Linked Worlds
- March 29, 2023
- NicoDiti
Get on SteamEleven years ago the Dark Beast was sealed by the four heroes. Now, with the heroes nowhere to be seen, it's up to Albus to defeat the Dark Beast before it regains its full powers.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique time mechanic that adds urgency and depth to gameplay, requiring strategic planning and decision-making.
- Combat is engaging and fluid, reminiscent of classic roguelike and tactical RPGs, with a variety of skills and abilities to customize.
- The story is compelling and thought-provoking, exploring themes of selflessness and the consequences of choices made throughout the game.
- The game can become too easy in the mid to late stages, with enemies and bosses not providing enough challenge.
- Some players felt that the changes in New Game Plus were minimal, leading to a lack of incentive to replay the game.
- The 4:3 resolution may not appeal to everyone, and there are suggestions for quality of life improvements and better difficulty scaling.
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and reflection on heroism through small acts of kindness, effectively intertwining with gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the bold narrative and the engaging quest structure, which allows for exploration and character interactions, hinting at potential for future expansions. Overall, the story serves as a compelling backdrop to the tactical RPG elements, encouraging players to invest time in its world.
“In the end, the combination of story and mechanics manages to communicate a reflection on how real heroism comes from finding space for small acts of kindness, having the strength to be there for others, and fundamentally having the will to live, especially in the face of a greater threat.”
“The story is rather bold and in-your-face most of the time, but there's a certain charm that kept me engaged all the way.”
“The story is rather bold and in-your-face most of the time, but there's a certain charm that got me all the way.”
“Story-wise, your goal is to defeat the dark beast who has resurrected on the other side of the world.”
“You'll take detours, find other people, do quests for them, and a month later still probably not be there.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted by its strategic combat that demands careful planning to avoid overwhelming challenges, alongside a unique time mechanic that alters the game's dynamics and pacing without changing the core elements. This mechanic influences all actions, requiring players to manage their time wisely as they progress, adding a layer of depth to the RPG and tactical combat blend. Overall, the combination of these elements fosters a thoughtful reflection on heroism and the importance of small acts of kindness amidst greater threats.
“Fun indie title, combat is similar to classic roguelike/dungeon crawler combat in the frame of a tactical RPG, the story serves its purpose and the time mechanic is very interesting in action.”
“Eng: Linked Worlds has a lot to offer; it features original mechanics that mix RPG with tactical combat. The whole game revolves around one mechanic: time. All actions such as walking, fighting, sleeping, or even improving techniques consume time, and as the days pass, the final boss supposedly becomes stronger, requiring a 'smart' grinding approach.”
“By far the two gameplay aspects that stood out the most are the combat, which requires planning at all times (you can easily get overwhelmed by a gang of amoebas if you don't think ahead), and the time mechanic which completely changes the dynamic, pacing, and player's perception by changing essentially nothing in the game.”
“I think the time mechanic could be more punishing.”
“Eng: Linked Worlds has a lot to offer; it features original mechanics that mix RPG with tactical combat. The whole game revolves around one mechanic: time. All actions such as walking, fighting, sleeping, or even improving techniques consume time, and as the days pass, supposedly (I say supposedly because it has not yet arrived), the final boss becomes stronger. This means the game requires a 'smart' grinding approach.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a nostalgic 4:3 resolution that evokes a strong 16-bit feel, which some players appreciate despite its limitations. While the visuals may initially seem simplistic, they complement the clever and innovative gameplay mechanics, enhancing the overall RPG experience.
“The negative point I think is the 4:3 resolution; however, I guess it helps the nostalgia, since the graphics give a strong 16-bit feeling.”
“I see myself pouring quite a few hours into this as the game allows us that due to having the option of moving quickly or taking our time (story-related reasons). Really clever and slick RPG, has some awesome ideas that I haven't seen done before and some advanced type of systems that the graphics may not show at first glance.”
“The negative point I think is the 4:3 resolution; however, I guess it helps with the nostalgia, since the graphics give a strong 16-bit feeling.”
“The graphics may not show at first glance the advanced type of systems that the game has.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
In "Linked Worlds," players engage in a unique form of grinding that revolves around the passage of time, where all actions consume time and influence the game's progression. This mechanic necessitates strategic planning, as players must balance their activities to effectively prepare for an increasingly challenging final boss. Overall, the game emphasizes a thoughtful approach to grinding rather than mindless repetition.
“Grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The time-based mechanics can turn grinding into a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
“While the game has unique mechanics, the grinding aspect often overshadows the fun elements.”
