Telestians
- June 16, 2022
- Lucid LX LLC
Get on Steam"Telestians is a tactical dark fantasy strategy game with local multi-player and single-player options. Choose from distinct factions, such as Barbarians, Elves, Undead, and more, each with unique attributes and units. Your chosen Hero, a formidable force, begins your conquest, shaping destiny as you defend castles and expand territories through intricate strategy and dark enchantments."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a challenging experience with aggressive AI and unique faction mechanics, reminiscent of the classic Warlords series.
- The art style and music are well-received, providing an immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay.
- The developer is responsive and actively supports the game, promising future updates and improvements.
- The user interface is cumbersome, lacking essential features like quick unit production indicators and causing traffic jams due to automatic stacking.
- Graphics are considered less appealing compared to the original Warlords games, with some players finding the pixel art flat and uninviting.
- There are concerns about gameplay mechanics, such as the lack of depth in hero abilities and the presence of sexism in character design.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its smooth mechanics and nostalgic appeal, offering a fun and engaging experience that is easy to pick up yet challenging enough to keep players mentally engaged. However, some users express a desire for more mechanical complexity and note issues such as a steep learning curve for the UI and technical problems like crashes. Overall, the game combines pixel exploration, fantasy army building, and territory management, making it a compelling choice for fans of classic-style games.
“It looks like some classic games from the 90s, but the gameplay is really good.”
“The mechanics are super smooth and fun to use once you get the hang of things, but they're relatively simple to learn. The gameplay itself is really fun and can keep you occupied for a while, but you do need to keep your brain active. Overall, I'd give this game an 8-9/10, with bonus points for the huge nostalgia many others will have when playing this.”
“The game is easy to pick up and play, and there are a lot of options to customize the gameplay.”
“Nice artwork, but I wish it had a bit more mechanical complexity.”
“50 turn limit, a lot of missing mechanics, and crashes really make me doubt it.”
“Gameplay focuses on pixel exploration, fantasy army building, and territory management.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are reminiscent of classic games like Warlords and Master of Magic, featuring well-designed maps and visually appealing D&D fantasy artwork. While some elements may appear slightly pixelated, the overall presentation is smooth and enjoyable, enhancing the gaming experience. Users also noted that updating graphics drivers resolved performance issues.
“Graphics harken back to such classics as Warlords and Master of Magic when it comes to map design, while info boxes are filled with gorgeous-looking D&D fantasy artwork. Though slightly pixelated, it is smooth enough to be enjoyable, leaving you not wondering what the heck you are looking at.”
“Graphics harken back to such classics as Warlords and Master of Magic when it comes to map design, while info boxes are filled with gorgeous-looking D&D fantasy artwork. Though slightly pixelated, it is smooth enough to be enjoyable, leaving you not wondering what the heck you are looking at.”
“Graphics harken back to such classics as Warlords and Master of Magic when it comes to map design, while info boxes are filled with gorgeous looking D&D fantasy artwork. Though slightly pixelated, it is smooth enough to be enjoyable, where you are not left wondering what the heck you are looking at.”
“More artworks and make artworks visible for units too.”
“More artworks and make artworks visible for units too.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its unique and professional quality, effectively capturing the game's atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. Many users recommend listening to the optional soundtrack, particularly noting its alignment with the game's themes and art design. Overall, the music is described as gorgeous and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Music is also incredible; for an indie game, it's unique and professionally done.”
“The music is absolutely gorgeous and captures the different elements of this world perfectly!”
“The art has its own unique flair, and the music fits in nicely.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The background music is often too loud and drowns out important sound effects, making it frustrating to play.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its distinctive atmosphere, characterized by a unique look and feel that enhances the overall experience.
“It's a turn-based game with a unique atmosphere, look and feel.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the large maps, which can lead to repetitive and time-consuming gameplay.
“The maps are also huge, and this gets tedious fast.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“The repetitive tasks required to level up make the experience feel more like a job than a game.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story revolves around players building armies, exploring ancient ruins, and conquering castles in their pursuit of dominance, providing a compelling backdrop for strategic gameplay.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, citing the diverse range of unique units for each faction and the use of procedurally generated maps, which ensure a fresh experience with each playthrough.
“There's a dizzying array of unique units per faction and procedurally generated maps to keep replayability high.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the diverse strategies and random events that keep you on your toes.”
“The game offers multiple endings and branching storylines, encouraging you to explore different choices and outcomes.”
