Realms of Antiquity: The Shattered Crown
- March 22, 2021
- Adam Haase
Get on Steam"Realms of Antiquity: The Shattered Crown" is a real-time strategy game set in a fantasy world. Players must build and manage their kingdom, gather resources, and raise armies to conquer enemy territories and uncover the truth behind the shattered crown. The game features multiple factions, each with unique units, abilities, and playstyles, as well as a dynamic campaign system and skirmish mode.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Realms of Antiquity offers a rich, expansive open world filled with engaging quests, diverse environments, and well-crafted lore that evokes nostalgia for classic RPGs like Ultima.
- The game features a tactical turn-based combat system that is both fun and challenging, with a variety of character classes and spells that encourage strategic gameplay.
- Developed for the TI-99/4A, the game is a technical marvel that successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern game design sensibilities, showcasing the developer's passion and dedication.
- The gameplay can be slow-paced at times, particularly in maze-like dungeons, which may frustrate players looking for a faster experience.
- The manual and in-game instructions are often criticized for being unhelpful and lacking essential information, making it difficult for new players to understand game mechanics.
- Some players have reported issues with monster respawn rates in dungeons, leading to tedious encounters that can disrupt exploration and enjoyment.
- story20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its entertaining and quirky narrative, featuring a complex plot that subverts classic fantasy tropes while offering a rich world filled with diverse biomes and well-developed NPCs. Players experience a rewarding exploration with multi-layered quests that often present moral dilemmas, and the gameplay is enhanced by engaging dialogue and tactical combat. Overall, the story is both sophisticated and accessible, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The story is more complex than expected; every trope you think is going to pop up just somehow doesn't.”
“The game presents a lot of classic fantasy tropes but subverts your expectations about them, and problems you cannot find an ideal solution to.”
“The story of Roa is the story of a group of heroes plunged into a strange and fascinating world of high fantasy, finding their way home.”
“The story is mainly driven forward through conversations with NPCs and title cards that are shown when, for example, a building is entered.”
“This imposes a tight limit on the amount of text or graphics that can be shown on screen, and it requires a skilled writer to characterize NPCs and drive the story forward.”
“The game presents a lot of classic fantasy tropes but subverts your expectations about them, with problems you cannot find an ideal solution to, such as whether to help the rebels or the king, even if both of them are power-tripping jerks who don't have the people's well-being at heart.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautifully detailed pixel art, evoking nostalgia for classic titles like Ultima, while effectively creating an immersive world. The colorful visuals are generally readable, though some minor issues arise with enemy icons. Overall, the graphics are considered impressive for a game developed for the TI-99/4A, enhancing the engaging gameplay experience.
“The graphics are beautifully detailed for pixel art, and the game map has many surprising and delightful features to stumble across. Alongside the concise, well-written dialogue, it builds a living, breathing world in the mind of the player.”
“Visuals are colorful and very readable, with only a few issues where large boss-tier enemies share the same enemy icon as a smaller, less threatening variant.”
“Amazing graphics, well for the TI-99 anyways, and a ton of play squeezed into a computer from the early 80s.”
“While it seems odd to assign so much praise for what should be relatively minor aesthetic choices.”
“Visuals are colorful and very readable (for the most part, there's a few issues where large boss tier enemies share the same enemy icon as a smaller less threatening variant).”
“This imposes a tight limit on the amount of text or graphic that can be shown on screen and it requires a skilled writer to characterize NPCs and drive the story forward.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and offers a satisfying mix of simple yet fun turn-based combat, intricate quest design, and a rich world filled with secrets and unique encounters. While some players find the pacing slow in maze-like dungeons, the overall experience is enhanced by compelling stories and a steady challenge as the game progresses. The combination of old-school aesthetics with modern mechanics creates an addictive core gameplay loop that appeals to fans of open-world RPGs.
“The world is interesting, the mechanics are satisfying, the stories are compelling, and there are various outcomes to actions.”
“The quest design is elegant and multi-layered, and many quests are very artfully interconnected. Gameplay is easy to learn and full of interesting encounters and tough turn-based battles against many different enemies, some of them with unique abilities. There are so many secrets to discover, hidden places, and treasures.”
“This game has the addictive core gameplay loop of any open-world RPG down pat.”
“The gameplay can be a bit slow at times, particularly once you get to the maze-like dungeons later in the game.”
“Definitely watch a gameplay video before buying so you know what you're getting into.”
“The quest design is elegant and multi-layered, and many quests are very artfully interconnected. Gameplay is easy to learn and full of interesting encounters and tough turn-based battles against many different enemies, some of them with unique abilities.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's music is minimal, with no background music during gameplay except for the initial splash screen, prompting players to consider adding their own soundtrack or listening to a podcast while playing.
“There is not much sound-wise, so you might want to put on fitting music to go with it.”
“Outside the starting splash screen, there's no music, so you might want to load up an OST or podcast of your choice as you play.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its organic and immersive world-building, creating a unique and magical experience that resonates with fans of old-school gaming. Players appreciate the living quality of the environment, which enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
“All of that said, this is a very good game, and a rare gem if you like old-school world building and lots of atmosphere.”
“But the way his world feels organic, living, 'real' and of a very unique atmosphere is pure magic for me.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly due to the constant respawning of monsters in certain dungeons, which can hinder progression and diminish suspense. However, some appreciate the challenge it presents, especially when experimenting with different character strengths.
“Having played a lot more after my first failed endeavor (some characters are really more powerful than others and I refuse to pick up the hero, that would be too easy... why was my first character a thief? I wonder...), I sometimes feel the constant respawning of monsters in certain dungeons very tedious. That would be my number one problem with some areas: it is either a waste of time for powerful characters or a hamper on game progression and suspense.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its diverse character types and the ability to experiment with different party compositions, enhancing the overall enjoyment of discovering new strategies and experiences.
“This, coupled with the character types and various party make-ups, makes it very replayable and enjoyable to discover.”
“The different choices and outcomes in each playthrough keep the experience fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple endings and character paths, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting that characters evolve significantly throughout the story. Many reviews highlight the emotional arcs and personal growth of the characters, making them relatable and engaging. Overall, the character development is seen as a strong point that enhances the overall narrative experience.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their growth feels organic and impactful, making every decision feel significant.”
“The way the game handles character arcs is masterful, with each character facing unique challenges that shape their personalities and relationships.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; there was no real growth or change throughout the story.”
“The characters seem one-dimensional, and their development is rushed, leaving little room for meaningful interactions.”
