Long Gone Days

Awkwardly straddling the line between unnerving war drama and vapid teen adventure, Long Gone Days is embroiled in an uncomfortable identity crisis.

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Long Gone Days is a JRPG following Rourke, a sniper for the subterranean paramilitary state, The Core. After completing his first mission, he discovers the dark truth about The Core and becomes determined to expose it. The game features real-world settings and language barriers, requiring players to recruit interpreters to communicate with others and build relationships beyond borders. It explores the impact of modern conflict on civilian life through a blend of intense combat and slower, slice-of-life gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 539 reviews

story269 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Compelling story with multiple endings that keeps players engaged.
Beautiful art style and character design that enhances the overall experience.
Unique combat mechanics that incorporate a morale system, adding depth to gameplay.

Combat can be slow and tedious, especially with lengthy buff/debuff animations.
Some players find the game too easy, lacking challenge in battles.
Limited exploration and side quests can feel repetitive and vague at times.

story
683 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Long Gone Days" is generally praised for its compelling narrative and character development, exploring themes of war and morality through the journey of the protagonist, Rourke, who deserts his military organization after realizing the consequences of his actions. While many players appreciate the engaging writing and emotional depth, some criticize the pacing and predictability of the plot, feeling that it could delve deeper into its complex themes. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven RPGs, despite some concerns about the execution of side quests and character interactions.
- “The story in this game is really well done.”
- “Long Gone Days tells a powerful story of a soldier by the name of Rourke who deserts from his private military company after realizing he committed a war crime, in so, he roams around Europe, meeting new people, luckily befriending them instead of killing them.”
- “The story is very engaging, and I would personally say its strength lies not so much in the (sort of sci-fi) alternate universe plot, but in its snapshots of how war, and elements surrounding war, affect people.”
- “To be frank, the story absolutely makes no sense and feels extremely rushed.”
- “Characters make decisions and arrive at conclusions that the story does not set them up for, making the plot points seem disjointed and ridiculous.”
- “However, every bit of promise that the story showed early on fizzles out and dilutes over the course of the game, as no real hardship ensues.”
gameplay
208 mentions
42 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a turn-based combat system with unique mechanics like targeting specific body parts and a morale system, but many players find these elements underutilized or lacking depth. While some appreciate the engaging story and character dynamics, others criticize the combat for being simplistic and unchallenging, with repetitive quests that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as average, with potential for improvement in future updates.
- “The gameplay is fun and engaging, the art style is wonderful to look at both in the pixel format and the character sprites + CGs, the characters are lovable, and the plot is very interesting.”
- “With a clever twist on combat and some unique ideas in gameplay, it makes for an enjoyable RPG experience.”
- “Long Gone Days offers a desolate representation of war, but the engaging storytelling and neat RPG mechanics ensure that players will be hooked into its perilous adventure.”
- “Gameplay is mediocre and boring due to time-wasting quests and mechanics.”
- “Seems late in development to revamp the combat system, but if there's still room for hefty change I'd strongly recommend it because as it stands, the gameplay is a chore to sit through.”
- “The only gameplay mechanic is choosing whether you want to hit the enemy's head, stomach, or hand. There's no point to having this game mechanic in the first place.”
graphics
148 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art and anime-inspired visuals, which are described as detailed, expressive, and well-integrated. Many reviewers highlight the art style as a major draw, praising its ability to evoke nostalgia while balancing realism and emotion, despite some criticism regarding the contrast between the visuals and darker themes. Overall, the game's aesthetic experience is considered outstanding, making it a compelling choice for players who appreciate artistic design in gaming.
- “I fell in love with this game a couple of years ago thanks to the beautiful art style, and waited for it to be out of early access to buy it.”
- “The art deserves a special mention; Camila's anime-inspired art style on the game's set pieces and character designs forged a striking balance between realism and emotion. It is very inspiring to look at and carries the feel of the game a ton.”
- “The visuals are fantastic, with both the pixel graphics and the anime style cutscenes being extremely detailed, expressive, and beautifully animated.”
- “Unfortunately, these two greatest assets clashed with each other, with the cartoony visuals and unexpectedly dark themes just not really going together in my opinion.”
- “Go into this knowing that you are not buying this game for the graphics, or gameplay.”
- “The graphics in the battle phase of things is just ordinary to me, I see where all the time and effort was put into.”
music
119 mentions
41 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, featuring relaxing tracks for exploration and upbeat music for battles. However, some reviewers noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, and the combat music, particularly during boss fights, may not fit well with the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the immersive experience.
- “The beautiful artwork, the genuine tense moments, the lovely soundtrack that really enhances the important moments during the game and most importantly the story that just keeps you playing.”
- “The music is so good and sets the mood wonderfully, the environmental and character design is appealing, and the screen never feels boring because something is always moving, even in battles with the enemies having animated portraits.”
- “This game is full of potential, the art is amazing and unique, the music is awesome, the story is interesting and the characters are easily lovable!”
- “The soundtrack used in this game isn't memorable or particularly even enjoyable to listen to most of the time -- it's just kind of there to fill in the background so it isn't dead air.”
- “Not much else to say here, the game would benefit from tighter direction of the music.”
- “The only thing I didn't like was the battle music.”
grinding
32 mentions
9 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The game features minimal grinding, with no traditional experience or money grinding, which some players appreciate for allowing a stronger focus on the story. However, the combat system is often described as tedious and one-dimensional, leading to a lack of engagement during battles. While the absence of grinding encourages exploration, some sidequests can feel overly tedious due to unclear objectives and slow movement across the map.
- “Just as there's no grinding, there are no stores either; items have to be found scattered throughout the map or through side quests. It's a nice way of encouraging exploration and appreciating the effort put into laying out the maps.”
- “The game is not grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Combat system is very one-dimensional and boring after a while; many battles are there just for the sake of it, and it gets extremely tedious.”
- “If you walk into this game expecting an RPG that requires grinding, leveling up, and shooting lots of enemies, then you will be disappointed.”
- “In this game, resources are mega scarce, and your morale is always below 40% during the entire game. The fact that you can’t recover it by any means makes it even more tedious.”
emotional
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful moments that resonate deeply with players, fostering a sense of appreciation for personal growth and the human experience amidst conflict. While the narrative effectively conveys touching themes and features engaging characters, some critiques suggest that the game occasionally shies away from exploring morally complex issues, which can diminish the emotional weight of certain scenes. Overall, the atmosphere and character dynamics create a compelling emotional journey, though some players feel it could benefit from a more authentic portrayal of war's harsh realities.
- “The emotional moments hit hard and make you appreciate things more.”
- “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal, the characters are all adorable and you genuinely believe the bonds that bring them together, and there's a lot of touching moments while you help people to stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
- “That said, the story was very much carried by the themes it represented throughout, which felt rather touching especially in these days where armed conflicts and rivalries have become increasingly commonplace.”
character development
18 mentions
22 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its appealing design and emotional expressiveness, particularly through the anime-inspired art style that enhances the overall experience. While the character designs are not overly complex, they effectively contribute to the game's aesthetic and emotional depth. Players express a desire for more advanced character development and mechanics in future updates, indicating a strong interest in deeper engagement with the characters.
- “The art deserves a special mention; Camila's anime-inspired art style on the game's set pieces and character designs forged a striking balance between realism and emotion. It is very inspiring to look at and carries the feel of the game a ton.”
- “The art, the music, the story, the language mechanics, and the character designs are some of my favorites throughout all the games I've played.”
- “I look forward to a lot more character development in the future and I hope to see a more advanced and reactive/user-friendly combat system as this game continues its way to being a finished product.”
- “I look forward to a lot more character development in the future and I hope to see a more advanced and reactive/user-friendly combat system (possibly keeping track of the turns, new mechanics like delaying enemy turns via item/skills, and numbered health bars) as this game continues its way to being a finished product.”
- “First of all, I would not recommend buying it at full price, unless you are like me and absolutely stricken by the character design.”
- “I love the character designs even though they aren't anything elaborate.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with many users noting that while there are different outcomes based on choices, the lack of random encounters and meaningful dialogue options diminishes its potential for replay value. Some see the possibility for improvement in future updates, but the current version is perceived as short and unfinished, offering little incentive to replay.
- “It has different outcomes depending on what you choose, so there is a good amount of replayability.”
- “Make the dialogue options count like in actual visual novels, so that the replayability is truly present.”
- “While I struggle to see any replayability in the current version, I can see it being fairly easy to incorporate into the game.”
- “Expect a short, unfinished game with little replayability.”
- “However, there are no random encounter-style enemies; everything is set in place, so I will concede that there is little to no replay value.”
- “Make the dialogue options count like in actual visual novels so that the replayability is actually there.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as a realistic and brutal depiction of a dystopian war setting, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and well-designed environments. Players connect deeply with the adorable characters and their bonds, experiencing touching moments that uplift spirits during challenging times. Overall, the atmosphere, combined with a compelling story and unique combat mechanics, creates an immersive experience that is highly recommended.
- “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal. The characters are all adorable, and you genuinely believe the bonds that bring them together. There are a lot of touching moments while you help people stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
- “The soundtrack and the places you move around complement the atmosphere the game aims to create, depicting a pre-war zone.”
- “I cannot recommend the game highly enough if you want an amazing atmosphere, story, and character-focused narrative, with a lovely twist on the classic JRPG-style combat system that allows you to target specific limbs like Fallout's VATS.”
- “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal. The characters are all relatable, and you genuinely believe the bonds that bring them together. There are many touching moments as you help people stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
- “The soundtrack and the environments you explore complement the atmosphere the game aims to create, depicting a pre-war zone.”
- “The soundtrack and the environments you explore complement the atmosphere the game aims to create, depicting a pre-war zone.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the straightforward yet engaging turn-based mechanics that allow for strategic targeting of body parts and unique character abilities. The inclusion of a morale system adds depth to combat performance, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “The gameplay is really simple but interesting; it's a classic turn-based game with a twist: you can target individual body parts, dealing different status ailments depending on your choice. Each character brings their own set of abilities, and there's a morale mechanic that impacts your performance in combat.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users generally find the humor in the game enjoyable, indicating a positive reception of its comedic elements.
- “It was enjoyable, and I really liked the humor.”
- “It was enjoyable, and I really liked the humor.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, with users noting that it stands out as a well-functioning early access title, free from the common issues of bugs and glitches typically associated with such releases.