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 presentation and enjoyable crafting system.
- There is potential for a fun experience with engaging gameplay elements like building and spell crafting.
- The developer is active in the community and has shown commitment to improving the game.
- The controls are clunky and awkward, making basic tasks like combat and navigation frustrating.
- The game feels unfinished with limited content and numerous bugs, leading to a lack of immersion.
- Many players report issues with the user interface and interaction mechanics, making gameplay tedious.
- story32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with players describing it as nearly non-existent, akin to that of Terraria, which has no story at all. Many quests feel rushed due to time limits, leading to frustration over potential missed opportunities, while NPCs are seen as generic and unmemorable. Despite these shortcomings, some players find enjoyment in the gameplay mechanics and open-world elements, though they wish for a more engaging narrative.
“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.”
“The text in the NPC chat windows and the quest text is not impossible to read; it would just be nice if it was more legible.”
“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.”
“Giving the time counter at the quest kills the mood of playing single-player games.”
“After reading the review, it looks like timed quests (you are given 2-3 days to finish them) really have a nasty effect on me.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the simplistic pixel art style and its nostalgic feel reminiscent of titles like Diablo and Ragnarok. While some find the visuals charming and suitable for the game's setting, others note that they are not particularly impressive and do not push hardware capabilities. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for a 2D game, appealing to those who prefer less demanding visuals.
“I like the idea and setting plus the music and graphics are nice.”
“It has a bit of a Diablo/Ragnarok feel to it which is great, and I love the simplistic graphics that don't feel like my PC is going to fry.”
“This game isn't going to blow you away graphically.”
“Being a 2D game, the hardware capabilities of your PC aren't going to be pushed to the limit no matter what graphics card you have.”
“Intel integrated HD graphics should be more than enough to play this game.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find it tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the variety of activities available, such as crafting and creature farming, which can provide a sense of satisfaction. However, many agree that the grinding can feel overly simplistic and laborious, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both engagement and frustration.
“Repetition is the worst part of the game, and I don't mean grinding to level up.”
“It's extremely tedious to do something as simple as walk through a door or chop down a tree.”
“I tried for a few hours to dig and mine and craft and kill enemies, and none of it was fun for me because it was just so tedious to do everything.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its nostalgic 90s RPG vibe, complementing the overall design and setting. While some players find the soundtrack enjoyable, others express mixed feelings, noting it isn't terrible but not particularly standout either.
“The music and the design of the game, however, really shine.”
“The music is reminiscent of 90s-esque RPG/exploration games.”
“I like the idea and setting plus the music and graphics are nice.”
“The music is reminiscent of 90s RPG/exploration games.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is currently hindered by core mechanical issues, particularly how equipped items influence character types. While it shows potential, being in early access means there is hope for improvements in controls and overall gameplay experience as the game develops.
“It feels like this game's mechanics are failing at its core.”
“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.”
“Seems the items you wear activate the character type game mechanics.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % 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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is described as having stability issues, particularly in its multiplayer mode, with users reporting bugs that raise concerns about its reliability.
“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.”
“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.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % 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 or finding information about. Additionally, players report issues with quests disappearing, which can hinder progress and lead to frustration, especially for those who miss them during the tutorial.
“There is a lot of advertising, and the special Halloween DLC that I never saw. There was not a single response back in the discussions section. Quests would show up and then vanish without any reason, and if you miss one during the tutorial, you're most likely going to have to start over or face severe issues progressing.”
“The monetization strategy is frustrating, with constant ads and missing content that was promised, like the Halloween DLC. It feels like the game is designed to push you towards spending money rather than enjoying the experience.”
“The game is riddled with ads and missing quests, making it difficult to progress. If you miss a quest during the tutorial, it can lead to having to restart, which is incredibly frustrating.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as a nostalgic tribute to beloved 8/16/32-bit JRPGs from the SNES and PSX eras, evoking strong feelings of fondness and reminiscence among players.
“It's a heartfelt nod to all of your favorite 8/16/32-bit JRPGs from the SNES/PSX and earlier gaming years.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's half procedurally generated landscapes significantly enhance its replayability, offering players a fresh experience with each playthrough.
“The landscapes are half procedurally generated, which enhances the game's replayability.”
“The landscapes are half procedurally generated, which makes replayability a factor of the game.”
