Don't buy, here's why.

[[REDACTED]]

In a world of dungeon crawlers, you'll find mostly rocks in RAW, which is convenient. After a few minutes of play, you'll need something to throw in anger to keep from splitting a keyboard in half off your desk or throwing your mouse at the dog. Poor Mr. cuddles ...anyway.

First, no multi-player. This will deter most from buying, as it definitely should. Local co-op doesn't count. This is steam. Friends are not down the street, they are in other countries. They can't come over and play very easily.
Second, customization, there is none. 20 levels in and I still look like the same bum that I started with. If I have a bad-♥♥♥ weapon, I want to show the world.
Third. Block. <-hp> Dodge! <-hp> ...Evade? <-hp> <death>. ARGH! So no sort of active defense? This will drive you more mad then anything else. Getting mobbed and dieing is an often occurrence no matter the skill level.
Forth and finally, soulstones which are similar to continues. There are only so many attempts per level. Once they are used up that's all she wrote. All the experience, loot, and anything else you may have acquired in your exploring, POOF! gone forever. There is no avoiding it, death happens, often.

There are always technical issues when they port a game from console. I won't even get into that because the game is such garbage. With all the great choices out there, diablos, torchlights, etc, why waste time on the bottom of the barrel. This isn't even something I would recommend to fill time, not even if the game was free.

Also, notice something missing from the H.U.D in every screen shot? I will give a free game to the first person that notices it. (it's not this game so don't worry, haha)

EDIT: Congrats to Titanofdoom, you won. The mini map is missing, in fact there is no map.
As your prize you will be getting your very own copy of... Secret of the Magic Crystals!!!

@Tartine - I do realize they remove things from the screen shots, but I didn't limit the search to just the screens on the steam page.

Controls are alright. The camera controls however, don't exist.


EDIT 2:
I am in no way against local co-op. My opinion for it being a downfall is based on the fact that very few of my local gaming friends are into this type of genre. Obviously not the case for a lot of you.

The addition of multiplayer would not change my opinion. as I found the game to be boring. If you think you will like it, get it. I am simply expressing what I view as flaws that had I known prior to playing...

This I can not understand. Those few that said local co-op was their only reason for purchase. So if it was only single player and/or multiplayer you wouldn't buy it? So graphics, game play, controls, whatever, none of that matters? Just wondering.

Lastly. I though about this for a little bit before posting it and almost didn't. Then I though, screw it, we are all gamers. I was expecting "questions as to why" not "you need a life". Haha! I'm surprised I upset you so much with my opinion.

And it's just my one opinion. It doesn't change anything about the game. You will either like it or not.

Uh, THE END.

[jonj1611]

Health/mana/action bar ???

[Titanofdoom]

A mini map missing? and any kind of map at all :)

[jonj1611]

Also, thanks for the review, it was on my wishlist, isn't anymore though!

[PixelHero]

The ui, entirely!

Health, mana, armor, skills... everything!

[voidofopinion]

"Also, notice something missing from the H.U.D in every screen shot?"

Any form of a Heads Up Display/User Interface.

I thought they were cropping the screenshots... is there really no UI?

[Titanofdoom]

What are the pc controls like?

[Titanofdoom]

Wow I win!! What is my prize sir :)

[Marcelloz071]

No multiplayer is no problem (Skyrim anyone), permadeath is seen more and more (FTL, Hack slash loot), I see hud elements sometimes, etc. This game is just unforgiving and you die. This genre is called Rogue, and this is perhaps the first in 3D Isometric insteadof 2D.

[Marcelloz071]

Read this : http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/09/19/r-a-w-realms-of-ancient-war-review-xbla/ hits the spot I think

[[REDACTED]]

@Marcelloz I am all to familiar with old school games and this is a horrible example of it. I would also not compare this to skyrim. It was a good article. Also, this will never get patched. It is not the first, gauntlet was out way before and was much more fun.

[Sysgen]

Originally posted by Marcelloz:

Read this : http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/09/19/r-a-w-realms-of-ancient-war-review-xbla/ hits the spot I think

Needs a patch for a non Hardcore mode. Maybe this version has that feature becuase this would drive me insane.

On running out of the Soul Stones:

By this I mean, you have to lose every piece of loot you’ve found or purchased, every experience point you’ve earned, and any level you’ve gained. Not only do you start the level over, you lose all your progression.

This is old-school, to be sure, and also a terrible, confounding decision on the part of Wizarbox. Yes, in games like Diablo you can choose to play in Hardcore mode which could, and probably will, result in real death for your character. But you can also play in modes that allow for resurrection penalties rather than the total loss of all loot.

[[REDACTED]]

@sysgen There will be no patch, they have never(to my knowledge) even patched a port like this. If you don't like this idea, then this is not the game for you.

[Juba The Cat]

@Drunk Stripper: I don't think he was comaring this game to Skyrim in terms of gameplay. Instead he was pointed out that "single player only" shouldn't be a knock against a game as the OP stated, and stated that Skyrim didn't have any multiplayer.

[jonj1611]

Did I win? :) lol

[Titanofdoom]

I won get in!! Thanks drunk stripper!