The Pale City

About

The Pale City is a story-driven, dark fantasy RPG with an emphasis on characterization and atmosphere. Explore a dangerous, morally complex world where every detail is personal..

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

story6 positive mentions

Incredible writing and world-building that immerses players in a dark, philosophical narrative.
Engaging and challenging combat that requires strategic thinking, making each encounter feel like a puzzle.
Unique and interesting setting with well-developed characters, providing a rich narrative experience.

Graphics are subpar and may detract from the overall atmosphere of the game.
The game is relatively short, taking around 8-10 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
Combat can sometimes feel repetitive, relying on exploiting game mechanics rather than developing new strategies.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The story of *The Pale City* is a dark and compelling narrative that immerses players in a unique, intricately woven world filled with lore and character depth. While it features a protagonist embodying teenage angst and a somewhat pessimistic tone, the self-aware humor and exploration-driven storytelling make it engaging and worthwhile, akin to a well-crafted novel. Despite some minor grammatical issues, the narrative's strength and the game's mechanical challenges leave a lasting impression on players.
- “The story makes The Pale City more than worth playing.”
- “Story-driven dark fantasy that is mechanically challenging as well.”
- “While The Pale City might be both grim and dark, you’d be absolutely remiss to discount it as 'just another grimdark RPG.' The setting feels like it takes place on a neighboring plane adjacent to Planescape: Torment, and the story-driven narrative is tightly written, propelling the player headlong into the world of The Pale City, 'a city on a platform above an ocean of dark water.'”
- “The protagonist is distilled teenage angst, and the story is laughably dark and unnecessarily pessimistic at times, but the NPCs often point this out and the game seems self-aware enough to make it bearable.”
- “While 'The Pale City' might be both grim and dark, you’d be absolutely remiss to discount it as 'just another grimdark RPG.' The setting feels like it takes place on a neighboring plane adjacent to 'Planescape: Torment,' and the story-driven narrative is tightly written, propelling the player headlong into the world of 'The Pale City,' 'a city on a platform above an ocean of dark water.'”
- “The gameplay is only okay and there's some roughness around the edges, but none of it got in the way, and I would recommend this game to anyone, as long as they're fine with a bit of a depressing story.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The graphics of the game are generally considered asset-based and reminiscent of early 2000s ARPGs, which may detract from the overall atmosphere for some players. While they serve their purpose and can enhance the game's mood, many reviewers note that the graphical presentation may disappoint those expecting more polished visuals. Overall, the graphics are deemed satisfactory for a one-man project, appealing primarily to dedicated fans of the genre.
- “Graphically, the game is reminiscent of ARPGs from the late 90s and early 2000s.”
- “Although I think that they actually enhance the mood of the game, some may skip this title simply because of the graphics.”
- “Graphics are satisfactory for a one-man effort and suit the depressive atmosphere.”
- “Recommended for eager fans of the genre that don't mind some letdowns in graphical presentation.”
- “Graphically, the game is reminiscent of ARPGs from the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
- “Graphics are sub-arcanum, satisfactory for a one-man effort and suit the depressive atmosphere.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The gameplay of *The Pale City* is described as decent but with some rough edges that do not detract from the overall experience. It features a compelling, story-driven dark fantasy narrative that is both mechanically challenging and immersive, drawing comparisons to classic RPGs like *Planescape: Torment*. Players who appreciate a grim atmosphere and a tightly-written story will find the gameplay rewarding, despite its darker themes.
- “I think this part of gameplay is successful for The Pale City.”
- “Story-driven dark fantasy that is mechanically challenging as well.”
- “While The Pale City might be both grim and dark, you’d be absolutely remiss to discount it as 'just another grimdark RPG.' The setting feels like it takes place on a neighboring plane adjacent to Planescape: Torment, and sole indie creator Kyle Muntz’s story-driven narrative is tightly written, propelling the player headlong into the world of The Pale City, 'a city on a platform above an ocean of dark water.' If you’ve got the fortitude, the game offers an incredible mechanical challenge and an instantly lasting impression.”
- “The gameplay is only okay, and there's some roughness around the edges, but none of it got in the way. I would recommend this game to anyone, as long as they're fine with a bit of a depressing story.”
- “I think this part of the gameplay is successful for the pale city.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by its strong writing and music, evoking comparisons to classics like Planescape: Torment and Age of Decadence. While the graphics are considered subpar and somewhat distracting, they still align with the game's intended depressive tone, allowing players to immerse themselves in the narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, despite the limitations of its visual presentation.
- “Awesome writing, music, and atmosphere; it indeed reminded me of Planescape: Torment and even of The Age of Decadence, which are both big favorites of mine.”
- “Graphics are sub-Arcanum, satisfactory for a one-man effort, and suit the depressive atmosphere.”
- “Being the work of a novelist, you have to rely more on what you read than what you see, because the graphics - while serving their purpose - seem to be asset-based and they distract more from the atmosphere than adding to it.”
- “Graphics are sub-arcanum, satisfactory for a one-man effort and suit the depressive atmosphere.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of darkly comedic dialogue and varied NPC interactions, which can range from hilarious to gloomy. This blend effectively complements the game's environment, enhancing the overall experience.
- “NPCs usually have something to say, whether it be hilarious or gloomy.”
- “The dialogue and motives of NPCs are darkly humorous yet suited for the environment.”
- “NPCs usually have something to say, whether it be hilarious or gloomy.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its exceptional quality, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and storytelling, with comparisons made to classics like Planescape: Torment and The Age of Decadence. Reviewers appreciate how the soundtrack enhances the immersive experience.
- “Awesome writing, music, and atmosphere; it indeed reminded me of Planescape: Torment and even of The Age of Decadence, which are both big favorites of mine.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game features no grinding, indicating a more streamlined and enjoyable experience without repetitive tasks.