The Age of Decadence

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,340 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Age of Decadence Game Cover
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
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The Age of Decadence is a turn-based, hardcore role-playing game set in a low magic, post-apocalyptic fantasy world. The game features a detailed skill-based character system, multiple skill-based ways to handle quests, choices & consequences, and extensive dialogue trees.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,340 reviews
story784 positive mentions
graphics144 negative mentions
  • The game features a rich and immersive world with deep lore and interesting characters.
  • There are multiple paths and choices that significantly impact the story, encouraging replayability.
  • The writing is excellent, with engaging dialogue and a unique setting reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic Roman Empire.
  • Combat is often punishing and can feel unfair, leading to frequent save scumming.
  • The game can lock players out of content based on early character choices, making it frustrating for those who want to explore all options.
  • Graphics and UI are dated and can detract from the overall experience.
  • story3,244 mentions

    The story of "The Age of Decadence" is praised for its depth, complexity, and the significant impact of player choices on the narrative. Players appreciate the intricate world-building and the unique storylines tied to different character backgrounds, which encourage multiple playthroughs to fully experience the game's lore and outcomes. However, some critiques highlight issues with quest design, such as the potential for players to become locked out of content due to skill checks, leading to frustration and a sense of linearity despite the game's non-linear aspirations. Overall, the game is recommended for those who value rich storytelling and character-driven narratives, albeit with a challenging gameplay experience.

    • “Amazing dialogue, interesting setting, remarkable story, and the freedom to actually play the way that you want to play.”
    • “An incredibly well-crafted world, unique characters and plot lines, and a shocking amount of storylines to go through for each class.”
    • “The branching storylines and the multitude of paths you can take ensure that no playthrough feels quite the same.”
    • “So I'm actually disappointed; the game promised so much, but I guess I save scummed and backtracked through saves too little to understand I'm locking myself into a certain set of ending slides when doing the quests organically.”
    • “The plot is incoherent and delivered in massive multi-paragraph info-dumps.”
    • “The worst example is in the intro, where if you talk to an NPC called Cado, you're forced to join his guild and give him 250 gold without any option to refuse, which is impressively bad quest design.”
  • gameplay780 mentions

    The gameplay of "Age of Decadence" is characterized by its deep RPG mechanics and a strong emphasis on player choice, but it is often criticized for being punishing and frustrating. Players experience a mix of engaging narrative-driven gameplay and challenging combat, with many noting the need for frequent save-loading due to the game's unforgiving nature and reliance on skill checks. While the game offers significant replayability through various character builds and story paths, its clunky mechanics and dated graphics detract from the overall experience for some players.

    • “It is not for the faint of heart as the gameplay and role-playing elements are as harsh as the setting, but if you want an RPG that really sucks you in, this is the one.”
    • “A masterfully crafted setting with tangible choice and consequences; every decision matters, from every skill point allocated to every dialogue choice. You shape the lives of everyone around you and what remains of the broken land you live in, yet you're not a chosen one and every ounce of power is earned through experience and knowledge of the game's mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and variative; the prose is both imaginative and done with impressive technique, and the atmosphere is immaculate.”
    • “The ambition and effort put in the game (from an old school RPG perspective) is genuine, but the gameplay is flawed; not fun.”
    • “While the game has a really interesting and engaging setting, and does show a lot of potential, it ultimately fails to deliver in terms of gameplay.”
    • “Finding ways to punish the player for (almost) all choices they make in dialogue or gameplay and then subsequently finding themselves locked out of progression and having to reload is not a viable approach and kills any immersion for me.”
  • graphics692 mentions

    The graphics of "The Age of Decadence" are widely regarded as outdated and rough, often compared to titles from the late 90s and early 2000s. While some players appreciate the game's aesthetic and find the visuals serviceable for its storytelling and immersive world, many criticize the low production values, graphical glitches, and clunky animations. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may deter some players, the depth of gameplay and narrative can compensate for these shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are rough but there's a certain beauty to the design and aesthetic of the world.”
    • “Behind the deceptively simplistic and dated graphics hides a deep and extremely lore and content rich game with fantastic combat which has immense depth to it.”
    • “The graphics may not look like much at first glance with obvious engine limitations, but the art direction is top notch and the atmosphere it creates is a feast for everyone with a little imagination.”
    • “The graphics are ugly.”
    • “Graphics suck, there is no arguing that.”
    • “The graphics are dated, even by 2010 standards.”
  • replayability544 mentions

    The game boasts an exceptionally high degree of replayability, with players highlighting its numerous character builds, branching storylines, and diverse faction interactions that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some critiques mention limitations in quest variety and pacing, the overall consensus is that the game's design fosters a rich, varied experience that rewards exploration and experimentation. Many players find themselves drawn back for additional runs to uncover different outcomes and perspectives, making it a standout title for RPG enthusiasts.

    • “The replayability of the game is off the charts!”
    • “It's highly replayable, highly enjoyable, and very, very smart.”
    • “This game has many merits, but one of the best aspects is the replayability: no matter how many times you finish it, you're still likely to discover something new on your next playthrough.”
    • “I'm not sure where the claims of extensive replayability come from, but I couldn't even finish my second playthrough because it was so boring due to how few other quests there were without being forced to join a guild. Maybe there is a bit more replayability if you replay with all the different classes, but that can pretty much be said of any RPG.”
    • “The story is quite good but the content is limited for a single playthrough - it is impossible to do all of the content in a single playthrough and this is likely meant to give it replayability, but I don't think the game really warrants replaying.”
    • “Short game: once you complete these quests, there is very little replay value and once you have repeated the same situation several times through many playthroughs, it loses its tension and becomes routine.”
  • music172 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others find it repetitive or generic. Some tracks are noted as memorable and fitting for the game's setting, contributing to immersion, but there are complaints about limited variety and looping tracks that can become tedious. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong element, though not without its flaws.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The music is beautiful and immersive and the character portraits really bring their avatars to life.”
    • “As for the music, it simply enhances the whole experience and makes exploring the world feel like reading an old dusty tome about old times.”
    • “The music, in the game, is boring as hell.”
    • “Music in town is unchanging and after a while started to give me a headache; during combats, it’s no better.”
    • “My biggest complaints lie with the music being painfully generic and the graphics look like something from 2003 (and not in a charming way).”
  • atmosphere122 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, drawing comparisons to classic titles like Fallout. Reviewers highlight the rich storytelling, deep lore, and unique setting inspired by the Roman Empire, creating a palpable sense of dread and decay. However, some criticize the graphics and engine limitations, which detract from the overall atmospheric experience despite the strong writing and sound design.

    • “This game oozes atmosphere; the oppressive and worn-down feeling can be felt in all corners of the world.”
    • “The world building is original, the atmosphere grim and intriguing, and the lore incredibly deep and interesting.”
    • “Its atmosphere and writing are absolutely incredible - very dark, mournful, and fatalistic.”
    • “The atmosphere was in the text, but it was not on the maps.”
    • “There is no atmosphere, wits or humor.”
    • “Unfortunately, as the game progresses, it appears the developers had less and less time to add the little details that help build the game's atmosphere.”
  • humor70 mentions

    The humor in "Age of Decadence" is characterized by its dark, sardonic wit and clever writing, which often leads to hilarious scenarios and unexpected outcomes. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend grim themes with comedic elements, such as the absurdity of dying in combat or the amusing interactions with untrustworthy NPCs. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging dialogue and skill descriptions that evoke laughter while navigating a harsh, unforgiving world.

    • “It is very easy to die in combat, so a lot of times it is better to try to talk your way out, which can lead to so many funny and interesting scenarios.”
    • “My most hilarious fail in the game would be selling all my clothes and running around naked only to be repeatedly stopped by guards.”
    • “What's more, all the messages that narrate the game in second person have this cruelly sardonic humor to them that makes you laugh even when they're insulting you.”
  • grinding64 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, with many players finding the combat tedious and frustrating, often requiring repeated attempts to succeed. While some appreciate the lack of traditional grinding mechanics, they still feel that the gameplay can become monotonous and challenging due to poorly designed encounters and a lack of guidance. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of engaging story elements overshadowed by tedious combat mechanics and character progression challenges.

    • “There are no tedious slogs through boring dungeons or endless waves of repetitive combat encounters.”
    • “No grinding, trash, or junk.”
    • “Here is the catch though, there is no grinding.”
    • “The game has an interesting setting and it's fun enough if you avoid combat completely, but the combat is frustrating and tedious and you will die and reload the same fight for hours before giving up.”
    • “I get that the game is designed this way, but it tends to be tedious to get to an ending only to discover you can't advance further and you need to create another character with the correct stats and skills which you know now.”
    • “Unfortunately the devs confuse terms like 'challenging and hard' with 'arbitrary and tedious'.”
  • character development42 mentions

    Character development in this game is widely praised for its depth and rewarding progression, allowing players to evolve from weak characters to powerful assassins through a flexible skill system. While many appreciate the rich story and multiple choices that enhance replayability, some critiques highlight a lack of meaningful relationships with NPCs and the potential for frustrating gameplay due to the unforgiving nature of character choices. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of character creation and narrative depth, appealing to fans of classic RPGs.

    • “I've never come across character development as rewarding as what this game has to offer: you start off as a character so weak that even taking down a single thug seems like a miracle, but before you know it, you're an unstoppable assassin. Even if your target surrounds himself with the most elite imperial bodyguards, it'll only mean more blood will be spilled from their side.”
    • “If you want an engaging story, detailed character development, great writing, all set in a unique and wonderfully mysterious setting, then you'd be doing yourself a grave disservice by passing up on this truly excellent RPG.”
    • “With a huge variety of choices and a very flexible character development system, no two games will be the same.”
    • “The characters aren't especially interesting -- you don't develop any real relationships, and in place of NPC character development, when you first meet someone, it gives you a blurb about who they are that includes all sorts of details about their lives that you really have no reason to know at this point.”
    • “This game is really worth buying; however, it has a problem with necessary save scumming. Also, combining combat abilities and diplomacy/craft skills comes at an opportunity cost way too high for providing reasonably flexible character development.”
    • “All mighty random rules battles, lame character development system, the list goes on and on.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game is widely reported to be unstable, with numerous bugs, graphical glitches, and occasional crashes, particularly during character creation and loading saves. While some players have managed to play without significant issues, many others have experienced frustrating freezes and animation problems, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and poorly tested. Despite these stability concerns, some players still find the game enjoyable and worth playing, albeit with caution.

    • “Runs great on Linux via Wine/Proton.”
    • “I've also run into graphical glitches at multiple resolutions and settings, with the background constantly flickering, and the shadowing effects glitching out all throughout the opening sections.”
    • “Every time I try and start a new story (or hell, begin my very first character) the game suddenly freezes when it comes time to go to the game world after character creation.”
    • “Buggy, terrible intro, feels unfinished... I don't want to put more effort into this review than they put into testing this game.”
  • optimization34 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that it runs well on older systems, while others experience significant performance drops even on high-end rigs. Many users report frustration with character builds that feel unoptimized, leading to frequent restarts, and criticize the overall production quality, including textures and writing. Overall, while some aspects of performance are commendable, the game suffers from serious optimization issues that detract from the experience.

    • “If you've got an older, or perhaps simply not as high-performance of a computer, this game would be a great fit and all the more worth the price.”
    • “As for performance, I didn't have any issues running AOD.”
    • “Performance is generally good; technically, this game can run even on old configurations. There are, though, some sections where performance drops badly without reason; luckily for us, they are very rare.”
    • “Like most other people, I had to restart because my characters were unoptimized despite investing in what should be the correct skills.”
    • “It's very easy to sink 10+ hours in this game, only to realize that you've built an extremely unoptimized character and you need to restart, all the way not really explaining anything of note.”
    • “Terrible performance on a rig that eats The Witcher 3 on ultra at 1440p for breakfast (this game is dropping into low 20s fps wise on low settings) while looking like a game from the early 2000s.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of meaningful moments and character relationships, which are essential for a compelling narrative. Many players found the story boring and repetitive, leading to little emotional investment in the characters or the plot. Despite some enjoyment from gameplay mechanics, the overall experience left many feeling disconnected and unmotivated to continue.

    • “I finished the whole game without touching combat.”
    • “It was really enjoyable how clever this game made me feel.”
    • “Hell, as someone who plays Dwarf Fortress, this game's graphics make me shed a tear of joy.”
    • “It's still a ridiculously boring story...”
    • “Boring story with a boring end-conclusion.”
    • “Clunky interface, boring story progression; you don't even get to move your character. You select from a menu what your next action is (enter a door, search a body, etc.), and the scene goes to a new screenshot.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

55% average critic score

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Play time

13hMedian play time
35hAverage play time
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 42 analyzed playthroughs

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