Warsim: The Realm of Aslona
- December 11, 2016
- Huw2k8
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreWarsim: 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.
Windows
Reviews
- Warsim offers a fun and interesting text-based kingdom management experience with a surprising amount of depth and replayability.
- The game features a unique procedural generation system that creates diverse races, events, and locations, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.
- The developer is highly engaged with the community, frequently updating the game and responding to player feedback, which adds to the overall enjoyment.
- The game can become repetitive over time, especially in the late game when players may find themselves going through similar encounters and decisions.
- Some players have noted that the combat system lacks depth, often boiling down to simple number comparisons without strategic options.
- The ASCII graphics and text-based interface may not appeal to everyone, potentially deterring those who prefer more visually rich gaming experiences.
- graphics290 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 the game's unique personality and are well-received by fans of text-based and indie games.
“Don't be fooled by its ascii graphics, this game offers a rich and immersive experience that rivals many graphically intensive titles.”
“It's a testament to the game's design that it can create such an immersive experience with such simple graphics.”
“The ascii graphics, while simple, add a certain charm to the game.”
“The biggest drawback is, of course, graphics, for someone who doesn't like them.”
“Unfortunately most gamers will straight up ignore it because of its ascii graphics, so I understand the pricing.”
“If you do not have any imagination and need to be spoon fed visuals.....you will not like this game.”
- gameplay252 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 of the core gameplay loop and the lack of strategic depth in combat and resource management. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of humor and emergent gameplay, appealing to fans of text-based and simulation genres, 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.”
“This is an amazing game with fun and interesting gameplay and mechanics.”
“Warsim is a stroke of genius with a super addicting gameplay loop.”
“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.”
“However, the repetitiveness of the gameplay mechanics is hard to keep you invested long term.”
- humor190 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % 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 clever dialogue. While some reviews note that the humor may not resonate with everyone, the overall consensus is that it adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it engaging and entertaining. The combination of absurd scenarios, witty character interactions, and a light-hearted tone contributes to a unique and enjoyable experience.
“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 range of possible combinations of creatures and the array of various baffling and humorous events ensure that this will be a game I will return to for years to come.”
“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.”
- story128 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by deep lore and emergent storytelling, allowing players to shape their own narratives through customizable backstories and interactive gameplay. While the text-based format and procedural generation create a unique experience with high replayability, some players feel the overall plot can become repetitive and lacks significant depth in certain areas. Despite this, the immersive world and engaging character interactions provide a satisfying storytelling experience for those who enjoy exploration and role-playing elements.
“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 begins when you learn a bit about the man behind the code; this game was a journey not just for us, but alongside him as well as he slowly captures his dreams.”
“I’ve come to discover that the most surprisingly noteworthy thing about Warsim has been the sheer impressive nature of emergent story created through an intuitive level of engaging and thematic gameplay that leads to a tremendous amount of inherent replayability.”
“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.”
- replayability96 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional replayability, largely due to its procedural generation and randomization, which create unique experiences in each playthrough. Many players highlight the vast amount of content, including diverse races and story events, that contribute to nearly infinite replay value. While some 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.
“Warsim boasts almost infinite replayability, with procedural generation creating unique challenges and experiences in each playthrough.”
“With its complex mechanics and near-endless replayability, it's a must-play for any strategy lover.”
“There is huge variation, content, and replayability, as well as a scalability to the gameplay, where you can get granular and 'micro-manage' nearly everything, or just kick back and handwave decisions, leaving as much to others as you can.”
“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.”
- music90 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 playback and loud sound effects detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the creative variety and the potential for future improvements, such as AI-generated music.
“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.”
- grinding34 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that while certain tasks, such as navigating menus and managing large numbers of visitors, can become tedious and repetitive, the overall gameplay remains engaging and rewarding. Some users appreciate the option to streamline these processes through keybinds or hiring stewards, but others feel that the grind can detract from the enjoyment, especially in the late game. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun and monotony, with a tendency to reward players for enduring the grind.
“It became quite tedious to navigate each individual menu to purchase available units like peasants, soldiers, knights, and goblins.”
“A quirk of Warsim is its tendency to reward tedious grind loops.”
“All in all it's a good little game but I keep losing; it's repetitive and unforgiving. As of now, I get to the point where demons invade and then it's instant game over every time, and since starting a new game each and every time is tedious, I now give up.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fitting medieval soundtrack and rich storytelling, particularly in the depiction of a vampire city that evokes an intriguing yet oppressive feeling. Players appreciate the detailed descriptions and immersive sound design, which collectively create a captivating and enjoyable experience, even in an ASCII format. Overall, the atmosphere is described as accessible, atmospheric, and engaging.
“The vampire city is a great storytelling element; the descriptions of the city and its customs were really well done 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 wonderful atmosphere.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The optimization of Warsim has received mixed feedback, with some players suggesting that it may not cater well to those focused solely on battle outcomes and strategy. For improved performance, users recommend adjusting settings, such as disabling ray casting. Overall, while the game offers humorous and engaging gameplay elements, its optimization may not meet the expectations of all players.
“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 is 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.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as it allows them to connect deeply with the narrative through vivid text descriptions and interactions with memorable characters, such as a gnome offering a magical blessing. The heartfelt storytelling and immersive landscapes crafted by the developer enhance the emotional experience, making players feel invested in their journey.
“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.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback; while some players have encountered technical troubleshooting issues before starting, many agree that it is not overly buggy for an early access title. Users feel that, given the game's recent release, such issues should be minimal, especially at its price point.
“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.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization approach of this game is positively noted, as it avoids the common pitfalls of quick cash grabs often seen in the industry, indicating a more thoughtful and player-friendly strategy.
“So many game studios and makers these days are just out for the quick cash grab and little else... this is not that.”
