Lotia®

I wanted to like this game, I really really did. I waited for it to release and bought almost immediately after it did. However it's just not what I expected. Let me preface by saying that I have a soft spot for rpg maker games. There was a point in my life where all I had was a hand-me-down PC, slow internet access and barely enough cash to scrape by on. I played free rpg maker games to unwind. I still pick one up now and then to enjoy. Let me start with what I liked. The mapping and character art is great. This game looks really polished. Sprawling maps to explore. I love nothing more than grabbing a pencil and keeping track of maps and where I have yet to explore. This game has a nifty map option that helps you see exits on each map. I really enjoyed that. I do intend to persevere with Lotia and finish it but I put it down for the following reasons: 1. Random encounter battles with the same redundant fight over and over again. I could tolerate this usually but exploring the hu...

There are some good things about this game, but also too many flaws to forgive. Decent music and added art that elevate it above default RPG Maker graphics. The narrative hardly has a chance to unfold before you are asked to find tomes strewn about maps that do not feel fully tested. Not being able to walk into apparently blank spaces is a problem for a game where maze-like map exploration is encouraged. The encounter rate is really high making you engage in battle every 7 seconds as you bang into invisible walls. The same Attack1 sound effect for everything gets old really fast too. I've played other successful RPG Maker games and I see the appeal of these retro-style RPGs as being about the story above all else. Lotia feels like it's punishing you for trying to access that story.

Thoroughly enjoing this game - The story is captivating - The dialogue is witty and quite funny at times. Attention to detail is superb - All around lots of fun after a few hours of play - And, the soundtrack is absolutely kick ass!

Liking it so far! Tons of lore, an abstract and interesting story, good music. This game does feature some common character archetypes, but does not at all have a cliche or "typical" rpg plot. Dialogue is realistic, in that it uses modern vernacular, which was, at first, a little out of place. But that also does serve to make the characters relatable. And only a little further into the story the dialogue feels more natural. Collecting and reading the journals is a highlight, as it explains much about the world the characters exist in. Combat is fairly straightforward, I like the passive bonuses that characters not in the active party provide. Mini map is not visually impressive, but it is helpful to see where one can walk and cannot. It does come in handy more than once. The character portraits have a unique style. In a way, they help to distinguish the different types of characters from one another. I have laughed out loud more than a few times while reading signs around town,...