Natural Doctrine

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 86
  3. Negative: 34 out of 86
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  1. DeathsHead
    Oct 21, 2014
    9
    So they finally created a game with challenge, minus boring intro cut scenes, and a fresh idea to combat interface... It comes down to this, upon playing, it's not for many of the modern gamers, the generation of "we're all winners" and "gimme a trophy". Turn based strategy has always been fun for me, even "die start over" games hold merit (eg original Hitman for PC). Quit being spoiledSo they finally created a game with challenge, minus boring intro cut scenes, and a fresh idea to combat interface... It comes down to this, upon playing, it's not for many of the modern gamers, the generation of "we're all winners" and "gimme a trophy". Turn based strategy has always been fun for me, even "die start over" games hold merit (eg original Hitman for PC). Quit being spoiled little kids. Cut scenes and stories are always lame and annoying and empty anymore. You don't like having difficulty then go pick up Atelier then you can feel like a winner again.
    This is a fresh idea and actually makes you think outside the box, sometimes while playing "clearing the dungeon" is not the objective, you need to pick up new items, gain experience, return and finish. There's a learning curve to this game and based on American education standards THIS is why you might not like it.    … Expand
  2. Simochi
    Oct 15, 2014
    9
    Not sure why this game is underrated, but I love this game. A few minor odds can be graphics, story progression, and understanding depth of battle system. For ps4 version, I would expect higher resolution especially on game play. The actual story is not bad, but how the story is being told can be little tedious. The battle is not easy in the beginning. Well, if you go over all theNot sure why this game is underrated, but I love this game. A few minor odds can be graphics, story progression, and understanding depth of battle system. For ps4 version, I would expect higher resolution especially on game play. The actual story is not bad, but how the story is being told can be little tedious. The battle is not easy in the beginning. Well, if you go over all the tutorials with some patience, you should be good to go and enjoy the battles.

    The game really focuses on how battle system works. Developers rather paid more attentions on battle system than graphic from my perspective. Battles can be hard, and a whole battle can be messed up by making one small mistake, but it will teach you how the strategy works. I wouldn't put details on how battle system works, but I like to advise that it will be very helpful if you understand how linking attach works. This game is not just for leveling up.

    If you enjoy challenging strategic RPG games, then you should go for it, but if you look for something simpler, then I would not recommend.    … Expand
  3. AsboXFlemzo
    Oct 8, 2014
    9
    This game is a incredible strategy rpg, most of this genre are easy and only the story holds up the boring grind. This game has near zero grind and more, can you make it further to get the item drop? Every fight matters, you need to out skill the dark souls based map designs that punish you for making a mistake. Hundred of snipers chaining combos because you didn't take your turn advantageThis game is a incredible strategy rpg, most of this genre are easy and only the story holds up the boring grind. This game has near zero grind and more, can you make it further to get the item drop? Every fight matters, you need to out skill the dark souls based map designs that punish you for making a mistake. Hundred of snipers chaining combos because you didn't take your turn advantage when you could of. Thats your fault, just like souls. Story is something of a attack on titans feel, if any party member dies game over. Im not a fan of the genre but this game had me battling a level into the early hours of the morning trying to over come, while other missions my main character was blocking a entire army going all out on him while my gunners and mages picked off the enemy army. Nothing better than watching a strategy rpg finally compare to a anime when you watch geoff blocking over 20 attacks using improved block including named enemies after the loss of a a friend to make sure his friends dont need to fight the battle and have a chance of losing another. Ive never seen this in this genre.

    Improvements to the items systems need to be made, upgrade system is needed, graphics could be better, need for anime/cgi cut scenes are clear.    … Expand
  4. bonkturbo
    Jan 17, 2015
    10
    Excellent strategy game. There is a lot of detail in this game, many details that are over looked in the reviews. Personally took me over thirteen hours to truly get into the game. I turned off the audio and had to have maximum patience with turn cycle. IMO strategy depth and the challenge is what makes this game one of the greatest games I have played. The manual does not fully explainExcellent strategy game. There is a lot of detail in this game, many details that are over looked in the reviews. Personally took me over thirteen hours to truly get into the game. I turned off the audio and had to have maximum patience with turn cycle. IMO strategy depth and the challenge is what makes this game one of the greatest games I have played. The manual does not fully explain the game, the tips selection in menu explains most everything in the game. Many games are difficult and have lost my interest, this game however has been gratifying and the only way I would have found this out was playing for longer than thirteen hours. For those that can endure the game that far they might also appreciate this game as much as I do. I have the vita and ps4 game and enjoy both.… Expand
  5. Mithaldu
    Oct 8, 2014
    10
    A game that gives you tools to annihilate enemies with impunity, but also gives them that chance. If you make the mistake and let them.

    Natural Doctrine is a very hard, but also a very fair game in that everytime you fail, it's been your own fault. Very little in the game is left up to chance and number differences, and whether you fail or succeed depends on how you wield the tools the    A game that gives you tools to annihilate enemies with impunity, but also gives them that chance. If you make the mistake and let them.

    Natural Doctrine is a very hard, but also a very fair game in that everytime you fail, it's been your own fault. Very little in the game is left up to chance and number differences, and whether you fail or succeed depends on how you wield the tools the game gives you. If you're sloppy in pulling up the rear of your group; if you advance too aggressively; if you try to win by turtling; if you fail to multiply your forces by activating links; if you waste all your force by activating all your links early; if you fail to check the sight lines of your gunners: You get punished. But everytime it's because you made a mistake that you can learn to avoid the next time.

    Now, this admittedly may not be entertaining for everyone. Some people prefer a good cinematic CoD session, some people prefer a cartoony evening with Rayman, some people prefer the well-told story of adventures like Monkey Island. This game is squarely aimed at people who wish to stress their brain.

    It suffers from only two things, which are minor: It loves to play all its animations, however this can be improved by holding circle all the time to speed them up. It does not do a good job explaining the game mechanics, because the translation team itself did not understand them; this is not much of an issue though. It has a fairly gentle curve in how it lets you learn and come to grips with the mechanics, and offers free dungeons the player can repeat as often as they like, and offers checkpoints in the dungeons.

    I might see this differently, because i'm german, but the story is refreshingly earnest and pragmatic. At one point the main character suffers a traumatic loss, which in most other games would make him the depressed and disturbed hero for the rest of the game, who rests all the blame on one bad person. In this game the main character manages to realize that the group as a whole failed, and that despite what happened, they need to keep moving or die.

    Also, to adress one popular negative argument trotted out against the game: The door with tens of goblins behind it all ready to slaughter you. This is a perfect example of how every failure is the player's fault. There is a number of such doors in the game, and for everyone a simple rule is in effect that is explained the first time you encounter a door: As long as the character opening it is not the last character you can move in the current turn, your next character will have initiative after opening it, enabling them to use links to activate the rest of the team and slaughter whatever's beyond the door.

    Natural Doctrine is brave enough to offer refreshingly unique and challenging gameplay, and is unfairly panned by people who simply did not understand one of its simplest rules.    … Expand
  6. SpongyTwinkies
    Nov 4, 2014
    8
    I've learned my lesson - give little merit to professional game reviews. I'm so glad I went with my interest and gut feel and picked up this game because it's a lot of fun!

    The negative critiques and faults the reviewers found in Natural Doctrine, overly difficult or confusing game play, are unwarranted. The game is challenging but far from impossible. Yes, if a character dies it's game    I've learned my lesson - give little merit to professional game reviews. I'm so glad I went with my interest and gut feel and picked up this game because it's a lot of fun!

    The negative critiques and faults the reviewers found in Natural Doctrine, overly difficult or confusing game play, are unwarranted. The game is challenging but far from impossible. Yes, if a character dies it's game over but you may usually continue from a checkpoint that is interspersed appropriately to the current battle. Even so, if you plan out your moves correctly and take advantage of the really neat linking system, deaths are much less likely to happen. (In fact, you might end up dominating the battlefield; just think before you move.) All the game ever asks of you is to learn from your mistakes and plan out your moves. Almost all games do this to a lesser or greater degree.

    That brings me to the point of this game being confusing. I found the interface quite helpful and easy to grasp, from the initial user interface to the scrolling announcements on the world map. Just by following the tutorials and playing the game for about an hour, I grasped an understanding of everything and found it all to be appropriate. Even the linking system makes sense once you get that hang of it, and it's a really neat play feature integrated into a tactical turn based strategy game. The linking system is quite flexible and the in-game play interface shows you how you might take advantage of it.

    I also like a number of other things: the graphics make the game world look like detailed table top miniatures (very appropriate!), flexible and well designed skill trees for characters, opportunities for risk/reward trade-offs during battles (sometimes battle chests are scattered on the map that allow the player to go after some goodies if you're willing to chance it), and resource management. It all comes together very well. My only mild dislike is that the story is typical silly anime plotting and characterizing. The story will not be remembered but it does move the game along.

    So, I cannot understand such low scores by the professional reviewers. They've overstated a few perceived faults with this title and immediately jumped to low scores to justify their decision. Bizarre, because this game is quite enjoyable if you like turn-based tactical games. Did something in the story line offend the reviewers? Who knows. Perhaps, you should make your own decision and try this game out. I did and it's been a wonderful experience.    … Expand
  7. Toothemax
    Oct 2, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A lot better than the reviewer have been reviewing the game. It's really for serious SRPG gamers. I think most of the professional reviewers are on the more casual side of things. It's a fun and challenging game.… Expand
  8. Philli_86
    Jul 25, 2015
    9
    This game will absolutely kick the button mashing casual gamer's behind. I am a strategy RPG enthusiast. It has always been my favorite type of game. Chess is my favorite board game as well. This game feels like a game of chess in every battle with each piece having distinct weaknesses and advantages in comparison to other pieces. If playing Chess on steroids sounds like your cup of teaThis game will absolutely kick the button mashing casual gamer's behind. I am a strategy RPG enthusiast. It has always been my favorite type of game. Chess is my favorite board game as well. This game feels like a game of chess in every battle with each piece having distinct weaknesses and advantages in comparison to other pieces. If playing Chess on steroids sounds like your cup of tea then Natural Doctrine is for you. It is not for the weak of heart or easily frustrated but if your looking for a challenging game demanding you make every action count this is the game for you. Look at it as a turn based Dark Souls and there the game is.… Expand
  9. dieth
    Oct 6, 2014
    8
    Absolutely love this game so far. This is a an tactical overkill simulator, know this going in, that the mobs can perform the same linked overkill attacks on you. Make sure you block off enemy paths with a good defender!

    Both tutorial dungeons (if not skipped) thoroughly explain how to setup linked combat, and combat initiative. Each time a dungeon loads game concepts are    Absolutely love this game so far. This is a an tactical overkill simulator, know this going in, that the mobs can perform the same linked overkill attacks on you. Make sure you block off enemy paths with a good defender!

    Both tutorial dungeons (if not skipped) thoroughly explain how to setup linked combat, and combat initiative. Each time a dungeon loads game concepts are explained in multiple paragraphs. First tutorial takes about 10 minutes, second tutorial can be easily skipped. Also if you pay attention to the character banter in certain areas they will tell you exactly what to do the take control of the board quickly, this pertains more to above ground story encounters, and not the Goblin Mines.

    This game is set up in a test your mettle, know when to retreat fashion. Almost all dungeons have multiple levels and hidden monsters accessible after meeting the initial clear requirements, whether you decide to see what's further or to book it with your treasure and exp is up to you.    … Expand
  10. MWesthoff
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    A Hidden Gem. One of the best strategy JRPGS that I have played. The story and characters are good enough, I laughed and shed a few tears during "Hallmark" moments. If you make an effort to understand the tutorial, the game isn't that hard. Don't get me wrong, the game has caused me plenty of frustration.....if not I would have gotten bored and quit by now. Don't believe the hypeA Hidden Gem. One of the best strategy JRPGS that I have played. The story and characters are good enough, I laughed and shed a few tears during "Hallmark" moments. If you make an effort to understand the tutorial, the game isn't that hard. Don't get me wrong, the game has caused me plenty of frustration.....if not I would have gotten bored and quit by now. Don't believe the hype from lazy people who didn't try to learn the game. If you try to mindlessly rampage, you will die repeatedly.… Expand
  11. NewKy
    Oct 18, 2017
    10
    This game is the ultimate geek trial. You either love it, or you are not a real geek, just some normie poser.

    There are all the right ingredients in there - complicated and unintuitive (yet perfectly functional) combat system, cheesy C-movies story, japanese graphics stylization, multiplayer thats actually not bad at all AND it looks like a PS2 game on your PS4. If you watch weird    This game is the ultimate geek trial. You either love it, or you are not a real geek, just some normie poser.

    There are all the right ingredients in there - complicated and unintuitive (yet perfectly functional) combat system, cheesy C-movies story, japanese graphics stylization, multiplayer thats actually not bad at all AND it looks like a PS2 game on your PS4.

    If you watch weird forgotten movies every once in a while, if you love reading books by evil people just to glimpse into their mind, if you have to censor your own joke ideas when your are outside your tiny social bubble, well maybe its time to take the trial.

    Still unsure if you should buy this game? Then go buy it! In the worst case you waste a few bucks, but it is possible that you will fall in love. Just like I did.

    To add some criticism - the game is not long enough and not challenging enough. It only looks chalenging at first glance because you don't get the combat system, but once you get into it, you can sweep the floor with it wtih some effort. Luckily I just learned that there is a DLC thats supposedly BRUTAL. Going for it right now.

    So it's it 10/10 by me. Not because this game has no flaws, but because it is perfect as it is in a sense. When someone outside the target audience (the geek inner circle) gets his hands on it, he is repulsed away. But when it is where it belongs, it shines!    … Expand
  12. DefaultGamer
    Feb 22, 2020
    10
    All I can say from all the commentaries is that: "You are not Gamers, you are just a bunch of annoying people who doesn't deserves the rights of playing games". Natural Doctrine is a game that made me cry whit it's story and I have played it for more than 11 times. I didn't found any issues in the game but the contrary, it was very challenging just like Hollow Knight in the present. ManyAll I can say from all the commentaries is that: "You are not Gamers, you are just a bunch of annoying people who doesn't deserves the rights of playing games". Natural Doctrine is a game that made me cry whit it's story and I have played it for more than 11 times. I didn't found any issues in the game but the contrary, it was very challenging just like Hollow Knight in the present. Many players where annoyed by the level of difficulty of Natural Doctrine while I didn't find it that hard to win, it may be not completed and many things where missing to be a complete good game but it was worth it. Everyone that thinks this game was bad or is bad, must be a bad player who doesn't recognise a good game.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014
50
#50 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 31
  3. Negative: 10 out of 31
  1. Games Master UK
    Dec 21, 2014
    67
    It's complex and challenging in some really novel ways. [Christmas 2014, p.78]
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 5, 2014
    40
    Natural Doctrine is a brutal and ugly strategic game that will test your patience. The visuals are poor, the story insignificant and the combat mechanics are original and complex, but not rewarding at all.
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  3. The Digital Fix
    Dec 2, 2014
    70
    There’s a thin line between rock-hard gameplay and a broken game and while Natural Doctrine runs up to that line repeatedly it manages to never actually cross it. What it does manage, however, is to be a great example of the genre while also doing very little to bring it into the twenty-first century.
    Read full review
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