Zoria: Age of Shattering
- April 26, 2023
- TinyTrinket
- 24h median play time
In "Zoria: Age of Shattering," lead a team through the transformed continent of Uram, battling hellspawn and exploring haunting landscapes. Engage in combat using diverse skills, including close and ranged attacks, healing, shielding, and status aliments. Uncover mysteries in unknown areas while leveraging the environment for strategic advantage.
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay with a mix of tactical combat and exploration, reminiscent of classic CRPGs.
- Robust crafting system that allows for meaningful gear upgrades and customization.
- Strong community support from developers, with regular updates and responsiveness to player feedback.
- Frequent bugs and crashes that disrupt gameplay, particularly during combat.
- Inventory management is cumbersome, with a lack of sorting options and overwhelming amounts of loot.
- Combat mechanics can feel unbalanced, with certain classes being less viable and line of sight issues affecting strategy.
- story223 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in Zoria: Age of Shattering is generally considered to be decent but not groundbreaking, with many players finding it engaging enough to keep them invested despite its slow start and occasional lack of depth. While the main narrative and lore are described as somewhat generic, the game features a plethora of quests and a mission-based system that adds layers to the gameplay experience. However, some critiques highlight issues with quest design, character development, and writing quality, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall storytelling experience.
“The story is engaging, there are plenty of quests and side quests - all marked on your map.”
“The story is compelling from the start.”
“The story is pretty good and keeps you interested.”
“The story is entirely skippable, so I couldn't care less for what the good ending is.”
“There are a huge number of quests, but most of the quests amount to, 'go to place x, kill enemies there, go to place y, you're done.'”
“The mission system is broken; it doesn't scale with level, really only the yellow quests matter, but you have to clear green and blue to refresh the selection to keep doing yellow missions.”
- gameplay82 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the diverse class mechanics, turn-based combat, and the ability to recruit various companions, which adds depth and variety to the experience. However, some users noted issues with repetitive quests, a lack of tactical options in combat, and minor technical bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, while the mechanics are engaging and the crafting system is praised, there are concerns about pacing and the need for quality-of-life improvements.
“You can recruit a large number of companions with redundancies for a large variety of classes, which have to-the-point skill trees but all can serve a specific purpose and help vary gameplay.”
“The turn-based battle mechanics are really well done, and so far I've liked everything I've seen.”
“Managing facilities, recruiting diverse classes, and embarking on missions to bolster resources or uncover secrets add layers of depth to the gameplay experience.”
“There are some good quests, but they are few and far between, and that makes the gameplay feel repetitive and grindy.”
“The core mechanics feel a bit familiar, and some might find the tactical aspects a tad shallow.”
“What really kills this game for me is the gameplay.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming art style and decent visuals, while others criticize them as outdated or lacking immersion. Many users note that the graphics are stable and free of major glitches, but some report issues with visibility and navigation due to the design choices. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are often described as adequate for the gameplay experience, with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of older RPGs.
“The music, graphics, and world building are great.”
“Quests, characters, graphics are all engaging and beautiful.”
“The absence of overwhelming visual effects is a breath of fresh air, allowing the game's clear graphics to shine without unnecessary distractions.”
“The graphics are mobile quality but that is obvious already.”
“While the art style is competent, it doesn't quite reach the cutting edge (at all).”
“The underbaked aesthetic and word software font choice just does not help sell the illusion that you’re in a fantasy world.”
- music15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its ability to evoke a sense of melancholic beauty, enhancing the immersive experience during exploration. While some users appreciate the nostalgic and atmospheric qualities of the soundtrack, others note inconsistencies in sound design, such as annoying sound effects and dramatic volume changes during conversations. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, reminiscent of classic RPGs, though it may lack the polish of a more mainstream production.
“I really loved the storyline, the combat system that feels just right, very decent graphics and music, the atmosphere that somehow takes me back to the olden days of my first RPGs.”
“The music leans heavily on a sense of quiet sorrow.”
“This isn't a soundtrack that will get your adrenaline pumping, but rather one that will immerse you in the world's melancholic beauty.”
“Another problem is that during conversations, the music volume changes dramatically.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the necessity of having a healer and the slow pace of combat, which often involves pulling enemies one by one. The large maps and the need for frequent travel to swap parties contribute to the overall sense of monotony, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than an engaging experience. While there are some enjoyable quests and a wealth of content, the grind can overshadow the fun, leading to a lack of motivation to continue playing.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“There are some good quests, but they are few and far between, and that makes the gameplay feel repetitive and grindy.”
“There is a lot of running, and with some of the larger maps, it got tedious by the end of the game.”
“World of Warcraft garrison-style missions for followers is tedious with the supplies and accumulated fatigue.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive environments, attention to detail, and effective level design, which successfully evoke a sense of realism and nostalgia reminiscent of classic RPGs. Players appreciate the balance between challenge and exploration, noting that the game's charm and lore enhance the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding crafting and character customization. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout choice for RPG enthusiasts.
“The atmosphere, level design, and exploration are also well done.”
“You really have hit the nail right on the head with the atmosphere; it is great. Running through a dungeon really makes me feel like I am there, and the traps and challenges feel real. The amount of realism in this game is perfect—not too much to make it burdensome and not too little to make it feel like a holiday.”
“With its charming atmosphere, compelling gameplay, and heartfelt attention to detail, Zoria earns its place as a must-play for any RPG enthusiast.”
“If crafting is not that important to you or you do not mind having your elite squad looking like a bunch of clowns or bums that scavenged what they are wearing from the nearest bin they found something wearable from, then you must play this game. The art, the attention to detail, the atmosphere, the lore—it all got me really going. However, all those great things made its lack of an outfit system and better crafting experience feel so much worse.”
“I really loved the storyline, the combat system that feels just right, very decent graphics and music, and the atmosphere that somehow takes me back to the olden days of my first RPGs.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players experience significant technical issues and stuttering, others report smooth performance on maximum settings. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some considering it poorly optimized and others finding it stable on their systems.
“The game runs smoothly on maximum settings on my system.”
“The game seems stable and well-optimized, at least for my machine.”
“I don't expect an indie to have perfect optimization.”
“Technical hiccups: the game is poorly optimized and prior to my GPU update had a lot of stuttering.”
“Tl;dr: horribly unoptimized and janky game that's a chore to play.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted tone and amusing gameplay mechanics, such as the unexpected power of intelligence as a stat and the absurdity of crafting leading to overpowered characters. Players appreciate the game's quirky charm and find enjoyment in its humorous quests and missions, making it an entertaining experience overall.
“Great simple and funny game with lots to do: nice quests and missions, crafting, hunting for food, etc. Nicely made!”
“It's a funny old game this one.”
“It's funny because I am the opposite in real life.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful narrative choices, evocative melodies, and a charming atmosphere that enhances the player's journey. Reviewers appreciate the heartfelt attention to detail, noting that it creates a genuine emotional experience that resonates with players. Overall, the game is recognized as a must-play for RPG enthusiasts due to its depth and emotional weight.
“This adds depth and emotional weight to your journey, and our decisions throughout the game can have an impact on the narrative.”
“The subtle melodies perfectly complement the desolate environments, adding a layer of emotional depth to your journey.”
“It feels emotionally genuine, crafted by simple folks who care about gamers first and foremost.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, stability in the game has seen some improvement due to post-release patches, with most users reporting fewer glitches. However, some players still encounter persistent bugs, leading to mixed opinions on the game's overall stability.
“Post-release patches have improved stability, but a few glitches remain.”
“Zoria is a bloated, buggy mess of a game that wouldn’t be worth playing even without all those bugs.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is inconsistent, with some players finding it lacking and boring, while others praise it for its depth, featuring detailed progression for multiple heroes, extensive skill trees, and meaningful choices that impact the story. Overall, the experience varies significantly among players, with a divide between those who appreciate the complexity and those who find it insufficient.
“Lots of items, countless quests, including many optional side quests, multiple-choice conversations that lead to different results, battles against various enemies, your own base with allies, a multi-layered story, detailed character development of several heroes, each with around 20 different character values and a large skill tree (which can be reset), complex turn-based battles, formations, different solutions... there is hardly anything missing here that I would want from a great role-playing game.”
“Character development is boring.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
“I expected more depth in character development; it just doesn't engage me.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its 10 distinct classes, with the potential for more in future updates, allowing players to experience vastly different gameplay in subsequent runs. Many users highlight the concept of "infinite replayability," suggesting that the variety keeps the game fresh and engaging.
“The game features 10 classes, with more supposedly on the way, offering high replayability. You can choose completely different classes for a second run.”
“The game provides infinite replayability.”
“With a variety of classes and potential updates, the replayability is exceptional.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is generally viewed as fair, with some users suggesting it may be worth waiting for a sale if on a tight budget. Overall, the price is considered reasonable for the quality offered, especially when not compared to larger, more polished titles.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend more money even after purchasing the game.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without shelling out extra cash.”
“The in-game purchases are overpriced and give an unfair advantage to those willing to spend more, ruining the balance of the game.”