Video Game Fables
- July 15, 2022
- Momiji Studios
Video Game Fables is a solid if simple RPG that suffers from the baggage of its meta nature. The lighthearted dialogue will make you smile and there are glimpses of compelling RPG design strewn about the experience. The game just never truly rises above the height of the conventions it seeks to overthrow, which given the subject matter, is a distracting misstep that weakens the overall experience.
Get on Steam"Video Game Fables" is a humorous RPG set in a forgotten game world, where the script has been ruined by "The Forsaken Princess." Join Princess Aru, NPC Nate, and Tator as they attempt to restore order, with strategic turn-based battles, unique XP system, and skill crafting. Look forward to surprising boss fights and varied playstyles based on equipped weapons.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Video Game Fables offers a unique and engaging turn-based combat system with innovative mechanics that keep battles fresh and strategic.
- The writing and characters are charming and humorous, providing a lighthearted and entertaining narrative that parodies traditional RPG tropes.
- The game features a delightful art style and a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
- Some dungeons and platforming sections can be tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The game may feel too familiar in its quest structure, potentially undermining its attempts at parody and innovation.
- There are occasional technical issues, such as camera problems and slow movement speed on the world map, which can disrupt gameplay.
- gameplay22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the crit system and unique experience distribution, which enhance the turn-based RPG experience. While some players noted flaws such as tedious platforming and shallow resource management, the overall level design, engaging boss fights, and charming humor contribute to a fun and inventive gameplay experience reminiscent of classic RPGs. The game successfully blends RPG and platforming elements, offering a fresh take that appeals to fans of the genre.
“The crit system may just have overtaken Octopath's break/boost system as my favorite underlying mechanic in any turn-based RPG ever; it's so good and needs to break into the mainstream consciousness as soon as possible.”
“Really fun and inventive meta RPG, the boss fights keep introducing new mechanics and the game makes the most out of the sentient video game character premise. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can't wait to try out the DLC.”
“The most distinctive mechanic is probably the experience distribution— all of your experience goes into one pile you spend manually, and everything costs it: adding skill slots, equipping gear, and actually leveling your party (also interesting and very good— all three party members share one level).”
“The gameplay feels unfocused, with a variety of game styles that don't dig deep enough into its main mechanics.”
“I might also say that going for voxel graphics over a paper-style pixel sprite is a questionable decision, as the game mechanics are reminiscent of much older titles.”
“While the game has some creativity in its puzzles, the overall gameplay lacks depth and coherence.”
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a lighthearted and humorous take on classic JRPG tropes, featuring absurd situations and charming characters that evoke nostalgia for titles like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. While the main narrative is relatively short at around 10 hours, it is packed with entertaining moments and clever mini-games that enhance the experience. Overall, the game successfully balances a familiar quest structure with a playful and subversive narrative, making it both memorable and enjoyable.
“The plot is simple, but fun and lighthearted with many funny moments.”
“Video Game Fables is a lighthearted RPG with a humorous, charming world and storyline.”
“The story is very tongue-in-cheek featuring absurd situations and characters.”
“However, so deep the love for the classic JRPGs may be, that to some extent, despite the narrative being a game off script and the content of each quest scenario subversive, the structure of the game's quest falls into a very familiar classic formula potentially unconsciously.”
“The game wants to be just that, a small but simple video game with a humorous storyline that doesn't take itself seriously.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky, self-aware parody of classic JRPGs, delivering a lighthearted and charming experience filled with funny moments and engaging dialogue. Players appreciate the tongue-in-cheek humor that elicits genuine laughter, making it a delightful choice for fans of nostalgic RPGs. Overall, the game's comedic elements complement its entertaining storyline and vibrant visuals, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
“Super adorable send-up of JRPGs with plenty of quirky humor to go 'round.”
“The characters are really charming, and the humor is very tongue-in-cheek self-aware JRPG humor, has gotten a good handful of 'audible exhale's out of me in the first couple hours lol.”
“Video Game Fables is a lighthearted RPG with a humorous, charming world and storyline.”
- music8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its beautiful and upbeat soundtrack, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Key themes, including the hub, overworld, and battle music, are particularly noted for their quality and ability to set the right tone, making the game more enjoyable and fitting for each level. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that complements the game's writing and genre parody effectively.
“The soundtrack is also great, with the hub theme, overworld theme, and battle theme being particularly amazing.”
“Music was also super nice and made the gameplay much more enjoyable!”
“The soundtrack is spot on, being upbeat almost all the time.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming art style and vibrant visuals, which enhance the overall experience despite its indie origins. Players appreciate the unique and entertaining character designs, as well as the slick user interface, contributing to a delightful and engaging atmosphere. However, some users note that the graphics may not appeal to everyone, though they personally found them to add significant charm to the game.
“Despite its indie roots, Video Game Fables has been so expertly crafted, featuring slick UI, clever mechanics, and gorgeous visuals, that you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a triple-A experience.”
“[Gorgeous visuals, expertly revolutionizes the RPG genre, phenomenal turn-based combat, hilarious and delightfully memorable narrative]”
“Great art style, fun and unique enemies and bosses to fight.”
“The graphics might not be for everyone.”
“I personally loved it since I don't really care about visuals, and it also added more charm to the game for me.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that while the game has enjoyable elements, it suffers from tedious grinding, particularly due to a shallow resource economy and high costs that discourage exploration. The grinding can feel excessive, especially in certain dungeons and during the final gameplay sequence, but the leveling system for characters and weapons adds an interesting twist to the experience. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant but manageable flaw in an otherwise compelling game.
“That’s when the game gets tedious.”
“You lose a bit of gold each time... and in the beginning the cost seemed too high, so I avoided running for most of the game, resulting in way too much grinding in places... I should have been running a lot more.”
“There is a lot of grinding required but the system to level up your characters and weapons is interesting.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be profoundly wholesome, evoking strong emotional responses and leaving a lasting positive impression.
“There are not enough words to describe how wholesome this game was.”
“The emotional journey I experienced while playing this game was truly unforgettable.”
“This game made me feel a deep connection to the characters and their stories.”
Critic Reviews
Video Game Fables Review - Weighed Down by Excess Baggage
Video Game Fables is a solid if simple RPG that suffers from the baggage of its meta nature. The lighthearted dialogue will make you smile and there are glimpses of compelling RPG design strewn about the experience. The game just never truly rises above the height of the conventions it seeks to overthrow, which given the subject matter, is a distracting misstep that weakens the overall experience.
60%Video Game Fables: A Truly Spectacular Indie RPG – PC Review
Video Game Fables is a truly exceptional indie RPG. While it would have been easy to merely copy the tropes of the genre, developer Momiji Studios has crafted something entirely new. The game's myriad of systems revolutionise the turn-based genre in ways since thought impossible and it's witty script and colourful cast of characters propel a unique and memorable narrative forward at a brisk pace. Despite its indie roots, Video Game Fables has been so expertly crafted, featuring slick UI, clever mechanics and gorgeous visuals, that you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a triple-A experience.
100%Video Game Fables Review
Video Game Fables is a twist on your classic turn-based RPG with new fighting mechanics and an original story with a great sense of humour and non-typical heroes forced to save the day. There is a lot of grinding required but the system to level up your characters and weapons is interesting.
75%
