Raji: Prologue
- October 5, 2020
- Nodding Heads Games
- 5h median play time
This is an opening chapter of Raji: An Ancient Epic that you can play for free. Our story begins at the start of a new war between the demons and the gods. Seeking to avenge their humiliating defeat in the last great war, the demons have challenged the gods and have invaded the human realm, threatening nothing less than the utter destruction of humanity. After the first great war, the humans …
Reviews
- Gorgeous graphics and stunning art style that beautifully represent Indian culture and mythology.
- Engaging story with a rich narrative, enhanced by immersive music and voice acting.
- Smooth gameplay mechanics that allow for creative combat and platforming, making it enjoyable for players.
- Combat controls can feel sluggish and unresponsive at times, leading to frustration during battles.
- The camera system can be problematic, making it difficult to navigate and aim effectively.
- Some players found the tutorial and introduction to gameplay mechanics lacking in clarity, which may hinder the experience for beginners.
- story146 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story, rooted in Indian mythology, is praised for its engaging narrative and beautiful presentation, featuring vibrant graphics and immersive music. While many players appreciate the unique storytelling style and character development, some critique the pacing and depth of the plot, suggesting it may feel simplistic or rushed at times. Overall, the narrative is seen as a strong point, with potential for further exploration in the full game.
“The storyline is engaging and does a very good job at representing Indian mythology.”
“As a Hindu and an Indian, I must say that the game presents the narrative in a flawless fashion, replete with gorgeous visualizations, compelling characters, and informative and accurate storytelling of the gods, their mythos, and the associated legends.”
“The story is very interesting and I liked the gameplay as well.”
“The story pacing was at breakneck speed and didn't allow for proper immersion.”
“Although Indian mythology should have been a breath of fresh air, I didn't feel really captivated by the story and settings.”
“The main plot doesn't feel too engaging, but since this is a demo, it's possible that the game will break out of the current 'save brother kidnapped by demons' arc.”
- graphics119 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning beauty and unique artistic style, often drawing comparisons to traditional Indian art forms. Many reviewers highlight the vibrant color palette and intricate details, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the immersive storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are impressive, there are occasional performance issues and gameplay mechanics that could be improved.
“The graphics are truly impressive, boasting captivating artwork and a striking visual style reminiscent of Rajasthani puppetry.”
“Every corner of the game’s environment is drawn in the Pahari art style and combines hand-painted textures, rendered in 3D, giving the game a stunning and unique visual quality rarely seen in games.”
“Artistically speaking, the game is beautiful in terms of graphics quality, colors, landscapes, everything.”
“The graphics are subpar, and the clunky walking and running remind me of old PlayStation XP games.”
“And look at the recommended settings, 16 GB RAM for this game with average graphics and blurred textures.”
“The graphics may not be what you expect in 2020, but being an indie game and with a low budget, they really did well on their part.”
- gameplay69 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style and engaging combat mechanics that allow for creativity and combo stacking. However, some players find the mechanics derivative of classic titles like Prince of Persia, leading to feelings of frustration and a lack of innovation. Overall, while the visuals and narrative are highlighted as strong points, the gameplay experience varies significantly among players, with some finding it immersive and enjoyable, while others consider it average or lacking depth.
“The combat mechanics are great and keep the player engaged; it's not the same old boring combat again and again. The combat loop is very intuitive and allows a lot of room for creativity once you get used to it.”
“Very unique gameplay with the story of the Indian ancient goddess.”
“The fight mechanics are really good; it's easy to maintain a flow and stack combos.”
“It looked so promising in the gameplay videos, but playing it felt like stepping back in time.”
“Too focused on graphics, combat mechanics are frustrating.”
“If you can't shoot the weapons in a direction of your choice, then this destroys the gameplay experience and creates frustration during gaming.”
- music52 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful integration of Indian cultural elements, with many praising the soothing soundtrack and immersive folk music that enhances the overall experience. While some players found the background music repetitive over time, the majority appreciated the atmospheric quality it brings to the game's visuals and storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's enchanting and culturally rich environment.
“Hats off to the developers for creating such a soothing and wonderful game with beautiful graphics and beautiful music enhancing our Indian culture.”
“The music is incredible and really helps you to get into this world.”
“I loved every bit of this game, the architecture, the narration through puppet style and voice overs by Hindu gods, the folk music and the whole atmospheric elements make this game one of its kind.”
“I found myself muting the background music as it stays the same, and although the sitar music is wonderful, it gets quite tiresome after the first 20 minutes or so.”
“There is no tone shift as you go into combat, come out of combat, or go through the story sections. The music, visuals, as well as the voice acting are constant throughout.”
“Like, the complete experience has the same, slightly generic, background music.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its rich cultural elements, combining folk music, immersive narration, and unique visuals that create a compelling and distinctive experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of art style, architecture, and ambient sounds, which together evoke a deep sense of immersion and nostalgia, particularly for fans of similar genres. Overall, the atmosphere is described as epic and captivating, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The cinematics are enriched with folk music, creating a culturally rich atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, the music, the story—it's all epic.”
“The cutscenes, atmosphere, and the lore in this game are very compelling and unique.”
“This game speaks a different language with its atmosphere and the sounds of the ambience.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some players report smooth performance even on lower-end systems, others experience micro lags and believe the game could be better optimized for less powerful GPUs. Despite these issues, the immersive narrative and storyline are frequently praised, suggesting that the gameplay experience can still be enjoyable despite technical shortcomings.
“The game is poorly optimized, and even though my laptop is not an ideal gaming machine, it has run heavier titles than this at respectable framerates.”
“I feel the game performance could be optimized for low-end GPUs, as I believe the game shouldn't need that much resources.”
“I feel the game performance could be optimized for low-end GPUs, as I believe the game shouldn't need that much resources.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a generally stable experience with minimal bugs or glitches; however, some have noted occasional issues with input responsiveness and lag.
“The game responsiveness to input was a bit buggy and lagging at times.”
“I didn't notice any bugs or glitches (though I might be more forgiving on this issue than some others).”
- grinding2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive, with multiple reviews noting that it can feel a bit grindy at times.
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
“The game feels a bit grindy, yet it adds to the overall experience.”
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
“The game feels a bit grindy.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game may not satisfy those prioritizing high replayability, but it can still be an enjoyable experience for casual players, especially if purchased at a discount.
“If you're someone who favors gameplay and replayability in games above everything, you might be disappointed; otherwise, it seems like an alright game to pick up on sale.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you've experienced the main story, there's little incentive to return, as the side content feels repetitive and uninspired.”
- humor1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is perceived as lacking, with some players finding it unamusing and not engaging.
“Not a funny game for me.”
“The humor fell flat and didn't resonate with me.”
“I found the jokes to be forced and unoriginal.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The developers effectively crafted an emotional narrative that resonates with players, making it accessible and relatable even for those unfamiliar with Indian mythology.
“The developers did a great job in crafting an emotional story that is understandable even for those who are not familiar with Indian mythology.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making the experience unforgettable.”
“I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it beautifully captures the essence of love, loss, and redemption.”