Not as engaging as Shadowhand

[Pidge]

I absolutely loved Shadowhand. It might have been the campiness of the story and the heroine and just how much fun it was. It might have been the gameplay. I liked the changing of gear and outfits too. It was just such a fun game.

I was hoping that Ancient Enemy would be similar, but for some reason it just hasn't clicked for me the same way. I played for twenty minutes and I could not tell you what the storyline is about, or who the main character is, or anything. It just left no impression. :( I don't recall the gameplay being as fun and after that first play I haven't loaded it up again.

I probably will go back, eventually. And didn't want to leave a negative review, hence why posting this on the forum instead even though it's probably not useful. I loved Shadowhand and Regency Solitaire. And your youtube talk "How to Survive in Gamedev for Eleven Years Without a Hit" was fantastic.

[Grey Alien]

Thanks for your thoughts (and for not leaving us a negative review which really doesn't help us as indies to sell and make more games).

My wife and I really love the setting of Shadowhand and thinks it's a great game, but some people didn't enjoy the RNG aspects of it especially the enemy also playing the cards. Also there were so many items to equip in the inventory that some people found doing that before each fight annoying. So we wanted to address those issues in this game which we have done by refining the combat system and streamlining the equipping process. We think those changes were a success and many people have said they prefer it.

The story and visuals in Ancient Enemy were designed to appeal to a wider audience on Steam as Shadowhand was a somewhat niche topic. Again we think this worked as it brought in new players, some of whom will now go and check out Shadowhand if they want more.

So everything was done for a reason and unfortunately we can't please everyone. So far this game is doing better than Shadowhand and so it seems like the experiment paid off, which is good news in terms of us continuing to make games.

If you do try Ancient Enemy again, perhaps try it on Nightmare mode (if you haven't already). We also have a few updates planned such as showing the stars you earned and allowing replaying chapters so you can get 3 stars on every level.

However, we may still return to the Regency world in the future because we love it so much.

[kycaver]

I am actually liking this even more than Shadowhand, because there seems to be a lot more depth to the play behind the game. There are more choices to make as to which cards will give you the best results, when to stop a run (maybe stop a run early on a high card because that will give you a buff on an ability), and how to stop your run. Should I attack, or defend, or use an ability. I think I will end up replaying this game quite a bit more than I did Shadowhand. (Though I did really enjoy that game).

[Grey Alien]

Glad you think so and have noticed those strategies. I think that's what makes the combat more fun in this game.

[cooljammer00]

The storyline, as explained on the Giant Beastcast, is that you've woken up after the world has already been destroyed.

That's it.

[Blackwall]

I agree that this is more fun than Shadowhand, which I didn't finish because I found it tedious for the very reasons the developer points out here. I'm very impressed with this game for it manages to capture all the enjoyable aspects of solitaire and combine it with an intriguing combat system.

A Regency II? Really enjoyed the first one. I'm a big fan of the Regency period and I thought Regency captured all the important aspects.

[Grey Alien]

Thanks! Glad you liked Ancient Enemy and yeah Regency II is a maybe. We'd like to make it, depends on how things go.

[Pidge]

Thanks for the response. I never doubted that everything was done for a reason. Shadowhand seemed as if it was aimed directly at the casual games audience, with a similar plot to those you find there.

Ancient Enemy does seem aimed very much at steam and I'm so glad it's doing well. And I will undoubtedly give it another go.

Any chance of a choice of gender for the protagonist in the sequel? Even if it's just cosmetic?

[Bac4More]

I too am enjoying Ancient Enemy very much. I think it has much more depth than Shadowhand(although a very fun game); and the battles are quite tense, knowing that your health does not regenerate until end of level. Much more need for strategy and proper use and timing of abilities, gear, etc. Grey Alien...well done!!

[spielerinchen]

Ancient Enemy has depth ? what depth ? if you mean some strategic gymnastics, that's not deep, it's just entangled

as the OP, i too find the story, the reason to fight in this game not at all engaging, i find it not deep but lazy & shallow, too much vapid puzzle work but no reason to even bother

so yeah, sadly i have to report, after waiting for this game for two years, i managed to play it for whooping 0.8 h & have no particular desire to play it again
i don't even like the graphics, especially the plain RGB color code is appalingly gamey, no immersion, just some puzzle strategy, thanks, i dislike puzzle games
if this is the way Grey Alien games are heading that would be a loss to the card game genre, not an enrichment worth waiting for
sorry to be so harsh, but the game feels just like a loss to me

[Grey Alien]

Sorry you feel that way. There is depth in the mechanics for sure and I'm not sure you'd have seen the full extent of that in 0.8h gameplay. Oh well.

[sp3lfanaaT]

Originally posted by Grey Alien:

Sorry you feel that way. There is depth in the mechanics for sure and I'm not sure you'd have seen the full extent of that in 0.8h gameplay. Oh well.

sorry for late reply.... Just saw this topic ....


Well i would bring it more friendly, i always do, or try my best to keep it friendly and positive, after all: we are all humans on the same planet


The graphics are different, that much is true.
but it does not automatically mean they are bad ....
The graphics fit the game setting / scene/ story

Shadow Hand is more colorful , maybe because the main character is female ?
It also plays in some medieval like setting, with many colors and scenery, it allows items to add ( i don't even know if Ancient Enemy has weapons that can be used, changed , or found like in Shadow Hand)

Ancient Enemy has a more dark, grim setting i think ....

i looked it up ( Google)

What is the meaning of grim?
1 : fierce in disposition or action : savage grim wolves. 2a : stern or forbidding in action or appearance a grim taskmaster. b : somber, gloomy grim news of the disaster. 3 : ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character a grim tale.

I guess the game can and should only be compared with games that have a same or similar setting.