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👍 Pros: 👍
Enjoyable genre mix of real time tactics and a management sim
Solid turn-based combat
Lots of randomized loot


👎 Cons: 👎
Repetitive quests
Lack of character customization
Not much story

“Guilds of Delinar” is an enjoyable mix of fantasy guild management and turn-based battle gameplay. The player has to make sure that everything is paid for by taking a party on quests so that they can make enough money to survive. As the story tells the player, it is also important to gain fame so that the player’s guild is the best one in all of the land. This is mainly accomplished by defeating the opposing guild’s parties in the area as their fame will be stolen. This game currently has a small variety of classes, story, and graphics, but the developer is constantly updating the game with many new elements such as more story quests.


🎮 Gameplay: 🎮

Guild Management
Guild management initially starts out rather shallow and grows in complexity over time. The player’s first guild is a broken and aged warehouse-like structure that only has basic healing and training functionality. The guild hall can be upgraded as the game progresses though, providing the player new opportunities such as being able to treat deadly injuries that reduce stats. Since the player is acting as the guild master, they are also able to have multiple parties of adventurers working simultaneously. The main purpose for these parties is to finish the quests laid out around the map.

Quests
Quests are indicated by a floating exclamation mark above a building. They are the main source of income in the game besides battling an opposing guild. They are also the main objective in the game that must be completed to progress. Currently there are two main types of quests, normal battles and food collection. These quests are both quite enjoyable as they allow for more turn-based combat, but I do wish there were a few more quest types to add a little more variety into the game. The turn-based battles aren’t played on a grid but instead use a distance system similar to tabletop RPGs.

Skills & Battle
Battles use a turn-order that is based upon the speed stat. Once it is a character’s turn, then they are given three action points to spend. Moving requires one point per a certain distance, but skills and basic attacks require action points as well. It is an interesting system that reminds me of the new Xcom games. It works well in the game and the unique movement system is a refreshing take on movement in RPGs. The only frustrating part about battles is mainly that it is difficult to get close to enemies. This doesn’t seem to be a problem with the movement system’s design, but instead feels a bit like a hitbox bug. Skills are also essential to winning in battle and can be unlocked by gaining levels. The skill system is designed to be a tree like system. Higher levels have to be completed before lower levels can be taken. The skill tree is a bit confusing at first, but it makes more sense the more time that a player spends with it. Each class has its own different skill tree

Classes
The classes that I encountered so far include warriors, rogues, priests, paladins, and mages. Each has their own role and place in a party’s composition. For example, paladins are tanky and can heal, but aren’t as tanky as a pure warrior. Each party can have up to five characters as long as they have already been hired at the tavern. Classes also can only wear certain kinds of loot, which is also an RPG staple.

Loot
Loot is all randomized and is gained by completing quests. Loot comes in multiple rarities from common to legendary. It really is a joy to min/max a character with a ton of loot. One issue I wanted to bring up about the loot is that too many pieces of legendary loot is handed out early on in the game which made my main warrior exceptionally tanky and nigh unkillable.

Game Levels
The point of the game is to establish a successful guild in each region. Once the player’s guild has gained enough fame and completed enough quests to become trustworthy, they are able to move on to the next area. The best way to get fame is to attack and defeat parties from the opposing guild in the area. It is an interesting idea that allows for a gradual ramp up in difficulty, but I was a bit frustrated that I couldn’t bring all of my best party memebers along with me. This is explained by the game well though as the party members left behind lead the new guild.

⚙ Overall:⚙
An enjoyable strategy game that is a diamond in the rough at the moment. Worth a look if you enjoy tons of turn-based combat.

📚 Story: 📚
At this moment in time, there is not a lot of story to speak of. The beginning of the game explains why the player is starting a guild in the first place and why they must clear the dungeon, but the amount of story soon reduces over time. The developer is actively updating the game currently with new elements such as story quests, so I would watch and wait for more story if that is something that is an important feature for someone as a consumer.

🎧 Sound:🎧
The sound design is average and sounds fine, but there isn’t much variation. Melee attacks all sound the same way, but there is enough space in-between each attack so that it doesn’t become frustrating to listen to. Each spell also has their own sound effect that fits thematically. The music sounds medieval and it is pleasant to listen to. I personally wouldn’t listen to it regularly as a soundtrack, but it is enjoyable enough to keep on during the game.

📺 Graphics: 📺
The way the graphics system in this game works is that every character is comprised of smaller parts that all share a common pool of animations. The graphic elements are laid over top and follow the parts’ animation. While this is great for games that contain randomly generated loot such as this one, it also leaves the animations looking robotic. In this game they don’t look terrible and can even look fluid at times such as with spell animations. The graphical elements look nice and a bit cartoonish in style. One thing that I hope is added later in early access is more faces for the various races. Currently I find it hard to emotionally attach to a character when he is one of a faceless mass.

This product was reviewed with a key provided by the developer for free.

I do not enjoy writing negative reviews, but unfortunately it seems pretty clear that this game will never be finished and there is not enough here at present to be worth buying. I would not buy this game unless the dev makes substantial and consistent progress, not simply showing up with a minor update and disappearing again. I would love to be wrong, but this game seems to be effectively abandoned and the "mostly positive" reviews are a relic of the initial active development which has long since stopped.

Update 3/20/2022 - the developer has gone bye-bye again. He posted a few things two years ago, saying that he would be more active and we would see updates, and then went poof and disappeared again with zero updates. DO NOT BUY.

Update 11/12/2020 - Developer has started posting in the forums again. Keep watch and see what, if anything, happens.

Update 8/21/2020 - DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. IT IS ABANDONED AND UNFINISHED.

I just wanted to post a quick positive review for this early access game. It is still pretty early in development, but there is a lot here to enjoy. It's not the most mind-blowing game ever, but it's pretty unique and just good old fun.

You play a guild. You have a stable of dudes and gals in your guild, and you manage their skills (and possibly stats as they level up - I haven't gotten that far yet), and equipment. Then you form them into parties and go on quests, which are mainly combat oriented quests so far. I haven't seen anything other than go to a place, find out what the problem is, accept the quest, and enter a combat to defeat the bad guys. You get loot, fame, experience and gold for completing quests.

Your Guild Hall is your base of operations, where you rest, train, equip items, gain new skills, and possibly some other things that aren't fully implemented yet.

The best part is the developer is EXTREMELY, no joke, extremely active in the forums and very quick to listen to player feedback, criticism, and suggestions. I've just played for a very short time and already the developer has put out a very nice update. He says he will continue putting out updates all the time, daily, hourly, whatever it takes.

So, it's still pretty early in development, but the developer has a good track record of finishing his games in a timely manner. I enjoy Zavix Tower by the Batholith, and this one looks to be a lot more interesting.

So . . . a nice recommendation from me for now. I look forward to see how the rest of the development goes, but I know we'll have constant, quick, and meaty updates. Good stuff. Great developer!

Update 8/21/2020 - I am changing my review to very negative. The developer has abandoned the game, left it very unfinished, and does not even have the balls to come to the Steam forum to give his customers an explanation.

Yet, he continues to sell it for full price. For shame, Batholith dude. For shame.

Update 11/12/2020 - Developer has started posting in the forums again. Keep watch and see what, if anything, happens.

Update 3/20/2022 - the developer has gone bye-bye again. He posted a few things two years ago, saying that he would be more active and we would see updates, and then went poof and disappeared again with zero updates. DO NOT BUY.

This game harkens back to the OLD school Isometric games of yester-decade. The music gives the listener the whistful feeling of older JRPGs, and classic anime from the 80s, the character models for the size given are rather well done, actually seeing the clothing change to me is AMAZING for a simpler game.

The strategy with ability/spellweaving is an interesting take on "powering up", combining powers from different classes is a good touch as well.

Paying attention when you create/hire on people is a must, warrior types want STR/STAM, Caster types want INT/SPIRIT, so choose races wisely unless you want more of a challenge.

The roaming groups that seek to stop you make things even more of a challenge, to avoid them unless you want to fight them.

Later updates to offer more storage space, and guild benefits make me cannot wait to see how this game develops..

also take note that the dev WILL ACTUALLY TALK TO YOU, Unless you come off like an arse, then you might get a decent yet stoic reply, also take note that feedback IS ACTUALLY READ AND CONSIDERED, and the dev will respond and once again talk to you.

7/2/2021 Edit: Waiting for new content. Only two levels total.


Cute game, sometimes buggy, but would recommend for the fun!

Edit: I liked this game months ago. But has been stale no updates and the content present doesn't match the price. Until a major patch is released save your money for a project that is updating.

Hey there - the devs contacted me to have a look at the game - here's what I've found
Guilds of Delenar is a unique combination, it's an RPG Squad Management Tactics Strategy Simulation with Turn-Based combat. A genre monster.
The fun is about developing your squad and doing the little fights here and there. Skill trees for every character. Items, specific, general. Character classes. Tactical terrain. Extra training. All there.
Unique: The AI opponent(s) also sending squads around. So you can solve quests in the current village you're in, or you can try to stop your opponents and fight them to stop them sending their squads out that will also solve the quests of the village. It's a competition that is ongoing and you're not only fighting against the monsters out there, also against your AI competition and a Dungeon in the village that is ALSO sending out "troops" from time to time.
It already works very well, technically, no flaws I met there, no bugs. The early access shows in missing graphic variety and sounds, the fluff isn't there yet, the polish, so all good in that aspect. It's also from a Dev that has already brought to life 3 other games, among that Empire Architect, it's all in good spirits.

Here's my "First Steps" video to help you decide if it's for you (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYNIwIt-WPI&lc=Ugxx5942Hj-Y8FQE0wR4AaABAg

It's worth a try, it's a solid, good game, just misses something to make it a hit - my guess is general "polishing" - the Dev responds and will get in contact. It's something unique and new and I'll probably check back on it every so often. In this early access you can probably have an influence if you have just the idea what could make the game perfect, that's another aspect of this that I know many people will love :-)

Animations are herky jerky. Combat uninspiring. Had a hard time attaching to my mercenary band. I prefer "Battle Brothers" over this inartful imitation.

Fun game that I actually feel some great progression on my characters. There have been a few happy surprises so far in this game for me. Loot feels rewarding from the start and seems to leave room for end game. The armor swaps out on the characters models. I like the choice of talents that allow me to give personality to each of my characters.

This is my early opinion and I will update the review as I get more time to play.

Got this game as soon as became available for EA. Firstly if you are looking for flashy graphics etc this is not for you. This is a really fun game, with turn based battles, build your guild up - nothing much more to say at this point as still a lot to play and a lot to develop.
So the Dev, well it is a single Dev who is working with the community to improve and develop the game further. The Dev replies and does so as quick as can, lots more to come with this game, if you like good fun games and want to be involved in its development while supporting a single indie dev then this is the game for you

If you enjoy turn based strategy games I definitely recommend giving this one a try. I picked this up in a bundle with Zavix Tower and I'm having a blast with both games. The development 'team' (which turns out to be one programmer who farms out the art, music, etc) is listening carefully to feedback and making changes based on it. I have to admit, I've been having a lot more fun lately playing indie games vs AAA titles. The indie folks just seem to care about their games and it shows in titles such as this one. Last but not least, it's still Early Access. If bugs, crashes, unfinished tool tips, etc, drive you crazy, this probably isn't for you. On the other hand, if you're willing to watch a game grow and be part of that growth, then certainly pick this one up.