As far as I'm concerned, few RPGs are able to provide a good combat experience. Usually it is either a click-fest, or some sort of a tedious exercise in micromanagement. However, after battling a number of foes in the AoD's arena, I was vastly impressed with what I saw. Time will tell whether the rest of the game will turn out to be equally as good, but if combat is any indication, we are going to be in for a real treat when it is released. Do not take my word for it though. I suggest you download the demo and take a look for yourself. If you are a lover of RPGs you owe yourself that much.
It amazes me that simply switching from one sword to another has a huge effect on how combat plays out. I honestly don't think I've ever even seen another system like this that pays such close attention to the distinct differences that weapon types have from one another and represents it with something other than a damage range. In most RPGs, daggers are the game's way of punishing you for not playing a fighter. In AoD they're a deadly weapon that should not be underestimated. Twas not the +14 Flaming Icy Greatsword of Windwater Mountain that slew Caesar, but the humble knife. Veres pugionem! - Gregorus Prime
I think you might be surprised at the variety of tactics available. During testing, I lagged behind many of the other testers. Sometimes I'd try, say, one of Galsiah's builds and still fail badly. If the build was the same and he could win the whole arena and I repeatedly failed halfway through, that means the choices during combat were the difference.
It took me a while to get my head in the right place. Positioning can be important, sometimes a different weapon is better (faster, rather than more outright damage, for example) and so on. It's more subtle than most games and that took some adjusting for me. - Dhruin (RPG Watch)
Combat is fantastic. Very nicely tactical in equipment choice, attack choice, and positioning. Different choices seem to have significant impact on outcomes. Top notch.
The atmosphere is fantastic. Very compelling, very nicely implemented. I was planning on buying the game anyway, but if I wasn't, these first two points would have sold me. - Bullwinkle
I really enjoyed the demo and I'm impressed as heck by all of it. I'm desperately interested to see how the full game contextualizes everything. Praise praise, praise, praise praise. - Zomg
So, I beat it. It was very fun. Lots of tactical variety even with the somewhat simple build I made. I wasn't sure how well I'd do since I haven't really played any challenging tactical combat games, or if I'd end up hating it because it was too much for me; but that definitely wasn't the case. I had a blast. The opponents were definitely varied and showed off the combat well. I also like how everyone has the same general amount of hit points. Makes everyone seem mortal. Challenging opponents are instead challenging because of their armor and their block/dodge skill, as well as their ability to circumvent your own. Other developers should take notes. - Dicksmoker
The video really, really doesn't do this justice. It's honestly not a game that's very fun to watch, because you can't possibly get a grasp of the depth of the combat system by watching a video like this. It also seems incredibly slow until you play it yourself and realise you're constantly trying to come up with new tactics to fill in the blanks between hits and misses.
Of course you do have to appreciate turn-based combat and can't be expecting something fast and furious. It's not an action RPG. But you'd be surprised what kind of tactical depth they've put into a single person turn-based game. Forget Fallout, I've played both Fallout and this demo extensively and can say without a doubt that this is a lot more fun, deep, and balanced than Fallout's combat ever was.
All of the weapon types are fundamentally different. Changing character builds around changes how you approach the combat entirely. You've got so many different options within a single build that figuring everything out will take you a while. It's HARD but, most of the time, FAIR hard. If you're failing you're probably doing something fundamentally wrong, and adjusting your strategy will help you along. - Razz
The game's combat is pretty intense, and I certainly recommend this demo to anyone ? I've just blew two whole days on this! That is more that I've spent with most modern games recently.
By the way, utilizing aimed shots is really useful, and the more annoying when AI does this on YOU. When you disregard defense for all-out attack, and enemies begin getting high hit chances with aimed shots, expect to be fucked. For instance, "archer + swordsman" combat becomes absolutely annoying due to archer pinning your legs down with his arrows, you cannot get to his lightly armored ass for some sweet retribution ? and the swordsman guy keeps disarming you and gets aimed shot on your body for armor penetration.
Combat with triarii is also pure hell ? guy with a hammer will often knock you down, axewielder will spell death for any shield user due to his ability to sunder shields, and the leader with a huge twohander will simply kill you in three powerful hits if you will let him hear you.
As for the final (if optional) combat with 6 imperial guards... I can but say "good luck", because I ONCE managed to kill 5 of them with my hammer/shield build, but the axewielder destroyed my shield and chopped me down.
Yet, let me restate, this demo gave me a HUGE amount of fun ? moreso them some "finished products". - Balor
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The Age of Decadence is an isometric, turn-based, single-player 3D role-playing game set in a low magic, post-apocalyptic fantasy world, inspired by the fall of the Roman Empire. The game features a detailed skill-based character system, non-linear gameplay, multiple skill-based ways to handle quests, choices & consequences, and extensive dialogue trees.
For more information, check out our feature list or read the Unofficial Age of Decadence FAQ in our forums. While visiting the AoD forums, please sign up today to join the AoD community!
"That kind of thing is common here. Conspiracies and assassinations and naked power-grabs. All the fun of decadence."
- Glen Cook, The Black Company
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