn-based strategy RPG where players must reclaim a shattered world. Recruit teams of heroes, explore randomly generated dungeons, and rebuild ruined towns to expand your territory. The game features tactical combat, town management, and a variety of quests to complete. With multiple factions, persistent world effects, and a wide range of customization options, every playthrough is unique.

  • Mac OS
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 147 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
graphics11 negative mentions
  • Engaging mix of overland strategy and dungeon crawling, reminiscent of classic RPGs.
  • Relaxing gameplay with a focus on exploration, monster slaying, and loot collection, making it a great way to unwind.
  • Highly customizable with multiple parties, allowing for varied strategies and character development.
  • Repetitive gameplay can lead to tedium, especially in larger worlds and higher difficulties.
  • Graphics and audio may feel outdated and simplistic, which could deter some players.
  • Lack of a robust story and character depth may leave some players wanting more narrative engagement.
  • graphics53 mentions

    The graphics of "Heroes of a Broken Land" are characterized as retro and simplistic, often evoking nostalgia for classic dungeon crawlers, though they are frequently described as dated and lacking in detail. While some players appreciate the charming aesthetics and functional design, others criticize the small enemy models and inconsistent visual quality, particularly in the user interface and combat effects. Overall, the visuals serve the gameplay well, but they may not satisfy those seeking modern graphical fidelity.

    • “However, the aesthetics and the art direction of the game are more striking.”
    • “I love the retro-style graphics; while I often sigh at games that jump on the retro bandwagon, it really does suit this game's tone as an old-style dungeon crawler, like the early Elder Scrolls games or Heroes of Might and Magic.”
    • “The graphics hit that sweet spot of being appreciable but also old school.”
    • “If a game has a way to underwhelm you with visuals and setting, it has to be how this game throws you into a barren 'town' where nothing but puke-green grass exists with an ugly avatar statue of your god in the middle.”
    • “Ignoring the ugly puke-green world you'd be staring at, blurry low-res art blown up on screen, the game suddenly switches to a 3D dungeon experience that doesn't match the art style of the overworld map.”
    • “The graphics are from 1995, the music is repetitive, the gameplay is super simple, and it's so easy to raise dead characters that permadeath is more of a suggestion than a gameplay feature.”
  • gameplay39 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a satisfying progression system that combines dungeon crawling with town management, offering hundreds of hours of engaging content. While the mechanics are smooth and intuitive, some players note a lack of variety in enemy types and repetitive elements that can lead to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game successfully blends genres and provides a solid, addictive experience, despite its dated graphics and minimal attention to presentation.

    • “That your adventurers growing in strength, as well as your own understanding of different monsters, make for a satisfying gameplay progression.”
    • “Gameplay is nice and quick, combat is intuitive, and the system of learning more about enemy weaknesses as you fight them is natural.”
    • “I'd like to recommend Heroes of a Broken Land as it is in many ways innovative, allowing you to create multiple parties with fun leveling mechanics in randomized dungeons with a pinch of city building thrown in.”
    • “I usually don't get bothered by visuals in indie games, unless the gameplay bores me.”
    • “Unfortunately you can't carry over anything between worlds/saves in normal gameplay, though it's easy to edit the save files if you want to do a kind of NG+ of your own.”
    • “The basic elements upon which the procedural gameplay is based aren't terribly varied, so at a certain point, it's a little 'you've seen one thing, you've seen them all' repetitious.”
  • story28 mentions

    The game's story is largely minimal and generic, serving primarily as a backdrop for combat and exploration rather than a driving force. While players can engage in various quests and manage multiple parties, the narrative lacks depth and character development, making it feel aimless and grind-heavy. Some players appreciate the simplicity and addictive nature of the gameplay, but many express a desire for a more engaging and meaningful story experience.

    • “You can do your best, but your quest will never end; the council will struggle for eternity to make amends, but they can never undo what was done.”
    • “It also has a generic plot, but the difference is that the game feels like an adventure, where you explore, learn, and get stronger while doing various side quests before dealing with the bigger ones.”
    • “Very simple to pick up and play, and with what looks to be a very interesting story, I'm probably going to be playing this all night.”
    • “There's not much story here, but it's perfect for when you just want to kill some monsters, gain some experience, and grab some loot without spending too much energy on brain activity.”
    • “Not too much story to deal with, but you are occasionally offered choices to make.”
    • “So these heroes you buy have no backstory, have no personality, have no stake because they keep coming the more you play.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious and repetitive, especially in larger worlds and higher difficulties. While some appreciate the fast loading times and the ability to play in short bursts, many criticize the clunky inventory management and the grindy nature of dungeon crawling, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its potential for fun, the game is often described as a mindless grind that may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The game is grindy and will be repetitive.”
    • “I was over-leveled and it still took me 3-4 tedious hours.”
    • “Winged Pixel managed to distill the absolute worst aspects of dungeon crawling, city management, and character building into one of the most hideous, grindy, repetitive, boring, and otherwise unpleasant games I've ever suffered through.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its melancholic and soothing qualities, effectively enhancing the atmosphere of loss and longing. However, many reviewers criticize the limited variety, noting that the repetitive piano tracks can become monotonous, especially during extended gameplay sessions. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated for its emotional depth, players desire more diversity and additional tracks to enrich the experience.

    • “The music reinforces the melancholic atmosphere, and this pervading sense of loss and longing for the world that was.”
    • “I love everything about this game: old-school graphics, gameplay, the high randomization, the blending of genres, and the gorgeous piano soundtrack.”
    • “The music is also very soothing yet yearning, which adds to the feeling of being in a small group standing against a dangerous world.”
    • “So, as you might expect, I think that they suit the game well, and that they are lovely; however, there is a very limited amount of music, and it is all piano.”
    • “It is especially egregious for the final dungeon because you are there for a while, and it only has a single song looping infinitely.”
    • “The only thing I dislike about the game - the music is bad; every 3 minutes there is a break and the music starts again, which is really disturbing. Hopefully, the developer will fix it with an endless song or a better soundtrack.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability thanks to its procedural generation, offering randomly created worlds, towns, and dungeons that keep players engaged and returning for more. Users frequently find themselves immersed for hours, often losing track of time due to the endless variety and exploration opportunities.

    • “High replay value due to the procedural generation.”
    • “Everything is randomly generated, so it has almost unlimited replayability.”
    • “Replayability is excellent, with fully randomized worlds, town types, dungeons, caves, towers, etc. You keep getting drawn back in for another game. Hour... what do you mean it's 4 AM?”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized by a melancholic tone, enhanced by music that evokes feelings of loss and nostalgia, particularly resonating with older gamers. This emotional depth creates a compelling and immersive experience.

    • “The music reinforces the melancholic atmosphere, creating a pervasive sense of loss and longing for the world that was.”
    • “As an older gamer, I find a deep sense of nostalgia in this kind of atmosphere.”
    • “As for the audio… the music reinforces the melancholic atmosphere, and this pervading sense of loss and longing for the world that was.”
    • “Especially if you're an older gamer like me who gets some nostalgia from this kind of atmosphere.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally resonant, particularly appreciating its nostalgic elements and engaging gameplay mechanics that evoke fond memories. The combination of turn-based strategy and a forgiving learning curve creates a satisfying experience that resonates with those seeking a deeper connection to their gaming past.

    • “This game was exactly what I was looking for; a turn-based, nostalgia-touching, dungeon-crawler game, with simple base upgrading, recruitment of towns, and a forgiving learning curve.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is subtle and avoids the typical cheesy tropes found in many modern titles, instead opting for a more serious tone despite its dated graphics. Players appreciate that the game maintains immersion without relying on gimmicky humor or mechanics.

    • “Don't let the funny-looking graphics fool you.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay, though some users note weaknesses in character generation and minor issues with the user interface.

    • “The initial character generation is a bit weak, and some of the UI is a bit finicky, but aside from that, the game runs smoothly and the gameplay is fun.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

107hMedian play time
262hAverage play time
80-600hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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