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 and overwhelming at times, especially for new players trying to navigate its many systems.
- graphics599 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of Project Gorgon are widely described as outdated, often likened to those from the late 1990s to early 2000s, with many players noting they resemble titles like EverQuest or early MMORPGs. While the visuals are generally considered poor and lacking polish, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay depth and mechanics compensate for this shortcoming, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate old-school RPGs. Overall, players recommend the game for its engaging content, provided they can overlook its graphical deficiencies.
“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 get past the graphics, this game has depth and a good community to back it up.”
“Despite the graphics being ugly, the playerbase being fairly small, and the gameplay being grindy, it somehow still manages to be a pretty cool game.”
“The graphics are horrible, which would be fine, except there is literally zero art direction in the game.”
“The graphics are pretty bad, but it's a small development team.”
“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.”
- gameplay314 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this MMO is characterized by a blend of old-school mechanics and innovative features, offering players a deep and flexible experience with numerous skills and crafting options. While the graphics and some mechanics may feel outdated or unpolished, many players appreciate the game's unique systems and the freedom to explore and develop their characters in a sandbox environment. However, issues such as bugs, a lack of player guidance, and a grindy progression system 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.”
“The grindy gameplay loop, paired with the minimalist graphics, and floaty, delayed combat really soured this experience for me.”
“While I understand the intent, the game is not balanced, there's no tutorial, no explanation of game mechanics and very little guidance.”
“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.”
- story300 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by a rich tapestry of quests and NPC interactions that require players to actively engage and explore rather than follow a linear path. While the overarching narrative is still developing, the humor and depth of the dialogue, along with the unique quest mechanics, create an immersive experience reminiscent of classic MMOs. However, the lack of clear direction and reliance on player initiative may deter those accustomed to more guided gameplay.
“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 the quests are done, it doesn't feel so drab like you're doing the same few actions over and over, almost every quest feels different and comes with fun little surprises on the way.”
“The writing of quests and NPC interaction feels like it's done by a 14-year-old neckbeard, prepubescent boy.”
“However, the quests are rarely story-based and the gameplay is slow for sure.”
“I managed to suffer through only a handful of monotonous hours of bland quests and the mob grinding ever present within the genre only to succumb to the boredom before seeing what the game can offer.”
- grinding164 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the nostalgic, old-school grind reminiscent of classic MMORPGs, others find it frustrating due to inventory management issues, repetitive tasks, and a lack of engaging content. Overall, the game offers a deep and immersive experience for those who enjoy grinding, but it may deter players seeking a more streamlined or less labor-intensive gameplay 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.”
“The grindy gameplay loop, paired with the minimalist graphics, and floaty, delayed combat really soured this experience for me.”
- optimization137 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially in populated areas, leading to lag and low frame rates even on high-end systems. While some improvements have been noted, the overall graphics and performance remain subpar, prompting players to lower settings for a smoother experience. Despite these challenges, the gameplay itself is often praised, suggesting potential for future enhancements as the game continues to develop.
“I am really enjoying the ability to be any class at any time, with performance based on skill level and combinations learned by use and discovery in many forms.”
“The game has been drastically optimized and still has a way to come, but the game has become a lot more enjoyable for me.”
“Some slow and steady improvements on performance/optimization and a clear path forward for further improvements in that area.”
“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 game does suffer from a lot of optimization issues and lag, but the developers are very open about how they are addressing it.”
- humor92 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and irreverence, featuring tongue-in-cheek references, witty NPC dialogue, and absurd scenarios that keep players entertained. Many reviewers appreciate the unique and often hilarious lore, as well as the developers' self-aware approach to humor, which includes playful jabs at traditional MMO tropes. However, some find certain aspects of the humor, particularly the more adult themes, to be in poor taste, suggesting a divide in how the humor is received among players.
“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 self-aware sense of humor.”
- music48 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its ability to enhance social interactions and provide buffs through activities like dancing and listening. While the soundtrack is described as above average and occasionally excellent, some users note that it can be repetitive and lacks diversity. Overall, the community-driven music experiences, such as poetry jams and impromptu performances, contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“Listening to music or appreciating dance/art gives you a buff that rewards you for socializing, so it is something people actively will do.”
“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.”
“Whoever did the music - especially the player music - was a genius.”
“The soundtrack is mostly mellow and lowkey.”
“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.”
- monetization20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 60 % 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, particularly with features locked behind paywalls. Overall, opinions vary significantly, reflecting concerns over evolving monetization strategies in the gaming industry.
“Project Gorgon is an indie MMORPG with a one-time-pay monetization scheme, which essentially runs off 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.”
“Locking the combat log behind a VIP subscription is very 'cash grabby' and looks bad in my opinion.”
- stability15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- -13 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting persistent bugs, graphical glitches, and an overall unfinished feel. While some players have experienced minimal issues and find the gameplay addictive, others highlight significant performance problems and outdated UI. Overall, it appears to be a work in progress, with a range of stability experiences reported among users.
“During my 150 hours, I have not experienced a bug, but I am also not certain that it is bug-free.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues, making for a stable experience.”
“I've played for over 100 hours, and the stability has been impressive; no significant glitches or performance drops.”
“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.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and quirky qualities, enhanced by nostalgic graphics and engaging music. Players appreciate the variety in environmental themes and the sense of adventure it fosters, despite the visuals being considered outdated by some. Overall, the atmosphere is described as casual and immersive, making it a significant draw for those seeking community and exploration in their gaming experience.
“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.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, describing it as heartfelt and wholesome, reminiscent of classic MMORPG experiences. The supportive community enhances the emotional connection, making the gameplay feel nostalgic and genuine despite its unfinished state and graphics. Overall, it evokes strong feelings of enjoyment and camaraderie among players.
“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.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % 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 potential for varied experiences, making it a highly rated title for those seeking long-term engagement.
“It has so much to offer and replayability alongside it in terms of what you can do in the game.”
“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.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and variety, offering players numerous options to learn skills and complete quests. The mechanics are described as polished and advanced, with a strong emphasis on long-term skill progression, making the gameplay engaging and rewarding. Players also enjoy humorous and unexpected elements, such as transformations that add a fun twist to character interactions.
“This is a role-playing game with detailed character development through learning skills and completing quests.”
“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).”