Towards The Pantheon

Both Towards the Pantheon: Escaping Eternity and Towards the Pantheon are a must for any RPG fan or lover. The characters, the music, the artstyle, it has it all and it does it very well. The only reason it’s not getting perfect marks is that it froze once or twice in bad spots like me turning the final boss into a cow and because of how many times I died because of being stunned. But that’s it. Watch out for those and everything else is golden!

88%Game Brain Score

story, music

gameplay, grinding

92% User Score Based on 49 reviews

Critic Score 83%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

Towards The Pantheon is a single player casual role playing game with horror, fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Connor O.R.T. Linning and was released on May 16, 2018. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In "Towards the Pantheon," play as Freyja, a warrior tasked with defeating the source of a power-hungry group's strength. This turn-based 2D RPG features unique elements, abandoning traditional RPG tropes in favor of distinctive mechanics like riding hamsters and collecting dead memories. Your journey will take you through various environments, from villages to a survival horror-inspired mansion, as you fight enemies and form friendships.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

story16 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging story with memorable characters and interesting plot twists that explore moral dilemmas.
Dynamic and diverse combat system that allows for character switching and unique abilities, enhancing gameplay variety.
Charming pixel art style and a pleasant soundtrack that complement the game's nostalgic feel.

Some characters feel generic and lack depth, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.
The game can become frustratingly difficult at times, potentially discouraging less experienced players.
Limited character customization and a simplistic leveling system may leave more seasoned RPG players wanting more.

story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The story of "Towards the Pantheon" follows Freyja and her diverse companions on a quest to confront an evil force threatening their world, blending themes of friendship and personal growth. While the main plot is considered somewhat generic and linear, the character interactions and side quests add depth and charm, making the narrative engaging despite its brevity. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic RPG experience with memorable characters and a visually appealing world, though some players found the story lacking in complexity and originality.
- “Towards the Pantheon is a semi-open world turn-based RPG in which you take on the role of Freyja, a mute woman tasked with undertaking a long journey towards the proverbial pantheon, accompanied by a talking cat, a ghost, and a cyborg woman, with the objective of defeating an unspecified evil being who has raised an army of zombies to conquer the picturesque world serving as the backdrop to the game's story.”
- “To put it simply, 'Towards the Pantheon' contains nearly everything you expect from a good RPG: memorable characters, an engaging story, turn-based battles, plenty of secrets to discover, eye-catching visuals, and an exceptional soundtrack.”
- “This game is a story about friendship and overcoming obstacles - both the literal obstacles that you must combat, and the figurative obstacles in the minds of the characters.”
- “The plot is barebones, the villains are just there, and there are no side stories or arcs, so is there anything good I can say about the story?”
- “The art seemed too cartoony and simplistic, the battle system felt extremely limited and dull, character growth and development felt minimally interesting, and the story felt generic with too many characters thrown in and a vague end goal set from the get-go.”
- “For most modern games and JRPGs in particular, the characters and story are so generic and disillusion has long set in that I wouldn't bother to try another attempt upon a death, loss, or game crash.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its quality, diversity, and ability to enhance the overall experience. While some noted a few tracks felt out of place, the soundtrack is often described as memorable and fitting for various settings, contributing to the game's nostalgic charm. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, complementing the engaging gameplay and visuals effectively.
- “An enjoyable JRPG experience that had great music, memorable characters, and an interesting plot.”
- “The music was diverse and fit well with all the different settings - each area had its own distinct feel.”
- “The ever-changing scenery and music are two of my favorite things about this game, and good thing too, because you can spend hours wandering around taking in the sights and sounds of this wonderfully strange world.”
- “Music is just there.”
- “Before that you have to bear through stupidly happy music while exploring, fat cat people, who are only interested in catnip, and other weird stuff, that doesn't even come close to the theme of the prequel.”
- “Biggest complaints so far: the town music.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
37%
16%
The graphics in "Towards the Pantheon" are characterized by a charming old-school pixel art style that many players find visually appealing, with well-animated character portraits and expressive facial animations that enhance the storytelling. While some aspects may feel cheap or simplistic, the overall aesthetic is praised for its beauty and nostalgic quality, reminiscent of classic RPGs like Earthbound. Players appreciate the unique art direction and the engaging visuals that complement the game's narrative and gameplay.
- “The graphics look old school, but obviously not like an RPG Maker game; it has its own unique graphics. Everything looks beautiful, the scenes are good, and the facial expressions you see while your character is talking are varied, giving life to the main character, which is a staple of classic RPGs.”
- “The pixel style graphics are beautiful and the soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
- “The art style and world itself is very charming.”
- “Completing puzzles doesn't have the kind of graphical or sound feedback that would make me feel really good about pushing a block into place or figuring out the correct path to a secret.”
- “The graphics look old school, but obviously not like an RPG Maker game. It has its own unique graphics; everything looks beautiful, the scenes look good, and the facial expressions you see while your character is talking are varied. It gives life to the main character, which is the staple of the classic RPG game, a silent hero that doesn't speak a single word at least in the time I played. However, as I said, the facial expressions you see the character produce speak for themselves quite well.”
- “The overworld art style and some psychological/horror-lite elements present in the game reminded me a little of EarthBound (Mother 2).”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay features a limited selection of heroes with minimal customization options, but it compensates with a unique card collection mechanic that allows for powerful spell combinations. While the overall mechanics are solid and accessible, some players find the gameplay to be on the easier side, with a charming campfire system providing breaks during play. Overall, the game offers enjoyable mechanics and a pleasant experience, though it may require further polishing.
- “One of the greatest things about this game, music and charm aside, is the gameplay itself.”
- “The campfire mechanic is genius and always gives me a nice break from my dying streaks.”
- “It's very nice if you're not looking to do a lot of reading, from what I've seen, and the game's battle mechanics don't need much explaining.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the four playable heroes don't have a lot to offer in terms of individual customization, given the lack of body equipment or weapons, the rather limited selection of skills, and the fact that there aren't many status conditions to inflict. However, I do like how each of the characters has a different method for managing their mana, and I appreciate the skill tree progression system.”
- “To compensate for the lack of character depth, the developer put together a card collection mechanic, in which if you have the right combination of cards, you can perform a variety of overpowered spells.”
- “Gameplay is on the easier side; the only time I died was early on in my first playthrough, before gaining any other companions.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its unexpectedly heartfelt and cute story, featuring likable characters, including NPCs, that evoke a range of emotions. While the plot may not be groundbreaking, it effectively elicits laughter and tears, making for an enjoyable emotional experience.
- “While this game has flaws, as most do, they're so few and far between that they're easily overlooked for one of the cutest, unexpectedly heartfelt, sometimes creepy, and enjoyable stories I have ever encountered.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I felt feelings!”
- “The characters are likable (shockingly, this includes NPCs), but the plot is not earth-shattering: don't expect a classic saga, even if the game sometimes succeeds at pressing emotional buttons.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The atmosphere in "Toward the Pantheon" is characterized by a tense and immersive quality, evoking fear despite the absence of real threats. The game's art shines in darker areas, enhanced by effective lighting that contributes to a memorable and haunting ambiance, particularly in a standout zone that leaves a lasting impression.
- “A while back, I replayed 'Toward the Pantheon: Escaping Eternity' for my free highlights series (which is still on hiatus) and thought that while it didn’t have any real threats, it had a tense atmosphere that made me scared just being in that place.”
- “The art flourishes when you get to darker areas, and the plays of lighting on the atmosphere work extremely well.”
- “There's a particular zone about two-thirds of the way through the game that I find unforgettable, with a delectably dark and brutal atmosphere.”
- “A while back I replayed 'Toward the Pantheon: Escaping Eternity' for my free highlights series (which is still on hiatus) and thought that while it didn’t have any real threats, it had a tense atmosphere that made me scared just being in that place.”
- “There's a particular zone about 2/3rds of the way through the game that I find unforgettable, with a delectably dark and brutal atmosphere.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that while there is ample opportunity for grinding through sidequests and exploration, it is not a necessity to progress in the game. Engaging in grinding can lead to rewarding level-ups, but the option to avoid battles allows for a more enjoyable exploration experience. Overall, the game strikes a balance between offering grinding for those who seek it and allowing others to enjoy the story without it.
- “Grinding feels tedious and repetitive, making the game drag on longer than it should.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I found the grinding to be a chore, taking away from the enjoyment of the game's story and exploration.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features rich character development, particularly in the deep friendships formed among party members, which are explored throughout the 10-hour narrative. Players are introduced to a diverse cast, including a mischievous kitty, an insecure cyborg, and a mysterious ex-human, all of whom contribute to the strong bonds and engaging interactions that enhance the overall experience. However, some reviewers feel that the game's length is insufficient to fully explore the depth of the story and character arcs.
- “Along the way, you pick up three other kooky characters (a mischievous kitty called Bam, an insecure cyborg called Mishima, and a mysterious floaty ex-human called Phenez), and you travel and learn about each other and build a strong bond. I could honestly rant and rave about how amazing the character development is all day!”
- “It was 10 hours in length, which I don't think was long enough for all of the story or character development that the game contains, especially with how deep the party member friendships are shown to be after meeting early in-game.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor glitches reported, such as a sprite getting stuck and an incorrect exit location. However, a significant issue arises during the final battle, where players may encounter a game-breaking glitch that prevents progression and resolution of the story.
- “I enjoyed the plot and the style, but the only downside is that my game glitches at the final battle and won't let me continue past the fight, so I have no conclusion.”
- “There were a couple of minor glitches (one sprite got stuck on screen, following me onto every new map until I restarted the game. One exit led to the wrong place in one of the forests, not that place), but nothing major at all.”

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83%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Towards The Pantheon is a casual role playing game with horror, fantasy and science fiction themes.

Towards The Pantheon is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Towards The Pantheon was released on May 16, 2018.

Towards The Pantheon was developed by Connor O.R.T. Linning.

Towards The Pantheon has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Towards The Pantheon is a single player game.

Similar games include Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling, HEARTBEAT, Sea of Stars, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass, Phoenotopia: Awakening and others.

Towards The Pantheon

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