Relics of the Lost Age

About

In "Relics of the Lost Age," a text-based interactive novel by James Shaw, players become a 1930s archaeologist racing against the Nazis to find six powerful ancient relics. With over 350,000 words of choices and consequences, players must outsmart their enemies and harness the relics' supernatural powers to prevent global domination. The game features a thrilling blend of action, mystery, and historical adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

story4 positive mentions

The game features a well-written story with a lot of adventure and interesting characters, allowing for customizable skills and traits.
Players can explore various global locations and engage in a mix of action, puzzles, and character interactions, creating a fun and immersive experience.
The game successfully balances serious themes with enjoyable gameplay, providing a satisfying length and impactful choices.

The stat checks can be overly demanding and punishing, making gameplay frustrating at times.
Puzzles are often convoluted and lack clear explanations, leading to confusion and a reliance on trial and error.
The narrative sometimes feels heavy-handed with modern political themes, which can break immersion and detract from the historical setting.

story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
77%
10%
The story is described as a well-written adventure reminiscent of Indiana Jones, featuring intense action and a variety of genres, including elements of racism and violence reflective of its 1930s setting. However, some reviewers feel that modern political themes, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues, are awkwardly integrated and detract from immersion, leading to a narrative that lacks cohesion and "oomph." Overall, while the story offers engaging moments, its political bias and pacing issues may alienate some players.
- “This story is well written and there's lots of adventure.”
- “A clever romp with interesting story structure.”
- “Yeah, racial inequality was rampant at that time and it was awful and it totally makes sense to have it as part of the story.”
- “Then there were pages to read, but the story just lacked oomph.”
- “The downside I have come across is the narrative; it's very politically correct for today but injected into a 1930s setting, which takes you out of the story.”
- “The modern LGBTQ+ themes are so off-putting and shoehorned in that you're constantly taken out of the immersion of a decent story.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay, particularly in act 4, is highlighted as exhilarating and stands out as one of the most thrilling experiences in recent memory for players.
- “Special shoutout to Act 4, which features some of the most exhilarating gameplay I've experienced in a long time.”