Tag: Indie RPG

  • RPG Hidden Gem (92% Positive) Under $1.50 on Steam

    Key Takeaway

    – 92% positive Steam rating, currently at all-time low of $1.39 (80% off)
    – Cozy point-and-click adventure with light RPG elements like fishing, hunting, and gathering
    – Relaxed atmosphere praised for the “one more task” gameplay loop
    – Short playtime (~2-4 hours) is main criticism, but easily overlooked at under $1.50
    – Serves as a prequel, making it a good entry point to the series, and is Steam Deck Verified

    Hidden Gem on Steam!

    In Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 1, players take on the role of a traveler who, together with an orphan boy, investigates a mysterious dragon threat. Almost 1,200 Steam reviews are 92% positive, but according to SteamDB, the 2020 title from Lonely Troops rarely exceeds 10 concurrent players. For fans of indie RPGs, Hero of the Kingdom could therefore be a real hidden gem – and it is currently available on Steam with an 80% discount at its all-time low of $1.39, down from $6.99.

    Story begins with a dragon attack

    The story begins in a town that has recently been attacked by a dragon. As a traveling adventurer, players meet the orphan boy Brent, who dreams of proving himself as a hero. Together, they set out to uncover the origin of the dragon. In gameplay terms, Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 1 is a cozy point-and-click adventure with light RPG elements. Players can learn new skills such as fishing, hunting or gathering and collect better equipment.

    What players are saying about it

    According to Steam reviews, players particularly like the game’s relaxed atmosphere and easy accessibility. The gameplay is said to deliver that classic RPG pull where you always want to “just finish one more task.” Apart from the simple presentation, the main criticism is its length, which is only around 2 to 4 hours. At a price of less than $1.50, however, that should be easy to overlook. Although Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 1 is not the first game in the series, it still works well as an entry point. The story is a prequel and takes place before the events of the original Hero of the Kingdom, which was released back in 2012.

    More adventures in the series

    If the ending leaves you wanting more, several more adventures are waiting. The series so far includes Hero of the Kingdom (2013), Hero of the Kingdom II (2015), Hero of the Kingdom III (2018), Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 1 (2020), Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 2 (2021) and Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 3 (2024). Thanks to its “Verified” status on the Steam Deck, Hero of the Kingdom is also an interesting choice for gaming on the go.

    A note on pricing

    Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.


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  • Disco Elysium Studio’s Second Game Launches, Sparks Steam Controversy

    Disco Elysium Studio’s Second Game Launches, Sparks Steam Controversy

    Key Takeaway

    – The game released on Windows via Steam for $39.99, with a PS5 version planned later this year; Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 versions are not planned.
    – Early reception is mixed: about 2,300 concurrent Steam players and a Metascore of 83, below Disco Elysium’s 91, with 111 Steam reviews currently labeled “balanced.”
    – Controversy surrounding the developer studio (ZA/UM) and a hostile takeover in 2021–2022 is a major factor in the negative sentiment toward the game, not necessarily the game itself.
    – The game closely echoes Disco Elysium in art style, perspective, and emphasis on dialogue, creative problem-solving, and the main character’s psyche over combat.

    Zero Parades: For Dead Spies was released today for Windows PCs, and can be purchased on Steam for $39.99. A version for Sony PlayStation 5 will follow later this year, versions for Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 ($449 on Amazon) are currently not planned.

    Overview Snapshot

    As a look at SteamDB shows, the game already has over 2,300 players playing the title at the same time. That’s pretty good for an indie adventure, even if the record of 8,081 players set by Disco Elysium is a long way off. In general, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is not yet as well received as ZA/UM’s first game, as the Metascore of 83 out of a possible 100 points shows – Disco Elysium scored 91 points.

    Reception and Controversy

    Even more shocking: the 111 Steam reviews are currently “balanced” – not a result that developers would want for a new game. However, the negative reviews are largely not due to the game itself, but to a controversy involving the developer studio. The investors at ZA/UM forced the minds behind Disco Elysium out of the company in 2021 and 2022.

    Despite the hostile takeover of the studio, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is inevitably reminiscent of Disco Elysium due to its unusual graphic style and isometric perspective. There are also overlaps in the gameplay, as the single-player role-playing game places more emphasis on dialog and creative solutions than on combat, while the psyche of the main character once again plays a central role.

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  • Free Indie RPG on Steam Launches with Unique Combat and 94% Rating

    Free Indie RPG on Steam Launches with Unique Combat and 94% Rating

    Key Takeaways

    1. Story and Setting: A Song of Sunlight follows Arem, a boy from a strict community, as he questions his beliefs and explores the mysterious Well.

    2. Gameplay Mechanics: The game features a unique pseudo turn-based combat system combining strategy and real-time action, requiring quick thinking and decision-making.

    3. Positive Reception: The game has a 94% average rating on Steam, praised for its combat mechanics, atmosphere, and emotional storytelling, offering about 16 hours of gameplay across two chapters.

    4. Controller-Friendly Design: The game is primarily designed for controllers, with limited remapping options for keyboard users, and uncertain compatibility with the Steam Deck.

    5. System Requirements: A Song of Sunlight has modest system requirements, needing only 4 GB of RAM and a dual-core CPU, making it accessible for most modern handheld PCs.

    A Song of Sunlight is a charming indie RPG created by the developer studio RageForDragons. The game tells the tale of Arem, a young boy who lives in a remote island belonging to a community with strict traditions. The rules are clear: everyone must contribute to the welfare of the community and never approach the Well, a mysterious place that goes deep underground and is silent. When Arem starts to doubt the beliefs he grew up with, he embarks on a quest to discover the reality of his world, which ultimately takes him into the depths of the Well.

    Day and Night

    During the day, Arem fulfills his responsibilities within the settlement, interacts with the townsfolk, and collects resources. But as night falls, he ventures into the enigmatic Well. He is not alone in this dark place; horrifying monsters hide in the shadows, and to survive, he must confront them repeatedly. The game boasts a unique pseudo turn-based combat system that mixes strategy with real-time action. Before making a move, players must decide Arem’s strategy, whether to attack boldly or defend cautiously. This choice shapes the encounter, but the actual combat happens in real-time, which requires players to think quickly and react swiftly.

    Positive Reception

    As of now, A Song of Sunlight has garnered 19 reviews on Steam, achieving a notably positive average rating of 94%. Players commend the game’s unique combat mechanics and the strong atmosphere along with the emotional depth of its storytelling. The game consists of two chapters, each offering approximately eight hours of gameplay, which is quite generous for a free-to-play title. However, it’s important to note that the game lacks voice acting, leading to a gameplay experience that relies heavily on text.

    Controller-Friendly Design

    It’s also important to mention that this RPG is primarily designed for controller use. Those opting for a keyboard may find the absence of remapping options to be a downside. The game’s compatibility with the Steam Deck is still listed as “Unknown,” and the current price for it is around $695 on Amazon. Nevertheless, the game has modest system requirements, implying that most modern handheld PCs should be able to run it without difficulties. It only needs 4 GB of RAM, a dual-core CPU with SSE2 support, and 12 GB of available storage space.

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