TaleSpire

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,624 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • story
TaleSpire Game Cover
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"TaleSpire is a digital game allowing players to experience pen and paper RPGs online with friends, regardless of location. It offers stunning visuals, immersive soundscapes, and collaborative map building while remaining flexible to various rulesets. However, it has some bugs and can be grinding, but it's full of humor and atmospheric, making it a distinctive choice for RPG enthusiasts."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,624 reviews
graphics126 positive mentions
stability48 negative mentions
  • Amazing map making tool that allows for creativity and immersion in tabletop RPGs.
  • HeroForge integration enhances the experience by allowing custom miniatures to be imported easily.
  • Strong community support with many pre-made maps and assets available for quick use.
  • All players need to purchase their own copy, which can be a financial barrier for some groups.
  • Limited variety in assets and miniatures, making it difficult to create diverse environments.
  • The user interface can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to a steep learning curve for new users.
  • graphics236 mentions

    The graphics in this virtual tabletop (VTT) software are widely praised for their stunning 3D visuals and charming tabletop aesthetic, which enhance immersion and creativity during gameplay. Users appreciate the beautiful art style, rich detail, and customization options, although some express concerns about performance issues and the high costs associated with accessing certain features. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout aspect, making it a compelling choice for players seeking an engaging online tabletop experience.

    • “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous!!”
    • “The visuals are beautiful, and I cannot wait to see what they add in that regard as they flesh out the program more.”
    • “Amazing graphics, attention to detail, great way to hold campaigns with your friends or family; I'd hand it a 10 out of 10 and recommend it to anyone who wishes to embark on their own journeys or even just to have fun and create some wicked modules.”
    • “As a lifelong fan of miniatures and dioramas, I truly love Talespire's aesthetic and concept, but its execution is lacking.”
    • “I feel like the professional mappers and 3D artists, architects specifically can achieve incredible things here; however, for an average user, it might be on the cusp of usability because the UI at times is unintuitive and it will squeeze your graphics card hard if you're going for something bigger than 50x50x20 (and I've got RTX 3050).”
    • “I did get a single graphics driver crash while running Talespire; not sure what caused it, but it happened.”
  • music150 mentions

    The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric quality and variety, enhancing the immersive experience of gameplay. However, many users express frustration over the lack of seamless looping and the repetitive nature of the default tracks, with a strong desire for the ability to import custom music. Overall, while the existing music and sound options are appreciated, there is a clear demand for improvements and expansions in this area.

    • “The music you can choose in the game is top notch, spanning from casual town market songs to epic battle themes.”
    • “The addition of music and sound effects are also a brilliant way to add ambiance to an environment.”
    • “Beautiful and atmospheric, the included music is fantastic and the whole experience is immersive.”
    • “I do find it sad that the music isn't seamlessly looping.”
    • “The music does not loop seamlessly; indeed, the tracks are only about a minute long and have about a 10-minute fade in/fade out/pause in between each play, which gets really annoying fast.”
    • “However, just like miniatures, it would be nice to have the ability to add your own music to the list of those a creator can choose from when editing a map.”
  • story108 mentions

    The game's storytelling capabilities are highly praised, with users appreciating the immersive environments and creative freedom it offers for world-building and narrative development. While it serves as a powerful tool for both players and DMs to enhance their campaigns, some users note a steep learning curve and the need for external resources to fully realize their storytelling potential. Overall, it is seen as a promising platform for interactive and visual storytelling in tabletop RPGs, despite some technical limitations and ongoing development.

    • “The game is a lot of fun for immersive storytelling.”
    • “You can throw your players into the world you create, or copy from maps provided from campaign books, and they can actually see the worlds for themselves, which immerses them further into the story.”
    • “This game is brilliant; it is full of potential that could bring any DM's or player's experience to life through the storytelling of figures, custom worlds, and creative storytelling.”
    • “The problem is that many require a huge learning curve, programming knowledge to do more than basic, purchasing of extra content to just get a decent D&D story going, or their developer abandons the project after a little while.”
    • “I was expecting to be able to set up a story level where you can speak to NPC characters, having given them dialogue, choices, or options for conversation with conclusions which affect the game, but it seems everything needs to be real-time, real people.”
    • “Saw some negative reviews that didn't make sense to me, so thought I'd point out that you're purchasing a vast toolset to play RPGs just like you'd purchase the D&D books to get the rules, guidelines, and framework; this isn't a game with a storyline, characters, quests all on a silver platter.”
  • gameplay102 mentions

    The gameplay in Talespire is praised for its visually engaging 3D environment and creative potential, making it a strong choice for tabletop RPGs, particularly D&D. However, users note that it requires practice to master the controls, and many mechanics, such as character management and combat automation, are still underdeveloped or clunky, leading to a somewhat time-consuming experience. While the building mechanics are enjoyable and the graphics are appealing, there is a call for more assets and improved functionality to enhance overall gameplay.

    • “This platform creates lots of opportunities for creativity and storytelling - as a player, I've had an easy time incorporating it into my gameplay.”
    • “During the many hours of gameplay with my group, this tool has successfully communicated the theme and intensity of our settings and allowed us to manage combat efficiently.”
    • “The building mechanic is fun and well thought out and has all the chill vibes as you're constructing your ideas.”
    • “13 characters in an engagement and I have to manually roll for each character and order them myself, which can be done in a spreadsheet, but it's such a simple mechanic for a machine to do and not a feature.”
    • “A lot of the minute mechanics stress me out, like if you turn a character invisible you cannot move or select them anymore without going through a lot of trouble.”
    • “Talespire has huge potential, but there are seriously lacking mechanics and functionality for creating/building maps and the GM role overall.”
  • atmosphere86 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundscapes, and intuitive tools that allow for dynamic environmental adjustments. Users appreciate the ability to create detailed, atmospheric settings with customizable lighting, music, and ambient sounds, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Despite some concerns about pricing and specific features, the game's atmospheric capabilities are considered a standout aspect that elevates tabletop role-playing sessions.

    • “It's detailed, it's got an active and loving builder community, it's got a lot of atmosphere and charm, and it's simple enough where I can think on my toes and react quickly to surprises without getting overwhelmed with the UI.”
    • “The atmosphere you can produce with the slight changes to the coloring of the lighting and the ambient noises in the background is wonderful.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, immersive atmospheres, and insane potential for creations and adventures.”
    • “I really do wish seats were never teased/added as I think it has created a foul atmosphere and a disconnect between the buyer and developer. Anyone who loves TTRPGs shouldn't bat an eye at a thirty dollar buy-in.”
    • “A great product ruined by the decision to sell seats. Buying Foundry VTT is cheaper, and you can invite all the people you like. A 3D atmosphere is not enough to charge me $80 (if I want to run a party of 6 people) when Foundry VTT costs $50 and has better support in general.”
    • “It has become increasingly difficult for my friends and I to play TTRPGs in person, and all of the other online options really lacked the atmosphere and polish that Talespire has.”
  • stability50 mentions

    Overall, users report that while the game is still in early access and exhibits various bugs and glitches, these issues are generally expected and manageable for a beta product. Many players find the game enjoyable and promising, noting that the developers are responsive to feedback and actively working on improvements. Despite some frustrations with stability, the potential for growth and enhancement is widely recognized.

    • “While it still needs quality of life improvements and a fog of war mechanic (that is not buggy), TaleSpire is in its current form an amazing TTRPG board simulator.”
    • “Mostly just disappointed it's too buggy to use, and when I could use it I was met with frustration.”
    • “Tabletop simulator, which I love, has some very clunky glitches that cause navigating, loading and running things to be frustrating at times.”
    • “Roofs are buggy, the camera is wonky, and selecting and moving minis is difficult at times.”
  • optimization48 mentions

    Overall, optimization in the game is a mixed bag; while some users report smooth performance even on lower-spec machines, others highlight significant optimization issues, particularly with larger maps and demanding features. The developers are actively working on improvements, but many players feel that essential features for smooth gameplay are still lacking. Early access status suggests potential for future enhancements, but current performance can vary widely depending on hardware.

    • “The game is well optimized, runs smoothly, graphics are on another level.”
    • “It's impressive to me how large the maps can be without severe performance hits.”
    • “And the developers are working hard to release new content packs and more features, while also further optimizing performance and fixing bugs.”
    • “Terrible optimization.”
    • “Optimization for bigger maps is lacking.”
    • “For now, the game mainly misses optimization (which could be subjective, but it's very demanding regarding more extensive and detailed maps).”
  • humor30 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the absurdity of situations, such as mismatched NPC models and unexpected game mechanics. Many reviews highlight the joy of shared laughter during gameplay, whether through clever roleplay or amusing mishaps, creating memorable moments among friends. Overall, the game fosters a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the tabletop experience.

    • “The huge sets, measuring instead of being locked to a grid, set dressing, and the hours I have spent with my friends laughing and enjoying an imaginary game.”
    • “Very funny, of course, but if there's not really a house full of cheese wheels in Phandalin, you're going to have to decide how to fix that yourself.”
    • “They love the maps I create and are eager to explore, though we had a very funny instance where they all saw a missing tile in the floor while I could not, leading to awkward questions about a trap being there.”
  • monetization22 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game has been widely criticized as unfair and detrimental to both players and the game's long-term viability, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab." Players express frustration over additional payments required after the initial purchase, suggesting this could lead to parallel markets and undermining the game's integrity. Overall, the consensus is that the monetization approach feels exploitative, especially given the game's current lack of completeness.

    • “Ideally, the profit made from this new avenue of monetization will allow them to continue working on the program and further improve it.”
    • “A) Talespire is feature-complete enough to warrant additional forms of monetization.”
    • “Having an additional payment after purchasing it is an extremely unfair and harmful monetization scheme for both players and the long-term health of the software.”
    • “They have also stated that new tile sets will be released as 'asset packs' or via a subscription service, which scream cash grab.”
    • “To even consider new avenues of monetization, you would think that the product would be more feature-complete than it is now.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Users find the grinding aspect of map creation to be quite tedious, often citing the difficulty of using the tools and the limited options available, which lead to compromises in design. While some appreciate the ease of hosting virtual games once familiar with the system, many express a preference for using physical materials over the cumbersome digital building process. Overall, the lack of AI assistance and the need for patience in creating detailed maps contribute to a frustrating experience for many users.

    • “Difficult to use, tedious if you want to make anything that looks remotely nice (or even serves as basically functional), limited palette of options meaning you have to make a lot of compromises while building.”
    • “Even building a board is a tedious enough process that I'd ultimately rather make the damn thing in meatspace out of styrofoam and a slap of paint, then stream it to my players via webcam.”
    • “Without spoiling the adventure, I should explain there are several major features about this dungeon that I've found to be either extremely tedious or outright impossible to recreate in Talespire.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players report that the integration of HeroForge with TaleSpire significantly enhances emotional investment, as it allows them to create and visualize their characters in a shared virtual space. This connection fosters a sense of togetherness, making the experience feel more immersive and engaging, even when players are physically distant. Overall, TaleSpire effectively bridges the emotional gap in remote gameplay.

    • “The HeroForge integration even helped my players be more emotionally invested since they create their characters in HeroForge and then see them in action through TaleSpire.”
    • “Other things felt distant and lackluster, but TaleSpire made me feel like my crew were actually in a room playing together instead of being thousands of miles apart.”
    • “This is just touching on the building aspect!”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players highlight that the inclusion of community-created templates and props significantly enhances the game's replayability, allowing for diverse experiences and creative possibilities.

    • “Additionally, you can use templates and various props from the community content page, which makes the game even more replayable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

38hMedian play time
343hAverage play time
16-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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