Age of Decadence

[Konjad]

In my opinion it is an unfinished and buggy CYOA mess with optional combat and gripping lore.

While the beginning of the game and the first location of the game are quite good, it quickly declines into half-empty and unfinished world of soulless tasks, albeit with intriguing setting and lore.

I appreciate the work put into this game and its engine, but AoD doesn't hold up for long.

First of all, the writing is too edgy. Sure, it's a game about cutthroats and other degenerates in a broken world, but when an NPC asks you for help and it's a third or fourth ambush in a row, you lose interest in accepting random quests anymore. Moreover, the amount of indecorum is exaggerated. Dialogues in this game remind me of Hollywood movies - with cool and edgy characters swearing and acting violently all the time because they live in edgy and dirty world. It's completely over-the-top.

Unfortunately after the first location, the game becomes a bit empty. The largest city seems to be just a few NPCs standing here and there, with a few simple quests and nothing more. Oh, and a combat-focused location plus arena. Further locations past that city are even emptier, having scarce amount of tasks for the player.

The game focuses on choices and their consequences, but too often these are completely broken even 3 years after the release of the game. For example, trying to play throughout the game as house Daratan, but also trying to play another faction house Crassus, I completed quests for both of them. When I was about to find a temple for them, I went to Daratan instead and blow entrance up. You'd think that would have some consequences, huh? Out of curiosity I went back to Crassus and not only they did not mention it - I could continue the quest... and go to the same location where entrance was still perfectly fine!

The player often does not actually have many choices. The choices available are usually pre-defined by character's statistics. Very often you only have one option in a dialogue (past the first location) and therefore it's hardly choose-your-own-adventure or role-playing, it feels half a game and half a novel - even more so when you realize the game forces you to meta-game and only level small amount of skills that you will then always have to choose in dialogue checks to continue with the game.

On a positive side, the world of Age of Decadence is quite intriguing. While it doesn't come up with anything exceptionally original, it mixes fantasy (with low magic) and science-fiction themes in a meaningful way. Lore is the best part of this game and reading lore-related texts made me regret I did not create a lore-based character, but typical charismatic type I usually make in RPGs.

Another good aspect is a decent combat system, although it suffers from the fact that the player always controls only one character. The system seems to be made with tactical games in mind, and indeed the second game of the same developers, which is called Dungeon Rats, is a tactical game where the player controls 4-men party and is significantly better than AoD as it focuses on the strong point of this studio's skills, while not boring the player with uptight dialogues and superfluous tasks. DR also has a much smaller scope than AoD and it works in its advantage.

Age of Decadence is not a bad game, but at the same I can't say it's good or worth recommending. In fact, if you can get it for about 1€ as it's now often in bundles, then by all means it might be worth a try. Even if you don't finish it, the first two or three hours should be entertaining enough. However, buying it for more than insignificant amount of money is not recommended as it is an average game with good ideas but too many shortcomings.

[viata]

Unfortunately after the first location, the game becomes a bit empty.

I really enjoyed the combat in this game(I have not tried the sequel, btw) and this is the only reason I gave up whenever I think I should replay the game. Grimoire suffered from the same thing, where the first town(or the superdemo area in Grimoire's case) has the best parts of the game. It's clearly they put a heavy emphasis on the beginning to attract new users, but in the case of Grimoire the game is still amazing and in the case of AoD, it keeps getting worse, sadly. I have not played the most recent game, the spaceship one, but I hope it doesn't suffer from the same fate.

[Konjad]

Unfortunately after the first location, the game becomes a bit empty.

I really enjoyed the combat in this game(I have not tried the sequel, btw) and this is the only reason I gave up whenever I think I should replay the game. Grimoire suffered from the same thing, where the first town(or the superdemo area in Grimoire's case) has the best parts of the game. It's clearly they put a heavy emphasis on the beginning to attract new users, but in the case of Grimoire the game is still amazing and in the case of AoD, it keeps getting worse, sadly. I have not played the most recent game, the spaceship one, but I hope it doesn't suffer from the same fate.

CP has similar combat, but is overall much improved in every other important regard. The setting is absorbing, writing is decent and quests are interesting. Combat is gratifying as well. In addition I'd like to praise the off-beat environment and eccentric surroundings.

I can't really criticize the game beside perhaps two drawbacks which are the camera - gets obstructed by buildings too often, and music - which is just average. Assuming the rest of the game will be as fleshed out as currently available locations (up to Habitat), then this will be a neat game worth purchasing.

[rusty_shackleford]

Dungeon Rats is a pretty fun combat-oriented adventure. Didn't like AoD.

[Konjad]

Dungeon Rats is a pretty fun combat-oriented adventure. Didn't like AoD.

I agree. I had a blast playing it. Wonderful combat system, challenging fights, and the game is 100% combat (so it's unlike Age of Decadence). On a downside, it's rather short, very linear and you can control a party only up to 4 people, so it somewhat limits possible tactics. Definitely not the best in the genre, but I had plenty of fun.

[Fargus]

Yes, combat is tough hurr durr. One of the most overrated games on dex and i could never get into this shit. The constant quest "teleports" alone killed any desire to even try.

[rusty_shackleford]

Yes, combat is tough hurr durr. One of the most overrated games on dex and i could never get into this shit. The constant quest "teleports" alone killed any desire to even try.

[viata]

Yes, combat is tough hurr durr. One of the most overrated games on dex and i could never get into this shit. The constant quest "teleports" alone killed any desire to even try.

Having all town-related quests end as soon as you leave the town was also quite shit.

[Segata]

Issues aside (the mentioned teleportation and the game putting you in situations you didn't plan to), I enjoy the hell out of the combat and how every weapon skill is viable and offers a unique experience. Dungeon Rats was also good until they made it harder with each patch iteration so now it's almost nonviable in solo except with some specific builds.

If anybody wants to read my semi-autistic review on each combat skill (current game versions), ask me and I'll write my thots.

[Dead]

If anybody wants to read my semi-autistic review on each combat skill (current game versions), ask me and I'll write my thots.

Dōzo.

[Segata]

If anybody wants to read my semi-autistic review on each combat skill (current game versions), ask me and I'll write my thots.

Dōzo.

Analysis inside the spoiler:

► Show Spoiler

• Critical Strike

Let me preface with this piece of advise: always put points on Critical Strike unless you want to self-impose a challenge. It just makes things much easier for you and offers additional tactical options. Only a couple of weapon skills can overcome the lack of CS. Even as a 4 int brute, you still get enough points to put on CS so do it.

Defense:

In AoD is somewhat meaningless to choose between Dodge and Block, a high rating in both of them will make you nearly untouchable either way. This is not the case in Dungeon Rats, where not picking Block will gimp you seriously. But let's go over the basics in the base game, AoD:

• Dodge

Offensive playstyles should pick this one. Dodge, while having lower inherent defensive rating than block, it lets you avoid damage completely most of the time and perform counterattacks as it passive, as a result fights end a lot quicker (either for the enemies or for you). The big advantage this option has over block is that you can use two handed weapons, which offer more damage and attacking types. The big drawback is that you can't use these weapons with the power armor (but you can still go with a power armor + dodge combo). It's in your best interest to pick armors with low defense penalty so light armors will be viable. Don't gimp your DEX as the skill is dependant on it (also CON, but not as important). Dodge is dogshit against ranged attacks so keep it in mind.

• Block

The option for tanks and defensive minded playstyles. Personally I don't find it as fun because it makes fights longer thanks to the lack of counterattack. Nonetheless, it has higher inherent defensive rating than dodge, but this doesn't mean it will make you impervious to enemy attacks; as a rule, block will let more enemy attacks through than Dodge, except in high levels. The obvious benefit of Block is the added damage resistance on top of the armor, so it makes sense to play with heavy armors and high CON (STR is the stat that affects Block the most however), so even if enemies hit you, they can only do pitiful damage. Excellent against ranged enemies, specially with heavier shields but the latter also affect your THC —Block compels you to use more general attacks instead of aimed ones. Two great non-crafted shields can be found in Maadoran, one you can buy it in the merchant's plaza and the other is worn by the spear guy in the inn that you can challenge. A near must for Dungeon Rats with its tougher and more accurate enemies.

Weapons:

Now it comes the fun part. It should be said that each weapon skill makes game completion absolutely viable, but most of them have been rebalanced with patches. I'll comment on these changes too. Commentary based on AoD:

• Dagger

Rating: Great

Throughout most iterations of the game, Dagger has always been one of the games best weapon skills. The passive works extremely well with Critical Strike (and you don't have to put that many points in CS if you go with dagger), providing additional CS success rate on aimed shots. This includes Arterial Strike with it's higher chance of causing a bleeding wound on the enemy. Dagger thus is viable even for low STR characters, as you can easily deactivate enemies little by little with aimed shots; target their arms to reduce their attacking chances, target their torsos to reduce their damage resistance, target their legs to completely deplete their DEX and make them unable to perform actions. Dagger is also a great counterattacking weapon so be sure to pick dodge to accompany it. There are several fantastic daggers in the wild without need of crafting, another pro. Also, an attack type unique to small daggers is Flurry, which performs 3 quick attacks in succession for the modest cost of 5 AP. If you want the mother of busted combat builds, go with full STR and DEX, a fully charged Power Armor, start the fights in Horus mode to get 15AP and switch to Apis mode before performing the attacks to get extra STR. That way you'll have 3 flurry attacks (a total combined of 9 attacks) at full strength. Couple this with a well sharpened dagger and the berserk potion and well, you can imagine. You can even defeat the optional final boss in one turn this way.

Preferred stats: DEX and PER

• Sword

Rating: Good to very good

Swords are always boring to me no matter the game so I don't like picking this one, but it's undeniable that it performs very well. The passive offers higher chance to cause bleeding and with CS, this will happen almost automatically. One positive it has is that it's the most common weapon type on enemies so you'll enjoy a great selection of swords without the need of crafting. Several unique sword types too, included two handed ones like The Chopper which will rip through armors like a hot knife through butter, or the Qantari sword(+axe/club) with it's high counterattacking bonus. Merchant's plaza offers one early blue steel sword with insane THC bonus, at the hefty cost of 4000 gold (or half with enough trading skill).

Preferred stat: DEX

• Axe

Rating: very good

Axe is one of the weapon skills that have gone through most revisions and nerfs. In early iterations it was a weapon of mass destruction with its passive granting higher damage with higher levels. Now the passive only provides such extra damage only in critical hits, so you need to spend points on CS to make it effective (but as I told you above, putting points in CS is always a good idea). The biggest con to Axes is a seeming lack of good axes in the wild, with the exception of Widowmaker's in the very late game, the absolute best weapon you can get from any enemy. You can buy a couple of good axes in Maadoran but they get outclassed quickly, so get that crafting going on and use sharpening stones. With high STR+CS+sharpening stones, you will kill most enemies in one strike using two handed axes. Or use the Apis mode of the Power Armor to get up until 13 STR and cause massive damage with one handed axes. Simple but effective, should be the weapon of choice for the barbarian and grug types.

Preferred stat: STR

• Hammer

Rating: mediocre

Hammers are pretty meh overall, its passive adds an additional chance to plunge the damage resistance of enemy armor, but it's success rate is not as high as one would want, even at the highest level. By the time you've reduced the enemy's DR to zero, it's pretty late. Hammer is the weapon type you pick with low THC tank characters, so you can reliably deal damage over time without using fancy attack types. Hammer also is one of the few weapon skills that can work well without the need of CS. Another positive is that you can get several great hammers without crafting one yourself, included an early blue steel marculus in Teron (locked after a hefty sneak/lockpick/traps skill requirement), and the one you can buy in the slums has the biggest passive bonus of all hammers, it remains useful throughout the game. But if you want to kill fast, pick any other weapon type. A fun attack type exclusive to hammers is Knockdown, useful when the enemy is against the wall so you can get a free high-THC/high-CS attack on the enemy.

Preferred stat: STR

• Spear

Rating: very good to great

Spear used to be THE weapon in previous game versions, but it was so overpowered that it had to go through several nerfs. Even after all these attemps to make spears fairer, it still remains a most excellent choice and the best weapon for defensive minded characters. Its passive will keep enemies at bay, and with a well crafted spear that maximizes the passive bonus, it can make you nearly untouchable. There are a couple of disadvantages however: one handed spears are kind of weak for dealing damag,e needing that sweet STR, and two handed spears become a nuisance if the enemy manages to get next to you. You should aim to raise Spear skill as fast as possible to enjoy the most from its defensive capabilities. There are several great spears in the wild in the early to mid game, like the unique one handed spear from the spear guy in Maadoran's inn offering extra range, and the trident you can win from one of the arena foes with its high passive bonus. I haven't mentioned my favorite thing about spears, two handed ones specifically: its unique Impale attack type. Impale can deactivate an enemy for several turns in a successful critical strike, at the cost of losing your spear until the end of the battle (so keep always a few ones in inventory). Not only is the attack itself high-damage, but it also leaves the enemy prey to attacks with full THC and CS. Playing a Vlad the Impaler type is one of the most fun and overpowered things you can do in this game, and it NEVER gets old.

Preferred stat: DEX (and STR with one handed spears)

• Bow

Rating: mediocre to good

We finally get to the ranged skills. Bow might be my least favorite of them. For beginners, they demand a huge stat cost in several areas: very dependent on STR for damage, DEX for their high AP cost and PER because efficiency/THC of all ranged weapons depend on the latter. The passive is somewhat meh too, only being reliably high chance at the highest levels, slowing down enemies only work when there are few of them. High AP cost also means it's a poor choice for poison spread in battles against numerous foes. Light bows while offering more attacks per turn, are also weak and not worth the time. There is however a very powerful attack that bow users can enjoy: multishot. This attack will shoot three bolts at the same time in spread pattern. The thing with this attack is that you can kill most enemies that are placed next to you. Just move to their next diagonal square and two/three bolts will land on the enemy. Very powerful, but even with it, bows aren't as good as one would expect. Bow has been nerfed overtime. You can get a very good bow from the fletcher in the merchant's plaza.

Preferred stat: STR, DEX, PER (a nightmare)

• Crossbow

Rating: great

Crossbows are THE weapon of choice for hybrid builds. For one, it's the only weapon skill that works independently from STR, turning it effectively into a dump stat. One of the most efficient stat builds you can pair with crossbow is 4/10/4/10/8/4. Crossbows enjoy of a good variety of types that remain useful throughout the entire game: hand crossbows are one handed, can be placed in pocket slots and have fast reload speeds. The heavier two handed crossbows can deal very high damage at the cost of high reload AP, but they're pretty much worth it. The scoped crossbows are pretty much indistinguishable from the other two handed crossbows, with the addition of the Snipe attack type, a high AP attack that offers a godly amount of additional THC and high damage, excellent for the arena fights. But it doesn't end there, the jewel crown of the crossbow selection are the repeating crossbow and the bolter. The former can hold up until 5 bolts ready to be shot at measly AP cost, a most excellent weapon to pair with alchemy for poison spreading despite the lower damage compared to heavy crossbows, as well as having the amusing burst shot attack where it shoots all 5 bolts at once, capable of killing almost everyone in one attempt. The bolter is an ancient weapon locked behind a skill requirement of crafting/lore + a power module, but it's quick as hell when shooting and reloading and it's one handed. With the Power Armor, you can shoot this thing 5 times per turn, and unlike the repeater crossbow, you don't need to spend 6 AP reloading. I haven't even mentioned the passive yet because even without it, the skill is the tits. The passive can 'stagger' enemies lowering their APs available for the turn. You don't get an indication whenever this happens so it's hard to realize it's there. In early game versions, the passive could cause knockdowns, a combo that made it even more busted than it is now.

• Throwing

Rating: mediocre to very good

Ah, throwing. Throwing is the weapon skill that is most difficult to make viable. It completely fucking sucks in low and mid levels, it practically requires crafting (don't expect to get many projectiles in the wild) and lots of STR to carry ammo (the weight of heavy projectiles is insane, weight that was halved for Dungeon Rats but never implemented in AoD), so much like Bow you incurr in a high stat cost to make it work, with the added benefit of it being low AP cost, enabling you to skim a bit on DEX. Low AP cost also means good with alchemy, excellent to spread poison on big groups of enemies. The weapon lives and dies by its passive: a chance to bypass ALL armor. Problem is that said chance is somehow low unless you pump up that Throwing skill up to 10 and craft some projectiles with a big passive bonus chance. So as you can see, it needs quite the delayed expectations from it, which is why I can only rate it as variably as I did. Like hammer, it's one of the skills that can dish out damage without CS thanks to the passive. The smaller projectiles can be multishot but it works differently to the bow, with a linear pattern instead of the spread area of the bow. This is the weapon skill I've played the least because it takes too damn long to get good. There are some dialogue skillchecks involving throwing, specially for the thief path. Another con is the lack of counterattack, the only weapon type with such characteristic, so don't be stupid and use it always alongside block.