Lichdom: Battlemage

 PC
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. CD-Action
    Oct 24, 2014
    80
    After the first 5 hours I was delighted with Lichdom, shocked by its awesomeness even. Then repetitiveness reared its ugly head and my enthusiasm started fading, especially when around the 12 hour mark (when the game should have ended for its own sake) I realized that the story is far from over. Anyhow, Lichdom has a spark that makes you want to come back to it and the spell crafting system is truly amazing. It’s just better to enjoy it in small doses. [Nov 2014, p.68]
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  2. GameOver.gr
    Sep 25, 2014
    80
    With a great crafting system, some intense boss battles and the unique concept of a "First Person Caster", Lichdom is one of the most pleasant surprises we've had in a long time.
  3. The Escapist
    Sep 15, 2014
    80
    With an remarkably robust spell crafting system and spectacularly entertaining combat, Lichdom: Battlemage finally brings the glory to the magic user that it has long deserved.
  5. DarkStation
    Sep 12, 2014
    80
    If a fast and brutal magic melee is what you’re after, Lichdom fits the bill nicely.
  6. Hardcore Gamer
    Aug 28, 2014
    80
    Lichdom: Battlemage makes being a magic user feel properly badass, and if there’s a little bit of homework involved in creating the spells necessary for badass-dom? That’s just the price of being a mage.
  7. GamingTrend
    Aug 27, 2014
    80
    Lichdom: Battlemage is a clever and exciting arcade style action-RPG, which can be a lot more fun than one might expect.
  8. Game Informer
    Aug 26, 2014
    80
    Lichdom: Battlemage is an interesting and enjoyable take on first-person fantasy with lots of customization to dive into. I’m hoping this initial effort leads to an even more polished sequel for Xaviant down the line.
  9. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 20, 2014
    78
    A fireball on the verge of a meltdown.
  10. PC Gamer
    Aug 27, 2014
    76
    A beautiful and difficult action-RPG that rewards risk-taking—the complex magic system makes up for the bits that just aren’t worth playing over and over.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 3, 2014
    75
    Intense combat and deep crafting system fight against rising boredom.
  12. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Sep 23, 2014
    73
    The debut project of the independent studio Xaviant turned viable, albeit boring due to rudimentary plot and rather empty world. Locations turned to be beautiful but no one is found there with exception of few enemies and even in the city you’ll not see a living soul. [Oct 2014, p.89]
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  13. Game Over Online
    Sep 9, 2014
    70
    But even if the spell creation had been perfect and as pretty as much of the graphics are, the adventure is just too scripted and too predictably paced, and the combat is too backpeddally to recommend highly.
  14. PCGamesN
    Sep 4, 2014
    70
    Lichdom: Battlemage’s magic system is second to none, and it carries the game. It does one thing exceptionally well, while the rest of the game languishes a bit.
  15. MMORPG.com
    Aug 26, 2014
    70
    Lichdom: Battlemage is a fun, if shortsighted RPG with some fantastic upsides. Is it worth the asking price of $40? I’d say no at this point, and hold out for a Steam sale. It’s definitely something fans of the old Hexen will enjoy, but fans of open ended RPGs will find Xaviant’s game lacking. A solid effort, but not quite what I’d hoped for after seeing the game at PAX East this year.
  16. GameStar
    Sep 5, 2014
    69
    Only the fleet magic system, although it has its flaws, is a real highlight for me.
  17. PC Games
    Sep 15, 2014
    68
    The combat-system is working nicely and intuitively. Creating thousands of spells is quite fun – for a while. The levels often seem to be just never ending corridors, filled with hundreds of the same type of monsters. Boss-fights are challenging but can be very frustrating as well because of the complex mechanics the game uses for damage and control.
  18. IGN
    Sep 1, 2014
    65
    Lichdom: Battlemage suffers from an over-reliance on linear level design and samey enemy types, but few other games deliver such a memorable brand of action-packed magic combat.
  19. Everyeye.it
    Oct 14, 2014
    60
    The graphics are really, really good, but all those shiny things end up clashing with a lacking gameplay, and that's a true shame.
  20. Eurogamer Germany
    Sep 18, 2014
    60
    At first, the fights are exciting and fresh, only to grind you down in endless repetition in overlong and boring levels.
  21. GameSpot
    Sep 16, 2014
    60
    While Lichdom makes a strong case for a shorter game, it also makes the case for another Lichdom game. If there is any game this year deserving of a sequel, it’s this one.
  22. Riot Pixels
    Sep 26, 2014
    56
    Lichdom: Battlemage is a hymn to frustrated hopes. It had all the markings of something exciting: an experienced team, cool idea to use combat spells instead of traditional weapons, top-notch graphics engine, several years of development and a long gestation period in Steam Early Access… And it was all for naught.
  23. Eurogamer
    Sep 30, 2014
    40
    Editing in game design is as important as it is in writing or filmmaking. Get to the point. Respect both the time and financial investment of your audience. Above all else, don't send me chasing after the goddamn lorry.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 179
  3. Negative: 46 out of 179
  1. bombrero
    Aug 29, 2014
    4
    Im going to review this game from an gamer point of view rather than just telling how beautiful the world is (which is true), or how you canIm going to review this game from an gamer point of view rather than just telling how beautiful the world is (which is true), or how you can destroy everything on sight (which is not true) and pinpoint the various aspects of the game, and its good things and bad things.

    The good things:
    -It has indeed a very well crafted and beautiful enviroment
    -The graphics are not great but pretty much competent
    -The spell's aditional effects can result in pretty satisfying combos (although pretty much rarely for the most part, see why below)
    -The loot system is a good choice for the game, since it is simple and rewards you with tons of sigils, which you indeed need to keep upgrading your spells.

    The bad things:
    -Some optimization problems (like v-sync is broken inside the game, so youll have to force it through the gpu) but is no biggie.
    -The story is not showed as an interesting development, it just "happens". You are offended, awakened after that, told about the current situation, and sent to pursuit evil spewing corny lines every once in a while. The horrible cliche lines take the nobility from the game for my taste.
    -The combat system has almost nothing more to offer compared to the system of Skyrim, which the game appears to have inspired on: You just cast the spells charging them in your right hand while you hold a custody (magic shield) on the left one, and you can choose from AoE or missile types of spells.
    The only difference is that those spells have additional effects to them, like stunning, critical hit enhancing when the stun is broken, slowing the enemy, lowering their mastery (dont even know what that is, the game did never explain it to me) The downside to this is that the "break stun with a critical strike" effect is really common, but it's almost impossible to do so, since you can achieve a 100% critical chance by charging your spells, which takes an average of 3 seconds to charge and hit an opponent at mid range, while the stuns usually last for 2 and a half seconds, so you are forced to lower your damage to achieve faster speed, resulting in the same damage output for two spells instead of just one. That made the game a constant chore of charging fireballs,launching them, rinse and repeat while using shield on nearest enemy. There wast really much more into it.
    -There was a lot of spells types I missed, like for example rays and channeled ones to deal with the closer enemies, elemental clones to distract enemies, damaging or slowing auras in proximity, walls of elements. Anything other than fireballs (or ice balls or lightning balls) and novas with instant damage, stun break damage or damage over time to choose from them) is really missed, since it becomes repetitive really fast.

    In conclusion, its WAY too simple and repetitive to consist in a game of its own. It boils down to essentially two types of attacks per element (missiles or AoE) with little status effects differences and one shield per element, which again presents little status effects differences, but works the same, so just charge -> release -> block, repeat.    … Full Review »
  2. themagiccan
    Aug 30, 2014
    0
    If you want to play this game for free, stare at your desktop, hold the mouse button for 3 seconds to charge a spell, then release. OnceIf you want to play this game for free, stare at your desktop, hold the mouse button for 3 seconds to charge a spell, then release. Once again, hold the mouse button for 3 seconds to charge a spell, then release. Repeat.… Full Review »
  3. locovigo
    Aug 30, 2014
    1
    Not a bad crafting system but nothing special.
    Graphics are polite but, again, nothing especial.
    Music bah. Story is out of interest. Foes    Not a bad crafting system but nothing special.
    Graphics are polite but, again, nothing especial.
    Music bah.
    Story is out of interest.
    Foes have a veeeeeeeeeeery poor and simple IA. Not a challenge in any way if you have a shield decently crafted.
    Almost any fight its the same, just charge, release, charge, release ..etc Very little chances for an strategical approach.

    Its not a bad game. Just don't worth 40$ and becomes very boring sooner than later.    … Full Review »
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