Horizon's Gate

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 789 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Horizon's Gate Game Cover
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In "Horizon's Gate," set sail in a fantasy world and shape your journey as an explorer, trader, or pirate. Recruit a crew from 8 races, unlock 36 classes, and engage in tactical land and sea combat. Your choices serve one of three factions, amass wealth, or become a pirate, while abilities offer creative solutions to environmental challenges in this unique world.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 789 reviews
story43 positive mentions
grinding37 negative mentions
  • Horizon’s Gate combines elements of tactical RPGs and open-world exploration, reminiscent of Uncharted Waters and Final Fantasy Tactics.
  • The class system is deep and engaging, allowing for extensive customization and unique character builds.
  • The game features a charming pixel art style and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The story is minimal and can feel abrupt, with limited character development and a lack of engaging quests.
  • Exploration can become tedious due to the vastness of the world and the limited variety in locations.
  • Naval combat, while interesting, lacks depth compared to land-based combat and can feel repetitive.
  • story254 mentions

    The story in the game is generally considered minimal and often takes a backseat to gameplay, with many players noting that it lacks depth and complexity. While the initial setup and world-building are engaging, the main narrative is short and straightforward, primarily serving as a framework for exploration and sandbox-style gameplay. Players seeking a rich, character-driven plot may find the story lacking, but those who prioritize gameplay mechanics and world exploration may appreciate the light narrative as a backdrop to their adventures.

    • “The story is engaging, but not the main focus.”
    • “The pixel art is lovely, the sandbox world is simple but extremely well crafted; enemy types are few but very interesting and differentiated, including bosses; economy and trade are cool in their simplicity and make a lot of sense without becoming pretentious or overcomplicated; even the story, although short and obviously not made to be the core aspect of the game, is still enjoyable.”
    • “Overall it's an amazing game that you can approach in any number of ways, whether it's leveling up with ship combat and trading, or exploring the seemingly unlimited amount of landmarks and quest locations all throughout the world.”
    • “The story is very minimal.”
    • “The main story quest is pretty basic as well, as in: Intro scenes -> x# of hours of sandboxy stuff for building up your stats that doesn't affect the plot at all -> direct conclusion of story elements in a series of fights -> the end.”
    • “The storyline and quest system are shallow, so people looking for a deep character-driven narrative will be disappointed.”
  • gameplay188 mentions

    The gameplay of "Horizon’s Gate" is characterized by a rich blend of tactical turn-based combat, exploration, and trading mechanics, offering players a deep and engaging experience. While the core gameplay loop is satisfying and addictive, featuring extensive class customization and a variety of mechanics, some players note that the narrative depth is lacking and certain mechanics can feel underdeveloped or repetitive over time. Overall, the game is highly recommended for fans of strategy RPGs who appreciate intricate gameplay systems and exploration.

    • “The joy of class discovery and customization, the depth of available mods that add to the playtime, and the seamless duality of gameplay from sailing to role-playing all create an immersive and captivating experience.”
    • “Horizon’s Gate hits its stride when you fully understand the gameplay loop it's trying to teach you. It combines the exploration, discovery, and trade merchant elements of Uncharted Waters 2 with the (much accelerated) combat mechanics, depth, and diversity of Final Fantasy Tactics.”
    • “The core gameplay is very addictive. The combat is stellar, and exploring the world is fun.”
    • “Thanks for the garbage mechanics.”
    • “Ultimately, Horizon is overall a weaker game because it muddles up its higher quality content with its lower quality gameplay elements, and the pacing suffers as a result.”
    • “I couldn't get to the gameplay because the controls were so weird and unintuitive.”
  • music94 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its excellent quality, variety, and nostalgic charm, often drawing comparisons to classic RPG soundtracks from the 16-bit era. Players appreciate the catchy and thematic compositions that enhance the gameplay experience, with many noting that the royalty-free tracks fit surprisingly well within the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersion.

    • “Truly has many memorable songs and the variety is very high.”
    • “The music ranges from spooky to cheerful to pounding, and it's one of the few games I've played recently where I've found myself humming snippets of the music after I've stopped playing.”
    • “The soundtrack boasts enormous variety: you may go through a dozen fights before you encounter the same combat music, and the world map, where you do your sailing, has many different tracks as well.”
    • “The music has real chrono vibes... it's almost worth the price of admission on its own except for the abrupt cuts that happen when changing areas.”
    • “Sailing and exploring the world was very comfy, and the soundtrack, while somewhat repetitive after a few hours, never got old to me.”
    • “Not crazy about the music but overall the similarity to Uncharted Waters has really got me.”
  • graphics86 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel-art style that evokes nostalgia for classic SNES RPGs, though opinions vary on its appeal. While some players appreciate the simplicity and find it endearing, others feel it lacks the polish of modern titles and can be hard to interpret at times. Overall, the visuals are seen as a nostalgic homage to retro gaming, with a unique aesthetic that may not resonate with everyone but complements the engaging gameplay.

    • “The graphics in the game are absolutely stunning and will definitely leave an impression on players.”
    • “The pixel artwork and animation are also a joy to watch.”
    • “The graphics are charming, the combat is well-balanced, the mechanics are interesting, and the lore is intriguing.”
    • “The graphics are simplistic (and sometimes a bit unclear to be honest), but that's pretty much my only gripe.”
    • “The only shortcoming that I can think of this game is the simple graphics.”
    • “The only bad thing...and that's the graphics are rubbish, and that's not me saying it, that's my game-hating father's opinion.”
  • grinding39 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the lack of clear direction and limited grinding spots for loot, money, and experience. While some appreciate the satisfaction of building wealth and power through grinding, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of exploration and the slow pace of progression, especially in vanilla mode. Overall, the grinding experience varies significantly depending on player preferences and whether they engage with mods that can alleviate some of the grind.

    • “Somehow though, it's not tedious to play - I'd quite like to know why Domino's Pizza wants to destroy Commodore Amiga; maybe I'll find out one day.”
    • “You'll spend a lot of time sailing around in your boat, and if that doesn't sound appealing to you, it probably will get tedious.”
    • “To shorten it, I don't like the progression loop solely due to how much time you have to devote to grinding for minimal gain.”
    • “Mindbogglingly grindy with too much repetitive naval combat.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly engaging with numerous side quests and the ability to unlock all races after completion, others criticize its limited storytelling and content, suggesting that it may not sustain interest beyond a certain point. The workshop feature significantly enhances replay value, but the overall experience can vary greatly depending on individual playstyles and preferences.

    • “The workshop gives you a ton of replayability, added to a game that's also replayable as hell.”
    • “After completing the game, you unlock all races as playable characters, so there is also replay value.”
    • “As you can probably tell by the hours I have sunk into this game, there is a lot to do with a lot of replayability, and I still have yet to even start the main quest.”
    • “At its worst, it has limited writing and storytelling and provides relatively low replayability (once you've done more or less everything there is to do in the game, which will certainly take less than 100 hours even if you take your time).”
    • “There is little to no replay value in this game.”
    • “I guess what I'm saying is I want more lore; this would create a deeper sandbox for increased replayability.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by witty crew interactions, absurd scenarios like throwing molotovs at boats, and playful naval mishaps, creating a lighthearted atmosphere amidst serious themes. Players appreciate the blend of comedic elements with engaging gameplay, making the experience both entertaining and immersive. Overall, the humor enhances the game's charm, contributing to its appeal.

    • “I enjoyed the naval combat and exploration, and the characterization of your crew was fun and funny.”
    • “This game is nifty; you can mix classes, make funny things work when they shouldn't, exclusively throw Molotovs on someone's boat, use an appropriate amount of fire on giant spiders (it's even more fire), and discover the horrors of the world and the slow encroachment it has on the world all in one neat package known as this game.”
    • “Funny character interactions, incredible worldbuilding, and an engrossing guide character are really the cherry on top of a really robust system.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its rich lore and immersive environments, particularly in longer dungeons and during exploration. Players appreciate the relaxing music and overall vibe, reminiscent of classic JRPGs, though some survival elements are seen as detracting from the otherwise enjoyable experience.

    • “Great lore and atmosphere.”
    • “Some of the areas, especially lengthier dungeons, can be quite atmospheric.”
    • “Love the atmosphere and music in the game; it is really relaxing to come home after work and just explore around in my ship.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with few significant issues reported. While some players experienced specific bugs, such as the ending script not triggering and character visibility problems, these were not widespread. The developers have effectively created a versatile experience, though players are advised to save frequently during transactions to avoid potential glitches.

    • “Relatively bug-free; just be sure to save before buying, selling, or looting equipment.”
    • “The ending script didn't trigger when it threw me back to the world map, and I was left traveling around it in a buggy state where my characters wouldn't even show up.”
    • “Other than that, yeah, I don't think there were many issues I really had, whether fighting with the UI or other really pressing glitches.”
    • “The devs did an amazing job covering for the lack by making everything extremely versatile and sandboxy, and it is feature complete - no content is missing or buggy, there's just not too much of it.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging, highlighting its depth and the sense of continuous character development that fosters a feeling of discovery. The crafting system and cross-class abilities contribute to a rewarding experience, while the overall tone is described as fun, cute, and at times, heartbreaking.

    • “This game is worth every penny; it has more depth than a lot of modern releases and really made me feel like I was discovering something new.”
    • “Fun, cute, nice, heartbreaking.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth and engagement, with some players noting a basic premise and overarching goals but minimal storytelling. However, others appreciate the potential for exploration and highlight the presence of deeper character development, particularly in the context of tactical combat. Overall, opinions are mixed, with a notable emphasis on the need for a more compelling narrative.

    • “There's much to explore in both the overworld and in character development.”
    • “... but it also adds really great tactical combat outside of the sea battles with much deeper character development.”
    • “The only downside for me is the lack of story and character development.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, players report mixed experiences with optimization, noting that while combat is enjoyable and allows for strategic team adjustments, performance issues arise during intense scenarios like sailing and high-level battles. Some users have encountered technical difficulties that impact gameplay, particularly in challenging encounters.

    • “Some of the higher level pirates, battle fleets, dojo trials, and endgame fights are absolutely brutal; you will turtle up to apply group buffs and be group stunned or hit by a fully optimized AoE.”
    • “Combat was fun, and I never felt like I was fighting against the system. I was always looking to tweak my team for the best performance.”
    • “I managed to get Proton working, but the performance is not good while sailing.”
    • “Technical issues and performance.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Horizon's Gate

Play time

34hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
10-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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