Project: Gorgon
- March 12, 2018
- Elder Game, LLC
- 60h median play time
Project: Gorgon is a 3D fantasy MMORPG that offers a rich, immersive world with open-ended gameplay. Experience unique mechanics such as muscle fatigue, animal transformations, and a deep crafting system. With a variety of races, classes, and skills to choose from, players have the freedom to shape their character as they see fit. Discover the secrets of the island of Gorgon and carve out your own story.
Reviews
- Project Gorgon offers a unique and immersive MMORPG experience with a vast array of skills and character customization options.
- The community is friendly and helpful, fostering a supportive environment for new players.
- The game encourages exploration and discovery, rewarding players for engaging with the world and its mechanics.
- The graphics and animations are dated, which may deter some players from fully enjoying the game.
- Inventory management can be cumbersome, with limited space and a complex system for managing items.
- The game can feel grindy, especially when trying to level up skills or complete quests, which may lead to frustration for some players.
- graphics1,198 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of Project Gorgon are widely criticized for being outdated, often compared to early 2000s titles like EverQuest, with many players describing them as "primitive" or "laughable." Despite this, a significant number of reviews emphasize that the gameplay depth and mechanics compensate for the visual shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize gameplay over aesthetics. While some players find the retro graphics charming, others warn that modern gamers may be deterred by the lack of polish and optimization.
“The graphics and art design in Project Gorgon are well done, with a lot of attention to detail and character customization options.”
“If you can look past the graphics, this is a very fun and unique sandbox game.”
“The graphics may be simple, but the game can lag for people running older rigs like me.”
“The graphics are horrible, which would be fine, except there is literally zero art direction in the game.”
“The graphics are extremely bad, the game is not fun, and the cost is $30 bucks...”
“The graphics are laughable and you can barely see items in the game world as they completely blend in because they are almost identical colors.”
- gameplay628 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Project Gorgon is characterized by its deep and unique mechanics, reminiscent of old-school MMOs, offering players a high degree of freedom in character development and skill progression. While the graphics and some aspects of combat may feel outdated or unpolished, many players appreciate the engaging and diverse gameplay experiences, including crafting and exploration, that keep them invested. However, the game does face criticism for its grindy nature, lack of clear guidance for new players, and some unbalanced mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
“The amount of different builds you can make gives so many gameplay options, and there are loads of different roles someone can fill in a party.”
“Project Gorgon offers a refreshingly unique MMORPG experience that shines through its engaging mechanics, intriguing gameplay, and the promise of potential improvements.”
“The gameplay is what makes this game awesome.”
“In addition, several quality-of-life improvements are needed to make the gameplay more fun and less tedious.”
“The bad: it is still in early stages and despite several years in the making, the combat system is very basic and still unbalanced, so if you enjoy challenges from highly reactive and tactical gameplay, and/or fulfilling a 'role' this is likely not for you.”
“The gameplay is linked to grinding and can get tiresome when this skill is linked to another skill or you have to learn a certain language to talk to an NPC before it will teach you a skill.”
- story600 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in Project: Gorgon is characterized by a lack of hand-holding, requiring players to actively engage with NPCs and read quest dialogues to uncover narratives and complete tasks. While the overarching plot is still developing, the game offers a rich tapestry of lore and quirky side quests that encourage exploration and player-driven storytelling. Players appreciate the humor and depth in the quest design, though some find the vague instructions and absence of quest markers can lead to frustration.
“Throughout the game, despite this, it manages to maintain a consistent and reasonably compelling set of narratives over the course of the story.”
“The game's story might not be its main focus, but the quests and interactions provide just enough narrative context to keep players engaged and motivated.”
“The way you have to actually explore around and find clues to do quests is a breath of fresh air.”
“The writing of quests and NPC interaction feels like it's done by a 14-year-old neckbeard, prepuberty boy.”
“However, the quests are rarely story-based and the gameplay is slow for sure.”
“But you leave tutorial island, search for 2 hours trying to find something interesting to do, realize how empty the location is, then you decide to grind, because quests are as trash as they could be, and while grinding you get an understanding of how boring the combat system is.”
- grinding328 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it lacks respect for their time. While some enjoy the nostalgic grind reminiscent of older MMOs, others find it overwhelming and frustrating, particularly due to inventory management issues and a lack of engaging content. Overall, the game offers a significant amount of grinding, which can be rewarding for dedicated players but may deter those seeking a more streamlined experience.
“Your inventory fills up with junk, the character customization options are limited, the armor looks ugly, everything is a massive obtuse grind, starting an alt character has the same satisfaction as punching yourself in the balls since all of the time and effort you spend grinding goes down the drain, the combat is mediocre at best, exploring sucks since your character moves at a snail's pace while teleporting costs way too much.”
“Unfortunately, the game becomes very grindy later on and some zones felt empty compared to the early game (e.g. fey realm)!”
“The grindy gameplay loop, paired with the minimalist graphics, and floaty, delayed combat really soured this experience for me.”
- optimization274 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in populated areas and during high-action scenarios. Despite some improvements noted in recent updates, the overall graphical quality and frame rates remain subpar, often requiring players to lower settings to achieve stable performance. While the developers are acknowledged for their efforts to address these issues, many users feel that the game is still far from being adequately optimized, especially for a title priced at a premium.
“The game has been drastically optimized and still has a way to come, but the game has become a lot more enjoyable for me.”
“Granted it has optimization issues but from what I've seen the gameplay is solid, there are lots of quests, great crafting systems, and hands down one of the best communities I've seen in years.”
“Optimization is still in progress and you may notice lag in the cities, play with the graphics and you can turn that around (turning grass all the way down helped me a lot).”
“The graphics are not amazing, even at the highest settings, and the optimization at those levels leaves a lot to be desired; however, this is a 2-person development team.”
“It's incredibly unoptimized.”
“The graphics are really bad, and the optimization is even worse.”
- humor184 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and irreverence, featuring a mix of tongue-in-cheek jokes, absurd scenarios, and witty NPC dialogue that keeps players engaged and entertained. Many reviewers appreciate the unique and often hilarious lore, as well as the developers' willingness to embrace a quirky, self-aware sense of humor that doesn't shy away from adult themes. However, some critiques mention that certain aspects of the humor can come off as immature or in poor taste, particularly regarding NPC interactions. Overall, the game's humor is a standout feature that adds to its charm and appeal.
“I like the tongue-in-cheek humor that comes with the development that includes things like a dungeon found below the wrist of a giant hand statue called the 'carpal tunnels' or a non-combat skill set that is based on the debunked science of phrenology.”
“The writing of the game is stellar, often incredibly humorous, and pulls off the old 'sarcastic internet tone' without being particularly cringeworthy.”
“The game has a unique sense of humor that you can rarely find in other RPGs, letting you do stuff like milk your friend who turned him/herself into a cow or having a skill for gender studies that does absolutely nothing.”
- music96 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the community-driven musical events and the buffs gained from engaging with music and dance. While the soundtrack is described as above average and occasionally excellent, some users note that it can be repetitive and lacks diversity. Overall, the integration of music into gameplay enhances the social experience, making it a significant aspect of the game's charm.
“Listening to music or appreciating dance/art gives you a buff that rewards you for socializing, so it is something people actively will do.”
“The community is wonderful and the devs and admins are so active with having daily mini events in the town center and nightly jam sessions too to level my music appreciation skill!”
“Just to show you a quick example - I had a chance to participate in a so-called 'poetry jam' at the local inn, and this is where the game struck tears in my eyes: dozens of players in one place reading player-written short poems and giving them a rating, some people are playing music and it sounds like a real orchestra when over 10 people are playing.”
“Big downfall is that there’s few music and it repeats a lot.”
“You get to see cows doing odd animations and hear awful midi music in town as people struggle to play even the simplest of tunes.”
“2 - music diversity - there is music and it's somewhat okay, but it could be better and less repetitive.”
- monetization40 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The monetization model of Project Gorgon has received mixed reviews, with some praising its one-time purchase and lack of microtransactions, while others criticize recent shifts towards predatory practices, such as VIP subscriptions and donation demands. Initially celebrated for its straightforward buy-to-play approach, the game is now viewed by some as a cash grab, undermining its original intent to provide a fair gaming experience. Overall, players express concern over the evolving monetization strategies that may detract from the game's integrity.
“Project Gorgon is an indie MMORPG with a one-time-pay monetization scheme, which essentially is run off of a number of donation packages and a subscription service that exists primarily to let players keep the game alive after making their initial purchase.”
“I pretty much put my stamp of approval on any game that gives it the old college try and uses the tried but true buy-to-play monetization model.”
“Monetization of the game is buy-to-play with no in-game purchases and no subscription.”
“After seeing the predatory monetization direction that this game is now heading toward, I can no longer support or recommend Project Gorgon to anyone, and would in fact now recommend that all gamers who care about this hobby/industry avoid this game (and any games adopting similar monetization strategies).”
“The game touts no microtransactions but then demands donations to be playable.”
“Feels like a pretty shitty cash grab, especially for that price; it is absolutely not worth it.”
- stability30 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be quite buggy and feels unfinished, with numerous graphical glitches, outdated UI, and choppy framerates. While some players have experienced minimal issues and find the gameplay addictive, many express concerns about its stability and overall polish, indicating it still resembles a beta product. Despite these flaws, some users believe the game is worth the price for the enjoyable experience it offers.
“During my 150 hours, I have not experienced a bug, but I am also not certain that it is bug-free.”
“Just feels buggy and unfinished.”
“Game has been buggy since release with choppy framerates.”
“And of course it isn't a finished product: typos, bugs, and glitches abound like most unfinished games.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and quirky qualities, enhanced by nostalgic, old-school graphics and engaging music. Players appreciate the variety of atmospheres across different regions, which contribute to a sense of adventure and exploration, despite the graphics not being cutting-edge. Overall, the game fosters a casual and immersive environment that appeals to those seeking community and roleplay experiences.
“Combine this with a charming, quirky, and unique atmosphere and gameplay, and it's the reason I'm playing an MMO after over a decade of not playing the genre.”
“Valheim just released with 32-bit graphics but the way the visuals are presented creates an atmosphere where everything still comes across as beautiful and thematic.”
“No, not the graphics or the sounds, but the atmosphere.”
“The zones are large enough to offer plenty of variety in atmospheres and enemies, which works well for player progression, but just small enough to make traversing them on foot reasonable.”
“Don't go in expecting amazing graphics or a tight, fluid action-combat system or a PvP-centric game; but definitely consider it if you like community, freedom, roleplay, atmosphere, a sense of adventure, exploration and a game that doesn't hold your hand while you cross the road.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt and wholesome community, which fosters a genuine social experience reminiscent of classic MMOs. Players express a deep sense of nostalgia and enjoyment, finding the gameplay both fun and unique, despite acknowledging some unfinished elements. Overall, it evokes strong feelings of connection and warmth, making it a memorable experience for many.
“It might be unfinished but it's very fun, weird, heartfelt, and engrossing.”
“Picking up Project: Gorgon made me feel like I did when I first played an MMO so many years ago.”
“If you can get past the graphics and the price, you'll find one of the most heartfelt, genuine old-school MMORPGs out there.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its extensive content, engaging community, and diverse gameplay options, despite some concerns about optimization and the limited number of playable songs. Players appreciate the depth of the skill system and the variety of activities available, contributing to a strong replay value. However, the premium pricing and additional membership costs may deter some from fully enjoying its replay potential.
“This game is definitely a 10/10 game for the massive content and replay value it has, and the community is super strong in this game and it continues to grow.”
“And for the premium price, I would have wanted it to be more playable and stable, optimized (the lag) running game for £30.99, and then there is its VIP membership costing £9.29 per month.”
“If you go down the latter road, the game actually has a lot of replayability.”
“It has so much to offer and replayability alongside it in terms of what you can do in the game.”
- character development12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers extensive and detailed character development, allowing players to learn skills and complete quests, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the depth of the mechanics, with a focus on skill progression that requires time and effort, making character growth feel rewarding. Additionally, humorous moments, such as unexpected transformations, add a fun element to the character development process.
“This is a role-playing game with detailed character development through learning skills and completing quests.”
“As far as I know, there may be a wipe of items and favor (NPC reputation) further down the line as the game reaches closer to release, but the good news is that player skills and development should be left unchanged, which means time playing now is not wasted as this game is built around character development with a strong focus on the skills you level over time.”
“Before you make a judgment on this game, get off noob island (the starter location) and in-game type /wiki (launches a web browser to the wiki) and look at how polished and advanced the game mechanics and character development are.”
“As far as I know, there may be a wipe of items and favor (NPC reputation) further down the line as the game reaches closer to release (may be subject to change), but the good news is that player skills and development should be left unchanged, which means time playing now is not wasted as this game is built around character development with a strong focus on the skills you level over time.”
“Old school graphics, unlimited character development through skills (skills take a long time to get, which is good).”