Those Who Rule
- January 27, 2025
- Eldin Turulja
Get on SteamIn "Those Who Rule," become a tactical commander of new recruits in a low-fantasy world, where every move counts in team-based turn combat. Recruit and train allies, each with unique skills, to level up and face increasing challenges. Make story-altering decisions in a morally complex world, where choices can sway the fate of friends and foes.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a solid core of tactical combat that is engaging and fun, with a unique flanking system and a hex grid that enhances strategy.
- The writing and art are professionally done, with characters that have distinct personalities and a story that feels immersive.
- The developer is very responsive to player feedback and actively works on addressing bugs and improving the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs, including softlocks, character de-leveling, and a poor user interface that complicates navigation and gameplay.
- There is a lack of basic quality of life features, such as mid-battle saves and clear notifications for character deaths, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Some design decisions, like the need to access multiple menus for simple tasks and the absence of a restart option during battles, detract from the overall experience.
- story50 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, with many players finding it engaging and grounded, featuring a cast of unique characters and meaningful side conversations that enhance character development and gameplay. While some noted a lack of voice acting and occasional bugs, the narrative's pacing and the integration of player choices into the story have been praised. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of tactical RPG storytelling, reminiscent of titles like Fire Emblem, while maintaining a sense of immersion and investment in the unfolding plot.
“The gameplay kept me hooked until the end and the story felt like it was a world that was lived in with real people and reactions.”
“I'll repeat that since it's honestly so unusual: conversations that develop the characters and have an impact on gameplay and mission objectives, and then offer follow-up conversations to give the writing the weight it is due.”
“Good story, surprisingly engaging motley bunch of characters, great pacing, tactical combat with depth that put a smile on this old wargamer's face.”
“The story feels interesting, but the lack of voice acting makes it less immersive.”
“But full disclosure, there are a few bugs so far (mostly story stuff and widescreen monitor issues) though I believe the dev will fix them up when he can.”
“The major lock I just experienced was in a mission where you have to rescue a character.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally engaging and solid, offering a rewarding experience with a variety of mechanics that encourage strategic thinking. However, players have reported issues such as freezes, softlocks, and occasional bugs that detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, the core gameplay loop and character-driven narrative keep players invested, making it a decent introduction to tactical RPGs.
“The gameplay kept me hooked until the end, and the story felt like it was a world that was lived in with real people and reactions.”
“Regardless, the gameplay is just so good I don't even care.”
“It feels great when you figure out how the mechanics interact with each other and use that to come up with a strategy that works.”
“The core gameplay is fine when it's working, but there are several freezes, softlocks, characters being de-leveled randomly, and gold being lost from save/loads.”
“I get 'living with choices you make', but more often a death in tactical RPGs comes from a mechanic I'm still learning, a mis-click, or a brain fart, not a tactical choice.”
“Some quality of life improvements would be welcome, but they would be just that -- improvements -- the core gameplay is just solid.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful cell-shaded art style and distinct visual design, which enhances the overall experience. While the animations are described as basic, they are enjoyable, and the indie quality of the graphics is noted. The use of a hex map instead of a traditional grid adds a unique touch, complemented by excellent sprite work and fitting sound/music.
“A very good Fire Emblem-like game with a wonderful cel-shaded art style.”
“The art style is beautiful and the sound/music fits it perfectly.”
“It's a hex map instead of a grid, the soundtrack fits the scenes well, there are sprites for the cutscenes, a distinct art style that works for the characters and the backgrounds, excellent sprite work and maps for combat, and simple and intuitive controls.”
“Graphics are indie quality, animations are basic-but-enjoyable - and the gameplay loop is pretty solid.”
“It's a hex map instead of a grid, the soundtrack fits the scenes well, there are sprites for the cutscenes, a distinct art style that works for the characters and the backgrounds, it's hex instead of square, excellent sprite work and maps for combat, simple and intuitive controls, hexes instead of squares, and did I mention the hexes?”
- music8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its fittingness to various situations and its overall quality, with many users noting the excellent original soundtrack (OST). Additionally, the sound design complements the beautiful art style, enhancing the overall experience.
“Enjoying the music so far, and it seems fitting for each situation.”
“Great OST, by the way.”
“The art style is beautiful and the sound/music fits it perfectly.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely lacking, with numerous bugs causing freezes, softlocks, and issues like random character de-leveling and lost gold during save/load processes, rendering it largely unplayable. While the core gameplay is enjoyable when functioning, these persistent problems significantly detract from the overall experience.
“Unfortunately, this game is currently an unplayable buggy mess.”
“The core gameplay is fine when it's working, but there are several freezes, softlocks, characters being de-leveled randomly, and gold being lost from save/loads.”
