Magic Scroll Tactics
- April 27, 2018
- enu
Magic Scroll Tactics is a side-scrolling tactical RPG where height is key. But be warned, simply holding the high ground won't ensure victory! Raining arrows down on your hapless foes is only one part of this simple yet deep strategy game; you'll need to master a wide variety of abilities and units if you wish to conquer your perilous foes. And who are these foes, you ask? Why, ancient wizards, g…
Reviews
- The sidescrolling twist on the SRPG genre adds clever mechanics that keep gameplay engaging and maps from feeling bland.
- The game features charming pixel art and a solid soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- Character customization and the ability to mix and match skills provide depth and replayability.
- The difficulty curve is steep and uneven, with some battles feeling unfair and frustrating.
- The story is simplistic and characters are often one-dimensional, leading to a lack of emotional investment.
- The user interface is cluttered and lacks helpful tutorials, making it difficult for players to understand mechanics and progress.
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simplistic and the characters one-dimensional. While some appreciate the humor and plot twists, others criticize the brevity and lack of depth, suggesting that the gameplay compensates for the narrative shortcomings. Overall, the story is described as "enough" for those focused on gameplay, but lacking for those seeking a rich narrative experience.
“I thought the soundtrack was excellent, and while many reviewers say the story was bland, I would describe it as 'enough.' The cutscenes aren't too long, and it has some decent humor and plot twists.”
“The difficulty curve is a bit uneven, and the plot is very simple, but the solid gameplay is well worth the asking price.”
“The story is boring and the characters are flat.”
“My rewards for actually clearing this battle are even more battles like it, and the continuation of a very simple story with one-dimensional characters.”
“It's a pity that the story seems too short.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative sidescrolling approach to the SRPG genre, which keeps maps engaging and purposeful, while introducing unique mechanics like action-free moves and character abilities that activate on waiting. Although the difficulty curve is uneven and the story is considered simplistic, the solid gameplay experience, complemented by a great soundtrack, makes it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
“The sidescrolling twist on the SRPG genre is clever and keeps maps from becoming bland or aimless as you always have a clear idea of where your troops should be going. There are other neat mechanical twists too, like how some moves can be used without spending your action but can only be used before moving, or how some characters can have abilities that only activate if you select 'wait' without taking action.”
“(And they stack too; at the end of the game my salamander Otto had Meditate and a shield, meaning he gained 10 MP and a defense buff whenever he waited. Pretty cool!) I also thought the soundtrack was excellent, and while many reviewers say the story was bland, as someone who enjoys SRPGs for gameplay, I would somewhat more positively describe it as 'enough;' cutscenes aren't too long and it's got some decent humor and plot twists.”
“The difficulty curve is a bit uneven (it's fairly easy early on and spikes dramatically near the end of the game), and the plot is very simple, but the solid gameplay is well worth the asking price.”
“Given this strategy game uses height as a gameplay element, spears should be able to do this, or even let you vault.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, noting that while the job class system adds depth, the lengthy gameplay and minimal rewards from auto-battling can make the experience feel unproductive. The ability to summon new characters is seen as misleading, as it doesn't significantly enhance the grinding experience. Overall, the game is considered grindy but still enjoyable.
“Another thing that harms its value as a grinding game is its length.”
“The auto-battle might seem convenient at first for grinding levels, but the rewards you get are so minuscule that you feel like you're absolutely wasting your time and electricity running this game.”
“I just finished the game; it's a good game, but I think it was a little bit grindy.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game features decent humor and plot twists, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticism of the story's blandness. The lighthearted moments contribute positively to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
“I thought the soundtrack was excellent, and while many reviewers say the story was bland, I would describe it as 'enough.' The cutscenes aren't too long, and it's got some decent humor and plot twists.”
“The humor in the game really stands out, making even the most serious moments feel light-hearted and enjoyable.”
“I love how the game balances its gameplay with witty dialogue and funny character interactions that keep me laughing throughout.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting the excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some reviewers find the story lacking, they appreciate the game's engaging gameplay and the way the music complements it.
“I thought the soundtrack was excellent. While many reviewers say the story was bland, I would describe it as 'enough;' cutscenes aren't too long and it has some decent humor and plot twists.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics have received a lukewarm reception, with many users describing them as mediocre or unremarkable. Overall, they do not stand out and may leave players wanting more in terms of visual quality.
“The graphics are underwhelming and lack detail.”
“The visual quality feels outdated and uninspired.”
“The character models look flat and lack any real depth.”