The Age of Decadence

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 242 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 242
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 242
  3. Negative: 40 out of 242

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  1. zoz
    Nov 19, 2019
    6
    This game has some really great parts. It has a very fresh and deep lore, very different from any other setting I've seen. It allows for very different play styles - fight, diplomacy, stealth, engineering... it's there. It also will not hold your hand - you can die suddenly, or suffer consequences for your actions well after you've performed them. There are lots of bad parts unfortunatelyThis game has some really great parts. It has a very fresh and deep lore, very different from any other setting I've seen. It allows for very different play styles - fight, diplomacy, stealth, engineering... it's there. It also will not hold your hand - you can die suddenly, or suffer consequences for your actions well after you've performed them. There are lots of bad parts unfortunately - due to the mutlitude of allowed play styles, most of the encounters are not tested for all the possibilities and this breaks the immersion and makes difficulty to vary wildly from encounter to encounter. It also is pretty short and feels rushed in some places.
    All in all, although it has a lot of new and fresh, I didn't enjoy it and that's why I'm giving it the medicore score.    … Expand
  2. QweSteR
    Nov 28, 2017
    7
    [7.0] Игра хардкорна своим безрассудством! Я честно пытался найти и понять лучшие качества этой игры, но безуспешно. Игра предлагает на выбор несколько предысторий для отыгрыша, но каждый вариант требует индивидуальную формулу развития персонажа, найти необходимое количество времени невозможно. Игрок становится заложником жёстких рамок ролевой системы, поведение игрока формируется на[7.0] Игра хардкорна своим безрассудством! Я честно пытался найти и понять лучшие качества этой игры, но безуспешно. Игра предлагает на выбор несколько предысторий для отыгрыша, но каждый вариант требует индивидуальную формулу развития персонажа, найти необходимое количество времени невозможно. Игрок становится заложником жёстких рамок ролевой системы, поведение игрока формируется на стадии создания персонажа, затем игрок постоянно сталкивается с невыполнимыми задачами. В таких ситуациях приходится сохраняться перед каждым диалогом и боем, затем возвращаться при достижении необходимого уровня навыка. Таким образом погружение в игру постоянно тормозится и откладывается на более поздние стадии прохождения. Вариативность выбора скатывается к двум классическим архетипам: тупоголовый силач или ботаник для битья. В первом случае бои будут чуть проще, но даже равного преимущества перед одним противником вы не получите, а почти всегда сражаться придётся против группы врагов. Во втором случае вариативность диалогов заметно возрастает, но череда постоянных проверок способна прервать ваш талант дипломата в любой момент. Игрой предусмотрен и вариант игры за война-дипломата, но в этой ситуации ваши унифицированные способности будут представлять ещё более жалкое зрелище, про сложные бои и диалоги вообще можно забыть. Отыгрыш роли Age Of Decadence зажат в жёсткие рамки ролевой системы и постоянной переигровки. Далеко не у каждого игрока найдётся желание и время проходить несколько раз или часто откладывать невыполнимый квест на потом. В этой игре чувствуешь себя никем и ничем, вся вариативность выбора сводится к требованию уровня навыка. Десятилетие разработки негативно сказалось на визуализации игры, Age Of Decadence уступает Bard's Tale (2004), Planet Alcatraz (2006) и прочим в духе раннего 3D, при этом дизайнеры постарались детализацию уровней выдержать максимально качественно. Музыка в игре скучна и однообразна, эффекты окружения и движения отсутствуют. Боевая система состоит из бесконечных промахов и редких попаданий, более здесь нечего сказать. Мини-карта намеренно создана для травли игрока, даже самых очевидных маркеров и указателя направления игрока здесь нет. Из достоинств отмечу качественные тексты и с оговоркой вариативность выбора. Vince D. Weller слишком увлёкся, поставив игрока в полную зависимость от ролевой системы, в такой среде вариативность слишком ограничена уровнем персонажа, не предоставляя игроку должной свободы и удовольствия от преодоления сложных задач. Понимание хардкорности в Age Of Decadence сильно гипертрофированно, даже Fallout и Planescape: Torment были куда более дружелюбны к игроку, понимание баланса сделало эти игры культовыми, Age Of Decadence останется уделом меньшинства.… Expand
  3. bancandrei
    May 15, 2020
    6
    The game is great for what it tries to do. It has that vibe of old adventure RPGs but with more variety and choices. There is not that much innovation but a focused experience that delivers. What it sadly is lacking is satisfying combat. As an example Fallout solved this issue by having opponents get ridiculously dismembered and you being overpowered. The problem with this lack is that IThe game is great for what it tries to do. It has that vibe of old adventure RPGs but with more variety and choices. There is not that much innovation but a focused experience that delivers. What it sadly is lacking is satisfying combat. As an example Fallout solved this issue by having opponents get ridiculously dismembered and you being overpowered. The problem with this lack is that I lost engagement… Expand
  4. rygar666
    Oct 15, 2015
    7
    Age of Decadence has a lot to offer by making a very distinct game in an unforgiving world. Your character is not an invincible hero. However, the game also creates barriers to fun and enjoyment in the same breath. Combat is challenging it is punishing and to be avoided. It's refreshing to have something different but not quite as polished and fun as I hoped the final version would be.
  5. DerBomber
    Apr 8, 2016
    7
    The developer consistently cries out 'this game is hard, especially combat, but that is because it is more realistic and fair than all other RPGs'. Actually, this game is not that hard, it is just extremely linear and unforgiving if you deviate from the proper order in which quests need to be carried out.

    You will be subjected to skill checks continuously, and if you decided to spend    The developer consistently cries out 'this game is hard, especially combat, but that is because it is more realistic and fair than all other RPGs'. Actually, this game is not that hard, it is just extremely linear and unforgiving if you deviate from the proper order in which quests need to be carried out.

    You will be subjected to skill checks continuously, and if you decided to spend your skill points differently than the developer intended for that specific quest, your only option will be to retry in another playthrough. Combat is especially difficult at the beginning of the game, until you have harvested sufficient experience and proper gear, resulting in the need to play each predetermined combat encounter in a very specific order from easiest to most difficult. Add to that the dominance of tje random number generator in combat, and you will be reloading a lot if you play as a combat oriented character.

    However, after playing the first chapter in the trial-and-error approach until you find the right sequence of quests, the game becomes more enjoyable. The setting of Roman empire with some magic really works, graphics are really basic but effective (apart from performance issues), items work out well, story is quite interesting,    … Expand
  6. MoreBokeh
    Dec 6, 2015
    7
    Age of Decadence advertises skill based ways to handle conflict, with fighting as the last resort.

    Unfortunately, their delivery boils down to leveling up "intimidate" or another skill from their limited selection, then picking the "intimidate" option when it is highlighted and available. This would be standard fare for RPGs, but this game only offers dialog trees with a depth of 1-2    Age of Decadence advertises skill based ways to handle conflict, with fighting as the last resort.

    Unfortunately, their delivery boils down to leveling up "intimidate" or another skill from their limited selection, then picking the "intimidate" option when it is highlighted and available. This would be standard fare for RPGs, but this game only offers dialog trees with a depth of 1-2 options. Furthermore, Undertale, the other indie game of the year offering alternatives to combat, makes the shallowness of Age of Decadence's system harder to ignore.

    Perhaps much more gameplay would be added if there wasn't an indication of "[intimidate]", and the option just appeared among the rest as normal. As it is, while playing the game, there is almost no player freedom or agency. It is, "Do you want the good option or the bad option" rather than "Here are options, try to figure out which is best, or makes sense for your character and context."    … Expand
  7. TheDevian
    Feb 1, 2016
    7
    Compared to many games today, this game contains a plethora of choice and options, sadly that isn't saying much, and in truth, this game is missing a number of options that felt like that should have been there, such as an assassin not having an option to sneak in and attack from surprise during an actual assassin quest (though they did in others). While a far cry better than many recentCompared to many games today, this game contains a plethora of choice and options, sadly that isn't saying much, and in truth, this game is missing a number of options that felt like that should have been there, such as an assassin not having an option to sneak in and attack from surprise during an actual assassin quest (though they did in others). While a far cry better than many recent railroaded games, this still feels somewhat incomplete, there are plenty of places where it could have been improved. It felt as though they needed to spend a bit more time brainstorming options for each class/Play-style to solve each puzzle. The graphics were not the best, even for the style, could barely tell one gender from the other most of the time, though they were in some ways better than many similar games games I have seen lately that are going for the same style. Graphics are not near the top of my list of priorities, but it is on the list, and while it is a minor point, it would be nice if they were slightly better, but that is the least of my issues, and more of something to laugh about rather than a real complaint. My biggest problem with the graphics was that considering how low res they were, the game lagged out a lot and had rather long load times.

    All of that said, I am still enjoying the variations they have managed to work in, and look forward to seeing more of it. It is challenging to get enough exp to distribute enough points to complete all of the available quests, however I have not tried all of the classes yet, so I may not have figured it out correctly, however, it feels as though the first town could have used a few more minor quests, or a couple bigger ones. Give you a bit more room to play if you are not trying to do a min/max run.

    From the archetypes, to the various options to get through the game, this is a huge step in the right direction, and I look forward to seeing it once they are done patching it. It is far from perfect, but as limited as the choices were, they were far better than most "AAA" games, claiming to be "RPGs". It it nice to see an RPG that isn't trying to be something else, that does a much better job giving the illusion of choice in some places, and giving optional play styles. The big publishers could learn a lot from what they tried to do here. It is nice to see different ways to solve a quest other than which weapon to use...

    It is all well and good to make their hybrid games, there is clearly a market for them, however there is also still a market a more pure RPG game experience, more focused on the roots of RPGs, with options. It certainly isn't easy, but it is much more fun than anything I have played in a long time.    … Expand
  8. Bennrama
    Dec 6, 2015
    5
    On my 'mercenary' playthrough, I seemed to have played the entire game without speaking to a female character. This is bizarre for an RPG. I'm not sure if the writers are just not interested in women, or something more nefarious is going on. The substance of this game is not bad, but I have experienced bugs and crashes (on a good comp). One bug allowed me to gain infinite attack ratingOn my 'mercenary' playthrough, I seemed to have played the entire game without speaking to a female character. This is bizarre for an RPG. I'm not sure if the writers are just not interested in women, or something more nefarious is going on. The substance of this game is not bad, but I have experienced bugs and crashes (on a good comp). One bug allowed me to gain infinite attack rating bonuses. I'm now GODLIKE. Couldn't resist beefing myself up, but it wrecks the game.… Expand
  9. Magical_Viktor
    Apr 30, 2023
    7
    Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best PC Game of 2015
55
#55 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
76
#76 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Brash Games
    Apr 14, 2016
    80
    The Age of Decadence is worth every penny.
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  2. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    90
    A unique game for connoisseurs that still weep over Fallout’s fate. The Age of Decadence is minimalistic in terms of technology, but its depth in almost every gameplay aspect is astonishing. [03/2016, p.48]
  3. GameOver.gr
    Jan 29, 2016
    90
    One of the most well designed RPG’s of all time. Meaningful choices, authentic combat system, unique role playing experience, field for many distinctive playthroughs. See beyond its choppy graphics and enjoy this refined hidden role playing gem. Excellent.
    Read full review
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