Shadows Behind the Throne 2
- November 17, 2019
- wquist
- 2h median play time
"Shadows Behind The Throne 2" is a narrative-driven RPG with strategic combat. As a forgotten heir to the throne, uncover a conspiracy that threatens your kingdom, while building alliances and making difficult decisions that impact the story. Engage in intense battles, utilizing unique abilities and equipment to emerge victorious.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging concept where players can manipulate kingdoms and cause chaos, providing a lot of replayability.
- Despite its rough edges, the gameplay is fun and allows for various strategies, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate complex mechanics.
- The developer is active and responsive, with potential for future improvements and expansions, which keeps players hopeful for the game's evolution.
- The game suffers from significant bugs, including issues with saving and crashing, which can make it unplayable at times.
- The user interface is poorly designed and confusing, making it difficult for players to navigate and access important information.
- The developer has abandoned this project in favor of a sequel, leaving the current game in an unfinished state and prompting some players to seek out a free version instead.
- gameplay20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun and engaging, featuring unique mechanics that are easy to understand yet challenging to master, reminiscent of games like Dwarf Fortress. While the graphics and sound are minimal and could use improvement, the core gameplay remains enjoyable and thought-provoking. Despite the game's development being halted for a complete overhaul, players appreciate the complexity and depth it offers.
“The mechanics are easy to get but hard to master, with a lot of complexity.”
“Just the right level of challenging and thought-provoking without drowning you in mechanics.”
“Graphics are crude, sound is minimal, music is not great (just play something else in the background), but the gameplay is unique and fun.”
“The developers abandoned this project, leaving a free version that is mechanically the same available on the dev's itch.io.”
“To improve the game, we have to make the hard decision to completely rebuild the core mechanics.”
“Development on this game was stopped so they could instead completely rework the core gameplay for the upcoming sequel.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as crude and lacking polish, with a clunky interface that detracts from the overall experience. While some players find the aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like Dominions 3 and appreciate the unique gameplay, many agree that significant improvements are needed, potentially through a complete overhaul of the core mechanics and the integration of third-party art assets. Despite the graphical shortcomings, the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable for those who can overlook these issues.
“The graphics and GUI aren't worse than Dominions 3, and I loved that game.”
“Board-game aesthetic and sensibilities, with tons of little systems intricacies.”
“Quite complex, sort of like Dwarf Fortress in terms of graphics and gameplay, but it isn't that complex thankfully if it turns you off.”
“The graphics are pretty terrible and the interface is clunky.”
“Graphics are crude, sound is minimal, music is not great (just play something else in the background), but the gameplay is unique and fun.”
“The graphics are a little off and the interface is a little confusing, but goddamn is it fun to corrupt and dismantle several civilizations until eternal winter falls upon the land.”
- music4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered lackluster, with many reviewers suggesting it is not memorable and recommending players listen to something else instead. Despite the minimal sound design and crude graphics, the unique and enjoyable gameplay somewhat compensates for the musical shortcomings.
“Graphics are crude, sound is minimal, music is not great (just play something else in the background), but the gameplay is unique and fun.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the comical panic of the nobles, who are unable to unite as they are picked off one by one, creating a hilarious and chaotic atmosphere.
“It was so hilarious how the nobles panicked while being picked off one by one, scarcely able to form any sort of united front.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is noted to be somewhat lacking, with users reporting bugs and beta-like issues, particularly concerning the lightbringer ritual feature, which is intended to reset the board but may not function reliably.
“The lightbringer ritual, which is supposed to seal you away for many turns and reset the board, works for me as a concept, even if it is a little beta and buggy.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly regarded for its replayability, with multiple users expressing that it aligns well with their preferences, making them eager to play it again.
“Very replayable and it's right up my alley.”