Pax Dei

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Become a Founder, Start Playing NowPurchase a Founder’s Pack and enter the world of Pax Dei now. By becoming a Founder, you are directly helping fulfill our vision of a living, breathing world you can inhabit for years to come. Thank you for your support! Future Business Model The final business model and pricing are not defined yet, but our overall approach is similar to the classic MMORP…

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,659 reviews

gameplay114 positive mentions

grinding490 negative mentions

The game has beautiful graphics and a stunning open world that immerses players in a medieval setting.
The building and crafting systems are well-developed, allowing for creativity and intricate designs.
The community is generally friendly and supportive, enhancing the multiplayer experience.

The game is extremely grindy, requiring excessive time and resources to progress in crafting and leveling skills.
Combat mechanics are clunky and lack depth, making encounters feel unengaging.
The planned subscription model for maintaining plots after early access raises concerns about the game's long-term viability and player retention.

grinding
500 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in crafting and resource gathering. While some enjoy the grind for its rewarding progression and community-building potential, others find it overwhelming, especially for solo players, leading to a sense of frustration and burnout. Overall, the game is best suited for those who appreciate a grind-heavy experience and can engage with it in a group setting.
- “It's not that grindy either; you just have to go get materials when you want to make something, same as you would in real life.”
- “I don't think it's a game for everyone, but if you like crafting, grinding, and hunting, you would love this game.”
- “That makes sense when you are building a player-driven economy; if things are not grindy, it becomes a very inflated economy very fast.”
- “The game is annoyingly grindy, and just overall not a fun experience.”
- “Unfortunately at about 100 or so hours you get bored by the grind and the crafting system ramps up to the point where leveling up becomes way too slow and tedious.”
- “Spending upwards of 15 hours gathering materials and mindlessly performing repetitive tasks such as chopping wood or creating pegs quickly becomes tedious and unrewarding.”
gameplay
451 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
66%
9%
The gameplay of "Pax Dei" has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its deep crafting and building mechanics as standout features, while also criticizing the overall experience as grindy and lacking direction. Combat mechanics are often described as clunky and underdeveloped, leading to a repetitive gameplay loop focused primarily on gathering and crafting. As the game is still in early access, players express hope for future improvements, but many feel that the current state is not engaging enough for solo players or those seeking structured gameplay.
- “The gameplay revolves around designing and constructing your home, cottage, or even a full-blown castle, while crafting to unlock better materials, equipment, and decorative elements.”
- “Considering this is still considered early access, Pax Dei surpasses most other similar gather, build, and craft games with stunning graphics, easy-to-grasp game mechanics, and a pretty chill and down-to-earth player base.”
- “The game excels at crafting and resource gathering, especially as a lumberjack, with satisfying mechanics and a beautiful world to explore.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive, with the usual gathering from nodes, crafting items, and building structures that don’t seem to serve much purpose.”
- “After spending quite a lot of time in Pax Dei, both beta and early access, one thing is clear: the grind dominates the gameplay now more than ever, and unfortunately, it’s not fun enough to justify the required effort.”
- “The game has no content; everything that you are able to do is extremely stretched out, to squeeze as much gameplay from players as possible.”
story
427 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
86%
6%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of traditional narrative elements, such as quests, NPCs, or a structured storyline, leaving players to create their own experiences in a sandbox environment. Many reviewers express disappointment over the absence of missions or objectives, which they feel detracts from the overall gameplay experience, making it feel empty and directionless. While some appreciate the freedom to build and interact with other players, the consensus is that the game currently lacks a compelling story or engaging content to sustain long-term interest.
- “The potential for deep storytelling and spontaneous moments shared with fellow players is boundless.”
- “The storyline is a story made by the players and the objectives you set out for yourself and whoever accompanies you along the way.”
- “I love the chill atmosphere of the game and just going about my business building up my plot of land and exploring and interacting with other players.”
- “The launch of this game reminds me a lot of the terrible Fallout 76 launch where they said there are no NPCs and you make your own story.”
- “There is no story plot or quests, so in this respect the game is empty and pointless at this time.”
- “Players are left in the dark regarding the game world's background, the motives of NPCs, or the overarching story.”
graphics
422 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, often described as breathtaking and comparable to high-end titles powered by Unreal Engine 5. However, many players have noted significant optimization issues, with performance drops even on high-end systems, leading to frustration over frame rates and graphical settings. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is a strong point, the game's performance and optimization require further improvement to fully realize its potential.
- “The graphics and music in the game are amazing.”
- “The graphics are stunning, combat feels responsive, and the biomes are diverse and well-designed.”
- “With stunning graphics and intuitive gameplay, it’s an absolute joy to watch your architectural dreams come to life.”
- “The graphics settings are too simple, so once I set everything to low, I still crash as my GPU is at 98% just standing still.”
- “Easily the worst optimized open world sandbox I've ever touched; I can run Cyberpunk 2077 with ultra graphics and ray tracing at a stable 100 fps but can't run this game beyond 40 fps on lowest settings with ultra performance mode on.”
- “The game runs poorly even on high-end hardware (i7-13700 with GTX 4090), and the graphics, supposedly powered by UE5, are a letdown with boring textures and lighting.”
optimization
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
58%
26%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players experiencing severe performance issues, including frequent stuttering, low frame rates, and lag, even on high-end systems. While some users acknowledge that the game is in early access and may improve over time, the current state is deemed unacceptable, with calls for urgent optimization efforts from the developers. A few players report satisfactory performance, but these instances are overshadowed by the widespread complaints about poor optimization and resource demands.
- “The optimization isn't quite up to par, in my opinion.”
- “Admittedly, the game is in early access and has room for enhancement, yet it’s impressively well-optimized, running seamlessly on my computer.”
- “Exploration, crafting, and a light touch of survival beautifully fused together with an already outstandingly optimized world for the quality you get in it.”
- “The optimization of this game is horrible.”
- “Easily the worst optimized open world sandbox I've ever touched; I can run Cyberpunk 2077 with ultra graphics and ray tracing at a stable 100 fps but can't run this game beyond 40 fps on lowest settings with ultra performance mode on.”
- “I was excited to play this game, too bad I meet minimum requirements and even recommended requirements and it doesn't run good at all. This game runs worse than Grayzone Warfare, which is saying something; the game needs to be optimized or my rig is simply not good enough to play it, but I meet the requirements.”
stability
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many players reporting various bugs, glitches, and lag issues typical of early access titles. While some users find the experience enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over frequent crashes and unresponsive mechanics, indicating that the game is still in a rough state and requires substantial optimization and fixes. Overall, players acknowledge the potential of the game but caution that it is currently plagued by instability and performance issues.
- “Runs great on a 3090.”
- “The graphics are great, and the game runs great on my system maxed out!”
- “Runs great for me so far and haven't had any issues.”
- “The game is a buggy mess, the player base are all snowflake RPers, no PvP exists, devs haven't done anything meaningful to the game up to date.”
- “Glitches galore, built and baked right into the core systems you'll be using constantly, like crafting that fails to complete and uses your resources, or crashing every time you walk through a load zone.”
- “It's simply not ready for early access... it's not working and too buggy.”
monetization
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
27%
68%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing concerns over planned subscription models and microtransactions that seem to prioritize profit over player experience. Players feel that the game is being marketed at an inflated price without sufficient content, leading to skepticism about its long-term viability and the developers' intentions. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with calls for caution before investing time or money into the game.
- “The actual monetization hasn't been revealed yet, for better or for worse, though silence on some aspects of it says more than words ever will.”
- “The developers have been quite transparent about upcoming features and monetization strategies.”
- “I do not really agree with their current monetization plan to make the game subscription-based upon full release; however, I did buy into the early access knowing full well it was on the table.”
- “The game is really boring at the moment and the studio prefers to create a new monetization system.”
- “The fact that they are already planning monetization of this game before releasing a well-packaged game doesn't give me high hopes for it either.”
- “Monetization strategy sounds positively horrendous and exploitative.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
45%
8%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its soothing and immersive qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While the orchestral score and nature sounds are often described as beautiful and fitting, some users noted a lack of variation and a sparse soundscape in less populated areas. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's ambiance, though there are calls for a broader selection of tracks to enrich the experience further.
- “The music is a gem—most of the time.”
- “The musical score is equally impressive, with orchestral pieces that swell and recede in perfect harmony with the on-screen action, further drawing you into the game's narrative and environment.”
- “Even though it may still lack a bit of variation, the music is soothing, cozy, and sets you in the mood for the game.”
- “There is also currently only battle music which can make some of the very long walks feel a bit underwhelming when you enter a grand beautiful new landscape.”
- “Also, the music scores are lackluster.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are generally fitting but do not always enhance the game's atmosphere optimally, leading to a somewhat sparse soundscape in less populated areas.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its breathtaking landscapes, intricate details, and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the beautiful graphics, realistic environmental elements, and a calming ambiance that fosters a friendly community. While some areas may suffer from minor visual issues, the enchanting lighting effects and engaging sound design contribute to a unique and captivating atmosphere that encourages exploration and creativity.
- “The world is beautifully crafted, with breathtaking landscapes, intricate details, and an immersive atmosphere that pulls you in.”
- “The atmosphere of the different biomes and areas is perfect, keeping you immersed in the world.”
- “The lighting effects, from the golden glow of a sunrise to the eerie shadows of a moonlit night, create an atmosphere that is both enchanting and realistic.”
- “Honestly, people need to give this game a real shot and stick with it for a while. If you rush to get all the recipes and collect all the magic gear from the dungeons and bosses, you'll be sucked out of the fun and atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are generally fitting but do not always enhance the game's atmosphere optimally, leading to a somewhat sparse soundscape in less populated areas.”
- “I love the idea of Pax Dei, I love the atmosphere, I love the building... but I hate how the game treats me.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from poor animations, absurd gameplay mechanics, and the overall state of the game, which many find amusingly unready for release. Players highlight funny glitches, quirky interactions, and the absurdity of certain game elements, such as crafting excessive items or encountering bizarre character behaviors. While some aspects of the community and development process are criticized, the humor derived from these situations adds a layer of entertainment for players navigating the game's challenges.
- “I’ve run into a few funny quirks, though.”
- “The amount of people who do no research into a game and whine about an early access game not being finished is hilarious.”
- “Yes, there are bugs, shard stability issues, hilarious glitches (four bears in a tree) but all in all, it's an absolutely gorgeous game, with less issues than a lot of the full release games I have launched with in the past.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional responses to the game, ranging from disappointment over financial investments and gameplay mechanics to feelings of warmth and community connection. While some find the crafting failures and additional costs disheartening, others appreciate the cozy atmosphere and the sense of belonging fostered by the game's community. The soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, contributing to the overall impact of the game.
- “The disappointment I feel at having paid over 100 dollars towards this game (some of my clan members even more given how many accounts they have to build with) and the subsequent knowledge that in addition to the cost of those additional plot spaces (I have 4 - the game gave you one for free in EA) I will have to pay a monthly fee for those plots I already bought - is, in a word, heartbreaking.”
- “At night, seeing the fires and lights from somewhere in the wilderness feels downright cozy and heartwarming, and that is a first for me in those games.”
- “The soundtrack is also phenomenal, adding to the overall atmosphere and emotional impact.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Character development in the game is a mixed experience; while some players feel their characters lack uniqueness and significance beyond skill progression, others appreciate the extensive choices and non-linear paths that enhance clan play and personal property management, making it a more adventurous experience compared to typical MMOs.
- “The sheer scale of character development choices provides an interesting dynamic to specialisms in clan play.”
- “No character development: aside from having higher skills, my character doesn't feel special, unique, or remotely important.”
- “Unlike your average MMO, Pax Dei embraces a vision where character development is more than just a linear path—it’s a genuine adventure.”
- “The game offers vast freedom in character development and personal property management.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game offers significant replayability due to the lasting impacts of player choices on the game world, earning an 8/10 rating. However, some users feel that the overall gameplay experience is hindered by slow mechanics and subpar combat, which may detract from its long-term appeal compared to other titles like Star Citizen.
- “The choices players make during quests can have lasting impacts on the game world, adding depth and replayability.”
- “Star Citizen is more playable than this.”
- “Hopefully the game will become more playable and actually feel like a game, rather than a slow, boring walking, gathering, sandbox building sim with the worst combat ever.”