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.

84%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, optimization

98% User Score Based on 42 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

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About

Video Game Fables is a single player role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Momiji Studios and was released on July 15, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Unique and engaging battle system that incorporates a critical hit mechanic, allowing for strategic gameplay and character customization.
Charming and humorous writing that parodies classic RPG tropes, making for an entertaining narrative experience.
Short and sweet gameplay length of around 10-15 hours, providing a fun and memorable experience without unnecessary filler content.

Visual design may feel crude or unfinished, which could detract from the overall experience for some players.
Some gameplay elements, such as platforming sections and dungeon design, can be tedious and may disrupt the flow of the game.
The pacing can feel slow at times, particularly in terms of world map movement and the transition into battles.

gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The gameplay in this game is characterized by its innovative mechanics, such as a unique critical hit system and a shared experience pool for character progression, which adds depth to the turn-based combat. While some players noted flaws like tedious platforming and enemy design, many found the overall experience engaging and fun, with varied level design and inventive boss fights that keep the gameplay fresh. The blend of RPG elements with platforming and quirky humor creates a charming and enjoyable experience reminiscent of classic titles.
- “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.”
- “If you are like me and love Paper Mario, then you’ll feel right at home; the gameplay is almost the same, just with a different story and charm and no badges.”
story
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
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 titles like Dragon Quest and Paper Mario. While the main plot is relatively simple and brief, lasting around 10 hours, it is filled with memorable moments, clever writing, and engaging quests that subvert traditional narratives. Overall, players appreciate the thoughtful storytelling and the game's ability to balance humor with solid gameplay mechanics, making for a fun and entertaining experience.
- “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 main story is only 10 hours long (the rest of the recorded time was for the DLC challenge battles) and yet this game does so much to establish itself as being both memorable and fun within that limited time.”
- “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 story is very tongue-in-cheek featuring absurd situations and characters.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever, self-aware dialogue and quirky charm, often parodying classic JRPG tropes while maintaining an original script. Players appreciate the lighthearted and entertaining storyline, filled with funny moments that evoke nostalgia for older RPGs, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre. Overall, the humor is described as genuinely funny and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “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.”
- “Genuinely funny and clever dialogue that's made me laugh out loud multiple times.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The graphics of "Video Game Fables" are a mixed bag, with some players finding the art style charming and entertaining, while others describe it as crude and not visually impressive. Despite its indie origins, many reviewers appreciate the game's unique and quirky visuals, which contribute to its comedic effect and overall charm. Overall, the graphics may not appeal to everyone, but they are considered a delightful aspect by those who enjoy the game's aesthetic.
- “Graphically, this game utilizes art styles from across the spectrum to comedic and charming effect.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are so fun and the dialogue is hilarious.”
- “Video Game Fables is not the most aesthetically pleasing and felt pretty crude to play at times.”
- “The keyboard control scheme was a bit janky and the game didn't run that well on my RX580 graphics card.”
- “Graphics might not be for everyone.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
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.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that while the game has enjoyable elements, it suffers from tedious grinding, particularly due to a shallow resource economy and repetitive tasks like fishing. The high cost of gold early on discourages exploration, leading to excessive grinding in certain areas. However, some appreciate the unique leveling system for characters and weapons, which adds a layer of strategy to 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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
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 systems.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the performance, making it accessible for a wider audience without sacrificing quality.”
- “The game's optimization ensures that frame rates remain stable, providing a seamless experience during intense action sequences.”
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
- “The optimization is so bad that loading times are unacceptably long, even for simple tasks.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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, leaving me in tears by the end.”

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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Video Game Fables is a role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes.

Video Game Fables is available on PC and Windows.

Video Game Fables was released on July 15, 2022.

Video Game Fables was developed by Momiji Studios.

Video Game Fables has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Video Game Fables is a single player game.

Similar games include Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Cosmic Star Heroine, 8-Bit Adventures 2, Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands, Rise of the Third Power and others.

Video Game Fables

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