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Astral Throne
Release Date: February 7, 2025
RPG, fantasy, turn-based, roguelike, tactics, indie games, singleplayer
Steam
A tactical RPG with roguelike mechanics and a turn-based battle system. In Astral Throne we gather and lead a group of characters, travelling a randomly generated world and participating in handcrafted battles. The graphics in the game combine the pixel art style with the low poly aesthetic.
Videos and Screens
[1:06] Astral Throne - Release Window Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Charming Graphics and Music: Many users appreciate the game's visual style and the quality of the music, which adds to the overall experience.
- Tactical Gameplay: The combat system is well-received, with mechanics that feel reminiscent of classic tactical RPGs like Fire Emblem. The accuracy of attacks feels reliable, and the ability to create powerful character builds is a highlight.
- Unique Level-Up System: The game features an interesting leveling system where players can choose skills based on character classes and stats, promoting strategic planning.
- Variety in Characters and Skills: Players enjoy the diversity in character abilities and the potential for different builds, which increases replayability.
- Engaging Combat Flow: The pacing of battles is generally seen as brisk and engaging, with a good balance of challenge.
The main cons of the game
- Roguelike Mechanics Issues: Many users express frustration with the roguelike elements, particularly the lack of meaningful meta-progression between runs, which can lead to a feeling of randomness and lack of control over outcomes.
- Map Generation and RNG Problems: Users report issues with map generation, such as encountering multiple battles in succession without access to shops or healing, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Limited Class and Item Access: There are complaints about the lack of available classes and items during runs, which can hinder strategic planning and character development.
- Bugs and Technical Issues: Several reviews mention bugs that affect gameplay, including save corruption and unresponsive controls, particularly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck.
- Lack of Variety in Missions: Some players note that missions can feel repetitive, with few variations in objectives or map layouts.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Meta-Progression: Users desire a system that allows for progression or upgrades between runs, which would help offset the randomness of item and character availability.
- More Healing Options: The absence of reliable healing options during encounters is a common complaint, making it challenging to sustain characters through longer runs.
- Diversity in Mission Objectives: Players want more varied mission types beyond just defeating enemies, such as rescue missions or unique objectives that could enhance the narrative and gameplay experience.
- Improved UI and Controls: The user interface, especially on controllers, is seen as clunky and in need of refinement to enhance the overall experience.
- Additional Story Depth: Some users feel that the narrative could be more engaging, with a desire for deeper character interactions and story development.
Summary
- In summary, while "Astral Throne" has a solid foundation with its tactical gameplay and charming aesthetics, it faces criticism for its roguelike mechanics, technical issues, and a desire for more depth in progression and mission variety. Users are hopeful for future updates that address these concerns.
Summary generated on:
Astral Throne Description
Astral Throne is a tactical RPG with roguelike elements, inspired by the classics of the genre from the era of the first PlayStation. The game was developed by the independent studio Zero Sun Games from Canada, which has the project Infinite Incantation in its portfolio.
Story
Astral Throne takes us to a fantasy land covered with memory-stealing dust from a falling star. During the game we take control over the characters who explore it and gradually discover its secrets. Our actions and the choices we make shape the future of the team, and also reflect on the future of the entire world.
Gameplay
Perspective and game world
In Astral Throne we watch the action from a bird's eye view. We move around the game world using a map presented in a top-down view. Upon reaching the destination, the camera changes perspective, showing events up close and allowing us to observe the surroundings and characters. Despite the fact that the land is procedurally generated, the battles in which we participate are hand-crafted.
Gathering a team
Traveling through a world covered in stardust, we not only get to know its inhabitants and gradually learn more about it, but we also gather a team of characters varied in terms of preferred weapons and fighting style (some rely on the power of weapons, others - on magic) and combat skills. Who we recruit, as well as the choices we make, affects the course of the story.
Turn-based battles
Due to frequent clashes with opponents, composing such a team, whose members complement each other, plays a key role here. Battles are fought in turn-based mode, on arenas covered with a grid of square fields. We must not only skillfully juggle the abilities of the heroes and heroines, but also pay attention to their position on the battlefield. We should also exercise caution, as a permadeath mechanic has been implemented here, so the death of a character on the battlefield is permanent.
Character development
As we progress, we develop our subordinates, as well as gather equipment (from weapons to special relics), which over time allows our team to face increasingly greater challenges. At the same time, this makes the loss of a developed hero or heroine potentially painful.
Difficulty level
Special difficulty level modifiers have been prepared with veterans of the genre in mind. Novices, on the other hand, can make use of the hint system.
Graphics
The retro-styled graphic design of Astral Throne consists of a pixel art world map, as well as character models and locations made using low poly technique (based on a small number of clearly visible polygons).
Astral Throne Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Zero Sun Games
Publisher: Zero Sun Games
Age restrictions: 12+
Astral Throne System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-3470, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1.5 GB GeForce GTX 480, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10