Terrain of Magical Expertise

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 140 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Terrain of Magical Expertise Game Cover
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Dive into the world of "Terrain of Magical Expertise" , a non-linear RPG adventure based on a popular animated webseries. Play as a White-Hat Hacker in this MMORPG, taking part in a high-stakes event to win a large cash prize. With an original turn-based combat system, captivating voice acting, and 40+ hours of gameplay, TOME promises an immersive, story-driven experience.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 140 reviews
story44 positive mentions
stability14 negative mentions
  • The art style is charming and reminiscent of classic cartoon aesthetics, making it visually appealing.
  • The turn-based combat system is engaging, incorporating mechanics like quick-time events that keep battles dynamic and fun.
  • The voice acting and music are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the game's world.
  • The game is plagued by bugs and soft-locks, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
  • The lack of a traditional leveling system can make battles feel pointless, as players do not gain experience from encounters.
  • Some mechanics, such as the inventory and power-up management, are cumbersome and could benefit from better organization and usability.
  • story113 mentions

    The game's story is widely praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and emotional depth, making it a standout feature that resonates with fans of the original web series. While some players noted the presence of common RPG tropes and occasional pacing issues, the overall writing and voice acting were highlighted as exceptional, contributing to a charming and immersive experience. However, a few reviewers found the story less compelling, suggesting that enjoyment may vary based on individual preferences and familiarity with the source material.

    • “The story is the best part, which is par for the course in this genre.”
    • “Great characters and a spectacular story that's fun from start to finish.”
    • “More than anything though, this game's greatest strength is its story, writing, and voice performances because this is one of the most engaging, charming, and interesting stories I've experienced for a long while.”
    • “To be honest, the story wasn't engaging to me either.”
    • “Music = good, graphics = good, story = quite boring in my opinion, gameplay = extremely boring in my opinion.”
    • “The writing of this game pretty much has a three-act story and it's a bit character-driven, but it's kind of short and small at best.”
  • gameplay43 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring engaging turn-based combat with quick-time events that draw inspiration from classics like Super Mario RPG. However, it suffers from numerous bugs, clunky mechanics, and a lack of depth in certain areas, leading to a frustrating experience for some players. While some appreciate the unique elements and fun mechanics, others find the overall gameplay dull and lacking in progression.

    • “For a game that revolves around turn-based combat, it keeps things fun by adding mechanics and quick-time events to each move, and the battle system is incredibly engaging.”
    • “The mechanics are simple enough to be grasped quickly, but still in-depth enough to keep you engaged and constantly trying new things.”
    • “Overall, it's a fantastic game with a great world and characters, superb music, cool art, fun gameplay.”
    • “The game is a bugged out mess, not to mention there's tons of broken mechanics, useless to fight enemies, annoying characters on top of worse writing and lackluster voice direction.”
    • “There is no sense of progression and the lack of experience means that there is no reason to fight anything; the core gameplay loop is broken by design.”
    • “Why would I want to play any more if my first impression is among the dullest gameplay I've ever experienced?”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique, cartoony art style and its nostalgic charm, while others criticize the overall visual quality as low and lacking polish. Many noted that the simplistic 2D assets and static environments detract from the experience, with some describing the graphics as reminiscent of an old flash game. Overall, while the art style has its fans, it appears to be a significant point of contention among players, with calls for improvement in graphical fidelity and animation.

    • “The art style is unique and is also really well done.”
    • “I enjoyed the gameplay, characters, visuals and sound, all of which show the passion behind this project.”
    • “Tome is a wonderful game with an engaging storyline, in-depth characters, incredible voice acting, and a fun art style I'll never get tired of looking at.”
    • “The artwork here is terrible; it's a hodge-podge of amateurish 'my first Wacom tablet' style drawings used instead of professional-looking game assets.”
    • “It's unclear if this is due to a lack of budget to arrange someone who can create graphical assets properly, or a lack of talent; regardless, the overall visual quality of the game is extremely low, enough on its own to deter gamers.”
    • “Graphically, the game doesn’t impress with some of the worst-looking menus I’ve seen and bland, static environments.”
  • music30 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and versatile score that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the game's charming characters and vibrant world, often expressing a desire for the soundtrack to be released for personal enjoyment. While some noted minor issues, such as music restarting upon entering new rooms, the consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “But I have to say, my favorite things about it are the music and the storyline; the arrangements fit fantastically with each region, and the problems presented are realistic.”
    • “The music is superb and the rhythm battles are enjoyable, even if the first two are a bit easier for experienced rhythm players.”
    • “The music's a bop, and I can feel the passion oozing from every grid-square in this game.”
    • “Was odd that the music would restart every time you entered a new room.”
    • “There's not a single song in this game that does not deserve to exist outside of the game.”
    • “The music however had a very readable and versatile score.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a variety of glitches, including graphical issues and occasional game freezes during battles. While some users find these bugs manageable and appreciate the overall experience, others express frustration over the frequency and impact of the glitches, suggesting that significant patches are needed to improve stability. Overall, the game is described as "a tad buggy," which may detract from the enjoyment for some players.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any major bugs, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have prioritized stability, ensuring that gameplay is consistent and reliable.”
    • “It's refreshing to see a game that maintains stability throughout, allowing players to fully immerse themselves without interruptions.”
    • “Along with that, there are several glitches that happen along the way.”
    • “This is due to the few softlocks, glitches, and crashes I experienced during cutscenes and battles (though they were few and far between, a hard reset would usually fix them so I advise saving frequently).”
    • “I would really want to love the game... but there's too many glitches, both in regards to the equipment screen and especially with the flower ailment.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is largely unnecessary, as there is no traditional leveling system, allowing players to progress through the story without the tedium often associated with grinding in RPGs. However, some players find the process of acquiring items and currency tedious, particularly early on, as it requires farming monsters or saving up for purchases. Overall, while grinding for currency can be beneficial later in the game, many players appreciate the option to skip battles without penalty.

    • “The lack of any real leveling system is a major bonus to me, as I absolutely despise grinding.”
    • “Especially towards the beginning, items are extremely tedious to get, either requiring you to farm monsters or save up netti and buy items at the shop, both of which require you to grind ad nauseam.”
    • “So since you don't level up, you might as well just skip all the optional mobs because there is no point in farming them as far as I can see.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its delightful writing, colorful character designs, and top-notch voice acting, which collectively bring the vibrant world to life. Players appreciate the well-crafted dialogue and charming character interactions, often finding themselves laughing at the clever jokes and amusing situations. Despite some technical issues, the humor remains a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience and keeping players engaged.

    • “The writing is hilariously delightful, the character designs are colorful and creative, the voice acting brings a whole new life to the game, and the music is such a bop!”
    • “The animated cutscenes are really cool and funny, and I just love the designs from both the characters of the game to the Kickstarter backers, all unique and yet somehow no one feels out of place.”
    • “The dialogue is hilarious and the amount of effort put into the art of each of the hundreds of unique NPCs is phenomenal.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The game excels in its emotional storytelling, featuring a well-crafted narrative and a colorful cast of characters that create a deeply immersive experience. Players report feeling genuinely moved by the heartfelt moments and meta-aware writing, which adds a wholesome touch to the adventure. The professional voice acting further enhances the emotional impact, making it one of the most touching games of the year.

    • “We're given a colorful cast of well-written characters to go on an adventure with, and basically every cutscene made me feel as if I was in the game world with them.”
    • “However, where this game really shines is in the story and the emotional beats it hits.”
    • “The story is incredibly well written and touching, and the fully voiced professional cast is rare in almost any production.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it delivers top-notch performance overall, players experience significant loading delays during cutscenes, detracting from the storytelling and voice acting. Additionally, sluggish controls and a general lack of optimization have led some users to find the game less enjoyable.

    • “Top notch performance.”
    • “More than anything though, this game's greatest strength is its story, writing, and voice performances because this is one of the most engaging, charming, and interesting stories I've experienced for a long while.”
    • “The game is already mediocre, but the sluggish controls and the obvious lack of optimization make this game easy to hard pass.”
    • “The performance issues are frustrating, as the game frequently stutters and lags, detracting from the overall experience.”
    • “It's disappointing to see such potential wasted due to poor optimization; the game often feels unresponsive and clunky.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its engaging writing and vibrant character designs, which are complemented by lively voice acting. The overall visual appeal enhances the experience, making the characters memorable and enjoyable.

    • “The writing is hilariously delightful, the character designs are colorful and creative, the voice acting brings a whole new life to the game, and the music is such a bop!”
    • “The character designs are top notch and, for the most part, this game looks fine from a visual standpoint.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its cohesive design and strong voice acting, which significantly enhance the overall experience, even for those who may have mixed feelings about other aspects of the game.

    • “You can still dislike it, but because of how everything fits together and the atmosphere created with it, I've liked it.”
    • “The voice actors are very good and contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The game’s atmosphere is inconsistent, making it hard to feel connected to the story or characters.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of "Terrain of Magical Expertise" has been criticized as a cash grab, with a price point of $20 USD deemed unrealistic, especially when compared to the value of older AAA games available for the same price.

    • “The 'Terrain of Magical Expertise' has a completely unrealistic cash grab price of $20 USD, for which you could easily get any number of older AAA games.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as essential features are locked behind paywalls that make the game less enjoyable.”
    • “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great being held back by aggressive monetization tactics that prioritize profit over player experience.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players note that the ability to customize their self-insert character's class, element, starting abilities, and unlockable moves from dojos contributes to a modest level of replayability, allowing for varied gameplay experiences.

    • “The variety of character classes, elements, and unlockable moves from dojos adds a refreshing layer of replayability.”
    • “Creating a self-insert character with different classes and abilities makes each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
    • “The ability to experiment with different starting abilities and unlock new moves keeps the gameplay experience fresh and encourages multiple playthroughs.”
    • “The self-insert character's class, element, starting abilities, and unlockable moves from dojos add a tiny bit of replayability.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel tedious and uninteresting.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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