RivenWorld: The First Era
- April 14, 2023
- GameFocal
- 18h median play time
Get on SteamRivenWorld: The First Era is a challenging open-world multiplayer game set in the medieval era, available now in Early Access on Steam. In this sandbox environment, players must gather resources, build their own kingdom, and fight to rule over their subjects. The game is regularly updated with new content and bug fixes, and purchases support continued development.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- RivenWorld offers a promising medieval open-world experience with enjoyable combat and crafting mechanics.
- The developers are responsive and actively engage with the community, implementing feedback and updates regularly.
- The game has a strong foundation for future growth, with a captivating survival gameplay that appeals to fans of the genre.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs, poor performance, and unbalanced gameplay, making it frustrating to play.
- There is a lack of player base and community engagement, leading to a feeling of isolation in the game.
- Many players feel the game is currently unpolished and resembles an early alpha state, with concerns about its long-term viability.
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of Rivenworld are considered a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the visuals for an early access title and are optimistic about future improvements, others find them visually unappealing and lacking cohesion. Overall, the gameplay experience seems to take precedence over the graphics for many users.
“The game graphics are good for an early access game; I would love to see what it will shape up to be. New content releases and commitment to progress are nice to see.”
“After playing Rivenworld for some time, I can say that I enjoyed my time there. The game has a big map, and even though the graphics need some tweaks, the unique system of building and loot tables overwhelm the experience.”
“While I am not one to focus on graphics, this is just a bunch of assets clumped together and looks very visually unappealing.”
“This is the type of game where I expect the gameplay to be fun, since you can clearly see from the screenshots and trailer that the graphics are objectively terrible.”
“I can forgive bad graphics if the gameplay is good.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging building mechanics and beginner-friendly learning curve, making it enjoyable for casual play, especially with friends. However, some players find certain aspects unintuitive and note ongoing bug fixes and frequent updates that alter gameplay dynamics. Overall, it offers a rich and challenging experience in a detailed medieval world.
“Good game, nice building mechanics, the medieval theme is present and it's fun to explore the world. I can say that it's a promising title. I like playing with friends and chilling after a long day of work. You can learn the mechanics fast, so it's beginner-friendly. You should give it a try since they have a 24-hour demo for free to test it.”
“With its vast and detailed world, challenging gameplay mechanics, and dynamic sandbox environment, this game offers a captivating experience for those seeking a true test of survival skills.”
“They are always helping players and adding new mechanics that change the game a lot.”
“The gameplay I did get to experience seems unintuitive.”
“But they are on all the time helping players and adding new mechanics that change the game a lot... why are they still fixing bugs?”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been heavily criticized, with players labeling it a "cash grab" due to its unplayable state and lack of a sustainable player base. Many users regret their purchases and suggest that the game should transition to a free-to-play model, expressing frustration over the developers' handling of feedback and the overall experience.
“Do not buy this game. I spent 18 hours of gameplay trying to help the devs bring the game to a playable state. I have come back to the game every few days for months, but there is no player base. There was one for 3 days, then nobody ever touched it again. Sadly, I didn't get a refund on this cash grab when I had the chance. I spent $40 getting a copy for me and a friend, just for the game to die within 3 days. Also, the devs ban you when you speak out about the state of the game in Discord. The game needs to become free-to-play. Do not spend your hard-earned cash on this game; it is unplayable.”
“I hope this was just a misguided release and not a scam/cash grab.”
“Don't get me wrong, I want a game like this to exist and work, but this is just a rushed cash grab.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally enjoy the grinding aspect of Rivenworld, particularly the hunting, base-building, and crafting elements, which align well with their love for survival games. However, there is a consensus that the balance of loot and resources needs improvement to reduce the grind and enhance the overall experience.
“Grindy.”
“The experience of Rivenworld was great for me. I enjoyed hunting the boars and building and securing my base. I had a lot of friendly encounters and non-friendly ones from time to time. Still, I enjoyed my time in the game since I'm a fan of survival games. I love farming and crafting; the only thing that needs to be balanced is the loot/resources to ease the grind.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is not fully polished or optimized, but it is acknowledged that it is still in its early stages of development.
“I must be clear that it is not a fully polished and 100% optimized game, but I must commend that it is still in its early stages.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its nostalgic RPG atmosphere, which complements its strong combat and crafting mechanics, making it a solid recommendation for genre fans.
“I recommend it to fans of the genre, and I can say that it is a great recommendation, with its strong points being combat and crafting, while still maintaining a good and nostalgic RPG atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have significant bugs shortly after its release, indicating stability issues, but players still find it enjoyable despite these problems.
“While still quite buggy (not even 24 hours after release), this game is fun.”
