Loria
- November 27, 2018
- Loria
Get on Steam"Loria is a single-player Fantasy Real Time Strategy game that pays homage to classics, with modern controls and a pleasing aesthetic. The game features 2 playable races, 2 campaigns with 8 missions each, 6 unique heroes, and RPG elements like hero units and quests. Loria aims to deliver intelligent AI, smooth controls, and interesting content for a fresh take on the RTS genre."
Reviews
- Loria successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic RTS games like Warcraft 2 and 3, offering a fun and engaging campaign with humorous dialogue and well-designed missions.
- The game features a solid mix of mechanics from both Warcraft 2 and 3, including hero units that can level up and unique abilities, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- The visuals and sound design are appealing, with decent voice acting and a soundtrack that evokes the charm of older RTS titles.
- The game suffers from significant pathfinding issues, with units frequently getting stuck or failing to respond to commands, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Many players have reported a lack of balance in the campaign, with the AI being overly aggressive and capable of quickly rebuilding forces, making it difficult to progress even on lower difficulties.
- The absence of multiplayer and limited skirmish maps detracts from the overall replayability, leaving players wanting more content and features.
- story58 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as basic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its clichéd characters and uninspired plot progression. While some players found enjoyment in the humor and the nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic RTS games, others criticized the dialogue as cheesy and the overall narrative as disjointed and underdeveloped. Despite these shortcomings, the campaign offers a variety of mission types, though many players felt that the gameplay often overshadowed the story, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging experience.
“The campaign is challenging and the story is above average and enjoyable with a nice bit of humor mixed in.”
“This game is a real enjoyment to play, with great artwork and storytelling.”
“I am really impressed by the voice acting, the story that is told during the campaigns, and the two races which are pretty well designed.”
“The story is short with a boring ending.”
“It takes the Blizzard storytelling approach of that era, meaning the writing and voice-acting are cringe, the campaign plot is bland, and all characters are unlikable cliches.”
“But the whole thing quickly gets a little disjointed: practically every mission ends with you destroying the last building/killing the last unit, cut to black, campaign map.”
- gameplay35 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to classic RTS titles like Warcraft II and III, featuring familiar mechanics and a straightforward interface that appeals to fans of the genre. While it offers enjoyable and uncomplicated gameplay with some unique elements, it suffers from bugs, rigid mechanics, and occasional pathfinding issues. Overall, it provides a solid experience for those seeking a trip down memory lane, though it may feel lacking in originality and polish for new players.
“A pleasant small game combining elements of Warcraft 2 and 3 gameplay that is now free and can offer relaxing small breaks from work.”
“The gameplay is solid, plays like Warcraft 2 with characters that look like they're from Warcraft 3 with appropriately bombastic personalities for the more major characters.”
“Loria is an interesting game that uses the nostalgia factor of classic RTS as a jumping-off point to build upon with some very experience-enhancing quality of life improvements and unique gameplay elements.”
“As for gameplay, you get what you pay for.”
“One of the bigger problems I'd say is unit pathfinding at times, and especially with tight areas it can be difficult to get a large amount of units through. Even though there are some decently different units between the factions, for the most part they feel like they play the same without any hugely unique mechanics. At times, even with upgrades, things feel a tad bit too slow in terms of stuff like regenerating mana and health.”
“The main gripe I have with this game is that it feels extremely rigid mechanically.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RTS titles like Warcraft, with many praising the charming art style and modern optimizations. However, some users noted issues such as graphical glitches and a lack of originality, suggesting that while the visuals are appealing, they may not meet the expectations of those seeking innovative design. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their homage to older games, but inconsistencies and technical problems detract from the experience.
“It's good for the most part, great nostalgic RTS Warcraft feel with better graphics, optimized for modern resolution and better controls.”
“The graphics are fresh, voice acting is decent and funny, music nostalgic, but perfectly matching the visuals.”
“The tilesets are so close to Warcraft 2 it's bordering on copyright infringement, but I really love the art style; just so good, and again, a classic looking game.”
“There wasn't one match that I played where my guys didn't get stuck in the graphics and I'd have to kill them to reset them.”
“I don't mind it that much and it was their goal to clone old school RTS gameplay, but they could have been at least slightly original in the graphics department.”
“The art style is not consistent, although I do like the music.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its nostalgic quality reminiscent of classic titles like Warcraft 2, featuring a fun and unique sound that complements the gameplay. While some feel it may not be award-winning, it effectively captures the spirit of retro gaming with its midi-inspired tracks. Additionally, the voice acting is noted as decent and adds to the overall experience.
“But the sounds and music are unique and fun!”
“During the gameplay, you can listen to the nice old-styled music, which brings that nostalgic feeling of epic.”
“The graphics are fresh, voice acting is decent and funny, music is nostalgic, but perfectly matching the visuals.”
“The musical score isn't something that'll win awards, but it's certainly within the spirit and realm of Warcraft 2 with its use of midi-esque music you'd likely hear from the old days of gaming in the 90s.”
“I do not care for the music.”
“The art style is not consistent, although I do like the music.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its clever, tongue-in-cheek writing and funny moments throughout the campaign. Players appreciate the blend of humor with engaging gameplay, noting that the witty dialogue and amusing situations enhance the overall experience. The combination of entertaining storytelling and comedic elements contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The writing is probably the game's strongest point; it is so tongue-in-cheek and hilariously well written.”
“The campaign is challenging and the story is above average and enjoyable, with a nice bit of humor mixed in.”
“Love the humor and the gameplay; again, a real classic formula which I love.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its stability issues, with users reporting minor bugs such as AI pathing problems and command responsiveness, though these do not lead to game crashes. While some exploits exist, the overall experience is still enjoyable, suggesting that with further refinement, it could become a classic.
“If this wasn't so buggy, I think it would be a great take on WC2/3.”
“However, I should inform that Loria is a bit buggy (not game crashing, more like the AI pathing gets a bit confused or doesn't obey the command straight away) and still needs a few more features (like naval combat, more factions, and multiplayer).”
“Bit buggy here and there, some easy exploits - still, feels already like a classic!”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, delivering a nostalgic RTS experience reminiscent of Warcraft with improved graphics and controls. Players report smooth performance with minimal bugs, contributing to a seamless gaming experience.
“It's good for the most part, with a great nostalgic RTS Warcraft feel, better graphics, and optimized for modern resolutions and controls.”
“The game runs smoothly (at least on my machine), and I ran into very few, if any, hiccups while playing.”
“The game suffers from significant performance issues that detract from the overall experience.”
“There are numerous bugs that hinder gameplay and make optimization feel incomplete.”
“Despite the nostalgic feel, the optimization leaves much to be desired, leading to frustrating gameplay.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a nostalgia cash grab, although some users recognize it as a genuine passion project that has been in development for years, distinguishing it from typical asset flips.
“Nope, it's just a nostalgia cash grab.”
“It's a blatant cash grab that prioritizes profits over player experience.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game suffers from minor bugs and a lack of polish, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and significantly lowers its replay value.
