Video Game Fables

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.

78%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding

97% User Score Based on 39 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

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About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Video Game Fables offers a unique and engaging turn-based combat system that encourages strategic thinking, particularly with its innovative CRIT mechanic.
The game is filled with charming characters and witty dialogue, providing a humorous and lighthearted narrative that parodies traditional RPG tropes.
Despite its simple graphics, the game features a colorful and creative art style, along with a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly with slow movement on the world map and some tedious dungeon designs that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
While the humor is generally well-received, some players may find the meta-narrative and parody elements to be less effective or lacking depth.
There are occasional bugs and camera issues that can detract from the overall experience, along with some platforming mechanics that feel stiff and unrefined.

gameplay
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
51%
9%
The gameplay in this RPG is praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the critical hit system and unique resource management, which add depth to the turn-based combat. While some players noted flaws such as tedious platforming sections and enemy design, many found the overall experience engaging and enjoyable, with varied level design and quirky characters enhancing the charm. The blend of traditional RPG elements with fresh gameplay twists keeps the experience fun and inventive, appealing 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.”
- “The gameplay felt slow, the sense of my party getting stronger wasn't really there, and although amusing, the first boss came across like a damage sponge.”
- “I might also say that going for voxel over a paper-style pixel sprite is a questionable decision, since the game mechanics are almost entirely reminiscent of games that came out long before Minecraft.”
- “[ineffective as a parody, doesn’t dig deep enough into its main mechanics, variety of game styles feel unfocused]”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
12%
The story of the game is a lighthearted and humorous take on classic RPG tropes, featuring quirky characters and absurd situations that evoke nostalgia for NES-era titles like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. While the main plot is simple and only lasts about 10 hours, it is filled with charm, clever writing, and engaging mini-games, making it a memorable experience that balances familiarity with unique twists. Overall, the narrative is entertaining and cohesive, appealing to fans of traditional RPGs looking for a fresh and fun adventure.
- “This game has really charming character writing and storytelling, using classic tropes of old RPGs and either leaning into them fully or subverting them in ways that are unique.”
- “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 humor and non-typical heroes forced to save the day.”
- “The story is very tongue-in-cheek featuring absurd situations and characters.”
- “However, so deep is the love for the classic JRPGs 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.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky, self-aware JRPG satire, delivering a lighthearted and charming experience filled with clever dialogue and amusing moments. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter without relying on shock humor, making it a delightful homage to classic RPGs. Overall, the humor enhances the engaging gameplay and colorful visuals, creating a memorable narrative that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “Super adorable send-up of JRPGs with plenty of quirky humor to go around.”
- “The characters are really charming, and the humor is very tongue-in-cheek self-aware JRPG humor, which has gotten a good handful of 'audible exhales' out of me in the first couple of hours.”
- “Genuinely funny and clever dialogue that's made me laugh out loud multiple times.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
21%
21%
The music in the game has received high praise for its catchy and well-composed tracks, particularly the hub, overworld, and battle themes, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some players noted a few songs felt overused by the end, the upbeat chiptune soundtrack effectively complements the game's vibrant visuals and narrative, making it a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is described as delightful and fitting for the game's tone, contributing significantly to its enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is also great, with the hub theme, overworld theme, and battle theme being particularly amazing.”
- “The music is simplistic, but that doesn't stop every track from being an absolute bop.”
- “As you make your way through the narrative with our three intrepid adventurers, you’ll be accompanied by some furiously jolly chiptune music that absolutely meshes with the bright and blocky visuals.”
- “For instance, the battle and boss songs weren't changing, although I think being in different parts of the overworld did make a difference.”
- “After beating the game, a few songs felt a bit overused, but they otherwise seemed to be well-composed tracks.”
- “The writing is what makes this game worth it, along with the soundtrack.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The game's graphics are praised for their charming and comedic art style, which effectively enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique character designs, noting that they contribute significantly to the game's humor and appeal. Despite its indie origins, the graphics are described as polished and engaging, rivaling those of AAA titles.
- “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.”
- “As you make your way through the narrative with our three intrepid adventurers, you’ll be accompanied by some furiously jolly chiptune music that absolutely meshes with the bright and blocky visuals.”
- “✔️❌ Graphics might not be for everyone.”
- “Graphically, this game utilizes art styles from across the spectrum to comedic and charming effect.”
- “I personally loved it since I don't really care about visuals, and it also added more charm to the game for me.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that while the game features enjoyable elements, it suffers from tedious grinding, particularly in resource management and certain gameplay sequences. The mandatory platforming and repetitive rewards contribute to a sense of frustration, especially in later dungeons. However, the leveling system for characters and weapons is seen as an interesting aspect that somewhat mitigates the grind.
- “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.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.
- “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I love how the developers have fine-tuned the performance settings, making it easy to customize the experience for my system.”
- “The game runs flawlessly after the latest optimization patch, significantly improving frame rates and loading times.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the game to be profoundly wholesome, evoking strong emotional responses and creating a heartfelt experience.
- “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.”