Mandinga: A Tale of Banzo
- September 17, 2021
- Uruca Game Studio
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Mandinga: A Tale of Banzo" is a jRPG-style game set in 1826 Brazil, where players control two heroes, Akil and Obadelê, who fight for freedom in a paradisiacal but oppressive society. The game features an innovative dice-based combat system, where every piece of gear, weapon, and skill brings unique choices. The Diceset System allows players to switch between different combat styles at any turn, offering diverse tactics in an immersive historical setting.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging story that explores mature themes related to Brazilian history and culture, particularly around slavery.
- The dice-based combat system is creative and offers a good amount of customization, making it more engaging than traditional menu-based JRPG combat.
- The art and music are impressive, contributing to a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- There are notable quality assurance issues, including bugs, translation errors, and occasional out-of-bounds glitches that can detract from the experience.
- The game lacks a quest log or objective tracker, which can lead to confusion and aimless grinding during gameplay.
- Some combat animations are lengthy, and the randomness of dice rolls can lead to frustrating moments, especially during critical battles.
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its originality and emotional depth, featuring relatable characters whose motivations are well-developed throughout the narrative. Players appreciate the fresh themes and creative dice combat, which enhance the overall experience, although some express a desire for better navigation tools like a quest log. Overall, it is recommended for fans of turn-based RPGs seeking a compelling story.
“This game tells an awesome story, with utterly relatable characters.”
“Characters are relatable; you can easily understand their motivations, and the way they develop with the story is excellent.”
“The only thing I wish this game had was a quest log; I accidentally grinded because I was stuck in the cave and didn't know where to go.”
“For those who love turn-based RPGs and are searching for a true story, this is the kind of game that you need.”
“I usually judge RPGs on their story and battle systems, and this game has a really neat combat system.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, featuring a unique setting and a customizable deck-building combat system, though some players find the animations lengthy and the randomness of dice rolls can slow down battles. The pixel art is decent, but the more detailed illustrations enhance the experience. Overall, players appreciate the game, with an average completion time of around 9 hours.
“I enjoyed my time with it; it has a unique setting and gameplay.”
“I've been able to finish the story with 9 hours of gameplay; I really enjoy this one.”
“The moment-to-moment gameplay is serviceable.”
“The combat system is fine, with the deck building allowing a good amount of customization. The only real problem I had with the gameplay is that there is no option to skip animations, and battles tend to drag a bit due to both the long animations and the randomness of the dice rolls.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing to an impressive overall atmosphere alongside stunning artwork and a great soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate the quality and impact of the music, enhancing the gaming experience.
“All of that with some amazing artwork and a great soundtrack.”
“I was impressed by the art and music and the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“Music is quite nice too.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their stunning artwork, which enhances the overall visual experience of the game, complemented by a great soundtrack.
“The graphics are stunning, with incredible attention to detail and vibrant colors.”
“The art style is breathtaking, making every scene a visual masterpiece.”
“The combination of amazing artwork and a great soundtrack creates an immersive experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its impressive art and music, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.
“I was impressed by the art, music, and the overall atmosphere of the game.”
