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Horizon's Gate

Horizon's Gate Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, character development
95% User Score Based on 1,055 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Horizon's Gate Game Cover

About

Horizon's Gate is a single player open world role playing game. It was developed by Rad Codex and was released on March 9, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

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.

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Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
Horizon's Gate screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,055 reviews
story54 positive mentions
grinding51 negative mentions
  • Engaging tactical turn-based combat with a deep class system that allows for extensive character customization.
  • Open-world exploration with a rewarding trading system and a variety of unique locations to discover.
  • Charming pixel art style and a nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The story is minimal and lacks depth, with only a few main quests and limited character development.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like naval combat and trading, can feel simplistic and repetitive over time.
  • The user interface can be cumbersome, especially when managing a large crew and multiple ships.
  • story
    323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally considered minimal and underdeveloped, serving primarily as a backdrop for exploration and gameplay rather than a central focus. Players often find the main narrative short and lacking depth, with many expressing a desire for more character development and plot intricacies. While the world-building and lore are appreciated, those seeking a rich, story-driven experience may be disappointed, as the gameplay emphasizes player freedom and sandbox elements over a compelling narrative.

    • “The story is light, but again that's to its credit.”
    • “The quests are simple but enjoyable, and the fact they are this way means they do not overtake the sandbox aspect of the game, allowing you to immerse and create your own stories and scenarios if you so wish.”
    • “The atmosphere, lore, and world are amazing and surprisingly developed, but I wish it had more character and plot development to match.”
    • “The main story itself is close to nonexistent, which I personally don't mind, but I would have liked more character development through exploration.”
    • “The storyline and quest system are shallow, so people looking for a deep character-driven narrative will be disappointed.”
  • gameplay
    243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Horizon’s Gate" is characterized by a rich blend of tactical RPG mechanics, open-world exploration, and engaging naval combat, reminiscent of classic titles like "Final Fantasy Tactics" and "Uncharted Waters." Players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, including class customization and trading systems, though some find the UI and initial learning curve challenging. Overall, the game offers a satisfying gameplay loop that encourages exploration and experimentation, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “The gameplay is a class-based tactical RPG with a reasonable amount of customization.”
    • “I am deeply enamored with this setting and lore, with this game's marvelous gameplay loop, with the joy of exploration and the thrill of boarding my enemies' ships.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game obviously works for most, but to me it's so opaque in UI design and so lacking in guidance that it's not worth spending time trying to puzzle through how basic gameplay elements are supposed to work.”
    • “Extremely boring with no innovative gameplay, just reusing old concepts without knowing what makes them fun and enjoyable to play.”
    • “I couldn't get to the gameplay because the controls were so weird and unintuitive.”
  • music
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic quality, drawing inspiration from classic JRPGs like *Chrono Trigger* and *Secret of Mana*, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the variety and thematic relevance of the soundtrack, describing it as catchy, immersive, and fitting for the game's atmosphere, despite some noting that it is royalty-free. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “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 is absolutely incredible.”
    • “The charming retro graphics, the outstanding music, the delightful dialogue, interesting world and excellent combat.”
    • “I found the music ill-fitting a lot of the time.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that may not appeal to everyone, with some reviewers noting that they can feel simplistic or dated compared to modern standards. However, many appreciate the charm and artistic quality of the visuals, which are often described as well-executed and immersive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are complemented by engaging mechanics and a rich world, making the game enjoyable for fans of retro aesthetics.

    • “The graphics are charming, the combat is well-balanced, the mechanics are interesting, and the lore is intriguing.”
    • “The graphics in the game are absolutely stunning and will definitely leave an impression on players.”
    • “Don't let the SNES-era graphics fool you; there is a lot of richness and depth here.”
    • “First off, the frame rate doesn't reach 60 fps despite these graphics being 2D sprites akin to 16-bit games from 1991, on a laptop that isn't superb but can play very many 2D and 3D games at full frame rate!”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be both tedious and rewarding, with many players finding it repetitive yet somewhat satisfying due to the fast progression. While some enjoy the grind as part of the RPG experience, others feel it becomes a chore, especially with limited opportunities for efficient leveling and resource gathering. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable exploration and grinding, but the latter can detract from the overall experience for those who prefer a more streamlined progression.

    • “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.”
    • “It has the same vibe and chill play style, but no farming.”
    • “After the tutorial, there's no direction and no grinding spots for loot, money, and experience.”
    • “I must admit, though, that getting there was a bit too grindy, given how that is handled.”
    • “I'd need to grind for another 30 hours in an overworld devoid of good XP grinding opportunities.”
    • “Not enough story, too much mindless grinding and exploring that lead to the same places over and over again.”
  • replayability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts significant replayability, largely enhanced by a vibrant modding community that introduces new content and features, such as classes and dungeons. While some players note that the core experience may lack long-term replay value due to limited storytelling, many appreciate the freedom of exploration and side quests that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a replayable strategy turn-based RPG experience.

    • “Amazing community mod support creates an insane amount of replayability on top of its already insane amount of replayability.”
    • “I've replayed it multiple times, and the modding scene is great for adding replay value with new classes, ports, and dungeons.”
    • “The workshop gives you a ton of replayability, added to a game that's also replayable as hell.”
    • “It scratches the itch but doesn't have long-term replay value.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of clever writing and amusing interactions, reminiscent of classic JRPGs, with players enjoying funny descriptions of mundane objects and humorous character dynamics. The naval combat and exploration elements also contribute to the comedic experience, with absurd scenarios like being chased by hostile sea life and the ability to mix classes for unexpected outcomes. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging gameplay, making for a delightful experience.

    • “I enjoyed the naval combat and exploration, and the characterization of your crew was fun and funny.”
    • “You can 'look' at almost anything which adds an entry to your journal, and even the most mundane objects have interesting, humorous, and nuanced descriptions.”
    • “Funny character interactions, incredible worldbuilding, and an engrossing guide character are really the cherry on top of a really robust system.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its rich lore and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic JRPGs, creating an immersive world that invites exploration. While many areas, particularly dungeons, enhance this ambiance, some players find that survival elements detract from the otherwise relaxing experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, complemented by soothing music and engaging environments.

    • “The atmosphere, lore, and world are amazing and surprisingly developed.”
    • “It's very reminiscent in its atmosphere of old JRPGs, but in a good way.”
    • “Love the atmosphere and music in the game; it is really relaxing to come home after work and just explore around in my ship.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that while the game offers opportunities for exploration, it falls short in delivering substantial character development and a compelling narrative. Players express a desire for deeper character arcs and a more engaging story, suggesting that the current character development feels limited despite the potential for growth.

    • “There's much to explore in both the overworld and in character development.”
    • “... but it also adds really great tactics combat outside of the sea battles with much deeper character development.”
    • “The main story itself is close to nonexistent, which I personally don't mind, but I would have liked more character development through exploration.”
    • “The only downside for me is the lack of the story and character development.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report it as relatively bug-free, there are notable issues such as glitches in fullscreen borderless mode and problems with triggering certain scripts. Players recommend saving frequently during key actions like buying or selling to avoid potential bugs. Despite these concerns, the developers have created a versatile and feature-complete experience.

    • “The game is relatively bug-free; just be sure to save before buying, selling, or looting equipment.”
    • “I haven't encountered any major issues, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “The stability of the game allows me to focus on the gameplay without worrying about crashes or glitches.”
    • “Game glitches out in fullscreen borderless.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally engaging, describing it as a mix of fun, cuteness, and heartbreak. The depth of the crafting system and character development fosters a sense of continuous discovery, making the experience feel rewarding and immersive. Overall, the emotional impact is significant, with many players investing extensive hours without focusing on the main quest.

    • “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.”
    • “I played 30 hours without touching the main quest; it feels like Fallout and Elder Scrolls playing that way.”
    • “Fun, cute, nice, heartbreaking.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players report mixed experiences with optimization, noting that while combat is engaging 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.”
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42h Median play time
44h Average play time
10-91h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Horizon's Gate is a open world role playing game.

Horizon's Gate is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 44 hours playing Horizon's Gate.

Horizon's Gate was released on March 9, 2020.

Horizon's Gate was developed by Rad Codex.

Horizon's Gate has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Horizon's Gate is a single player game.

Similar games include Chained Echoes, TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children, Crystal Project, Voidspire Tactics, Monster Sanctuary and others.