SKALD: Against the Black Priory

The music in the game has received widespread praise for its nostalgic, retro style that effectively enhances the atmosphere and immersion, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to evoke the feel of classic RPGs. However, some players noted that the combat tracks can become repetitive, suggesting a desire for more variety in the soundtrack. Overall, the music is considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to its engaging and eerie ambiance.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective combination of art, music, and writing that creates a dark, lovecraftian ambiance. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and curiosity, drawing them into its richly detailed world and compelling narrative. Despite some minor criticisms regarding pacing and certain gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature, elevating the experience significantly.

Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat encounters that lack challenge and variety. While some appreciate the absence of traditional grinding for experience points, many express frustration with the overabundance of combat and the limitations imposed by terrain and enemy mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony. The crafting and exploration elements also contribute to a feeling of tedium as the game progresses.

The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues on certain systems, while others report smooth gameplay even on less powerful hardware. Many users noted that specific areas of the game are poorly optimized, leading to inconsistent performance, although some found workarounds like disabling certain effects. Overall, while the game offers a compelling narrative and aesthetics, its optimization remains a notable concern that the developers may need to address.

Overall, the game's replayability is considered low due to its linear narrative and limited choices, with most players noting that while different character builds can offer some variation, the lack of multiple endings and repetitive gameplay diminishes the incentive to replay. Some players appreciate the ability to approach situations differently with various classes, but the consensus is that the game does not provide significant replay value.

The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its nostalgic pixel art and heartfelt storytelling, which deeply engages players and leaves a lasting impact. Reviewers appreciate the well-crafted characters, even if they are archetypal, as they convey significant emotional weight, enhancing the overall experience. The combination of a compelling narrative, poignant moments, and an evocative soundtrack creates a rich, immersive adventure that resonates with players on a personal level.

Character development in the game is diverse, featuring various classes and skill trees that allow for customization and party assembly, though it lacks the depth found in titles like Baldur's Gate II or III. While the companions add some personality to the narrative, the overall character development is limited, with minimal impact on the story and a relatively short playtime of around 20 hours. Despite these shortcomings, the game showcases thoughtful design and a strong narrative that enhances the character experience.

Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux, others have encountered various bugs, glitches, and UI issues that can disrupt gameplay. Some users noted softlocking during combat and menu glitches that hindered interactions, indicating that while the game is generally functional, it could benefit from further polish and quality-of-life improvements.

The humor in the game is described as a blend of zany and dark, transitioning from lighthearted moments to Lovecraftian themes, which keeps players engaged. The quirky mechanics and intentional retro graphics add to the comedic charm, although some players noted a lack of follow-through on initially funny gameplay elements. Additionally, the presence of grammatical errors contributes to the game's quirky humor, making it both entertaining and endearingly flawed.

The monetization in the game has been criticized for prioritizing microtransactions, leading some to view it as more of a storefront than a traditional video game. However, others appreciate the game's depth and quality, describing it as a well-developed single-player experience despite its monetization approach.