Balrum PC

Balrum for PC is a representative of the classic RPGs. It is played from an isometric view and it features a turn-based combat system. It was created by New York-based Balcony Team, and financed on Kickstarter.

Story

The story is set in Balrum - a fantasy world invaded by the evil Nasrus and his undead armies twenty years earlier. The powerful enemy was underestimated however, and the royal armies were decimated. As a result, Balrum collapsed and the land went into chaos. Only two small villages took a stand against the new lord conqueror. Their inhabitants found shelter in Darkwood, a place ruled by evil. Thus these people were the first to enter the area in centuries. The player is put in the shoes of one of the villagers. After discovering the dark secrets of the woods, he leaves his place in order to face the world in chaos. The villagers have pinned their final hopes on the protagonist's mission, for he is the only one capable of restoring the lifestyle they once lived.

Gameplay

At first glance, Balrum for PC can raise justifiable connotations to such classics of the genre as Arcanum or games developed by Spiderweb Software (Geneforge, the Avernum series). As in a standard role-playing game, the gameplay consists mainly of exploring the extensive open game world, talking to NPCs and completing subsequent quests - related both to the main story and minor threads. The game does not lack fighting of course. It features a turn-based combat system allowing for application of different tactics, thanks to the multiplicity of weapons and spells the player can use.

The game features countless modern-day RPG mechanics. Primarily, it means that the player is given full freedom of approach to the game world and character development. The game does not feature the classic division into character classes. Instead, the player decides what they want to do and when in order to improve certain skills. Additionally, when the player proceeds to the second act (five in total), they are given an opportunity to join one of three available guilds. The choice matters here, for it affects the story and the ending significantly.

The gameplay is diversified with the option of building and furnishing the protagonist's house. The place is the player's base of operations, where they can cultivate land and obtain supplies in so doing in-between subsequent quests for example. Also, certain animals can be tamed here - they become the player's companions during their journeys. The gameplay is complemented by an extensive crafting system, which allows to create weapons, useful potions or even to prepare certain meals, if none of the items found suffices.

Technology

Balrum for PC offers old-school visuals. When zooming-in, particular objects of the environment become strongly pixelated. The game stands out with its changing weather conditions and a dynamic time cycle. The game world undergoes real-time constant changes - all the NPCs live their own lives and engage in their daily tasks. Every once in a while, the game surprises the player with its attention to details - for instance, after having hunt down an animal with a burning arrow, the protagonist receives meat which is already roasted.

Last updated on 16 March 2016