Shards of Azuria
- August 10, 2019
- Blue Potion Games
Get on Steam"Shards of Azuria" is an open-world sandbox RPG set in the fantasy world of Azuria. Gather resources, craft items, and build your own settlement while battling monsters and completing quests. With a focus on player freedom and customization, the game offers a unique experience with each playthrough.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a charming retro aesthetic and enjoyable crafting system.
- There is potential for a fun experience with sandbox elements and character customization.
- The developer is responsive to feedback and actively working on updates.
- Controls are clunky and difficult to manage, making basic tasks frustrating.
- The game feels incomplete with limited content and numerous bugs.
- Many players report issues with quests not completing and poor interaction mechanics.
- story29 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising it as one of the best they've encountered, while others criticize it for being minimal and lacking depth, often comparing it unfavorably to other titles like Terraria. Many users express frustration with time-limited quests and bugs that hinder progression, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, while some appreciate the engaging elements of exploration and crafting, the narrative aspect appears to be inconsistent and underdeveloped for many players.
“The story is one of the best I have seen in any piece of entertainment.”
“In terms of the game itself, I'm a few hours in and I've found it really enjoyable - there are lots of things to keep you engaged, whether it's the story, crafting or simply grinding through levels, but all offer that sense of simple satisfaction you want from an RPG.”
“It has great open world elements with a slice of story.”
“Time locking quests with random drop requirements that rely on constantly moving NPCs to craft quest items is a tremendously bad move.”
“The main quest did not recognize that I had opened the first dungeon door even though I followed the quest instructions exactly, and thus I could not continue with the rest of the quest.”
“The NPCs are completely cookie-cutter RPG characters and the storyline is non-existent; you just wake up in a mysterious land and don't know where you are, and are told to go start killing things, building things, and doing quests for said cookie-cutter NPCs.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the unique aesthetic and lighting effects, while others find the pixel graphics simplistic and occasionally irritating, particularly in navigation. Overall, the visuals are considered adequate for a 2D game, appealing to those who appreciate a retro style without demanding high-end hardware.
“The story, the graphics, the multiplayer... everything is perfect.”
“I like the idea and setting plus the music and graphics are nice.”
“The game has a unique but beautiful aesthetic design and the lighting effects look great!”
“Lighting is more irritating than atmospheric, and the isometric pseudo 3D camera and graphics combine to make navigating tight corridors frustrating.”
“This game isn't going to blow you away graphically.”
“Controls and bugs get a 20 out of 20 mainly because of the perfect controls that allow you 100% customization to your liking, but the graphics and sound score a 5 out of 10.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the variety of activities like crafting and creature farming, others find the repetitive nature of tasks and combat against large groups tedious. The simplicity of the gameplay can lead to frustration, particularly when basic actions feel laborious, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“Repetition is the worst part of the game, and I don't mean grinding to level up.”
“Combat was fine against small groups, but the game insisted on throwing big groups at me, which became quite tedious.”
“I tried for a few hours to dig, mine, craft, and kill enemies, and none of it was fun for me because it was just so tedious to do everything.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally considered slower and simpler compared to similar titles like Terraria, with some reviewers noting that the mechanics feel underdeveloped. While it offers a decent amount of gameplay hours, particularly in its action RPG elements, many players suggest waiting for improvements as it is still in early access. Overall, the gameplay experience is mixed, with potential for evolution as the game progresses.
“Seems the items you wear activate the character type game mechanics.”
“It is in early access, however, so I'm curious to see how it evolves over time and if the control/gameplay kinks can be worked out.”
“Shards of Azuria is an action-packed RPG with already hours of gameplay.”
“Might want to wait for sales before diving in though as its pacing is considerably slower than Terraria and gameplay is just more simple.”
“Gameplay is okay, but not good.”
“It feels like this game's mechanics are failing at its core.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its nostalgic 90s RPG vibe and relaxing qualities. While some players find the soundtrack less appealing, it is still considered a strong aspect that complements the game's graphics and design. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience, contributing positively to the atmosphere.
“I like the idea and setting plus the music and graphics are nice.”
“The music and the design of the game, however, really shine.”
“It's a nice 2D RPG game, with many different characters, and the in-game music is pretty relaxing.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is immersive and engaging, allowing players to lose themselves in its world for hours. However, some users find the lighting to be more frustrating than enhancing, and the isometric pseudo 3D camera can make navigating tight spaces cumbersome.
“You can spend countless hours getting lost in this interesting and atmospheric world.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a positive experience with optimization, noting that they have not encountered any performance issues or bugs affecting gameplay.
“I personally haven't encountered any performance issues caused by any bugs.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its appealing isometric design, but users report that it suffers from bugs, particularly in its multiplayer functionality, raising concerns about overall stability.
“This is a neat isometric survival game. At a glance, it says multiplayer, but from just reading forums, it's kind of buggy, so I'm not sure.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for excessive advertising and unclear DLC offerings, such as a Halloween pack that players have difficulty accessing. Additionally, the disappearing quests can hinder progress, particularly for those who miss them during the tutorial phase, leading to frustration and potential restarts.
“There is a lot of advertising, and the special Halloween DLC was never available to me. I received no response in the discussions section. Quests would show up and then vanish without any reason, and if you miss one during the tutorial, you're likely going to have to start over or face severe issues progressing.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
“I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and the rewards for spending money are not worth it, making it frustrating to enjoy the game without shelling out extra cash.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong nostalgia and emotional connections by paying tribute to beloved 8/16/32-bit JRPGs from the SNES and PSX eras, resonating deeply with fans of classic gaming.
“It's a heartfelt nod to all of your favorite 8/16/32-bit JRPGs from the SNES/PSX and earlier gaming years.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's use of partially procedurally generated landscapes enhances its replayability, offering players a fresh experience with each playthrough.
“The landscapes are partially procedurally generated, which enhances the game's replayability.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, keeping the game fresh and engaging every time.”
“With multiple endings and diverse character choices, the replayability factor is incredibly high.”
“The landscapes are half procedurally generated, which makes replayability a factor of the game.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in.”
“The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
