Singularity: Tactics Arena
- December 17, 2019
- AMemoryofEternity
- 8h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"Singularity: Tactics Arena" is a narrative-driven RPG set in a sci-fi universe, where players control programmer Eloise Fleming and her companions in tactical, grid-based combat. With four main classes and unique subclasses, players can build and customize characters with various weapons, armor, and items. The game features 20 arena floors with diverse challenges and difficulty levels.
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Reviews
- The game features a compelling story with well-developed characters and engaging twists that keep players invested throughout the experience.
- Combat mechanics are enjoyable and allow for strategic depth, with unique abilities that enhance character progression and gameplay variety.
- The game is a passion project that showcases the developer's dedication, offering a rich narrative and world-building reminiscent of classic RPGs.
- The initial combat encounter is disturbing and may turn off some players, as it forces them to engage in morally uncomfortable actions.
- The game can feel grindy, requiring players to revisit earlier levels to strengthen their characters before progressing, which may disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- There are technical issues, including crashes and a clunky save system, which detract from the overall experience and may frustrate players.
- story76 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is highly praised for its emotional depth, engaging characters, and intricate lore, drawing players into a compelling sci-fi/supernatural narrative filled with twists and suspense. Many reviewers noted the strong attachment to characters developed within a concise 5-8 hour playtime, although some expressed disappointment with the unresolved ending that sets up for a sequel. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, elevating the experience beyond typical RPGs.
“From the initial shock of seeing the main characters thrust into an uncomfortable setting, a story unfolds of shared human experiences that will resonate with many players.”
“The story itself is great, full of twists, turns, and some pleasant surprises.”
“As much as I enjoyed the gameplay and fights, especially some of the more optional fights that I won't ruin, the real charm is in the characters, story, and world-building.”
“From a story perspective, the game mentions near the end that the universe is predetermined and that no choices are meaningful.”
“Not intrinsically bad, but it doesn't feel like it wrapped up the story very much at all... it felt more like the ending to a chapter than to a complete work.”
“I would go through it anyway if I thought the choices were significant, but from the way the story handles the aftermath, I think the ones that are made to feel important only impact dialogue in minor ways.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Singularity: Tactics Arena" is characterized by a grindy start, requiring players to level up significantly before tackling tougher challenges, which can feel reminiscent of classic RPG tactics games like Final Fantasy Tactics. While the core mechanics are familiar and not groundbreaking, the introduction of abilities that don't cost an action adds a unique twist that enhances the experience. Overall, the game is well-executed, with a strong emphasis on character development and storytelling, making it enjoyable despite its initial difficulties.
“The comparisons to Final Fantasy Tactics seem the most apt; there's a little bit of strategy, but mostly it feels like it comes down to 'is your level high enough?' That being said, I loved the mechanic where my characters gained abilities that didn't cost an action.”
“It's core gameplay is very similar to other RPG tactic-type games, and if you've ever played one, I wouldn't expect anything game-changing, but it is very competently done.”
“As much as I enjoyed the gameplay and fights, especially some of the more optional fights that I won't ruin, the real charm is in the characters, story, and world-building.”
“Gameplay-wise, Singularity: Tactics Arena is a bit grindy initially, given that the whole premise is that the characters are forced to fight in an 'arena' (really different stops on an elevator) at the behest of an initially unknown force who keeps your group captive.”
“Difficult start (even on easy) and gameplay that pretty much forces you to grind out levels and money on lower levels before being strong enough to face later challenges.”
“Momentum is another interesting concept, but one that I made less use of because the fights usually progress too quickly to fully exploit this mechanic.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are noted to be somewhat standard, with many stock assets that may not impress RPG veterans. However, the focus on a well-written story and engaging sci-fi/supernatural setting compensates for the graphical limitations, appealing to players seeking depth over visual flair. Overall, while the graphics may not stand out, the narrative experience is highlighted as a significant strength.
“Not many RPG games can reach this level. It's not just about how good the software is or how great the graphics are; it's about the overall experience. Many games today lack meaningful story content and NPC interaction, often leading to mindless sandbox grinds.”
“While RPG Maker veterans may notice a lot of stock graphical assets, anyone seeking a well-written story in a compelling sci-fi/supernatural setting will appreciate the graphics and design choices in this game.”
“The graphics in this game are impressive, showcasing a level of detail and artistry that enhances the overall experience, making it stand out in a crowded genre.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably poor, with players experiencing multiple hard crashes and significant performance issues, likely due to a suspected memory leak. Despite a relatively short playtime of around 8 hours, users report needing to restart the game several times to mitigate these problems.
“Despite the game being only about 8 hours of active playtime, I encountered 3 hard crashes, and I suspect there's a memory leak that causes performance issues to build up quickly.”
“I restarted an additional three times due to performance issues.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that "Singularity: Tactics Arena" has a somewhat grindy start, as the gameplay revolves around characters repeatedly battling in an arena-like setting, which can feel repetitive due to the nature of the forced encounters.
“Gameplay-wise, Singularity: Tactics Arena is a bit grindy initially, given that the whole premise is that the characters are forced to fight in an 'arena' (really different stops on an elevator) at the behest of an initially unknown force who keeps your group captive.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong emotional impact, emphasizing its compelling story that fosters genuine emotional attachment. They express a desire for more AAA games to emulate this depth, suggesting that such narratives enhance the overall gaming experience.
“This game is a true gem, and I just wish AAA games these days would consider what makes this game good: a story with actual emotional attachment, so that we, the players, benefit from a richer experience.”
