Wartales

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 10,076 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Wartales Game Cover
Don't be fooled by its drab exterior, Wartales is a deep and richly rewarding exercise in party creation.
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Wartales is a tactical RPG set in a low-fantasy world, where you lead a group of mercenaries in a criminal-riddled land. Manage your team's needs, engage in tactical combat, and navigate a dynamic world that changes based on your decisions. Your choices will determine your fate as you try to survive and thrive in this unforgiving world.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,076 reviews
story340 positive mentions
grinding437 negative mentions
  • story2,059 mentions

    The story in "Wartales" is primarily structured around regional narratives, with each area featuring its own self-contained quests and conflicts, allowing players to make choices that influence outcomes. However, many reviews highlight a lack of an overarching plot, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and minimal character development, as the game often feels more like a series of fetch quests than a cohesive narrative experience. While the sandbox approach allows for emergent storytelling and player-driven narratives, some players express a desire for deeper, more engaging storylines and better quest tracking systems.

    • “The story is engaging, with quests that dive deep into the world's lore and characters you actually care about.”
    • “Wartales features an engaging story and well-developed characters that players can become invested in.”
    • “The game offers players an incredible amount of freedom to explore and complete quests in their own unique way.”
    • “One thing that they don't tell you clearly is: this game is a sandbox adventure where there's no main quest and you're open to do what you want with it.”
    • “0 story, unless you count the occasional +1 to relations between mercenaries a good story.”
    • “The story is not the best but the tactics and other mechanics are definitely worth the time and price to check out.”
  • gameplay1,487 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wartales" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging mix of turn-based combat, resource management, and exploration mechanics. While the tactical depth and customization options are highlighted as strong points, some players find the mechanics repetitive and the user interface clunky, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the game offers a rich experience for fans of tactical RPGs, but it may require patience to fully appreciate its complexities and nuances.

    • “The mix of combat, crafting, and survival mechanics makes for an engaging experience.”
    • “The freedom to explore the world, take on contracts, and tackle challenges at your own pace keeps the gameplay feeling fresh.”
    • “Each enemy type requires a different approach in battle, ensuring that even after hours of gameplay, combat remains engaging and tactical.”
    • “The gameplay is too slow and repetitive, but it would be tolerable if you were building towards something, but it's all pointless.”
    • “The gameplay loop rapidly became tedious to me.”
    • “The core gameplay is an ebb and flow between xcom-style combat and a rather unique form of what most closely resembles the mount and blade overworld experience, and I find it awesome.”
  • graphics505 mentions

    The graphics of "Wartales" have received a mixed reception, with many praising its stunning visuals, detailed environments, and immersive art style that effectively captures the game's dark medieval setting. Players appreciate the hand-drawn aesthetic and atmospheric design, which enhance the overall experience, although some have noted issues with optimization and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered above average for a strategy RPG, opinions vary on their impact on gameplay and immersion.

    • “From the moment you embark on your journey in 'Wartales,' the game impresses with its detailed and atmospheric visuals.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style and richly crafted environments draw players into a dark, medieval world filled with intrigue and danger.”
    • “The graphics are great, the story so far is excellent, and the combat is fun.”
    • “Graphics are sub-par.”
    • “The graphics are poor and the gameplay turns to be repetitive just after a few minutes of playing.”
    • “Graphics look 10 years old (or more!) and are very unremarkable.”
  • grinding444 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the mid to late game. Combat encounters often drag on, and resource management can feel like a constant chore, leading to a sense of frustration and burnout. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it a significant point of contention.

    • “Deep but not tedious.”
    • “No grinding, just pure pleasure.”
    • “It would be okay if the game was really focused on the strategy part and not too grindy, but that's not the case here.”
    • “Game has no real variation and becomes very repetitive, super grindy and time consuming with fights dragging on way too long while gradually becoming harder.”
    • “The world is beautiful but the gameplay turns into a grindy slog of high stakes battles for little to no gain.”
    • “The combat is fun, although it does get a bit tedious when you have larger groups fighting.”
  • music163 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that enhances both exploration and combat. However, many players note that the soundtrack lacks variety, leading to repetitiveness over extended play sessions. While some find the music pleasant and fitting for the medieval setting, others feel it could benefit from a broader range of tracks to maintain engagement throughout the game.

    • “The music and sound effects are top-notch, making everything feel even more immersive.”
    • “Great atmosphere, beautiful music; it feels quite casual, but it's a very deep game, and the freedom of choices throughout the progression makes for great replayability.”
    • “The ambiance paired with music makes me feel like I'm running around in a world inspired by The Witcher, with the freedom to control my party and my gear.”
    • “The walking on the map is not very interesting and takes a long time, the music is repetitive and kind of sleepy. The combat is good but a touch formulaic... I think the game overall does what it was designed to and the mechanics are good but ultimately I think it isn't for me.”
    • “The music is very repetitive and not interesting enough to keep you from noticing it.”
    • “There needs to be more music in the game, stuff that makes the flavors of each area more exciting and feel new.”
  • optimization145 mentions

    The optimization of Wartales has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe stuttering, freezing, and performance issues, particularly on mid-range systems. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on low-end hardware and that initial performance is decent, these issues tend to worsen over time, making the game frustratingly unplayable for many. Overall, while Wartales shows promise in design and gameplay, its optimization remains a major concern that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Progression across different areas is fun, and it runs smoothly even on low-end hardware.”
    • “Performance on an older mid-range gaming PC is quite good.”
    • “Battles load quickly, performance on the world map is good.”
    • “The stuttering and sudden, for-no-reason screen freezes are unacceptable, far too frequent, and make a genuinely enjoyable game completely unplayable.”
    • “It would be a very good game if it were not completely ruined by poor performance optimization, which later on becomes unbearable.”
    • “This game is not ready for 1.0 release as evidenced by the abhorrent stuttering which gets so bad by late game you will be losing mini games and have issues giving out orders in combat.”
  • replayability142 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the depth and variety in character builds and choices that allow for different playthroughs. However, the fixed map and scripted quests limit the overall replay value, leading to some concerns about repetitiveness after multiple runs. While some players find enough content and options to keep them engaged for many hours, others feel that the lack of procedural generation and unique encounters diminishes the potential for endless replayability.

    • “The choices you make throughout the game can have a significant impact on the story, adding replayability and depth to the overall experience.”
    • “Great atmosphere, beautiful music, it feels quite casual but it's a very deep game and the freedom of choices throughout the progression make great replayability.”
    • “The replayability factor is high, thanks to the multiple character classes and branching storylines that allow for different playstyles and outcomes.”
    • “It isn't sandbox; the world is pre-designed (1 map, so not much replayability here).”
    • “The minor quest lines are also fixed, which limits replayability.”
    • “The game is also lacking in replayability as the stories in each region will be the same each playthrough.”
  • stability120 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes that disrupt gameplay. While some players have experienced minimal issues, the overall consensus highlights a frustratingly unstable experience, particularly in co-op mode, where mechanics are often unreliable. Despite its potential and enjoyable elements, the game's numerous technical problems detract from its overall enjoyment and playability.

    • “Runs great on the deck!”
    • “The initial launch wasn't buggy, just unrefined, and now it seems like they've turned this game into something special.”
    • “Outstanding game of its type, excellent game mechanics, bug free, and addictive.”
    • “The stuttering and sudden, for-no-reason screen freezes are unacceptable, far too frequent, and make a genuinely enjoyable game completely unplayable.”
    • “Autosave is inconsistent at best, and not necessarily 'frequent' but fairly common freezes/crashes can set you back 2-3 hours of significant progress.”
    • “While it may be fun, it is still insanely buggy, crashes constantly, and most of my save data gets corrupted and unusable every crash.”
  • atmosphere96 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Wartales" is widely praised for its beautifully grim, medieval landscapes and immersive sound design, creating a dark and gritty world that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth of the environment, which is filled with morally complex choices and engaging battles, reminiscent of titles like "The Witcher 3." While the visuals and music contribute significantly to the atmosphere, some reviewers note a desire for more ambient sounds and voice acting to further enrich the experience.

    • “The game immerses you in an atmosphere of a medieval era where you're a nomadic mercenary group taking on morally grey tasks near and far.”
    • “The sound design and music further enhance the atmosphere, immersing you in the world and heightening the tension of battles and exploration.”
    • “The atmosphere, the music, the design and the huge amount of love that is obviously put into everything is really amazing.”
    • “If you like a dark, convoluted atmosphere where you can't find your troops or see your enemies, this game is for you.”
    • “I would like to rate this as a neutral, but then the fact that the game is close to being finished whilst sporting a very dry atmosphere and lackluster sound/music, pretty much means it's no longer going to improve, aside from optimization and more content, so I'll lean more on the not recommended side.”
    • “Enjoying the game so far; however, the environment sounds and music to provide atmosphere is close to none.”
  • humor50 mentions

    The humor in the game is a notable highlight, with players appreciating its blend of situational comedy, dark humor, and amusing glitches that enhance the overall experience. Many found the scenarios and character interactions to be genuinely funny, contributing to memorable moments during gameplay, despite some frustrations with bugs and AI behavior. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the game's serious themes, making it an enjoyable experience for many players.

    • “Some of the scenarios are hilarious!”
    • “Everything that transpired felt too real, unexpected and hilarious.”
    • “Plus, you'll have some hilarious stories to share around the virtual campfire!”
    • “So rampant that it's not funny anymore; it would matter if it was a hard game, but it's not.”
    • “This is simply not funny at all; I'm not enjoying my time.”
  • character development49 mentions

    Character development in "Wartales" is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and the unique backstories of characters, while others criticize it for being clunky and lacking meaningful choices. The game offers a variety of options for character design and development, but many feel that the system can be repetitive and that the impact of traits and class choices is limited. Overall, while there are engaging elements to character development, it may not meet the expectations of all players seeking a more intricate system.

    • “Overall, 'Wartales' is a remarkable tactical RPG that excels in its combat, character development, and storytelling.”
    • “Character development shines, with each member of your mercenary group offering an interesting world backstory and unique skills.”
    • “The character development throughout your journey is great and the world feels so alive and immersive.”
    • “Not usually a story guy, but the lack of an overarching narrative and character development made it difficult to get that 'ok so what's next' excitement.”
    • “There's no real meaningful character development to make up for the non-existing story.”
    • “Character development is minimal: only a few level-ups give choices that go beyond small numerical improvements, weapon choice is restricted by character class, the impact of traits is negligible and they can be randomly acquired leading to everybody eventually having almost the same traits.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    Players experience a mix of emotional engagement in the game, with some forming strong bonds with characters and feeling a sense of journey, while others find the narrative and character interactions lacking depth. The emotional highs, such as the heartbreak of losing a beloved character, contrast with criticisms of limited storytelling and shallow choices that prevent deeper connections. Overall, the game offers moments of emotional resonance but struggles to maintain consistent engagement throughout its narrative.

    • “As you lead your group through various quests and challenges, you'll form a bond with your characters, adding emotional depth to the experience.”
    • “Players are drawn into the game's narrative, eagerly uncovering the secrets of this fantastical world and forming emotional connections with the characters they encounter.”
    • “My most heartbreaking moment was spending so much time keeping my wolf alive only to see him get surrounded by his own kin and killed in an overnight ambush.”
    • “The storylines felt incredibly dull and uninspired.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be lacking depth and impact.”
    • “The character development was so weak that I couldn't connect with their struggles.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong sentiment that the game's monetization strategy feels exploitative, with many players perceiving it as a cash grab rather than a genuine effort to enhance the game. Concerns are raised about the early access state of the game, coupled with the announcement of expensive DLCs before the core experience feels complete. Overall, players express frustration over the perceived prioritization of profit over quality and support for the game's development.

    • “I was initially skeptical about the monetization system, thinking it would just be a way to push in-game purchases for cosmetics, but I found it to be well-integrated and not intrusive.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and offers a variety of options without feeling forced, allowing players to enjoy the game without spending money if they choose.”
    • “I appreciate how the game balances monetization with gameplay, providing cosmetic options that enhance the experience without impacting competitive play.”
    • “The game doesn't feel complete; it feels like early access, and DLC/expansions are announced before the game is properly finished. It feels like a cash grab. I wish they had offered us some other option to support them instead.”
    • “Feels like a cash grab, to be completely honest.”
    • “I have a bad feeling that this game is just a cash grab and soon to be abandonware.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

50hMedian play time
106hAverage play time
16-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 102 analyzed playthroughs

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