Massive Chalice

 Xbox One
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. IGN Italia
    Jun 9, 2015
    81
    An interesting mix of tactics and management, enriched by the typical Double Fine mood. Too bad for the over-simplified fighting engine, yet the game is charming enough to entertain for a long time.
  2. IGN Spain
    Jun 30, 2015
    80
    An interesting take on the turn based strategy games that also brings to the table some interesting ideas. It could be more ambitious, but still is fun.
  3. God is a Geek
    Jun 3, 2015
    80
    Equal parts unique experience and familiar homage, Massive Chalice provides humour, challenging strategy and a genuinely interesting base management system, and handles all of its various elements with confidence and aplomb.
  5. Hardcore Gamer
    Jun 2, 2015
    80
    Massive Chalice is the best turn-based strategy title of 2015 so far, and its unique simulation aspects make it especially intriguing.
  6. 4P.de
    Jun 12, 2015
    78
    Massive Chalice delivers decent turn based fantasy strategy that falls short when compared to Disgaea or Fire Emblem. But the metagame where you take care of a whole kingdom and play royal matchmaker is worth the simplistic battles.
  7. MondoXbox
    Jun 2, 2015
    78
    Massive Chalice nails the XCOM-like turn based combat mechanics, introducing an intriguing "genetic management" factor; although it lacks in depth and complexity, resulting in a little varied experience. Adding more hero classes, defense mechanics and maps verticality would have helped.
  8. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Jun 11, 2015
    75
    Massive Chalice – with its dual-gendered cup, regents of all ages and both sexes, and heroes with a variety of skin tones – is perhaps the studio’s best example of diversity and representation yet. It’s welcomes all players.
  9. SpazioGames
    Jun 9, 2015
    75
    Massive Chalice has kept all the promises made during its campaign on Kickstarter, becoming an interesting and rich in ideas RPG that would be worthwhile to replay in the future.
  10. Worth Playing
    Jun 2, 2015
    75
    It is easy to pick up and play, and there are enough varied elements to keep veterans of the genre interested, but it doesn't break any new ground.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Jun 26, 2015
    70
    Massive Chalice is not perfect, ad the managing elements are repetitive and the combat system is sometimes unbalanced, but it's still an engaging and deep experience.
  12. Metro GameCentral
    Jun 4, 2015
    70
    A strategy role-player that is filled with clever ideas and inspires great empathy with your characters, even if the battle system is a few steps behind XCOM.
  13. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jun 4, 2015
    70
    With a bit of selective breeding Massive Chalice could be a marvel - as it stands, it’s a charmingly weird, if slightly too slim, take on the XCOM formula.
  14. games(TM)
    Sep 1, 2015
    60
    It’s a game with a huge amount of ambition, not to mention imagination, but a few unrefined core mechanics and tedious world can overshadow all of its fun.
  15. Gamer.nl
    Jun 13, 2015
    60
    Massive Chalice tries to make the concept of Xcom better by letting you form full bloodlines. Too bad the looks and the level design are not the high quality of Xcom.
  16. We Got This Covered
    Jun 10, 2015
    60
    Functional, but often uninspired, Massive Chalice may please strategy enthusiasts but will likely bore anyone else.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
78
#78 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
90
#90 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 50
  3. Negative: 8 out of 50
  1. SurlyAardvark
    Jun 2, 2015
    9
    I was a Kickstarter supporter of this project and I've been waiting a long time.
    Reminiscent of Myth:the Fallen Lords in art direction and    I was a Kickstarter supporter of this project and I've been waiting a long time.
    Reminiscent of Myth:the Fallen Lords in art direction and style, with a winking, tongue-in-cheek style of humor that lightens the mood in the face of harsh combat choices and situations, Massive Chalice is an engaging game that kept me playing for hours from tutorial on. It has a learning curve that challenges, but the narrators and tutorials brought me up to speed smoothly and easily.
    The genetic element of heritage and bloodlines is interesting; looking forward to mastering the intricacies of it. The limited longevities of the heroes can be frustrating; feels like i just get a hero advanced and she/he dies off. Can't keep a bloodline healthy or vibrant for long enough to keep it going strong. Need to learn better how to tweak it; the game seems to give all the tools and resources to do so, with add-ons, advantages, tools, etc. that can modify.
    Combat choices are harsh and unforgiving, but very satisfying when (if) conquered. Turn-based strategy allows for time to think, but the delay also creates enough dread that one can tell when the end is coming and one's goose is cooked. Sometimes, I snatched victory out at the last minute by a random missed shot that upset the balance in my favor, and other times, I lost massively at the last second. It was genuinely exciting fighting against enemies that had frightening consequences and appearances.
    This game made me think and make real choices. I really enjoyed the extra "thrown in" missions that took out heroes for some years and brought back advantages or harm (reminded me of the mechanics from the "Castles" game from Interplay way back when); lots of variables to choose from that affect one's outcome.
    I've only played one session. Need to play more. There doesn't seem to be an end to the number of times I'll go back. Not unlike Sid Meier's "Pirates," that has a career time limit and an ending, I look forward to taking what I'm learning and going again, and again.    … Full Review »
  2. Caste
    Jun 4, 2015
    10
    This game is a big surprise for me, thankfully in a good way.

    It mixes XCOM and Game of Thrones to create a game progression based on    This game is a big surprise for me, thankfully in a good way.

    It mixes XCOM and Game of Thrones to create a game progression based on marriages and children generated by your decisions involving each house.

    Combats are like in XCOM. Different enemies, permadeath, squad members with a small tree to develop certain skills and not others, etc.

    The art direction, voice acting of the Chalice (charming!) and the overall music and feeling is quite good too.

    In short, it's in GWG now, so if you like this kind of game go for it right now!    … Full Review »
  3. Meolac
    Jul 29, 2015
    8
    XCOM clone but you will be addicted as long as you press A button to begin this game. A good strategy game, but maybe a little to hard for aXCOM clone but you will be addicted as long as you press A button to begin this game. A good strategy game, but maybe a little to hard for a new.
    Graphic 7.5
    Sound 8
    Gameplay 8
    Total 8    … Full Review »
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