Massive Chalice

 PC
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

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  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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  2. 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 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 doDefinitely 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.… Expand
  3. blade01
    Jun 9, 2015
    5
    Massive Chalice is about strategy and some management of your kingdom, not more, not less.The game gives you a basic story, the rest plays out like Xcom:Enemy unknown.The fighting is very simliar and as a person that hates the X-Com remake i certainly dont like the combat in Massive Chalice.Lets look into everything:

    Visuals:At first, the game might look good.The artstyle is somewhat    Massive Chalice is about strategy and some management of your kingdom, not more, not less.The game gives you a basic story, the rest plays out like Xcom:Enemy unknown.The fighting is very simliar and as a person that hates the X-Com remake i certainly dont like the combat in Massive Chalice.Lets look into everything:

    Visuals:At first, the game might look good.The artstyle is somewhat unique, or at least you will think that if you never played older games(on PS2 for example).While the artstyle is kinda unique today its not that unique if you compare it to Stellar Deus on the PS2 for example.From a technical standpoint the game looks bad.Weapons, armor and faces are not detailed, not unique.For a pricetag of 20€ you can get better looking games.But visuals are not everything, right?

    Sound:The music and the voiceacting is brilliant.The chalice is kinda seperated into 2 persons.They speak to you or they will comment on some things, like the death of a fallen soldier or new enemys.I really like that part of the game.The weapon-sounds are more or less non existent, i dont like that but many games have that problem.

    Gameplay:That is the part that disappointed me the most.When you start the game you think "oh, i can do so many things".Yes and no!In theory you can do some things.Research for example.The problem is, many things serve no real purpose.One example:You can research a bow that can pierce through multiple enemys.That feature sounds cool but its useless because somehow that weapon doesnt fit into the game.The bow is too weak and some enemys have abilitys that punish you if you do not enough damage per shot.There is one enemy that has the shellability.You hit it once, it will boost its armor and you can hit it only for 1 damage this turn.You need strong weapons for that enemy to kill it with 1 shot or blow.Other enemys need to be taken out quickly, like the wrinkler.They let your soldiers age with every hit.Why would i use a weak weapon on him??Thats just an example for poor balance, there are other things that makes no sense if you really think about from a mechanical point of view.

    There are other problems in the way you set up your kingdom.The fortress for example is where you breed new soldiers.The clases of the parents determine the class the kids will be at the age of 15 or so.For my playthrough i got stuck with 3 classes which turned out to be overpowered because they can cloak, shoot and move a second time or they have a sneak attack that is insta death for nearly every enemy.Other classes sucked compared to that(i played a second time).What i dont like about the way double fine handles the fortesssystem is that you give a fortress to 1 regent and if you appoint him/her the first time it locks in the family that can inherit that fortress.Because i lost some soldiers of that family in a tragic event i had problems to give the fortress to someone out of that family.Its not gamebraking but it is so much management for such a shallow game, it feels unnacessary.There are more things, but ill spare you more negative points.

    Conclusion:Massive Chalice seems like an interesting game at first.Unfortunatly the game is much like X-Com a very shallow expierence.Everything is basic, nothing more.Brilliant voiceacting cant save shallow gameplay in a not so good looking game.Plus, i had crashes in every mission.Had to save a lot because of that.I hear many of you say "its just 20€" but what i see from that game is not enough to justify 20€.Think about what you can get for that kind of money.If i look on steam they got Fallout Las Vegas Ultimate Edition for the same price and i bet i can find some older games in the same genre with more depth, better looking for the same price or less.Im sorry, that game is not great, not good, its mediocre at best.If you wait for a sale, lets say 7-10€ its okay.Dont buy it right now.    … Expand
  4. thorin_bane
    Nov 1, 2015
    2
    Was really looking forward to this game given the way the kickstarter described it. Most of the ground work was a poor copy paste from XCOM. But the tactics are OK at best. I was hoping the meta game to be a LOT more indepth. It isn't. You have to reload the game over and over just to start with OK genetics. They could have let you pick one good triat or something instead of RNG of awful.Was really looking forward to this game given the way the kickstarter described it. Most of the ground work was a poor copy paste from XCOM. But the tactics are OK at best. I was hoping the meta game to be a LOT more indepth. It isn't. You have to reload the game over and over just to start with OK genetics. They could have let you pick one good triat or something instead of RNG of awful.

    I didn't like the art work at all. This is subjective so to each their own. But it was more like playing Viva Pinata then XCOM in the art department.
    I did like the voice work and the music score is stirring. Hence the 2.

    Sorry guys big failure when even the designer Brad whatever leaves Double Lame after yet another flop.

    I was expecting a lot different from what was delivered. I am not even bothering with getting my physcial copy on a game I paid 100 for that I would have a hard time paying 15 for on a steam sale after actually playing it though. (I did play multiple times but usually got bored with it fairly early in)    … Expand
  5. baconboy
    Jun 4, 2015
    8
    If you like XCOM then you will love this game. A unique fantasy with many completely original elements, you play as an immortal being charged with commanding a realm for 300 years.
  6. smiles__
    Jun 2, 2015
    9
    While it is not as expansive as a $60 XCom game, for the $20 price tag, it is a nice tactics and strategy game with humor, quirk, and a lot of fun gameplay and replayability.
  7. blake13
    Jun 1, 2015
    8
    The game is nowhere near perfect, but it is grand in it's ambition. The regent system is engaging, the combat is intuitive, and the rpg/ strategy pieces work great. I feel like there is work to be done (more maps, family creation and customization, maybe more enemies) but this is a very deep, very enjoyable diversion from the other games in my library.
  8. 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. 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. TheMassive 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.… Expand
  9. Rompcat
    Jul 4, 2015
    10
    One of my three favorite games, the others being FTL: Faster than Light and X Com: Enemy Within. It feels like it hits the sweet spot between these two games in terms of length and investment of time. All three create character bonds between the player and the game. All three can/are played in "Iron Man Mode." All three are fantastic. Play this game!
  10. Wyzak
    Jun 4, 2015
    8
    A fun hybrid game that obviously draws a lot of influence from XCOM and FTL.

    The combat is very similar to XCOM except that you don't have the overwatch ability, and you don't have many choice in the beginning of the game. I did not expect the combat to really be anything significant in the game, but I was pleasantly surprised by this. The game is all about making difficult choices.    A fun hybrid game that obviously draws a lot of influence from XCOM and FTL.

    The combat is very similar to XCOM except that you don't have the overwatch ability, and you don't have many choice in the beginning of the game. I did not expect the combat to really be anything significant in the game, but I was pleasantly surprised by this.

    The game is all about making difficult choices. You can't save everybody and you don't always know what the outcome will be of a decision you make. Remember FTL where you had to choose whether you send down a crew member to go and help, or just leave the people to die? If you send down a crew member you could either gain another member, or lose your crew member. That happens in Massive Chalice as well.

    If you are a fan of XCOM or rogue-likes like FTL this game is definitely worth picking up. It's only $20 anyway!    … Expand
  11. Hincy89
    Jun 6, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The art and graphics really help this game, and on paper this is a good game, turn based combat with x-con style time-line (just over a much loner period) but everything is shallow and missing, 2 hours in and on my 4th battle: now there's no hit/range percentage (in fact people further away had better accuracy sometimes) there is no care for a character by the age of 60ish they begin to die so basically you can't draw any attachment to the characters and get a nice power squad going as this will hinder you much later… Expand
  12. Omaraloro
    Jun 10, 2015
    8
    This is a pretty good strategy game. It is very close to the way X-COM feels, only with a fantasy skin. The humor in your advisors entertains me. My favorite part is choosing regents to live in certain territories and matching them up with partners so you can make different subtypes of the fighting classes. Fast forwarding time can be a little annoying with how often certainThis is a pretty good strategy game. It is very close to the way X-COM feels, only with a fantasy skin. The humor in your advisors entertains me. My favorite part is choosing regents to live in certain territories and matching them up with partners so you can make different subtypes of the fighting classes. Fast forwarding time can be a little annoying with how often certain interruptions happen (my sages are always dying), but it only stops when there is a decision to be made.… Expand
  13. KevowOfRice
    Jun 14, 2015
    4
    Too much **** RNG when planning out attacks and such, really annoying when you cant land hits or land 3 damage instead of the projected 23-27 damage it shows, WTF?
  14. AnonJ
    Jun 12, 2015
    4
    Never liked Double Fine games even since the days of Brutal Legend. They do a lot of marketing but the actual content is really half-assed. Don't be fooled by their hype game.
  15. Shoki
    Jul 18, 2015
    8
    When I played the game pre-release I wasn't very impressed. I finally got around to playing the release version and I really enjoy it. Following the bloodlines and losing family members really changes the feeling of the game arc.
  16. Thilus
    Jun 12, 2015
    8
    A suprisingly decent game. After reading opinions that this game is a bit like XCOM I really wanted to play it, and after I did I found out that... well... it wasn't XCOM at all. Even so, all those people who moan that the game not as intricate as XCOM are just plain whiners. This game is much more simplistic in its nature than XCOM and thanks to this it works fairly well. If it tried toA suprisingly decent game. After reading opinions that this game is a bit like XCOM I really wanted to play it, and after I did I found out that... well... it wasn't XCOM at all. Even so, all those people who moan that the game not as intricate as XCOM are just plain whiners. This game is much more simplistic in its nature than XCOM and thanks to this it works fairly well. If it tried to be any more complicated it probably wouldn't stand a chance in comparison to the latest UFO series installment. Combat is much simpler than in XCOM. There is no cover, no flanking rules, and there are essentially only three hero classes (althought by mixing those you can get sevral sub-classes), which is actually ok in terms of gameplay. The bloodlines system is an interesting thing and as soon as you figure it out, you should have a lot of fun just searching for those perfect combinations. All in all this is a fun and even a little addictive 10-hour time waster that shouldn't be treated any other way. Even though Double Fine is still in the suspect zone for me for the way how they use crowdfunding operations I will give them half a credit for this game, hoping that it's a step in a good direction.… Expand
  17. RuiPTG
    Mar 28, 2018
    9
    Really enjoying the game. Some times it feels too unfair but you cant always have things go your way. Be cautious, because 1 mistake can turn things around quickly.
  18. Ripplecry
    Dec 4, 2015
    8
    Double Fine Productions ‘ın yapımcılığını ve yayıncılığını üstlendiği Massive Chalice firmanın ilk oyunu olmadığından bir amatör yapımı değil. Şirketin oyunları genel anlamda oyuncular tarafından oldukça olumlu yorumlar alıyor fakat bu tarz bir oyun için zevk meselesi diyerek incelemeye doğru yavaş yavaş geçiyoruz.

    Oyun strateji üzerine kurulu. Alınan kararlar, seçimler,    Double Fine Productions ‘ın yapımcılığını ve yayıncılığını üstlendiği Massive Chalice firmanın ilk oyunu olmadığından bir amatör yapımı değil. Şirketin oyunları genel anlamda oyuncular tarafından oldukça olumlu yorumlar alıyor fakat bu tarz bir oyun için zevk meselesi diyerek incelemeye doğru yavaş yavaş geçiyoruz.

    Oyun strateji üzerine kurulu. Alınan kararlar, seçimler, kahramanlarınızı ve oyunun gidişhatını yüzde yüz olarak etkiliyor. Massive Chalice ‘de hikaye çok basit. Cadence olarak bilinen ve haritayı bir hastalık gibi yavaşça saran büyülü bir güç, krallığı dört bir yanından tehdit ediyor. Krallığın başında ise kutsal ve büyülü bir kadeh tarafından seçilen biz varız. Aldığımız zorlu kararlar ve seçimler ile de yüzlerce yıl sürecek olan bir savaşın içine emin adımlarla giriyoruz. Bu zaman içerisinde de Kutsal Kadeh’e düşmanı yok etmemizde yardımcı olacak büyüyü geliştirmesi için zaman kazandırmış oluyoruz.

    Oyunu diğer strateji oyunlarından ayıran olay her kararı kral, yani oyuncunun vermesi. Evlilikler, araştırmalar, boşanmalar ve hatta doğan bebeğin evlatlık verilmesi. Bütün bu etkenler oyunun geleceğini uzun vadede değiştiriyor. İlk bakıldığında ise bizi oyuna çeken olay, oyunun tek bir karater üzerinden gitmeyip yüzlerce yıllık bir zaman diliminde geçmesiydi. Bu zaman diliminde karakterleriniz ölüyor, dolayısıyla yeni ittifaklar kurup yeni askerlerin doğmasını sağlamak zorunda kalıyorsunuz. Bu özelliklerden teker teker bahsetmek gerekiyor yoksa hakkını yemiş oluruz.

    Kale Yapımı ve Önemi

    Kaleler krallığın temelini oluşturduğundan oldukça önemli bir yere sahip. Dolayısıyla ne kadar çok kale olursa o kadar çok soy gelişir. Ne kadar çok soy gelişirse o kadar fazla askere sahip oluruz.

    Kalenin bir diğer önemi ise yapıldığı yerde bize bir korunma sağlaması ve düşmanımızı geriye püskürtmemiz için büyük bir avataj vermesi. Kalemizi savunurken dikkat etmemiz gerken en önemli husus ise evli olan çiftimizi savaşa göndermemektir. Yılanın başı kesildiğinde gövdesi de gittiğinden kalemiz artık bizim krallığımızda olmayacaktır.

    Aynı zamanda eğer aynı cinsiyetten kişileri evlendirirsek doğal olarak çocukları olmayacağından bir bebek evlatlık edinmesine olanak sunulmuş. Fakat bu ne kadar mantıklı, belirsiz. Kendi tecrübemize göre mükemmel bir soydan gelen mükemmel bir bebeği, aynı cinsiyette evlendirdiğimiz bir çifte evlatlık olarak verdik. Bebek gayet iyi bir savaşçı oldu fakat asıl anne ve babası bebekleri gittiğinden dolayı büyük bir yasın içine girdiler ve savaş alanlarında bize pek bir yarar sağlayamadılar.

    Evlilik – Kaleye asker atama – Yeni askerler

    Oyun yüzyıllar süren bir zaman dilimine bağlı olduğu için yeni askerlerin sürekli olarak gerektiğini söylemiştik. Harita üzerinde boş olan arazilere kaleler inşa edip kaleyi koruması için ordumuzdan bir askerimizi başa geçirebiliyoruz. Her güçlü erkeğin arkasında bir kadın olduğundan da askerimize eş seçmezsek onu yalnız bırakmış oluruz. Eh tabii bir de bebek lazım bize.

    Oldukça ayrıntılı düşünülmüş aslında. Karakterlerin özelliklerine göre doğacak olan bebeğin karakteristikleri de karşımıza çıkabiliyor. Mesela iki karakterimizin tipik özelliği astım ise bebekleri de öyle olacaktır ve bu savaş alanında bize dezavantaj sağlayacaktır. Dolayısıyla bu kısımda eğer iyi askerler istiyorsak çok iyi düşünmemiz gerekli.

    Araştırmalar

    Adından da anlaşıldığı gibi Kutsal Kadeh yardımı ile işimize yarayacak araştırmalar yapabiliyoruz. Bu araştırmaların içerisine ise bina yapımı, yeni zırhlar, silahlar, yeni kahramalar, stratejik etmenler ve hatta taktiksel etmenler bile giriyor. Bazı araştırmalarımızı direkt olarak yapabilsek de bazıları için görevler mevcut ya da belirli Cadence birliklerini yenmemiz gerekiyor.

    Oynanış

    Oyunu oynanış olarak satranca benzetebiliriz. Karakterlerin ilerlemesi ve saldırması fareniz ile oluyor ve kutucuk kutucuk ilerliyor. Her karakterin gidebileceği maksimum kutucuk sayısına göre taktiksel bir plan belirledikten sonra bölgedeki düşman güçlerini öldürmeye çalışıyorsunuz. Aslında biraz dungeon (zindan) sistemini andırsa da arasında farklılıklar olduğunu da söylemeden geçmeyelim.

    Bölgedeki tüm düşman güçlerini öldürdüğünüzde ise bölüm sonu size ve karakterlerinize tecrübe puanı ve çeşitli ödüller veriliyor. Daha sonra ise bu ödülleri gelecekteki kararlarınız için kullanıyor ve planınızı ona göre tekrardan yapılandırıyorsunuz.

    Oyun içerisindeki atmosfer, ses ve görüntüler konu ile uyumlu fakat, “Oyun benim için grafikten ibarettir abi!” diyen arkadaşlara kesinlikle tavsiye etmiyoruz zira oyunda grafiğe önem verilmemiş. Önemli noktası güçlü hikayesi ve stratejik kararlar olarak ön plana çıkıyor.

    Sistem özelliklerine gelecek olursak oyuncudan fazla bir şey istemiyor. Yani strateji severler rahatlıkla oyunu bilgisayarlarında çalıştırabilir.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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]
  2. Brash Games
    Aug 30, 2015
    70
    Although it was an enjoyable experience there were plenty of aspects that could have been more polished and with more to do, plus the constant similarities to XCOM only made me yearn for another playthrough of Firaxis’ offering.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Aug 18, 2015
    79
    Grand and inventive. [Summer 2015, p.78]
See all critic reviews »