The Legion of Maelstrom
- May 24, 2021
- Andrew R.
Get on Steam"The Legion of Maelstrom" is a first-person shooter game set in a futuristic, cyberpunk world. As a member of an elite task force, players must fight against the tyrannical Legion of Maelstrom and uncover their sinister plans. The game features fast-paced combat, a variety of weapons, and customizable character abilities.
Reviews
- The game features a unique class-switching mechanic that allows for strategic gameplay, as leveling up one class benefits others.
- The presentation is charming, with great pixel art, catchy music, and a nostalgic retro feel reminiscent of classic RPGs.
- There are no random encounters, which makes the gameplay focused on boss battles, allowing players to engage in optional grinding for gear.
- The core gameplay can become repetitive, as players often find themselves grinding against previously defeated bosses to level up.
- Important gameplay information, such as boss HP and potion counts, is not visible during combat, making it difficult to strategize effectively.
- Changing classes requires returning to town, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay and feel tedious.
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story features a familiar "nobody becomes hero" trope, where players initially do not take on the role of the hero, but it is presented with enough charm and engaging elements to keep players interested. While the narrative may not be groundbreaking, it effectively integrates with the gameplay mechanics, creating a cohesive experience. Overall, the story serves as a light backdrop to the gameplay, providing just enough context to motivate players without overshadowing the core adventure.
“The contrast between these approaches is a topic of discussion in the story: there's a party of four characters that seem to be the definitive adventurers of the realm who go on adventures parallel to your character.”
“It’s good when a game works with its core mechanic as a story element; it helps the story and gameplay feel like both part of one experience rather than disconnected.”
“The story is a light twist on your typical 'nobody becomes hero, saves the world' trope, as you're not the hero - at first.”
“The story premise and setting isn't going to win any awards for uniqueness, but I'd say that it has enough charm and good presentation to make it work.”
“There's actually only enough story to get you going, then the game steps back and lets you do your thing undisturbed.”
“The dialog that does exist is pleasant enough, and while a few lines of lore are scattered across some bookshelves, I didn't feel I needed more story than what was given.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its catchy and memorable quality, with many players noting that it enhances the overall experience and atmosphere. The chiptune soundtrack complements the retro graphics perfectly, creating an engaging environment that players enjoy revisiting. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack created such a cool atmosphere with all the different town themes and boss fights that kept me dialed in the whole time.”
“Great music, great visuals, great gameplay.”
“The music stays in your head long after you stopped playing it... in a good way... very very catchy.”
“This game is absolutely worth your time; the soundtrack is also pretty well done and catchy throughout the game.”
“The music too, head bopping.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay is a mixed bag; while it effectively integrates core mechanics with the story and features charming visuals and music, many players find the gameplay loop repetitive and lacking in variety, particularly with class differentiation. Some enjoy the nostalgic feel and unique elements, but others feel that the mechanics and boss encounters could be more engaging.
“It’s good when a game works with its core mechanic as a story element; it helps the story and gameplay feel like both part of one experience rather than disconnected.”
“Great music, great visuals, great gameplay.”
“Love the mechanics, retro graphics, and of course the music just slays!”
“Tl;dr: this game is charming, the presentation is good but the gameplay itself is rather repetitive.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it is integral to the retro-style RPG experience, requiring players to repeatedly battle previous enemies for leveling up, it can become tedious. However, the optional gear grinding and class synergies add depth and enjoyment for those who appreciate the grind, making it a polarizing feature among players.
“It gets more tedious because you're encouraged, almost required, to fight previous enemies to level up and improve your abilities.”
“This is a retro-style RPG with grinding baked into its very nature.”
“I found myself blasting my room lights and wearing computer glasses to get through some of my loot farming runs where every single attack was flashing the screen.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their appealing 8-bit art style, complemented by excellent sound design and chiptune music. Overall, the visuals and retro aesthetic contribute significantly to the game's enjoyable experience.
“The art style is very good, and the sound design is great.”
“Great music, great visuals, great gameplay.”
“8-bit style graphics, and very well-done chiptune music and sound effects.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is noted to be minimal overall, but some players appreciate its retro charm and find enjoyment in the dialogue with NPCs, which can be quite funny. While not a primary focus, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the experience.
“Everything is hilarious, and it has a great retro feel.”
“The game also has some fun humor in it, so I found myself trying to talk with all the NPCs and laughing at what they said.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game offers significant replayability due to the variety of classes available, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking diverse gameplay experiences.
“The price is pretty good for how much replay value there is when you factor in all of the classes you can play as.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's soundtrack significantly enhances the atmosphere, featuring diverse town themes and engaging boss fight music that keeps players immersed throughout their experience.
“The soundtrack created such a cool atmosphere with all the different town themes and boss fights that kept me engaged the whole time.”
“The game's environment is so immersive, it feels like you are truly part of this world.”
“Every location has its own unique vibe, making exploration a delightful experience.”
