Virgo Versus The Zodiac

While Virgo Versus The Zodiac does have its moments, it loses steam the longer you play. The inconsistent tone gets in the way of any serious storytelling, and an initially engaging combat system ends up being underutilised. It’s still something worth checking out if you’re looking for a shorter RPG with some unique ideas, as long as you can put up with its shortcomings.

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Virgo Versus the Zodiac is a tactical RPG where you play as Virgo, a divine maiden on a mission to defeat the other Zodiac signs. Engage in strategic turn-based combat, customize your abilities and equipment, and explore a vibrant world inspired by Chinese mythology. With a captivating story and challenging gameplay, Virgo Versus the Zodiac offers a unique and immersive gaming experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 383 reviews

story82 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Engaging and unique combat system that combines turn-based mechanics with timed inputs, making battles feel dynamic and rewarding.
Charming characters and witty writing that keep the story entertaining and humorous throughout the game.
Beautiful pixel art and an outstanding soundtrack that enhance the overall experience and immersion.

The story can feel rushed in the latter half, with some plot points lacking depth and resolution.
Confusing stat system with unconventional terminology that can be overwhelming for new players.
No New Game+ option, requiring players to replay the game to see different endings, which can feel tedious.

story
270 mentions
30 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Virgo versus the Zodiac" is a complex and engaging narrative that revolves around the titular character's quest to restore a golden age, featuring multiple endings that significantly alter the player's experience. While many players appreciate the clever writing and character development, some find the pacing uneven and the need for multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the story tedious. Overall, the game is praised for its unique premise and emotional depth, though it can be confusing at times and may not appeal to everyone.
- “There's also other ingeniously clever things in the plotting where things any player would assume are just plot holes/retcons are actually gigantic hints to what's really going on behind the scenes, so when you combine that with the great writing, I can definitely say the story here is brilliant.”
- “The story is engaging, the characters are charming, the gameplay is fun, and the music is wonderful.”
- “The story is fascinating and unique and captivating in a spectacular way.”
- “The major issues I have with the game are that you really have to get all three endings to fully appreciate the story, and since the divergence points come early on in the game, that means essentially you need to do like 2.6 or 2.7 whole playthroughs, which isn't all that fun, despite the changes between routes.”
- “The way the story is handled is just that much of a deal breaker to me (it is a story-driven game after all).”
- “The story was also a bit weak; the concept is unique, but it tries to add morality to your murderous quest in which you kill hundreds of people, and it doesn't really work.”
music
168 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Virgo vs. the Zodiac" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its outstanding quality and memorable tracks. The soundtrack is described as diverse, engaging, and capable of enhancing the game's atmosphere, making it a significant highlight for players. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, often noted as one of the best aspects of the game, with some players even purchasing the soundtrack separately.
- “The soundtrack is amazing and it's worth playing just for it.”
- “The music is astoundingly good.”
- “The music is absolutely phenomenal, like wow first track in had me gripped and right after I finished playing it for the first time I bought the soundtrack on Bandcamp.”
- “I'm not sure if this was actually a bug, but music did not change during some battles, instead continuing to play overworld audio, which was jarring to me.”
- “Everything has been smashed into a compressor making it feel like the music is always screaming, even during its quietest moments.”
- “It was so irritatingly present in the mix that I turned the music slider down to about 30% and only then does it feel somewhat comfortable.”
gameplay
149 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Virgo Versus the Zodiac" is a blend of turn-based mechanics with real-time elements, requiring players to master timed button presses for attacks and defenses, which adds a layer of complexity and engagement. While many players appreciate the unique combat system and customization options, some find the mechanics overly complicated and poorly explained, leading to a steep learning curve. Overall, the game offers a rich and satisfying experience for those willing to invest the time to understand its intricacies, though it may deter others due to its initial difficulty and lack of polish.
- “The gameplay does take practice to get used to it.”
- “There are timed button mechanics for attacking and blocking, so even though the game is turn-based, you can do real-time parrying and countering. The attack animations across the different weapons you can find are all really beautiful to watch, and their sound effects are also very satisfying.”
- “The battle system is the star of the show here, focusing on equipping items that give you one of four kinds of actions: melee attack, ranged shot, area of damage, and defending. There’s also a counterattack mechanic where if the enemy hits you while your defense is up, you can riposte with another skill set.”
- “The gameplay is hard to get into right off the bat, but with a lot of patience and a bit of trial and error, you simply fall in love with the fundamental strategy you need to beat 'em all.”
- “The game balance is another thing that has been thrown out the window; the starting enemies are the most challenging things you will ever encounter, only for encounters to get abysmally easy as time goes on, plus many mechanics that are either never explained, buried under a hell of menus, or only given a cryptic clue on what they do.”
- “The only real problem I'd say is that there is a definite learning curve at the very beginning; button press timing takes a bit to get used to and the mechanics seem really complicated at first.”
humor
69 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Virgo vs. the Zodiac" is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky puns, and a mix of whimsical and dark comedic elements that enhance the game's charm. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and unique interactions, which contribute to a lighthearted yet emotionally resonant experience. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature that keeps the gameplay engaging and entertaining.
- “Virgo vs. the Zodiac is a cute, high-energy adventure with adorable graphics, a rockin' metal soundtrack, unique and memorable characters, and humor that is disturbing in just the right way.”
- “From puns to funny jokes and delightful dialogue, it is always aware of its comedic identity and manages to crack a smile out of the player.”
- “The writing is surprisingly funny and layered, the characters are likable, the combat is a lot of fun, and the RPG aspects are very satisfying.”
graphics
58 mentions
47 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming pixel art and unique character designs, while others criticize the inconsistency in art styles across different game elements. Overall, the visuals are described as aesthetically pleasing and infused with passion, though some players find certain aspects, like combat graphics and clarity, lacking. Despite these criticisms, the game's artwork and music contribute positively to the overall experience, making it a visually engaging title for fans of the genre.
- “The character designs and art style are on point.”
- “With beautiful graphics, enchanting music, tight gameplay, witty writing, this game is one of the best experiences of the year so far.”
- “The art style of the game is outstanding!”
- “In terms of polish, I speak of the significant mismatch in the graphical style of combat, the open world, and the portrait art used for dialogue.”
- “There are like 4 different art styles used together: overworld sprite art, battle sprite art, GUI drawn, and cutscene sprite-like drawn.”
- “I cannot speak for this game's story, its graphics, or anything because it was so bad in the first hour of gameplay that I can't play this game anymore.”
character development
25 mentions
72 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs are universally praised for their beauty and creativity, many reviewers feel that the characters themselves lack depth and meaningful growth. The writing is noted for being entertaining and emotionally impactful, but some players express disappointment with the limited character arcs and the dissonance between character development and the fixed ending. Overall, the game's strong visual appeal and humor overshadow its shortcomings in character development.
- “The character designs and art style are on point.”
- “The strong points of 'Virgo versus the Zodiac' are the character design, its humor that is so entertaining, the battle system that combines inputs with timing, and the atmosphere it gives that is reminiscent of 'Undertale'.”
- “While the writing throughout the game is good, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, the fixed ending felt dissonant from all the decisions and character development that led up to it.”
- “They barely get any character development and there is no reason why they should stick around with each other.”
- “While the writing throughout the game is good, entertaining and emotionally impactful, the fixed ending felt dissonant from all the decisions and character development that led up to it.”
- “...the story and characters leave a lot to be desired personally, but at the very least I absolutely adore the character designs!”
emotional
16 mentions
94 % positive mentions
-12 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create strong character connections and a mix of humor and seriousness, leading to moments of both laughter and tears. While some players found it easy to become emotionally invested, others felt a disconnect due to a fixed ending that didn't align with their character development. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt narrative and the passion of its indie developers, making it a memorable experience that resonates emotionally with many players.
- “I don’t usually get emotionally invested in game narratives, but these characters easily grew on me through their mix of silly hyperbolic zodiac traits and their heartfelt care for each other – or desire to destroy the galaxy for each other.”
- “It's a heartfelt game that shows the passion of the indie dev at the heart of its core, and shows that a game isn't defined by big budgets, over-the-top graphics, or any of the buzzwords of the industry right now: it's defined by the passion of the team behind it.”
- “I didn't expect anything strolling into this game, and leaving it made me feel sad, as if you finally finished your favorite anime that you would ever watch in your life.”
- “The combat is enjoyable, but the story fails to evoke any real emotions.”
- “I found the emotional depth lacking; it felt more like a chore than an engaging experience.”
- “While the gameplay mechanics are solid, the narrative left me feeling disconnected and uninspired.”
grinding
12 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the rewarding black hole mechanic for leveling and item upgrades, others find it tedious and feel that the game doesn't require grinding due to the absence of random encounters. Overall, the grinding experience varies, with some players enjoying the optional nature of it, while others see it as a waste of time.
- “No grinding, as all fights are optional or scripted (even surprise ones).”
- “I assumed there was no grinding, because there are no random encounters.”
- “The game difficulty wavers a little bit, and there were some areas where I was wishing I had the option of grinding because some enemies like to one-shot newer, weaker party members.”
- “The grind aspect of the black hole dimension also gets really tedious really quickly.”
- “The black hole dimension felt like a waste of time after the 3rd or 4th realms of the game; the game doesn't give you enough information on what the grand prizes are, and they can just be items you already have, so what's the point of grinding in the black hole for items you already have?”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to its branching storylines and multiple endings influenced by player choices. While some players appreciate the opportunity to explore different builds and outcomes, others find the experience repetitive and lacking in excitement after completing the main paths. Overall, it caters to those who enjoy revisiting games for varied narratives, though it may not appeal to everyone.
- “Good amount of replayability between trying different builds and different endings based on your choices.”
- “Solid replayability, and multiple endings make this otherwise quick-to-finish game one that I will likely come back and play over and over again.”
- “There's also loads of choices you are given that affect the story in one way or another, giving reason for replayability.”
- “It's replayable, yes - the major story paths diverge quite early, but it's just plain boring.”
- “Probably the only thing is that the replayability is rather small if you're going for all 3 (+1 if you do a certain side quest) endings, but they're definitely worth it!”
- “Not much replay value except to get endings.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with comparisons to works like "Madoka Magica" and "Undertale," highlighting its quirky writing, solid world-building, and engaging character interactions. Players find the immersive environment so captivating that they often spend extended periods exploring and conversing with characters, contributing to an overall rating of 10/10 for atmosphere.
- “I ended up buying and playing through the game, really enjoying the quirky writing and atmosphere.”
- “The story is great and the characters are interesting; the atmosphere is kind of similar to stories like Madoka Magica. The world-building is really solid.”
- “The atmosphere is just wow; I remember spending over an hour just talking to random people in the realms because it felt so amazing.”
- “The atmosphere is just whoa, I remember spending over an hour just talking to random people in the realms, because it just felt so darn amazing.”
- “The strong points of Virgo versus the Zodiac are the character design, its humor that is so entertaining, the battle system that combines inputs with timing, and the atmosphere it gives that is a reminiscence of Undertale.”
stability
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with users reporting only minor glitches and occasional crashes, such as during significant boss fights. Despite these issues, the game performs well on a variety of systems, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- “The game runs great on any machine, as the requirements are low.”
- “I've experienced minimal bugs, making for a smooth gameplay experience.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes.”
- “I experienced a couple of glitches here and there, including a game crash during the main boss fight of chapter 2, just as I was able to defeat the boss before a scripted story event (I won't reveal who the boss is to avoid spoilers).”
- “The game has stability issues that detracted from my overall experience.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the optimization aspect overwhelming due to the excessive variety of gear available, which can lead to confusion and indecision in enhancing their characters.
- “As someone who enjoys tinkering with optimization, I was constantly engaged by the abundant stream of multi-faceted gear I was receiving.”
- “The optimization options in this game are incredibly deep, allowing for a personalized experience that keeps me coming back for more.”
- “I love how the game encourages experimentation with different builds, making optimization feel rewarding and fun.”
- “As someone who enjoys tinkering with optimization, I was constantly paralyzed by the overwhelming amount of multi-faceted gear I was receiving.”
- “The optimization system feels convoluted and makes it difficult to make meaningful choices.”
- “I found the optimization mechanics to be frustratingly complex, leading to more confusion than enjoyment.”