Sorcery! Part 3
- April 5, 2016
- inkle
Almost as good as Parts 1 & 2, Part 3 suffers from having the player run around in circles quite a bit. That's by design, but it does allow late-game fatigue to develop.
Get on SteamSteve Jackson's Sorcery! is a four-part fantasy adventure like never before. With tens of thousands of choices, the story rewrites itself around your actions. Battle weird and deadly creatures, cast powerful spells, play with honour, or lie, cheat and steal. The fate of the land of Kakhabad is in your hands!
Reviews
- The game features a strong story with intricate writing and a unique narrative that enhances replayability.
- The mechanics of time travel and exploration between two timelines add depth and complexity to the gameplay, making it engaging.
- The game is praised for its attention to detail, tracking player decisions and their consequences, creating a rich and immersive experience.
- Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, often requiring them to redo actions to achieve the desired outcomes.
- The combat mechanics are considered lackluster, with some encounters feeling anticlimactic and relying on item use rather than strategic battles.
- Backtracking and navigating the expansive map can be frustrating, with some areas described as filler and lacking meaningful content.
- story25 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its engaging and intricate narrative, allowing players to choose their own paths while still being rooted in a rich world filled with background and exploration. While some players note that choices primarily affect gameplay rather than the overarching plot, the attention to detail and consequences of decisions enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the series is recognized for its strong narrative elements, immersive environment, and a faithful yet evolved adaptation of its original storyline.
“They allow you to truly choose your own story.”
“The story is so intricate and there are even more possibilities in this sequel compared to the previous games, with details hidden in every choice.”
“The plot threads and the clues to solve the larger puzzles are masterfully interwoven into the fabric of the world, and almost every location you visit yields a new surprise.”
“Your choices don't really impact the story, but they affect what you own, which changes how the story unfolds.”
“The story, in this one, we have to hunt seven serpents, and this is the part I don't like.”
“It is nothing like part 1, where you have branching paths that automatically exclude other paths and significantly change the story.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players finding the mechanics dull and repetitive, particularly in combat, while others appreciate the innovative features like time-reversal lighthouses and the engaging environment. The series maintains a balance between familiar RPG elements and fresh mechanics, though some drastic changes in Part 3 have left players divided on their effectiveness. Overall, while the gameplay can be hit or miss, it offers moments of enjoyment and creativity that resonate with fans of the franchise.
“The massive journey is immensely fun, the time-reversal lighthouses are a genius mechanic, the environments are great and slaying the seven serpents is a blast.”
“Part 3 takes what parts 1 and 2 did and adds another great twist on the expected gameplay loop.”
“You get to control numerous 'beacons' which reveal new areas, which is a great mechanic, and defeating each of the serpents using their weaknesses felt great.”
“Super boring mechanic to be honest.”
“Fighting is a joke of a mechanic: just decide how hard you're going to hit or use a spell instead--both of which wind up being influenced by the 'do it over until you get it right' approach.”
“Also, the mechanics are pretty dull.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their excellent integration of the original game book's art style, featuring both new visuals and classic illustrations that enhance the interactive storytelling experience. The art style is described as simple yet stunning, contributing significantly to the overall appeal of the game.
“The visuals are great, and Inkle does a fantastic job of maintaining similarities to the old game book's art style while incorporating the original drawings and visuals to depict some of the environments.”
“It's a good game, an interactive storytelling experience with great visuals and art style, and the quality continues in each installment (if you didn't forget the cloud save).”
“The art style is simple but gorgeous.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly noting that the second part feels excessively grindy and linear, detracting from the overall experience. In contrast, some players appreciate the refreshing change offered by [i]seven serpents[/i], which stands out positively against the grind-heavy gameplay.
“The sorcery games just make you read one that's already been written in the most tedious fashion possible.”
“Overall, my experience with this game could mostly be described as tedious.”
“After going through the pretty linear first part and a non-linear but grindy second, [i]Seven Serpents[/i] were simply a revelation.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its engaging narrative and the potential to discover missed elements in multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the depth and variety that encourage revisiting the game.
“This was a great rendition of the book, really brought to life and has a fantastic new narrative with replayability.”
“It's pretty easy to miss a lot of things in the game, hence the replayability.”
“It's pretty easy to miss a lot of things in the game, which affects its replayability.”
“Each one has a lot of replayability.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game, composed by Laurence Chapman, is highly praised for its orchestral quality and ability to enhance the epic moments of the gameplay, particularly during key events like defeating enemies. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the RPG experience, making it a significant aspect of their enjoyment and anticipation for future installments in the franchise.
“The orchestral theme music, prepared by Laurence Chapman, is simply perfect for this epic quest.”
“I love the franchise and the people who converted it from the book. I am especially into RPGs with simplistic mechanics that are easy to grasp, and this game manages to convey most of its epic moments with just music. I love that about this game series, and that's also why I will buy the next one.”
“Getting blasted with music every time you kill a snake is righteous.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences with stability are mixed; while some report a smooth gameplay experience with minimal bugs, others have encountered noticeable issues that affect performance.
“The game wasn't buggy for me, and the story is interesting, though I wouldn't argue that the writing is stellar.”
“I experienced no crashes or major glitches, which made for a smooth gaming experience.”
“The stability of the game allowed me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay without interruptions.”
“However, this game, as it stands, is a little buggy.”
“The frequent crashes make it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced multiple glitches that ruined my gameplay experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere effectively conveys a sense of epic adventure and desperation, immersing players in its compelling narrative.
“The atmosphere throughout this game really captures the epic and desperate adventure within.”
“The haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create an immersive experience that pulls you into the world.”
“Every location feels alive, filled with details that enhance the sense of mystery and exploration.”
