Finished game. Full feedback. SPOILERS

[Viktor_Flik]

Just wanted to say that I had a blast with the game and is my favorite of the 3 games with Voidspire Tactics a close 2nd. The following are just my opinions but this is how I felt about everything in game.

Story - Pretty typical fare, nothing great but nothing bad, it was fun with a little mystery and intrigue and did get interesting towards the end. 7/10

Lore - Great stuff here, you expanded the amount of creatures and overall lore and there were some very interesting creatures (like those snow wolves) 9/10

Exploration - Pretty fun with a lot to do, I would have liked to actually get off the boat and actually explore the solid land masses instead of just going to the shores but it wasn't a big deal, the resource management part was lukewarm for me but I did like that I can adjust that part to make it more fun. 7/10 This goes into my only real problem with the game next.

Ship Battles - The battles themselves were kind of fun and it added more flair and spice but one thing that absolutely needs to change is the amount of exp given (reward in general or incentive to fight) ship battles (especially with monsters), when I want to explore the monsters become numerous and tedious to try to avoid and one of the reasons I don't like the battles is for how poor the exp gain is. It just makes it not seem like it's worth the time or the damage to the ship in repair costs. I think the least amount for a monster ship battle should be 50 XP and at least some better pickups, when I almost lose a ship from some rays and spend a few minutes fighting them and only get like 3XP I get a little upset and it seems like these battles aren't worth it and are just tedious which is a shame because the battles themselves are kind of fun. My only real gripe with the game. 4/10

Classes - I'm not sure if I would rather have less classes with more abilities or more classes with less abilities but I guess in the end it all balances itself out. The classes were cool and I like how you always add more each game and you are getting really creative with some of them, most of them had good skillsets, the only class that seemed kind of useless to me was the swashbuckler and the balancer to an extent. 8/10

Graphics - I like the style, I would like it if you went SNES/PS1 Retro style but that's just my personal taste but for what you do it's fine. 8/10

Music - Good stuff here too, more variety than previous titles and some were catchy, I did like the Alvora Tactics final boss theme better though but this was good too. 8/10

Mechanics - Everything worked as it should have, I do occasionally get frustrated with using the mouse to move (it can get picky) and I wish you could move with left mouse button instead but other than that no complaints. 7/10

Equipment - You incorporated a lot more equipment and items in this game and all are wonderful. I would like it if there were maybe a couple more levels of equipment inbetween somewhere in there like maybe adding some bronze and maybe silver or gold. There were some items I would have hoped got utilized more, more digging, more wood bridge building, pickaxing through walls, and places to build ladders from metal rung (I didn't even find a place in the game to use them!). This is one thing Voidspire did way better 7/10

Overall Flow - This is a factor that goes by "feel" of the game, the pacing, game play length, etc. and I must say it was well balanced and the game didn't feel too short or too long, you nailed this part very well. 9/10

Ending - The ending was kind of weak imo. It would've been nice to see what happened to the 2 people who went separate ways at the beginning of the game or what happened to the main character and crew, a little more substance was needed here. 5/10

Overall Impression - Great work! I enjoyed this title a lot and can't wait to see more games developed by you as I like your style very much. I think if you can combine the aspects of all 3 games in your next title you will have a timeless masterpiece. The more dynamic text interactions and use ofw ood planks, metal rungs, shovels, and pickaxing of Voidspire, maybe a couple of dungeons that are procedurally generated and awesome final boss music of Alvora, and the world exploration, discovery, resource management, and special type battles like ship battles on top of developing more equipment, items, classes, etc. then you will have topped all 3 of the titles and then some. The fact that you allow modding gives you guys one extra point to your overall score....8/10 Great game, great experience, minor faults.

Please make more of these games, they are awesome and very enjoyable. Thank you for the great gaming experience, you are very talented people and you have a great series here. Till next time...shut up and take my money!

[Jinhong91]

I can see a few ways to make ship combat less annoying.

I think the ships should be allowed to self-repair to a certain extent. Let's say they take some damage in battle. Their hull points can recover but their maximum hull points will go down a bit. This represents the crew patching up the ship to the best that they can. It's like what happens when one of your party gets KO'ed in battle. So in the end, you still need to repair at a port but taking a hit in sea battle is less annoying.

Another way is to make sea battles more rewarding. Right now, there isn't an incentive to fight the sea monsters except for that crystal monster for gems and cleever ships for exp.

[PrimeBrew]

Not a bad review, but I think that Rad Codex doesn't have to make another game to hit their timeless masterpiece - this one is already 90% of the way there. I think a few balance updates and a content patch would put it up there.

You mentioned both dynamic dungeons (procedurally generated) and bespoke dungeons (use of wood planks, metal rungs, shovels, and pickaxing). I think Rad Codex (just Sean? Is there a "team"?) missed an opportunity to showcase their genius-level dungeon design sensibilities in this title. Alvora showed that they have great procgen chops too. It was obvious that the focus was elsewhere this time around. I missed dungeons in the first half of the game but by the time I got to the second half, I am much warmer on what Horizon's Gate has to offer.

[Viktor_Flik]

Originally posted by Jinhong91:

I can see a few ways to make ship combat less annoying.

I think the ships should be allowed to self-repair to a certain extent. Let's say they take some damage in battle. Their hull points can recover but their maximum hull points will go down a bit. This represents the crew patching up the ship to the best that they can. It's like what happens when one of your party gets KO'ed in battle. So in the end, you still need to repair at a port but taking a hit in sea battle is less annoying.

Another way is to make sea battles more rewarding. Right now, there isn't an incentive to fight the sea monsters except for that crystal monster for gems and cleever ships for exp.

Solid idea actually. I really wanted to like the ship battles more but the risk-reward ratio was too far apart for me to want to engage in them continuously, most of the time when I got caught I would just dump food over the side so I could continue exploring.

Originally posted by PrimeBrew:

Not a bad review, but I think that Rad Codex doesn't have to make another game to hit their timeless masterpiece - this one is already 90% of the way there. I think a few balance updates and a content patch would put it up there.

You mentioned both dynamic dungeons (procedurally generated) and bespoke dungeons (use of wood planks, metal rungs, shovels, and pickaxing). I think Rad Codex (just Sean? Is there a "team"?) missed an opportunity to showcase their genius-level dungeon design sensibilities in this title. Alvora showed that they have great procgen chops too. It was obvious that the focus was elsewhere this time around. I missed dungeons in the first half of the game but by the time I got to the second half, I am much warmer on what Horizon's Gate has to offer.

Don't say that! We NEED (ok, want) more of these games! There's a small team, it's mostly Sean but it looks like maybe a wife and a couple other family members helped out too according to the credits. I'm all about a content patch and small update. I'm modding it now to tweak a few things. I think he did say somewhere that he might add a couple to a few more more dungeons which I would be all for. If he released an add on DLC that had a few more equipment pieces, more dungeons with tool use capability, and fixed a few of the issues I would easily pay more money. This is a great title and yeah there was definitely focus elsewhere but the concepts are all there, just the execution needs some adjustment and you have a near perfect game imo.

[PrimeBrew]

Originally posted by Viktor_Flik:

Don't say that! We NEED (ok, want) more of these games! There's a small team, it's mostly Sean but it looks like maybe a wife and a couple other family members helped out too according to the credits. I'm all about a content patch and small update. I'm modding it now to tweak a few things. I think he did say somewhere that he might add a couple to a few more more dungeons which I would be all for. If he released an add on DLC that had a few more equipment pieces, more dungeons with tool use capability, and fixed a few of the issues I would easily pay more money. This is a great title and yeah there was definitely focus elsewhere but the concepts are all there, just the execution needs some adjustment and you have a near perfect game imo.

Obviously we NEED more of these games, but its like dude...he just released a new game a few weeks ago. I've been following Sean on Twitter for years now and have been waiting for Horizon's Gate more than any other game. Let's savor the new awesome release without being all MORE MORE WE NEED MORE, NEW GAME NEXT GAME. And DEFINITELY don't say "oh the NEXT one will be the timeless masterpiece" when I am already buying the first one for friends every year and talking about what a genius this guy has been for years now.

[Viktor_Flik]

Originally posted by PrimeBrew:

Obviously we NEED more of these games, but its like dude...he just released a new game a few weeks ago. I've been following Sean on Twitter for years now and have been waiting for Horizon's Gate more than any other game. Let's savor the new awesome release without being all MORE MORE WE NEED MORE, NEW GAME NEXT GAME. And DEFINITELY don't say "oh the NEXT one will be the timeless masterpiece" when I am already buying the first one for friends every year and talking about what a genius this guy has been for years now.

I was kidding around man. I know it's hard to gather that in text but that's my personality, I'm jovial and light hearted. I meant absolutely no offense to Sean or you or anyone and I'm not NEEDING this game or the next, it was just my way of joking around on how fun the games are. I'm also a developer and if you knew developers or artists or anyone with a creative outlet with work you would know that we are ALWAYS looking to improve, we never think we're good enough because when we do, we stop progressing.

Sean seems like a great dude and I think he is a genius as far as these games go and if my hunch is correct he (like myself and 90% of developers) is always looking for ways to improve and likes feedback even if it's not constant praise, personally I hate constant praise because I want to know what I'm doing wrong, not what I'm doing right, it's all part of the self-improvement "bug" that creatives and developers have.

But yeah, please keep supporting the guy and telling people about him and his games because he/they deserve the love. Thanks for the message. Take care,

[Spiff]

I think during ship combat, if you do boarding actions and kill dudes, then those people get the standard 200ish xp. It just doesn't display it, for some reason. I remember walking out of a few naval fights with a LOT more exp than I expected!

I also think it would be a good idea to use Alvora's procgen dungeon system to have random dungeons, like for guild requests or something.

My other criticism would be for more equipment that does special stuff, besides just increase numbers. Like the 8 Fingered Knuckle was a cool find and a cool idea, but like, it just does damage (and reduces my dodge!). As rigorous as the class system is (and it is VERY rigorous), I feel there's a bit of a missed opportunity with equipment to act as another way of character customization. Heavenpiercer is a very good piece of equipment, for example, precisely because it adds an additional tactical consideration and the positioning required to "maximize" its use.

[radkid10]

the ship combat system is terrible definitely cuz how the Cannons are absolute s***
ship combat move ship into a position to shoot your cannons hope you're able to do it in one turn if not you're never going to hit them they're going to kill you I hope there's an upgraded version of the swivel guns later

[Viktor_Flik]

Originally posted by Spiff:

I think during ship combat, if you do boarding actions and kill dudes, then those people get the standard 200ish xp. It just doesn't display it, for some reason. I remember walking out of a few naval fights with a LOT more exp than I expected!

I also think it would be a good idea to use Alvora's procgen dungeon system to have random dungeons, like for guild requests or something.

My other criticism would be for more equipment that does special stuff, besides just increase numbers. Like the 8 Fingered Knuckle was a cool find and a cool idea, but like, it just does damage (and reduces my dodge!). As rigorous as the class system is (and it is VERY rigorous), I feel there's a bit of a missed opportunity with equipment to act as another way of character customization. Heavenpiercer is a very good piece of equipment, for example, precisely because it adds an additional tactical consideration and the positioning required to "maximize" its use.

Thanks for the heads up on that. I was mostly talking about the rays and jellies that you fight at sea, who can obliterate your ship and give almost nothing as a reward to where you end up "in the hole" when you fight them so it makes it not worth fighting them at all.

He has definitely added more equipment this go around and some are indeed very creative but I agree, more pieces would be better especially with how robust the class system is.

Originally posted by radkid10:

the ship combat system is terrible definitely cuz how the Cannons are absolute s***
ship combat move ship into a position to shoot your cannons hope you're able to do it in one turn if not you're never going to hit them they're going to kill you I hope there's an upgraded version of the swivel guns later

I wouldn't call it terrible as is but I definitely see room for improvement. The concept is great just the execution needs work imo. I think the 8 way turning kind of messes with people to where you have to keep messing with it till you get it JUST right. I think if it were reduced to 4 directions it would flow a lot better and be easier to gauge what will happen. I think there is a better swivel gun at one port, can't remember for sure.

[Spiff]

Originally posted by Viktor_Flik:

Thanks for the heads up on that. I was mostly talking about the rays and jellies that you fight at sea, who can obliterate your ship and give almost nothing as a reward to where you end up "in the hole" when you fight them so it makes it not worth fighting them at all.

I legit think the jellies and rays are basically there as a last resort if you're starving out at sea and need something to eat. There is really no other point to fight them.

However, the one sea monster that looks like a turtle shell (name escapes me) CAN be boarded, and even provides Huge Gems to sell off for 1k each. They're a really good source of combat exp and money!

[Viktor_Flik]

Originally posted by Spiff:

I legit think the jellies and rays are basically there as a last resort if you're starving out at sea and need something to eat. There is really no other point to fight them.

However, the one sea monster that looks like a turtle shell (name escapes me) CAN be boarded, and even provides Huge Gems to sell off for 1k each. They're a really good source of combat exp and money!

Good point. Yeah I think I know what you're talking about because I ran into one with those Cleevers on it but they jumped on my ship instead. I guess there are opportunities there but I got frustrated with those jelly and ray fights so I gave up on ship fighting altogether. I'm almost-ish done with modding a few things and will give it another go with the mod. Mostly tinkering with weapons, armors, and skills.

[JDub]

Good review

[casual]

Originally posted by Spiff:

Originally posted by Viktor_Flik:

Thanks for the heads up on that. I was mostly talking about the rays and jellies that you fight at sea, who can obliterate your ship and give almost nothing as a reward to where you end up "in the hole" when you fight them so it makes it not worth fighting them at all.

I legit think the jellies and rays are basically there as a last resort if you're starving out at sea and need something to eat. There is really no other point to fight them.

However, the one sea monster that looks like a turtle shell (name escapes me) CAN be boarded, and even provides Huge Gems to sell off for 1k each. They're a really good source of combat exp and money!

how i get this huge gem? i board it and i killed those slimy things but i didnt get huge gem?

i saw gem in the center of it but how i take it?

[Sigs]

there's a section for reviews, it's called the 'review' section.

it's on the store page

I don't know why people all over steam are taking to blogging in the discussions, and I don't know why people are entertaining them. I do know it's starting to get on my nerves.

[casual]

Originally posted by Sigs:

there's a section for reviews, it's called the 'review' section.

it's on the store page

I don't know why people all over steam are taking to blogging in the discussions, and I don't know why people are entertaining them. I do know it's starting to get on my nerves.

its for socializing they want to discuss it,
not leaving a review and go away