The DioField Chronicle

 PlayStation 5
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 91
  3. Negative: 45 out of 91
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  1. timyzs
    Nov 13, 2022
    6
    don't understand with all the low scores. Sure the game is largely repetitive, but the battle system is quite innovative compared to a lot of the others out there. Story has a great potential.

    Probably lack of budget for the developer? I think this at least deserves a 6.
  2. Beary86
    Sep 26, 2022
    7
    I had fun at the start, unlocking new characters and new classes etc and the fights can be set according to your pace. But later I realised the many characters they gave me are about the same and I could win every fight by repeating the same methods over and over again. I was expecting FF Tactics kind of epicness but end up it became an average game that squandered away its potential.I had fun at the start, unlocking new characters and new classes etc and the fights can be set according to your pace. But later I realised the many characters they gave me are about the same and I could win every fight by repeating the same methods over and over again. I was expecting FF Tactics kind of epicness but end up it became an average game that squandered away its potential. Really wasted...it could have been very good.… Expand
  3. Jt0429
    Sep 27, 2022
    6
    Good-
    Solid worldbuilding; Story is consistently enjoyable at least on a superficial level; Real-time battles are a fresh break from genre conventions; Managing units and their positioning can be engaging.
    Bad- Extremely dull characters; Battles eventually get repetitive; Not enough variation in mechanics, enemies, and objectives; Under baked hub location; Visually bland. Thoughts-    Good-
    Solid worldbuilding; Story is consistently enjoyable at least on a superficial level; Real-time battles are a fresh break from genre conventions; Managing units and their positioning can be engaging.

    Bad-
    Extremely dull characters; Battles eventually get repetitive; Not enough variation in mechanics, enemies, and objectives; Under baked hub location; Visually bland.

    Thoughts-
    The DioField Chronicle is an exciting proof-of-concept, and it has to be commended for its real-time tactics ambitions and for its story, which is, at the very least, enjoyable, if not wholly original. It’s a game where there’s definitely fun to be had and things to be appreciated. But it feels underbaked in more ways than one, and even the pats of the game that are good are often marred by significant flaws. For hardcore genre fans, The DioField Chronicle might be worth looking into, but keep in mind that many probably might not have patience for its considerable flaws.    … Expand
  4. swaggyfrank
    Sep 25, 2022
    2
    DO NOT BUY.DO NOT PLAY

    I'm not sure who is rating these game well, because it is simply bland and bad. there is absolutely nothing new past the first 2hours (if that. . .) except the game continues to drag on. Each and every fight is the same, each any every mission is the same. The writing is some of the worst I have ever seen Cant believe I spent money on this atrocity I    DO NOT BUY.DO NOT PLAY

    I'm not sure who is rating these game well, because it is simply bland and bad. there is absolutely nothing new past the first 2hours (if that. . .) except the game continues to drag on.

    Each and every fight is the same, each any every mission is the same.

    The writing is some of the worst I have ever seen

    Cant believe I spent money on this atrocity

    I made an account to write this purely because I was so infuriated at how bad this game was.    … Expand
  5. JakeFlan
    Sep 24, 2022
    2
    Play the demo! I'm actually shocked they released a demo for a game this bad. The game feels like it was made by amateur developers who are not actual game designers. The game mechanics are completely boring and devoid of any strategy at all. Read the GameSpot review. The early reviews that give it good scores are totally bogus. Two of them clearly didn't even play the game.
  6. Rincemac
    Sep 29, 2022
    6
    Pausable RTS-style gameplay that plays great with a controller but suffers from Generic Fantasy Story A syndrome. Avoid at normal price, go for it on sale if you’re into RTS & Fantasy.

    Strengths In-battle visuals are A+ with finely-tuned depth of field effects for additional eye candy. Challenge curve is going upwards steadily, as are the skill sets of your units, additional    Pausable RTS-style gameplay that plays great with a controller but suffers from Generic Fantasy Story A syndrome. Avoid at normal price, go for it on sale if you’re into RTS & Fantasy.

    Strengths
    In-battle visuals are A+ with finely-tuned depth of field effects for additional eye candy.
    Challenge curve is going upwards steadily, as are the skill sets of your units, additional challenges in optional mission goals to improve your EXP/Rewards if met Level-up system based on RPG Skilltree development - develop your units in a certain direction that matches your playstyle Fast-paced battles and in later stages some alternative decisions to be made.

    Weaknesses
    The controls are not totally perfect. Direction-facing attacks are only adjustable when you move your archer for example. Ie no pointing your archer to a place since they might end up facing the wrong direction. Can only be mitigated by setting waypoints to turn them around.

    The real time Strategy Battle system, an adaptation likely from RTB coined by Final Fantasy, does not allow you to simply hit pause. An oversight for this title were in the heat of battle you actually just might want to do that. You can pause quickly by issue a command to all units for which there is an actual shortcut button. There is a similar function, however this zooms out on your current view to give you a view of the battlefied instead... one were you cannot issue commands, too. This is a messy point. A simple pause the action button would make it very much better.

    Enemies try to challenge you mostly by overwhelming you in numbers or by overusing their skills. Skills which you need to take care to stop in time, countering them with skill use of your own.

    Maps and scenarios are pretty generic, as is the story - the typical JRPG kind of lacklustre with overdone characters and lazy voiceovers.

    I'd probably give it a wide berth at normal pricing but a very interesting and fun title for satisfying that strategy itch in a different scenario and on console with a controller, which is rare enough.    … Expand
  7. yangfanhong
    Sep 29, 2022
    9
    The story is impressive, different from many JRPG standard stories. The combat is simply satisfying. Although some elements of the game could be a little repetitive, overall I had a good time.
  8. edreesespieces
    Oct 1, 2022
    10
    I absolutely adore the combat in this game. It's strategy rpg with realtime with pause. There's always so much to do and consider, and even though the game is easy you can't just turn your brain off and do things haphazardly - all moves have to be planned. It's quite a thrill.

    I actually enjoy the story quite a lot too - there's a lot of political intrigue and moral dilemnas between the    I absolutely adore the combat in this game. It's strategy rpg with realtime with pause. There's always so much to do and consider, and even though the game is easy you can't just turn your brain off and do things haphazardly - all moves have to be planned. It's quite a thrill.

    I actually enjoy the story quite a lot too - there's a lot of political intrigue and moral dilemnas between the cast - it makes it riveting and makes me want to continually know what will happen next. If you like FF12, Vagrant Story - Matsuno style characterization, I feel this will be up your alley like it was mine.    … Expand
  9. giucesar
    Nov 10, 2022
    1
    It has excellent combat mechanics and animations. That's all:
    - the missions are all the same, just different maps, even doing only the quests as they appear feels like grinding
    - the enemy AI is inexistent - even on hard, there is no need for a strategy at all, just keep your gear up to date and click the enemy - the enemies are all the same with a bit of character model difference;    It has excellent combat mechanics and animations. That's all:
    - the missions are all the same, just different maps, even doing only the quests as they appear feels like grinding
    - the enemy AI is inexistent
    - even on hard, there is no need for a strategy at all, just keep your gear up to date and click the enemy
    - the enemies are all the same with a bit of character model difference; even the bosses are just higher stated of the boring same enemies
    - there is no character depth ness they are all unidimensional and clichè
    - the plot has potential, but the writing is laughable
    - no verticality
    - no friendly fire, not even as a more challenging difficulty option
    - your abilities are instantaneous, and the enemies take centuries to cast; they just stay there charging to hit nobody

    huge waste of money and opportunity    … Expand
  10. Elias373
    Sep 25, 2022
    10
    Tolles Spiel und für alle Fire emblem Fans ein Muss.
    Tolle Story und auch meiner meinung nach gute Musik
  11. GameforGamers
    Sep 25, 2022
    10
    GREAT GAME, totally surprised by how good the DEMO is, and i recommend getting the full game when it releases
  12. ElpisBloom
    Sep 25, 2022
    9
    I'll skip over all of the obvious praise like the combat, story, characters, art, music, etc.

    QUALITY OF LIFE is absolutely where this game really flexes its muscle. Outside of one menu gripe I have I cannot think of another game that is this easy to play. Not easy in the gameplay itself, but the trip TO the gameplay is incredibly smooth in DioField. The designers really thought of the    I'll skip over all of the obvious praise like the combat, story, characters, art, music, etc.

    QUALITY OF LIFE is absolutely where this game really flexes its muscle. Outside of one menu gripe I have I cannot think of another game that is this easy to play. Not easy in the gameplay itself, but the trip TO the gameplay is incredibly smooth in DioField. The designers really thought of the overall user experience with this game and it makes missions and progression feel like popcorn. Every interaction is so effortless that you don't realize just how much game you are playing. The play loop is almost zen once you get into it, makes it hard to turn off and go to bed to be honest. The game gets so much better after the demo which is already fun by itself. I do suggest hard mode if you want to be pressed to learn the game and everything the systems are capable of, failure isn't a huge del and experimentation is incentivized.

    If you like games like FF tactics, FF12, DnD topdown games, or even games like League and DotA this game is something to look into. Very well made game with a coherent design philosophy and amazing forethought in quality of life design.

    My only wish for future updates or installments would be more post-game content such as a challenge mode, mission editor, pvp options, boss rush, random battle generator, etc.    … Expand
  13. Albertomhg
    Sep 29, 2022
    8
    It's not the best SE game or the most original one, but the combat style looks pretty well done, those who played final fantasy XII revenant wings will be familiarized with it, the story is ok, and the 4 main characters are well designed too. Bad points of the game are main story points that are just told on the prelude of chapters instead of being shown, and side quests can be too repetitive
  14. Gamingking007
    Sep 27, 2022
    10
    Loved this . It’s truly an amazing first step in this rts final fantasy type genre . Characters were great , gameplay was fun ! I wish they had a bigger budget to make it even more amazing but hopefully a second one will be made with a much bigger budget ! Could be a genre defining experience if they put a little more into it !
  15. GoonieMcGoon
    Sep 24, 2022
    10
    A masterclass in the tactical RPG genre, the combat alone makes this game a 10/10
  16. ItzZodd
    Sep 26, 2022
    8
    I enjoyed playing Diofield, its story for a new game was okay. The gameplay and being able to upgrade characters was fun. There can be a grind to get past a few battles, but it wasn't too terrible in my opinion. I hope there is a sequel to see this game as a series and grow from its weak parts.
  17. Aoffyviet
    Sep 27, 2022
    10
    I still a fan rpg game (turn base or action rpg) this game I have feel semi real time strategy RPG, when I try the Demo. I was surprise detail game show me more than me hope, after Demo play, I sure for buy day-1 and until today I have stilled fun and happy to play this game
  18. Steyraus
    Sep 24, 2022
    9
    Grate game with awsome tactical combat to explore,lovable charters to meet and an interesting world to immerse yourself in. Playing through Diofild I could not help feeling like this game was a modern Japenese version of the amazing Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 games, even though the differences are obvious, it felt siimlar in many ways.
  19. masterofgame
    Sep 26, 2022
    10
    This game is quite a new experience!
    It was very easy to play and was designed to be enjoyable even for users new to SRPGs.
    The storyline was good as it moved along at a good pace, but it would have been better if the game provided a deeper insight into each individual character.
    In general, I think it was good for a new game. I hope there will be a next one, if there is one.
  20. Luiyoking
    Oct 6, 2022
    9
    Good tactics Rpg game,good combat system,skills summons,magic spells,good history
  21. Wrigglychim
    Nov 2, 2022
    2
    Honestly this game feels like an unfinished demo or a freemium mobile title. The hub world is sparse to the point of being lonely, game mechanics are interesting but ultimately unecessary to engage with and the combat is so simple and repetitive it makes the experience painful to continue beyond a few chapters. The difficulty is so ridiculously easy it really pushes this title from "game"Honestly this game feels like an unfinished demo or a freemium mobile title. The hub world is sparse to the point of being lonely, game mechanics are interesting but ultimately unecessary to engage with and the combat is so simple and repetitive it makes the experience painful to continue beyond a few chapters. The difficulty is so ridiculously easy it really pushes this title from "game" territory to "visual novel".

    I know it's hard to pierce an echo-chamber, but as a long long time fan of sRPGs and RTS genres this is a very very disappointing waste of money that SqEnix is asking of you.    … Expand
  22. spartacus215
    May 30, 2023
    10
    I love DioField Chronicle! I’ll first preface that I didn’t play the three biggest games of 2022 AKA Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West, so this was my favorite game of 2022. I bought it upon its release. I got the Platinum Trophy for it after almost 34hrs. The Real-Time Tactical Battle” (RTTB) is a blast. The upgrade system is very well done. A brilliant mechanicI love DioField Chronicle! I’ll first preface that I didn’t play the three biggest games of 2022 AKA Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West, so this was my favorite game of 2022. I bought it upon its release. I got the Platinum Trophy for it after almost 34hrs. The Real-Time Tactical Battle” (RTTB) is a blast. The upgrade system is very well done. A brilliant mechanic that they added is that you can Fast-Forward the combat speed. The game on Hard does get fairly easy halfway through the game. The story is what sold me the most TBH. It was Dark and Gritty and it felt like a Game of Thrones storyline. Graphics are solid for the type of game that it’s and the music/sound/voice acting is Amazing. The characters are all intriguing. I do wish that they had more cutscenes though because the few that they did have were very cool. The replayability wasn’t there prior to this new DLC where they now added a Very Hard Difficulty Mode. I’m currently playing the Waltaquin Redditch DLC that just dropped a little while ago, so it’s wonderful to be able to go back to the game that I love so much after a year, but the only thing that I dislike is the fact that they did not add any new trophies to the game. I hope that we see a sequel in the future because this game has so much potential as a franchise and as a new IP from Square Enix!… Expand
  23. CapnConundrum
    Nov 8, 2022
    8
    Tonal spoilers but NOT plot spoilers ahead. If you're committed to playing this and just browsing reviews as I often do, don't read this. If you're on the fence, do.

    This RPG is worth the time of any fan of the genre, and the fan reviews are a real shame. I understand where they're coming from, but let's reward innovation instead of getting salty and whining about it. Experiencing a    Tonal spoilers but NOT plot spoilers ahead. If you're committed to playing this and just browsing reviews as I often do, don't read this. If you're on the fence, do.

    This RPG is worth the time of any fan of the genre, and the fan reviews are a real shame. I understand where they're coming from, but let's reward innovation instead of getting salty and whining about it. Experiencing a seamless blend between RTS and Tactics is worth the entry fee alone. The story is excellent. Honestly, people who say it's generic have not played for more than a few hours. It's true you've seen these elements before in the fantasy genre. It's also completely irrelevant. Where they take things is far more mature territory than the average book for adults, let alone RPG. There is no simple good vs evil plot to be found here. It's more like playing through the arc of a Game of Thrones (when it was good) character. I believe that's the reason some people are salty about it. You don't get to feel like everything is sunny and wonderful and you ride off with your waifu in the end. Instead you're left wondering what the crom you've just done. That's awesome, extremely rare, and to be encouraged in video games. I can't think of many RPGs where the main character is a machiavellian genius, and I'd bet you can't either.

    As far as gameplay goes, it's innovative, satisfying with smooth and polished controls, and sadly unbalanced. It feels like this was made by expert developers, and an amateurish designer with a lot of potential as an artist. If you have a functioning brain, you'll find this extremely easy. Your abilities are too powerful for enemies who attack in such a straightforward and predictable way. Play on hard mode to at least make the occasional neuron fire, but honestly, you'll be in this for the innovative game systems, and the story.

    Give the story a bit of time. It will subvert your expectations, and in a good way. "Subvert expectations" has become a dirty phrase of late, with good reason, but nothing here feels meaningless. It just also isn't the typical moral dichotomy it deliberately presents itself as at the start. Weirdly, it's a game meant for intelligent adults, where if you're capable of remembering what all the pieces do in chess, you'll feel like it's difficulty curve is made for small children.

    Easy to call this an 8/10.

    10/10 for story, characters and polish, docked a few points for being an accidental cake walk.    … Expand
  24. Bauzaah
    Oct 18, 2022
    8
    This is maybe not ff tactics that people expected but i liked this game, one of the rare games this year that i have played trough completely. I dont really understand these negative reviews bashing this game so heavily, gameplay is fun story and charachters are kinda bland but gets better at the end. I see bright future for this game. there is much that they can improve with this game butThis is maybe not ff tactics that people expected but i liked this game, one of the rare games this year that i have played trough completely. I dont really understand these negative reviews bashing this game so heavily, gameplay is fun story and charachters are kinda bland but gets better at the end. I see bright future for this game. there is much that they can improve with this game but this is good foundation for Diofield series.… Expand
  25. ghettie
    Jan 3, 2023
    9
    Great game for people that are new to this genre. I wouldn't recommend paying 60$ but definitely worth giving it a go on discount.
  26. Traumvita
    Sep 6, 2023
    7
    I would’ve at least given the game an 8 if the story was more competent and the ending wasn’t trash. Gameplay here is king. Never got into many RTS games but this one got me hooked. I can recommence for about $30
  27. CrystalWarrior
    Oct 10, 2022
    10
    This is a refreshing strat rpg. The art was beautiful and the graphics were nice. The story was good and had twists to it. I hope others give this a chance.
  28. Strange_Weather
    Oct 30, 2022
    10
    The game is obviously a potential/sequel bate game where they treir trying to see what new ideas would work but it the good kind one. The game is fun to play and the story is intriguing. Waltaquin is my favorite. I'd say don't mind the people who are saying that the game is bad influence you to actually olay it. It's a breath of fresh air in this world of oepn world, hack and slash era of games.
  29. swin
    Jul 16, 2023
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really wanted to enjoy this game, but it is a letdown in many ways. This game shares many similarities with Final Fantasy Tactics, except that it is much worse at each facet. All I could think of while playing was that this could have benefited if it took greater inspiration of the now 20+ old Square title. The worst part by far are the characters. For example, Iscarion, whose motivations and backstory had them quitting a knight's order in protest to the civilian casualties barely made a fuss when the Blue Foxes co-leader, Waltaquin killed civilians. Then in response to the murder of civilians, one of the democracy protesters decides to join the Blue Foxes, a monarchist group, because she wanted the movement to overthrow the monarchy to be peaceful??? The Church in this game is evil, because everyone says so, and never shown why, just told through exposition that they do horrible things to kids. At one point, working with a magician from the Church, we tell them the Church is evil and despite growing up in the Church they immediately renounce it without proof and join the Blue Foxes. The game is littered with poorly thought characters and overly relies on telling rather than showing the backstory. How come everyone knew the Church was evil, except for the player? In Final Fantasy Tactics we were betrayed by the Church and those who ended up defecting did so in believable ways.

    - 2D art is gorgeous, but barely used, instead we mainly see ugly 3D models
    - Level Design is uninteresting, and includes many fakeouts for when the battle ends as unknown waves of enemies will spawn throughout each level
    - Soundtrack is generic and repetitive
    - Character motivations and character actions don't match
    - Gameplay was fun at first, but became repetitive once I developed my Shield Wall and Ambush strategy
    - Controls are imprecise and lacking a pause button, this would have been better served as a PC game
    - Story is good, although it's hard to get heavily invested with the paper thin characters
    - Game is stingy with EXP, especially given how slow the game can feel    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. ZTGD
    Oct 27, 2022
    60
    The Diofield Chronicles has a solid foundation of mechanics that is hampered greatly by its poor balancing of difficulty, a cast of forgettable characters and a world that failed to draw me in with its lackluster presentation.
    Read full review
  2. Gaming Age
    Oct 18, 2022
    67
    The DioField Chronicle is a game that I had little trouble sticking with throughout the review process, and could easily see myself going back to in order to finish up the few remaining trophies I have left. The fun gleaned from this strategy title is almost entirely due to the engaging battle system, which while a bit basic compared to other titles, is still a lot of fun to play. It’s not a game that I’d wholeheartedly suggest picking up at full price, but I’d certainly suggest giving it a go after a sale or two.
    Read full review
  3. PLAY
    Oct 15, 2022
    50
    Diofield has all the elements that should make it a great tactics RPG, but it squanders them on a bland story, simple combat, and unengaging characters. [Issue#20, p.86]
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