The Astonishing Game
- February 6, 2017
- Turbo Tape Games
Get on SteamThe Astonishing is a turn-based tactical board-game that will challenge new to veteran gamers. Participate in competitions for great prizes, including signed albums, tickets and post-concert passes, available to players during the Dream Theater tours. The game has a one-time purchase cost with no in-app purchases, making players eligible for any and all free upgrades.
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Reviews
- The game offers a unique and refreshing gameplay experience that combines elements of chess with strategic troop management, making it stand out in a saturated market.
- The soundtrack features instrumental mixes from Dream Theater's 'The Astonishing' album, enhancing the overall experience for fans of the band.
- The game supports both local and online multiplayer, allowing for enjoyable strategic battles with friends, and includes a short story mode that adds depth to the gameplay.
- The tutorial is confusing and does not adequately teach players how to master the game, which can lead to a frustrating learning curve.
- The graphics and animations are subpar, with noticeable typos in menus and text boxes, detracting from the overall presentation.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the visibility of attack tiles, could be improved for better clarity, as they can be confusing during play.
- music15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game, featuring a soundtrack from Dream Theater, is widely praised for its nostalgic and enjoyable instrumental mixes, enhancing the overall gaming experience. While some players noted that the sound of militia units can clash with the background music, the majority found the soundtrack to be addictive and a significant highlight of the game. Overall, fans of Dream Theater appreciate the integration of the band's music into this strategic gameplay.
“The soundtrack also features instrumentals from the astonishing album and is very fun to listen to as you are demotivating your enemies.”
“This game was a major change in the normal experience I have with many other games in this modern age and also allowed me to enjoy and bask in nostalgia for the band that I have listened to so much in the past with its wonderful soundtrack.”
“This is a quite simple strategy game with a great soundtrack.”
“Dream Theater should stick to music.”
“Chess and Magic: The Gathering combined, Dream Theater music as soundtrack.”
“Chess and Magic: The Gathering combined, Dream Theater music as soundtrack.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its uniqueness and freshness, featuring a customizable experience with diverse characters and AI randomness that ensures each match feels distinct and engaging. While some players find the mechanics simplistic, the integration of story and gameplay is well-executed, although mastering the mechanics may require several playthroughs. Overall, the gameplay loop is enjoyable and largely free of significant flaws, despite minor suggestions for improvement.
“The gameplay is very unique and unlike any other game on the market.”
“With the customization of the boards, selection of different characters, and randomness in the AI, every match will be different, providing a very interesting and never boring gameplay loop.”
“The story makes a lot of sense and is seamlessly interwoven with, and related to, the gameplay.”
“Even with the tutorial, it will take a few playthroughs to get the mechanics down.”
“I can't really think of any gameplay flaws, but I would like for the tile highlighting a piece's attack to be a better color.”
“Sure, maybe it's a simplistic style of gameplay, chess mixed with some magic, but honestly, it really shouldn't matter.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story mode allows players to choose between two factions, the ravenskill and the gnfa, as they seek to rally support for their cause, effectively expanding on the narrative of the accompanying album. While the storytelling is coherent and well-integrated with gameplay, some animations are criticized for being sloppy, and the game struggles with its portrayal of violence and death in a context that often avoids direct references. Overall, the narrative is compelling and enhances the gaming experience.
“The story makes a lot of sense, and is seamlessly interwoven with, and related to, the gameplay.”
“To see that they have a game, especially about such a compelling story, just means that they are that great.”
“The game tries too hard to avoid references to violence and death while telling a story that involves violence and death.”
“Animations between story chapters are a bit sloppy.”
“You can also continue this fight in the game's rather short story mode where you can choose to play as the Ravenskill or the Gnfa as you try to motivate the country to your side.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are considered somewhat lacking, though it's important to note that it was developed by a small studio and released in 2017, which may explain the limitations in visual quality.
“I feel that the graphics could be better, but then again, you have to keep in mind that this game was published by a very small studio in 2017 (4 years ago).”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game elicits significant laughter, particularly during moments like the dancer's attack, which many players found hilarious. However, despite these humorous highlights, some users hesitate to recommend the game due to its current state.
“I can't recommend this game in its current state, but it gave me a big amount of laughs as soon as the dancer attacked. That was hilarious and worth the money!”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model with no in-app purchases, allowing players to participate in competitions for real prizes simply by purchasing the game.
“Plus, there are no in-app purchases, and buying the game allows you to enter competitions for real prizes.”
