Warsim: The Realm of Aslona

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Warsim: The Realm of Aslona is a critically acclaimed text-based kingdom management game featuring charming ASCII graphics. With a procedurally generated world filled with diverse races, events, and locations, players can shape the world according to their choices. Explore over 100 unique locations, including a Blackmarket, hidden cities, and a scorpion fighting pit, for an engaging and immersive experience.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,463 reviews

graphics38 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Warsim offers a unique blend of kingdom management and text-based adventure, providing endless replayability with procedurally generated races and events.
The developer is highly engaged with the community, frequently updating the game and responding to player feedback, which enhances the overall experience.
The humor and charm of the game, combined with its depth and complexity, make it a delightful experience for fans of text-based games.

The game can become repetitive over time, especially in the late game when players may find themselves grinding through similar encounters and decisions.
The combat system lacks depth, often reducing battles to simple number comparisons without strategic options for players.
Some players may find the ASCII graphics off-putting, which could deter them from fully enjoying the game's content and mechanics.

graphics
145 mentions
26 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Warsim" are primarily ASCII-based, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others see them as a limitation. Many reviews emphasize that the game's depth and immersive gameplay far outweigh the simplistic visuals, suggesting that the ASCII art encourages players to engage their imagination. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to everyone, they contribute to a unique aesthetic that complements the game's text-driven narrative and complex mechanics.
- “Don't let the graphics fool you. This game offers a rich and immersive experience that rivals many graphically intensive titles.”
- “The ascii graphics, while simple, add a certain charm to the game.”
- “It's a testament to the game's design that it can create such an immersive experience with such simple graphics.”
- “The biggest drawback is, of course, graphics, for someone who doesn't like them.”
- “In closing, you should probably know from the get-go if you're going to enjoy this game; otherwise, you'd probably be horrified at the text-based graphics.”
- “I believe the game takes the comparison of graphics vs gameplay to a whole new level: minimal graphics, maximum gameplay and replayability.”
gameplay
126 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is characterized by its addictive and engaging mechanics, allowing players to expand their kingdoms through conquest and exploration, despite its simplistic ASCII graphics. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of features, some criticize the repetitiveness and lack of complexity in certain systems, particularly in combat and resource management. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of humor and strategy, appealing to fans of text-based and simulation games, though it may not sustain long-term engagement for everyone.
- “The core gameplay loop revolves around expanding your kingdom through conquest, allowing you to make more money and invest it in increasingly lucrative upgrades.”
- “Even though the game is simple with its basic graphics and presentation, the game is so advanced behind the scenes with its gameplay and features.”
- “This game has so much to offer and so much potential, and will provide hours upon hours of fresh gameplay.”
- “I wish I could go more in-depth in terms of game structure, gameplay, etc., but the surface-level issues were simply too great, and the game itself just not engaging enough for me to be able to properly enjoy it for what it could be.”
- “There is very little depth in the simulation mechanics, turns are very repetitive, and the game systems are not well thought-out.”
- “The kingdom management and war mechanics are pretty bare bones.”
humor
95 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and depth, with many players finding it genuinely funny and capable of eliciting laughter through quirky events and witty dialogue. While some reviews note that the humor may not resonate with everyone, the overall consensus highlights a delightful blend of absurdity and clever writing that enhances the gameplay experience. The game's ability to generate unexpected and humorous scenarios contributes to its replayability and enjoyment.
- “I really, really love the concept of this game and the execution behind it; the funny quips and absurdities the characters come up with are really something else.”
- “The sheer amount of options, lines of funny text, and generated faces just oozes passion from this solo dev.”
- “From goblins and drunkards urinating on my pristine throne room floors to a gnome insult arena, the humor never disappoints.”
- “90% of options are just meaningless fluff and unfunny jokes.”
- “The humor feels forced and falls flat more often than not.”
- “I expected clever wit, but instead got a barrage of tired clichés.”
story
64 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story is highly praised for its depth and interactivity, allowing players to shape their own narratives through customizable backstories and emergent storytelling. Players appreciate the rich lore and the ability to explore a variety of unique scenarios, although some note that the repetitive nature of gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is immersive and engaging, making it a standout feature for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay.
- “It felt like I was really living through a story, and the amount of interactivity and the sheer number of outcomes really makes this game something special.”
- “The story is good, the lore is deep, and the gameplay is rewarding.”
- “I always seem to have a good time playing this game; whether I'm stomping rebels or being stomped by rebels, there's just something so satisfying about the way this game can generate an awesome story out of a bunch of randomly generated numbers and ASCII art.”
- “The storyline with the invasion is pretty basic as of now, but I'm confident it can really start to shine in a few updates.”
- “Maybe I missed this completely and there were hints/secrets to find that I just overlooked, but I couldn't find anything to do with the Lord of Ice storyline, other than finding his tower where there seems to be nothing to do.”
- “Warsim isn't much for story aside from the lore of the land and the scenario of how you rose to power.”
replayability
48 mentions
35 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its procedural generation and randomization, which create unique experiences in each playthrough. Players appreciate the vast amount of content, including diverse races and story events, contributing to nearly infinite replay value. While some users note that the replayability may vary depending on play style, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich and engaging experience that encourages repeated play.
- “It's a lot of fun and has a ton of replayability due to its ingenious use of procedural generation, which I really love.”
- “Warsim boasts almost infinite replayability, with procedural generation creating unique challenges and experiences in each playthrough.”
- “The game has a bunch of random and sort of random asset generation which adds a lot of replayability.”
- “The game has a charming aesthetic and a great sense of humor, even if the progression and replayability is somewhat limited.”
- “At this price it's recommended but the replayability is very low, the dev responds to bugs and suggestions with haste which is a rep+1 in my books.”
- “Fun game for 20-30 hours of solid gameplay, replayability is not quite there yet.”
music
45 mentions
20 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the medieval soundtrack and unique bardic performances, while others find it repetitive and occasionally annoying. The procedural music system adds a humorous element, with quirky performances from various characters, but technical issues like inconsistent audio levels detract from the experience. Overall, while the original compositions and variety of musical styles are appreciated, improvements in audio design and consistency are needed.
- “The game's soundtrack is fittingly medieval, creating an atmosphere of ruling in a chaotic fantasy world.”
- “Some of the bard songs are absolute bangers.”
- “Excellent soundtrack with different options for 8-bit style, calm, & regular.”
- “The music is too repetitive to leave on for very long.”
- “It was the worst song I have ever heard.”
- “I found the songs of the visiting bards tedious and their songs didn't seem to add to the 'war sim' aspect of the game, but I may be missing something here.”
grinding
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
-12 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some describing it as tedious and monotonous, particularly when navigating menus or managing large numbers of visitors. However, many also appreciate the engaging elements and stories that break up the grind, suggesting that while certain tasks can feel repetitive, there are ways to streamline the experience. Overall, the game offers a balance of enjoyable gameplay and occasional grind, with options to mitigate the more tedious aspects.
- “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
- “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by the satisfaction of leveling up.”
- “It became quite tedious to navigate each individual menu to purchase available units like peasants, soldiers, knights, and goblins.”
- “By the end game it starts getting tedious when you have hundreds of visitors, but luckily you can assign a steward to deal with them all.”
- “A quirk of Warsim is its tendency to reward tedious grind loops.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fitting medieval soundtrack and detailed world-building, particularly in the vampire city, which evokes a creepy and oppressive vibe. Reviewers appreciate the immersive lore and sound design, noting that even in an ASCII format, the atmosphere remains engaging and enjoyable. Overall, the atmosphere is described as solid, accessible, and rich in detail.
- “The vampire city is a great storytelling element; the descriptions of the city and its customs were really well done, in my opinion, and created an intriguing yet creepy and oppressive atmosphere.”
- “If one can say something like this about a text game made in ASCII, I love the atmosphere and lore that just drips from every direction.”
- “So far it's been nothing but fun, and the details and the sounds are really nice and give a nice atmosphere.”
- “The game's soundtrack is fittingly medieval, creating an atmosphere of ruling in a chaotic fantasy world.”
- “I love the atmosphere and lore that just drips from every direction.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The optimization of Warsim is a mixed bag; while it offers humorous gameplay options and engaging scenarios, players seeking deep strategic optimization may find it lacking. For improved performance, it is recommended to adjust settings, such as turning off ray casting.
- “You can be an evil king and throw him in the dungeons, or you can be a chill king and reward him half your treasury for such a magnificent performance.”
- “Your options on how to punish or reward his performance are funny as well.”
- “For players unconcerned with narrative and just the outcomes of battles, statistics, and intricate optimization and strategy, Warsim is not the best game for you.”
- “I would personally recommend going into settings and turning off ray casting for better performance.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting how the richly crafted environments and character interactions evoke strong feelings. The use of text to create vivid imagery allows for a personal and immersive experience, enhancing the emotional connection to the game's world and its characters.
- “Apart from the amazing people you met along the way, the handwritten landscapes, room descriptions, and player-crafted item descriptions spoke directly to the mind using text only. The mind enabled your character to flesh out all that was around you - vividly and sometimes emotionally.”
- “Fantastic game by a wholesome dev.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, users express frustration with the need for technical troubleshooting before playing, which feels unacceptable for a recent title. However, they note that the game is not a "buggy mess," suggesting a generally stable experience despite some initial issues.
- “Having to do technical troubleshooting before even getting into the game is maybe acceptable for a 10 or 20-year-old title, not a game this recent.”
- “This is the first game I've ever bought in early access, and at this price point for game content you can't go wrong... as long as it isn't a buggy mess, which it isn't.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization approach of this game is viewed positively, as it prioritizes player experience over quick profit, distinguishing it from many other studios that focus primarily on cash grabs.
- “So many game studios and makers these days are just out for the quick cash grab and little else.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating to see essential features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending.”