Massive Chalice

 PC
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Quarter to Three
    Jun 11, 2015
    100
    A brilliant and subversive take on tactical RPGs, is for the rest of us. Bravo, Double Fine. It’s easy enough to make a good game a lot of people will like. It’s not so easy to make a great game only some people will love.
  2. Twinfinite
    Jun 2, 2015
    100
    Between the far-reaching scale, the slick and intuitive combat, and the fun of raising heroes through the years, MASSIVE CHALICE brings a whole lot to the table.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 1, 2015
    85
    Massive Chalice is one of the better Tim Schafer creations, combination of Crusader Kings and XCOM works quite well. Very well, actually. [Aug 2015]
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  5. Softpedia
    Jun 2, 2015
    85
    When it comes to the sound of Massive Chalice the voice acting for the huge piece of silverware itself is great, both funny and sat, and the music itself manages to underline the tense moments of combat and to illustrate the way time influences the world of the game.
  6. COGconnected
    Jun 2, 2015
    81
    The game’s style is good, and the basic structure is engaging and challenging. Combat could be a little more tactical, but overall it’s a solid game that provides a great outlet for any turn-based craving you might have.
  7. CD-Action
    Jul 27, 2015
    80
    An enjoyable tactical game in the vein of the new XCOM with a very unique strategy layer. [08/2015, p.64]
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  8. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 5, 2015
    80
    Created by Double Fine through a crowdfunding campaign, Massive Chalice is an interesting turn-based strategy game that mixes the classic mechanics of the genre with some unique feature like permadeath, bloodlines relics and bloodlines genetics.
  9. GameWatcher
    Jun 12, 2015
    80
    Massive Chalice is lots of fun and highly addictive.
  10. Multiplayer.it
    Jun 9, 2015
    80
    Mix together two simplified versions of XCOM and Crusader Kings and you'll get Massive Chalice, an enjoyable game where unfortunately some aspects are not at the same level as others.
  11. Shacknews
    Jun 3, 2015
    80
    Between the bloodlines, research, and combat, Massive Chalice tosses a ton to micromanage, and it can feel overwhelming. But it all builds up to a spectacular ending that makes it worthwhile and satisfying.
  12. Game Informer
    Jun 1, 2015
    80
    While Massive Chalice isn’t much to look at, I couldn’t wait to see this century-spanning adventure through to the end. Double Fine’s strategy simulation is rough around the edges, but hard to put down. With more polish, Massive Chalice could have been one for the ages.
  13. Attack of the Fanboy
    Jun 1, 2015
    80
    Massive Chalice really has a unique and interesting premise and even with the lackluster combat it's a lot of fun to play. The management of bloodlines and Keeps, the necessity to keep breeding different types of units to keep your army balanced, and a wide array of power-ups you can research make each playthrough feel different.
  14. Games Master UK
    Aug 18, 2015
    79
    Grand and inventive. [Summer 2015, p.78]
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  15. Power Unlimited
    Jul 24, 2015
    75
    Double Fine clearly had huge plans for Massive Chalice but unfortunately not all areas received as much love and care as the bigger picture, causing certain other areas to feel a bit lackluster and thin. [Aug 2015, p.081]
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  16. 3DJuegos
    Jun 3, 2015
    75
    Unique and fascinating. With more depth on the tactical side, it could be a real must-have.
  17. PC Gamer
    Jun 2, 2015
    75
    ​Double Fine’s Massive Chalice takes XCOM’s DNA in a fresh direction, but doesn’t exceed it.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Dec 9, 2015
    Massive Chalice doesn't surpass XCOM: Enemy Unknown as the tactical strategy RPG of note, but it does offer a bit of the same satisfaction with a great deal less frustration. Try it.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jan 19, 2016
    There are many good things within Massive Chalice, but they’re frustratingly kept at arm’s length from me.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Dec 8, 2015
    I wish Massive Chalice had done more to make me feel those deaths. The game’s stylized art only leaves room for some vague similarities in looks to remind me that I’ve got a family fighting together.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 85
  3. Negative: 27 out of 85
  1. Canisrah
    Jun 1, 2015
    2
    It sounded better as a concept when they were raising funds for it (most DoubleFine games do). I backed it way back then as at the time IIt sounded better as a concept when they were raising funds for it (most DoubleFine games do). I backed it way back then as at the time I still held out hope that DF were a half decent studio. Time has proven otherwise. The result in this case - is a boring, derivative, uninspired turkey.

    In every element there is almost no substance - the art style is lacking, the combat is boring (like X-com with all the fun sucked out of it) and the meta game is a missed opportunity. It was meant to be Game of Thronesesque, but it's superficially 'House' based without ever really capitalizing on that in terms of good gameplay.

    Double Fine are a joke now. If they aren't failing to deliver games (Broken Age) or cancelling them entirely (Spacebase DF9 - atrociously managed), they are churning out half-baked money grabbing rubbish like Hack'n'Slash and Massive Chalice.

    There are some genuinely talented real indie devs out there that deserve customer support but DF isn't one of them. They are neither professional nor talented - and they'd rather distract the public with their superficial social justice crusading than make good games.    … Full Review »
  2. Longes
    Jun 3, 2015
    4
    Massive Chalice is okay. That's pretty much the only thing I can say about it. The combat mechanics are a watered down X-Com tactical combat.Massive Chalice is okay. That's pretty much the only thing I can say about it. The combat mechanics are a watered down X-Com tactical combat. Only there's not tactics, because there is no cover system, no relation between accuracy and distance, nothing. The meta aspects of the game are a wasted opportunity. The hero breeding results in small numerical bonuses to character attributes. The whole game is just so... bland. The sales pitch was amazing, but that's all the game has. Yet another Double Fine disappointment.… Full Review »
  3. NinjaBean1337
    Jun 4, 2015
    7
    Definitely a solid entry into the strategy game genre, One of only 2 of the free games with gold games on the xbox one I have thought to beDefinitely a solid entry into the strategy game genre, One of only 2 of the free games with gold games on the xbox one I have thought to be worth a playthrough as of yet. Graphics are not amazing considering how new it is, and there are some parts of the breeding system which make it annoying at times. There is enough enemy and friendly unit variety to make things interesting, but I do feel at times the strategy in the game doesn't have much depth.… Full Review »
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