Zoria: Age of Shattering
- April 26, 2023
- TinyTrinket
- 8h median play time
A squad-based tactical RPG with fluid turn-based combat, outpost, and follower management, set in the expansive Fantasy world of Zoria. Lead a team of four heroes with their unique skills and perks. Every team member contributes to undertaken battles.
Reviews
- The combat system is engaging and offers a variety of unique abilities, making battles enjoyable.
- The game features a rich world with interesting lore and a good storyline that keeps players invested.
- The developers are responsive to community feedback and have made significant improvements through patches.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including crashes and high resource usage, even on capable PCs.
- Inventory management is cumbersome, with limited slots and no sorting options, making it tedious to manage loot.
- The user interface lacks clarity, particularly in terms of character stats and the effects of debuffs, leading to confusion during gameplay.
- story112 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Zoria: Age of Shattering" is generally considered engaging, with a classic RPG feel and a well-developed lore, though some players find it somewhat generic and lacking depth. While the main quest and side quests provide a variety of experiences, the mission system is criticized for being unbalanced and requiring excessive backtracking, which detracts from the overall narrative immersion. Despite these issues, many players appreciate the game's atmosphere and the potential for character development as they progress through the story.
“Zoria: Age of Shattering is a classic old-school inspired RPG with turn-based combat and a storyline-driven game.”
“The story is engaging, there are plenty of quests and side quests - all marked on your map.”
“The shattering event that sets the stage for the story leaves plenty of room for exploration and discovery.”
“I just couldn't get with the storyline, which is what I get games for in the first place.”
“All squadmates are simple tools, no backstory, no quirks; they all feel lifeless.”
“While the story premise is unremarkable, the game quickly grows on you.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this CRPG offers engaging mechanics and a variety of classes that enhance strategic battles, though it suffers from bugs and some frustrating design choices, such as the need for specific classes to progress in dungeons. While the combat system is enjoyable, it lacks innovation and can feel shallow at times, with inventory management becoming cumbersome due to excessive item accumulation. Overall, despite its flaws, players find the game rewarding and fun, especially with the potential for future improvements and modding capabilities.
“Each class does feel different in its mechanics, and there are times during battles when you will be like, 'Damn, I wish I brought this class for this battle.'”
“The more you progress, the more mechanics the game throws at you that shift the game's focus.”
“This is a game that constantly rewards me the more I explore its mechanics and game world.”
“There are several bugs during gameplay, including occasional game-breaking ones, which are sometimes fixed by developer intervention on save games, while other times they auto-resolve after a reload.”
“What really kills this game for me is the gameplay.”
“The fundamental flaw for me is the combat initiation mechanics, coupled with the lack of ability to see the aggro range of mobs, and/or much way to alter character initiative position - this is such a glaring flaw in a strategic turn-based game that it's almost inconceivable that this issue has not been better addressed.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding them charming and suitable for the RPG style, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking immersion. Many appreciate the art style and clarity, but note that it doesn't compete with higher production standards, leading to a less engaging visual experience. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are deemed adequate for the game's nostalgic and indie appeal.
“It is an enjoyable romp; I like the turn-based fighting, and I love the bright, airy feel of the graphics.”
“There is a great deal to like about this - it's ambitious for a small indie team, and for the level of game, the graphics are quite impressive.”
“The art style is distinct, and though not with the highest production standards, it looks charming and pretty.”
“Massively stressful on PC despite the game having poor graphics.”
“Final gripe would definitely be the graphics and interactions with containers or items.”
“While the art style is competent, it doesn't quite reach the cutting edge at all.”
- music9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by a raw, garage band vibe that captures a sense of authenticity and energy, despite its imperfections. It effectively complements the gameplay, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere and immersing players in a world filled with melancholic beauty, particularly during exploration. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its ability to evoke emotion and keep players engaged in the story.
“In musical terms, this isn't the big polished stadium rock experience; it's the garage band who were still rehearsing the gig an hour before the set starts. The drum kit is a bit shabby, but the drummer hits those drums like they owe him money. The bassist can just about count to four, but they can sure write a bassline. The guitarist may only know a few chords, but man, he makes a tremendous noise. The show seems constantly on the verge of falling apart, but the bits that work show that these guys have something, and you find yourself checking out their tour dates.”
“In music terms, this isn't the big polished stadium rock experience; it's the garage band who were still rehearsing the gig an hour before the set starts. The drum kit is a bit shabby, but the drummer hits those drums like they owe him money. The bassist can just about count to four, but they can sure write a bassline. The guitarist may only know a few chords, but man, he makes a tremendous noise. The show seems constantly on the verge of falling apart, but the bits that work show that these guys have something, and you find yourself checking out their tour dates.”
“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.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the repetitive nature of garrison-style missions and the management of supplies and fatigue. The necessity to frequently travel and swap parties adds to the monotony, leading some to feel that the experience is ultimately boring and unengaging.
“World of Warcraft garrison-style missions for followers are tedious with the supplies and accumulated fatigue.”
“There are some tedious bits, the most egregious of which is the classes.”
“Traveling to swap parties, swapping, and then traveling back can be very tedious.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs, effectively immersing players in its detailed environments and realistic challenges. Reviewers appreciate the balance of realism that enhances the experience without becoming overwhelming, though some express disappointment in the lack of a robust outfit system and crafting options. Overall, the game's art, lore, and attention to detail contribute significantly to its engaging atmosphere.
“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.”
“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.”
“The art, the attention to detail, the atmosphere, and the lore all got me really going. Despite its lack of an outfit system and a better crafting experience, the overall atmosphere makes it a must-play.”
“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 the lack of an outfit system and better crafting experience feel so much worse.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional authenticity, reflecting the creators' genuine care for gamers, which enhances the narrative's depth and impact of player choices. Additionally, the subtle melodies enrich the desolate environments, further contributing to the overall emotional experience.
“It feels emotionally genuine, crafted by simple folks who care about gamers first and foremost.”
“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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highly inconsistent; while some users report smooth performance on maximum settings, others describe it as poorly optimized and janky, making it a frustrating experience.
“The game runs smoothly on maximum settings on my system.”
“The game is horribly unoptimized and feels janky, making it a chore to play.”
“Performance issues are rampant, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
“Frequent frame drops and long loading times severely hinder the overall enjoyment.”
- 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 to be added, 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 multiple classes and potential future additions, the replayability is exceptional, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally perceived as lacking depth and engagement, with many users finding it either sketchy or uninteresting.
“Character development is boring.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional and lack depth.”
“There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is generally considered fair, with some users suggesting it may be worth waiting for a sale if on a tight budget. Overall, the price is deemed reasonable for the quality offered, especially when not compared to larger, more polished titles.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, with too many paywalls that hinder the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
“The in-game purchases are overwhelming and detract from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game resonates with players by contrasting their real-life personalities, creating a comedic effect through this juxtaposition.
“It's funny because I am the opposite in real life.”
“The humor in this game is absolutely spot on and keeps me laughing.”
“I love how the game uses clever puns and witty dialogue to create hilarious moments.”