Northmark: Hour of the Wolf
- August 2, 2014
- Rake in Grass
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Northmark: Hour of the Wolf" is a single-player fantasy role-playing game set in a medieval realm. The game offers a combination of card-based combat and decision-making, with a focus on character development and player choice. As a defendant facing false charges, players must navigate political intrigue and build their power to clear their name and protect their homeland from an ancient threat.
Reviews
- The game features good graphics and a charming art style that enhances the overall experience.
- The card battle mechanics are simple yet enjoyable, making it accessible for casual players.
- The writing includes humorous elements and light fantasy jokes, adding to the game's charm.
- The game is very short, with most players completing it in around 3-6 hours, leading to a lack of replayability.
- Combat can feel unbalanced and overly simplistic, with many encounters being too easy and predictable.
- The story is linear and lacks depth, with some dialogue being tedious and poorly written, detracting from the overall experience.
- story63 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as short, linear, and predictable, with many players noting its lack of replayability and engaging depth. While the hand-drawn art and humor add charm, the narrative often feels generic and is delivered through tedious quest lines, leading to a mixed reception regarding its writing quality. Overall, the story serves its purpose but leaves players wanting more complexity and challenge.
“A great hand-drawn game with story-rich missions and some puzzles.”
“The plot is intriguing, with humorous little twists.”
“The story is enjoyable enough to keep you playing.”
“The story overall was not too engaging, the setting a bit generic, and the core formula has been done a lot elsewhere that you will not be missing anything by skipping here.”
“The story is basically on rails; there are at most 7-8 different enemies in the whole game, and there is no challenge at all except the last fight that seems a bit random-based about damage.”
“Boring story that was easy to know what is going to happen, and how it ends.”
- gameplay27 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and a card battle system that, while entertaining, lacks depth and can become monotonous. Players appreciate the lighthearted nature and solid battle mechanics, but many feel the game is too easy and short, with a campaign lasting around 6 to 8 hours. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a casual experience rather than a challenging or complex game.
“Fun game with simple yet well-done gameplay.”
“An uncomplicated game that's perfect for when you want to burn some time without being overburdened by mechanics.”
“Its not the most complicated game, yet possesses enough detailed mechanics to provide basic strategy and tactical challenges when conducting battles.”
“Card gameplay is pretty shallow and monotonous, though.”
“A very simple card battle game, very basic mechanics, short, gets boring halfway through.”
“If you like card-based RPG game mechanics, can put up with bad writing and a poor storyline with 'twists' you can see coming way before the game 'reveals' them, so-so graphics and generally a *meh* feeling all the way through, you should buy this one.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game has very low replayability due to its linear storyline and predetermined events, with many players noting that it can be completed in just a few hours. While some enjoyed the experience, the lack of diverse content and minimal replay options suggest it may not be worth revisiting. Overall, it is considered a fun but short game with little incentive for repeated play.
“I understand it's an indie title and it's only £5.50 (7 if not on sale), but there are indie titles around that price that have far more content than this one and far more replayability.”
“Summary: this is a good, fun game, but short with not a whole lot of replay value...”
“Replayability is very low; the storyline is quite linear, and you have to follow a series of pre-determined events in order to progress in the game.”
“Virtually zero replayability value.”
“This is a fun game with almost no replayability and a distressingly short playtime--in less than 3 hours, I had completed the game.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many users finding it genuinely funny and occasionally hilarious, though opinions vary on its effectiveness. Some appreciate the clever, albeit sometimes out-of-character, jokes and the homage to fantasy worlds, while others note issues with writing quality and execution. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch, even if it doesn't always land perfectly.
“It can be quite hilarious.”
“Humorous from time to time (sometimes implicitly 'out of character', but in a clever way - not everyone I like it, I guess, but I do :)).”
“The writing is at times genuinely funny, and the story isn't bad, but there are also some amusingly bad typos, and just horrendously written passages (you may actually enjoy the awful translation, as I did).”
- graphics8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many users praising the art style and aesthetic as pleasant and fitting for the setting. While some reviews note that the graphics are good, they also mention a mix of opinions regarding the overall quality, with a few suggesting that they are merely adequate. Overall, the artwork and interface contribute positively to the gaming experience, despite some criticisms of the writing and story.
“Loved the art style.”
“Graphics and artwork are pleasant enough to look at, capturing the setting adequately.”
“It's supported by very strong art... I really enjoyed the art style and the interface... and very good music/sound.”
“If you like card-based RPG game mechanics, can put up with bad writing and a poor storyline with 'twists' you can see coming way before the game reveals them, so-so graphics, and generally a 'meh' feeling all the way through, you should buy this one.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a solid basic soundtrack that complements the strong art and gameplay, though players note a desire for additional battle tracks. Overall, the sound design is well-received, enhancing the overall experience.
“The story, art, music, and gameplay are good.”
“It's supported by very strong art... I really enjoyed the art style and the interface... and the music/sound is very good. It could've used a couple more battle tracks for sure, but what's there is very good.”
“The game features only one basic soundtrack, which quickly becomes repetitive.”
“There's a lack of variety in the music, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“The soundtrack is underwhelming and fails to enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy and inviting quality, creating a warm and comfortable environment for players.
“What I found most praiseworthy about this game is its cozy atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its predictable and unengaging storyline, which fails to evoke strong feelings or investment from players.
“The story was predictable and lacked any emotional depth, making it boring to engage with.”
“I felt no connection to the characters, which made the emotional moments fall flat.”
“The narrative was so clichéd that it stripped away any potential for genuine emotional impact.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have reported issues with stability, specifically noting that certain quests are buggy and may hinder gameplay.
“One of my quests is buggy.”
