Prayer of the Faithless
- April 17, 2022
- VermillionNova
Prayer of the Faithless is a unique blend of traditional RPG and classic survival-horror gameplay. In addition to fighting enemies to level up, you must also scavenge the field to find healing supplies, as well as new gear that comes with their own skills and traits to further customize your party. Battles reward smart tactics and aggressive offense by tying stamina pools to both skill usage and d…
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging combat system that requires strategic planning and attention, making battles feel intense and rewarding.
- The story is gripping and well-crafted, with strong worldbuilding and a cast of likable characters that add depth to the narrative.
- The game successfully explores complex themes such as individualism versus collectivism, providing a thought-provoking experience for players.
- The writing suffers from tonal inconsistencies, with characters often behaving in ways that undermine the gravity of the dark setting.
- Resource management can be frustrating due to unpredictable item availability and a low item cap, leading to a stressful gameplay experience.
- Some plot points and character motivations feel poorly developed or illogical, detracting from the overall immersion in the story.
- story32 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story presents a complex blend of themes, including individualism versus collectivism, set against a bleak backdrop of humanity's impending doom. While some players appreciate the intriguing plot and character development, others criticize the execution, noting a bias in the narrative and a lack of genuine consequences for the protagonist. Overall, the story is described as gripping and well-built, though it suffers from inconsistent writing and tonal issues that detract from its potential impact.
“The story is very thrilling, with lots of intrigue and good worldbuilding, and the cast of characters is very likable.”
“Incredible storyline with solid characters and worldbuilding.”
“The overall plot is exceptional as you try just to survive while uncovering more about this world and pushing the characters forward.”
“The cadets training to be the last bastion of defense against humanity's inevitable destruction still make time for petty high school cliques and bullying, and despite their leader being borderline fascist, the protagonist is able to get away with petty pranks and constant, flagrant disrespect for authority -- until suddenly he can't and he's going to get executed for backtalking the king, but actually don't worry, his friend in high places pulls strings to bail him out because we can't actually have consequences for the protagonist; it's not like this is supposed to be a dark story or anything.”
“The story is also incredibly misanthropic: the masses are consistently depicted as selfish, overemotional idiots who never listen to reason and descend into panic and violence at the slightest excuse, and anyone who tries to be any kind of ruler is inevitably corrupted by power and forced to commit crimes against humanity to appease these monsters.”
“But it just crumbled in execution, largely I suspect due to the creator's overwhelming bias towards individualism; the story was supposed to weigh it against collectivism, but it could never do that fairly.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as unique and gripping, combining elements of JRPG and stealth horror, where players must carefully manage resources and strategize to avoid danger. While the combat mechanics are deep and tied to character personalities, some players find the resource management stressful and unpredictable, though a guide is available to help navigate the mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and rewarding, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“It's a game in which the gameplay is as truly gripping as the plot, in which you'll carefully plot every move, manage and ration your resources wisely, and take every step carefully to avoid the certain doom that hangs over the cast.”
“Once you learn the mechanics, you can find various ways to annihilate your foes.”
“The combat is very deep, with mechanics built around the character's personalities.”
“The gameplay is a mixed bag for me, since the resource situation feels a lot more stressful than in other RPGs due to how unpredictable it can be to resupply.”
“As a result, the gameplay feels like a bizarre combination of a JRPG and a stealth horror game, since it becomes necessary to dodge roaming encounters in order to avoid running out of supplies.”
“Speaking of items, that mechanic is weird – there are backpacks all around the world… but you can’t see what’s inside.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding the art style lacking and not particularly appealing, while others appreciate its edgy aesthetic despite its simplicity. While the visuals may not impress, many agree that the engaging combat, story, and world-building compensate for the graphical shortcomings. Overall, the game's pixel art may not be for everyone, but it aligns with the game's thematic elements.
“As someone with no particular preference for pixel graphics, I found this game very good.”
“The art style is edgy, maybe slightly childishly so – store screenshots show you exactly what you’ll get; things like a crucified character that buffs enemies or a half-bug dominatrix.”
“Everything else - the ugly visuals and sound, lack of controller support and whatnot I can overlook, even though there are plenty of examples of games made on a similar scale with those things done very decently, but the writing, in my opinion, has no excuse to be this bad in a game that is sold for money and with its story being the main selling point.”
“The art style isn't great but the combat variabilities, story, and world-building make up for all of that.”
“The art style is edgy, maybe slightly childishly so – store screenshots show you exactly what you’ll get; things like a crucified dude that buffs enemies or a half-bug dominatrix.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is marked by a stark misanthropy, portraying the masses as irrational and prone to violence, while rulers are depicted as inevitably corrupt. Despite this bleak outlook, certain endings resonate deeply, offering genuine and touching moments that contrast with the overall grim narrative.
“The story is very genuine, and I found parts of the judged and tired endings genuinely touching.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is present but lacks significant impact or memorability, serving more as background ambiance than a standout feature.
“The music in this game is absolutely captivating and enhances the overall experience.”
“I love how the soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere.”
“The variety of musical styles keeps each level fresh and exciting, making it a joy to play.”
“The music is forgettable and lacks any real impact.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired.”
“There is a noticeable absence of variety in the music, making it feel monotonous.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that a significant portion of their game time is spent grinding, often for streaming purposes or while multitasking with other activities. This suggests that grinding is a prominent aspect of the gameplay experience, potentially impacting overall engagement and enjoyment.
“I haven't beaten it yet as of this message, so the Steam time doesn't reflect how much time I actually spent. Most of that time was me grinding for streaming purposes on Sunday evenings after church or leaving the game on while playing on my phone via the Steam Link app.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same repetitive tasks over and over just to level up, which really takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”