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Pendragon

Pendragon is a game of both strategy and story, offering a different kind of gameplay experience while digging into historical mythos.
Pendragon Game Cover
69%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
atmosphere, character development
68% User Score Based on 109 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 7 reviews

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Pendragon Game Cover

About

Pendragon is a single player tactical role playing game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by inkle Ltd and was released on September 22, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Pendragon" is a single-player, historical role-playing game that offers a good story and takes about 7 hours to complete. It is a turn-based strategy game where every move you make drives the narrative, and every story twist opens new gameplay opportunities. Conversations are as tense as battles, and there is not always a clear distinction between the two. Your characters' actions and decisions shape their relationships and impact the outcome of the game.

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Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
Pendragon screenshot
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68%
Audience ScoreBased on 109 reviews
story16 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Pendragon offers a unique blend of turn-based tactical combat and narrative storytelling, allowing for a different experience with each playthrough.
  • The game features beautiful 2D art and a compelling atmosphere, immersing players in the Arthurian legend with well-written dialogue and character interactions.
  • The roguelike elements provide high replayability, with various characters and story paths that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • The combat system can feel overly simplistic and lacks depth, leading to frustration, especially on higher difficulty levels where AI behavior can be punishing.
  • Many players find the story and character development to be repetitive, with limited variation in encounters and dialogue across multiple runs.
  • The morale and resource management mechanics are often seen as unintuitive, making it difficult for players to strategize effectively during gameplay.
  • story
    119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in Pendragon is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging writing and the integration of character-driven narratives within a tactical framework, while others criticize it for feeling underdeveloped and repetitive. The game offers a unique storytelling experience that changes with each playthrough, but many feel that the combat mechanics detract from the narrative immersion. Overall, it appeals primarily to those who appreciate story-driven games, particularly within the Arthurian mythos, but may disappoint players seeking a more robust or varied narrative.

    • “Pendragon excels as a personal storytelling machine that actually gets better the more often you start it up.”
    • “The writing is superb and usually delivered in short lines, painting each character’s different personality and motivations quite well, and it’s spread throughout the entire game: the battlefield and overworld are both canvases for the game’s storytelling, and there were nearly no moments of silence as I journeyed towards Arthur.”
    • “Pendragon’s intersection between procedural storytelling and tactical gameplay is excellent, with a couple of minor flaws that don’t tarnish the overall picture.”
    • “I have always liked inkle games for their storytelling (Sorcery and 80 Days) and I expected a well-told turn-based story with this game, and if this is what you are expecting, you're going to be disappointed.”
    • “Finishing the story does not expand the story or the player's abilities, so it ends up becoming more like a melancholy chore than an adventure.”
    • “I encountered the same lines repeated at me through multiple playthroughs, sometimes by different characters, that ended up having no bearing on the story or the outcome of the game.”
  • gameplay
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Pendragon has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking in depth and engagement. While some appreciate its unique integration of narrative and tactical mechanics, others criticize it for being repetitive and frustrating, particularly for those expecting a more traditional roguelike experience. Overall, the game is seen as a narrative-driven experience that may appeal more to story enthusiasts than to those seeking robust gameplay mechanics.

    • “Overall, the game is a great poetic experience with a unique atmosphere and a simple yet effective gameplay.”
    • “Pendragon’s intersection between procedural storytelling and tactical gameplay is excellent, with a couple of minor flaws that don’t tarnish the overall picture.”
    • “That said, I did enjoy the gameplay and thought its flaws were relatively small; in a genre that often bogs you down in stats and mechanics, Pendragon’s minimal take is a breath of fresh air.”
    • “If you want roguelike Arthurian tactics with a decent game length and solid mechanical depth, this is 10000% not that, and you will have an awful and frustrating time if you play it in that mindset like I did.”
    • “The combat and art style seemed like a match made in heaven, with ideas reminding me of Wildermyth, but sadly the gameplay itself is extremely lackluster.”
    • “Pretty boring combat and the 'emergent' narrative gameplay is pretty bare-bones or non-existent.”
  • graphics
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, simplistic art style that draws comparisons to titles like "Heavens Vault." While the visuals and atmosphere are praised for their compelling nature and good art direction, the animation is described as barebones, and those seeking high-end graphics or dynamic combat visuals may be disappointed. Overall, the art style and sound design contribute significantly to the game's appeal, particularly for fans of strategy and interactive fiction.

    • “The redeeming features are the atmosphere and the style of the artwork.”
    • “A fun and enjoyable game with a great art style.”
    • “The art style drew me in at first; it's simplistic, yet beautiful and different.”
    • “Even the artwork is a tad lazy.”
    • “The environments use the same hyper simplistic style and I find charm in them, in fact I’d say I really like the graphics overall.”
    • “They don't do this by high-end graphics or realistic gameplay, but through amazing storytelling and engaging game mechanics.”
  • music
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the narrative experience, with a moody and atmospheric soundtrack by Laurence Chapman that effectively complements the visuals and themes of melancholy, adventure, and mystery. While some reviewers noted that the music could be considered generic or not particularly varied, it is still regarded as a solid fit for the game's storytelling and immersive environment. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's artistic presentation and emotional depth.

    • “Melancholy, adventure, mystery, hope - these themes shine wonderfully through the soundtrack, and effectively support the action on screen.”
    • “First booting up the game, I lost myself in the credits, spending a long time there, appreciating the music.”
    • “There is a wonderful soundtrack by Laurence Chapman (who also provided the superb music to Inkle's brilliant adaptation of the Sorcery! saga) and also a large range of Steam achievements, if you like that sort of thing.”
    • “Generic music.”
    • “The music isn’t particularly varied but it is appropriate given the genre and subject matter.”
    • “Soundtrack - alright.”
  • replayability
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability due to its procedural level generation, unlockable characters, and rogue-like elements that encourage varied playthroughs. Players appreciate the dynamic storytelling and branching choices that enhance each run, making it engaging and enjoyable for multiple sessions. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile investment for those seeking a game with significant replay value.

    • “Good replayability thanks to the procedural level generation and the different unlockable characters, each with their own motives.”
    • “Between the roguelike elements, the narrative choices you get to make along the way, and the deeper-than-it-seems strategy of battle, I feel like this game will have very high replayability.”
    • “The rogue-like nature appeals to me, with short replayable runs that are big on dynamic storytelling, with dialogue choices and branching routes affecting the characters I meet and abilities I unlock.”
    • “Runs in Pendragon usually take about an hour and thanks to its roguelike design, replayability is very high.”
    • “The rogue-ish aspect of the game adds a lot of replayability.”
  • atmosphere
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its poetic and immersive qualities, enhanced by well-written stories, fitting music, and striking artwork. Players appreciate the combination of engaging dialogue, environmental sounds, and animated effects that create a captivating experience, making the journey through its medieval setting both absorbing and relaxing. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “Overall, the game is a great poetic experience with a unique atmosphere and a simple yet effective gameplay.”
    • “Special shoutout to the game's art and atmosphere too: the music, environmental sounds, slick 2D character models and UI, and subtle animated effects, means for an incredibly absorbing (and even relaxing) journey through muddy medieval Britain.”
    • “The different tales at the campfire are all very well written and help set that atmosphere - these stories are usually a lot more fantastical than what actually happens in the game, the beasts grander.”
    • “Special shoutout to the game's art and atmosphere too: the music, environmental sounds, slick 2D character models and UI, and subtle animated effects, make for an incredibly absorbing (and even relaxing) journey through muddy medieval Britain.”
    • “They contribute much to the atmosphere of the game, and some of them are pretty hilarious.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find Pendragon to evoke strong emotions, from guilt over sacrificing characters to the heartwarming and heartbreaking narratives that unfold as they navigate a tumultuous world. The game effectively combines turn-based tactics with storytelling, creating a rich emotional experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “Sacrificing a pawn has never made me feel more guilty, and I mean that as a compliment.”
    • “An excellent game for generating heartfelt stories about gathering companions and navigating a world in turmoil.”
    • “It's great fun, sometimes touching, sometimes heartbreaking in this pop-up book style adventure through history, and it's an entertaining genre mashup between turn-based tactics and narrative adventure.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game demonstrates strong stability, with intricate mechanics and minimal bugs, allowing for a smooth experience despite limited story variety. Players appreciate the diverse and engaging unlockable characters, which add depth to the gameplay.

    • “The game runs incredibly smoothly, with minimal bugs or glitches, allowing for an immersive experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it rarely crashes and the performance is consistently reliable.”
    • “The intricate design of the game contributes to its stability, making it a pleasure to explore without interruptions.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers highlight the strong emphasis on player agency in character development and relationship building, allowing for meaningful choices that significantly impact the narrative and character dynamics. This depth enhances the overall engagement and investment in the characters' journeys.

    • “The game offers incredible agency in character development and relationship building.”
    • “I love how the character development allows for meaningful choices that impact relationships.”
    • “The depth of character development really enhances the emotional connections in the game.”
    • “There is a lack of agency in character development and relationship building.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the relationships to be one-dimensional, which detracted from the overall character development.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express frustration with the grinding required to unlock higher difficulty levels, as it involves replaying a rushed journey on lower settings, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “I'm told the journey is extended on higher difficulties, but to unlock those, I would need to repeatedly play through the unsatisfyingly rushed journey on lower difficulties - effectively grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels tedious and unfulfilling, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “I find myself stuck in a loop of repetitive tasks just to progress, which takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted through its engaging fireside stories and campfire tales, which are both hilarious and contribute to character development and storytelling. The inclusion of narratives from talented guest artists adds a diverse and entertaining flair to the overall experience.

    • “The fireside stories can be hilarious and add depth to the characters and story.”
    • “It has some wonderful and often hilarious campfire tales written by talented guest artists from all over the globe.”
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71%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
5-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Pendragon is a tactical role playing game with fantasy and historical themes.

Pendragon is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Pendragon.

Pendragon was released on September 22, 2020.

Pendragon was developed by inkle Ltd.

Pendragon has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its atmosphere.

Pendragon is a single player game.

Similar games include The Banner Saga, Wildermyth, The Hand of Merlin, King Arthur: Knight's Tale, Foretales and others.