First, before you buy this game you should know that that developer has publicly stated they do not plan on patching the game any more. Some people have reported game breaking bugs. I personally have not on Win 7 64bit. Second, this game has got a lot of negative reviews that arise from false expectations due to inappropriate marketing. On some websites this game is listed as anFirst, before you buy this game you should know that that developer has publicly stated they do not plan on patching the game any more. Some people have reported game breaking bugs. I personally have not on Win 7 64bit. Second, this game has got a lot of negative reviews that arise from false expectations due to inappropriate marketing. On some websites this game is listed as an "Action/RPG" when the game manual specifically states it's NOT an action/rpg. This game is a casual RPG directed at tweens/young teens. If you are looking for an RPG with complex stats like Drakensang or Neverwinter Nights avoid this game. If you are looking for a game with adult themes like Dragon Age or The Witcher avoid this game. If there is such a thing as a "family orientated" RPG Numen is it.
When Numen is evaluated based upon what was designed to be instead of evaluated against a set of false expectations the fact of the matter is that this game is a worthwhile contribution to the RPG genre. At the beginning you start off as either a boy or girl and have the ability to develop into either a magic user, archer, or melee fighter. The player progresses the story by completing MMO styles quests such as killing X monsters or collecting X items. One different feature of Numen is the ability to curry favor with a god of your choice by doing various things in the game to please your god such as by killing monsters, making sacrifices, or defeating other AI heroes. Another aspect of the game is that you are in competition with eight other AI heroes. Defeating other AI heros helps curry favor with the gods but it doesn't, unfortunately, make that much difference in the long run.
The designer does make some rather unfortunate decisions. For one, you can only save the game while you're resting and the places you can rest are not necessarily close to where the action is. Another hassle is the reality that many of the maps are quite small and it's possible to kill all the monsters on the map and still not get enough items to complete you quests, meaning that you have to rest to get the monsters to reset. Further, all the monsters on a map reset every time you either die or move between maps. This results in a great deal of unnecessary fighting that doesn't do anything to advance the story and the tactics aren't complicated enough to hold interest on their own; the net result giving the game at times a grindy feel. Numen is often said to play like an MMORPG without the MMO part and there is an element of truth to that. If you are seeking a game that is intellectually stimulating or challenges your reflexes this game isn't it.
Still, the game manages to be a pleasant diversion so long as you don't expect too much from it. The graphics are well designed. The story is easy to follow and make senses. There is a enough detail to the game so that you actually have to think about what items you equip and where you put points in your stats as you level up. No one would ever confuse Numen with a AAA RPG release but in fairness to the developers it's not designed to be. It succeeds well at what it tries to be which is a casual, easy-going, light RPG designed for young people or gamers looking for a stress-free experience.… Expand
Numen: Contest of HeroesYour Score0 out of 10User Score
