WAKFU

About

WAKFU is a multiplayer tactical role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Ankama Studio and was released on September 18, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Wakfu is a massively multiplayer, turn-based strategy game set in the World of Twelve. Engage in action-packed, tactical battles with 18 unique classes, and choose your path as a warrior, politician, merchant, or craftsman. With a humor-filled universe and a player-driven economy, Wakfu offers a limitless and dynamic adventure."

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,970 reviews

gameplay153 positive mentions

grinding287 negative mentions

Unique turn-based combat mechanics that require strategic thinking.
Rich world-building and engaging storylines that connect to the Wakfu animated series.
Diverse character classes with unique abilities and playstyles, allowing for extensive customization.

Complicated and invasive account creation process requiring personal information, including address and ID for support.
Low player population, making it difficult to find groups for dungeons and quests.
Frequent bugs and technical issues, particularly with the Steam launcher, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.

gameplay
450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay of Wakfu is characterized by its unique turn-based combat system and a variety of classes, each with distinct mechanics that encourage strategic play. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the gameplay, especially in dungeons and PvP, some criticize the steep learning curve, grind-heavy progression, and occasional frustrating mechanics that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a rich and engaging environment for those who enjoy tactical gameplay, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its reliance on group play and the need for patience in mastering its systems.
- “Incredible game, full of gameplay styles and ways to play (farming, dungeons, selling...), lots of cool quests, and a fun main story.”
- “The gameplay offers a very nice and flashy turn-based combat with appealing animations and effects as well as a chance to build your own playstyle for each character + the ability to control multiple characters (companions).”
- “Wakfu's gameplay is superb, its mechanics tight, its fights complex and its goal of being a very hard battle puzzle MMO realized to its fullest extent.”
- “Many of the bosses start having invulnerability and/or instakills that require adhering to ridiculous mechanics, some of them so disjointed from the actual combat of the game that it feels like your class doesn't even matter, you're just expected to play whatever stupid puzzle game the designers thought up that week.”
- “There is a group of regular enemies at level 200 that revive with full HP and buffs if they survive a hit at <20% HP, and on top of that they have a second mechanic that revives them infinitely if they are killed from certain distances, straight up invalidating classes that deal damage from range or melee exclusively.”
- “The gameplay feels confusing or boring, the skills take too long to level (and way too many), the progression feels off, and the first bite of the community was terrible.”
story
450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
70%
9%
The story in Wakfu is described as rich and engaging, with a vibrant universe that draws from its anime roots, featuring humorous and quirky quests. However, many players find the quest system lacking in clarity and direction, leading to frustration with vague objectives and a reliance on external resources for guidance. While the early game offers a delightful narrative experience, the story tends to taper off at higher levels, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the overarching plot.
- “Incredible game, full of gameplay styles and ways to play (farming, dungeons, selling...), lots of cool quests, and a fun main story.”
- “The quests and lore are intricately woven into the game, making every adventure feel like a journey into a living, breathing universe.”
- “Wakfu is a story-rich turn-based MMORPG that parodies a lot of pop culture with the naming of characters, their backstories, and whatnot!”
- “The story consists of doing MMORPG quality quests typical of most other middle-rate MMORPG games.”
- “The quests are tedious and the instructions and tips are vague.”
- “The first 12 levels or so, you'll find yourself with a bunch of interesting quests, but pretty much after that the story kinda disappears.”
graphics
323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The graphics of Wakfu are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines cartoonish and anime-inspired aesthetics, creating a vibrant and immersive world. While some players appreciate the beautiful visuals and fluid animations, others note that the graphics may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer more realistic designs. Overall, the game's artistic direction is considered a significant strength, contributing to its engaging atmosphere despite occasional technical issues.
- “The artwork and the graphics are brilliant!”
- “Every single thing is unique about this MMO, the art style is so beautiful and immersive with weather systems and a huge world, there is a deep universe with a unique story which is based on the anime of the same studio.”
- “The graphics are simply amazing, you can see how talented the artists at Ankama really are.”
- “I really liked the Wakfu cartoon; it had a really good lore and animation style. Sadly, the game is not like the show. I only played it for a short time, but I didn't like the controls and graphics.”
- “The only thing is that it has a low player base. Even if they merge all servers, with French, international, and Asian, it won't be able to compete with the modern high graphics and new high-grossing games in the market.”
- “This game has a lot of bugs, mostly just graphic bugs where models won't load or just characters sliding on the screen, but some of them affect the market.”
grinding
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant focus, with many players noting that it can be excessively tedious, especially at higher levels and for crafting professions. While some enjoy the grind as a means of progression and find it rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, particularly for solo players. The game is best suited for those who appreciate grinding and have friends or a community to share the experience with, as it can become monotonous without support.
- “When you're not grinding, Wakfu can be a fun game with unique classes and a nice combat system.”
- “Though I warn it's very grindy at the higher levels.”
- “The game itself is pretty grindy and boring if you don't want to pay monthly.”
- “Long story short; this game is so grindy you cannot play it casually (in my experience) solo.”
music
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players noting its immersive and nostalgic qualities. While some find it occasionally repetitive or synthetic, the majority appreciate the unique soundtracks that complement the game's vibrant visuals and world-building. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and player experience.
- “The music for this game is incredible; to this day, I still go back and look up my favorite songs and listen to them on YouTube.”
- “Beautiful visuals, amazing worlds and level design, and the music for this game gets a 10/10!”
- “With its unique art style and music quality, Wakfu creates a joyful atmosphere that will hold you for hours and hours.”
- “Sometimes it looks a little bit synthetic though and the music gets repetitive; if you want a game where you can have fun, then that's what it's for. It's just missing some charm and atmosphere, so bear that in mind.”
- “The music, on the other hand, is just altogether forgettable. I couldn't tell you what one song in this game sounds like, because none of them are memorable at all.”
- “I mean sure there's bright colors and I can turn on my own music, but besides loading screens, don't expect too much sound unless you enter a fight, and even then there's no battle music to submerge you in it.”
stability
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a plethora of bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly during the tutorial and account creation processes. Many players express frustration over the game's buggy interface and server issues, which detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully. While some acknowledge the game's potential and fun elements, the overwhelming consensus is that its stability issues significantly diminish its playability.
- “Never even got to play because it froze my computer when I finally was able to log in after an hour of troubleshooting.”
- “The game is so buggy I'd call it broken.”
- “Incredibly buggy registration and authentication system.”
humor
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, wit, and playful tone, often drawing on cartoonish elements and puns that resonate with fans of anime and light-hearted storytelling. Players appreciate the quirky characters, funny quests, and a narrative that balances humor with more serious themes, making for an enjoyable and engaging experience. While some find the humor occasionally juvenile or reliant on dated references, the overall consensus is that it adds a delightful charm to the gameplay.
- “As someone who watched and liked cartoons as a kid, the in-game humor stays true to that, and I found it funny and enjoyable.”
- “It has fantastic social options, a funny story that doesn't take itself too seriously, and a lot of production value, especially in the soundtrack.”
- “The story and characters are hilarious with a ton of puns.”
- “And no, that's not funny at all.”
- “Not funny at all.”
monetization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
41%
50%
The monetization in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the presence of pay-to-win elements and aggressive microtransactions that can hinder the experience for free-to-play users. While many microtransactions are cosmetic and do not affect gameplay, there are concerns about the game's reliance on booster packs and ads, which can feel intrusive. Overall, while some players find the monetization acceptable, others feel it detracts from the game's enjoyment and fairness.
- “The microtransactions (cosmetics, mounts, & pets) do not give you any bonuses to character stats or equipment.”
- “Beyond that, there is no pay-to-win gimmick; though there are microtransactions, they're all quality of life items or cosmetics.”
- “As a free-to-play game, there is a wide array of microtransactions available ranging from cosmetics and accessories to booster packs and 'sidekicks'.”
- “Outside of monetization, the game is fine; it shines in its combat, but the pay-to-win elements give you such a massive leap ahead that it's not worth playing as a 100% free-to-play player.”
- “They have mastered the art of maximizing the sunk cost fallacy and implementing anti-quality of life patches to boost microtransactions.”
- “Last but not least, the company has started to opt for pop-up and frequent booster (premium) ads, bombarding free-to-play players and existing players, trying to milk what's left of its glory.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including random stuttering, lag, and bugs, particularly due to its Java foundation. While some users have noted that the cartoony graphics are enjoyable and not demanding on PC performance, others express frustration over the lack of effective optimizations and the necessity for optimized builds to manage class synergies. Overall, the game is seen as needing substantial updates and improvements in optimization to enhance the player experience.
- “Cartoony graphics are well made and enjoyable, without much impact on PC performance.”
- “With around a dozen fully unique classes, each with no generic MMO class equivalent, this game can be overwhelming in the early stages if you begin researching class synergies and optimization.”
- “Overall, I'd rate it 7/10; it could use some optimization and updates, but that'll come with time, I hope.”
- “The game suffers from performance issues due to being written in Java, but other than that, it is a pretty solid game!”
- “Game is not done; bugs prevent playing. 'It just happens sometimes' is the support I got. Don't play an unoptimized game still in beta.”
- “Aside from the asinine balance, there is an unbelievable amount of bugs and performance issues.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
55%
17%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its complexity and rewarding progression, though it can slow down significantly at higher levels. The character designs are noted for their creativity and appeal, despite some criticism regarding sexism in female character portrayals. Overall, players appreciate the unique art style and the sense of accomplishment tied to character customization and gear acquisition.
- “Wakfu (Dofus' successor) has a nice art style, some thoughtful storytelling, decent world-building, and cool character design.”
- “Character development also feels really good, although the complexity of the moves and spells are quite intimidating for the first few hours.”
- “The character designs are relatively unique and you feel a serious sense of accomplishment when you finally get the awesome-looking gear you want.”
- “I do recommend the use of booster packs and other XP bonuses towards mid-levels as character development seems to slow down drastically around level 60-70.”
- “Most female character designs are very sexist, featuring balloon-shaped breasts and ridiculously skin-tight clothes.”
- “I hate, hate, hate the character design.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its unique art style and engaging music, creating a vibrant and enjoyable environment that enhances gameplay. While some players note a synthetic feel and repetitive music, many appreciate the charming and immersive qualities that make the game appealing, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the combination of colorful design, interactive elements, and a light-hearted tone contributes to a captivating atmosphere that players find enchanting.
- “Awesome art and atmosphere *_*”
- “The game looks gorgeous with its own art style, many big areas look unique and interesting, and even the music adds to the comfy atmosphere overall.”
- “With its unique art style and music quality, Wakfu creates a joyful atmosphere that will hold you for hours and hours.”
- “Sometimes it looks a little bit synthetic though and the music gets repetitive; if you want a game where you can have fun, then that's what it's for. It's just missing some charm and atmosphere, so bear that in mind.”
- “Go and play it with friends; don't let the childish atmosphere drive you away from its content.”
- “Online game turn-based system with an atmosphere like eco.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of nostalgia and heartbreak regarding the emotional impact of the game, particularly for those who have fond memories of earlier titles like Final Fantasy Tactics. However, negative experiences, such as account issues and perceived unfairness in gameplay due to server dynamics, have led to frustration and disillusionment, overshadowing the initial emotional connection. Overall, while the game's art and potential evoke strong feelings, many users caution against engaging with it due to its problematic community and monetization practices.
- “It made me feel like a kid again...”
- “Heartbreaking to see how this game ended up as someone who played Final Fantasy Tactics (on the Nintendo).”
- “4 years after touching this, giving it another go now....”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Players highlight the game's high replayability due to its diverse and unique classes, each offering a distinct gameplay experience. The variety of islands and engaging combat further enhance replay value, although some technical issues related to its Java coding may detract from the overall experience.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Not to mention tons of cool classes that are all different and unique from each other, playing entirely differently, giving tons of replay value.”
- “Loads of different islands and counties, gorgeous artwork, engaging combat system, and so much replayability with 13 different classes.”
- “This game would be 50 times more playable if it wasn't coded in Java.”