Bastard Bonds

Genuinely one of the best rpgs I've played in a while. Combat is fun and fast paced. The maps have interesting stories is every single one. And the pixel art is gorgeous. Also being able to recruit and play with almost any enemy I meet is a mechanic I never knew I wanted until now. I wish this game have some sort of player made map feature so I could make and share my own.

[h1]Одна из тех игр, из-за которых в стим добавили кнопку "сделать приватной"[/h1]

I saw this game a long while ago and dismissed it because I didn't think I cared about this kind of RPG (not the mature part the tactical part). so I forgot about it for a while. Then I got recommended a review of it and I though I should try it out and bought it. First things first, the art style is clearly appealing to a certain demographic (typically homosexual men) and that might put people off and if it does, well it does. But I don't that makes it bad, its more akin to old 80s fantasy RPG promotional art in my eyes (I guess machismo?) rather than something I'd consider fetishistic (whether it is or isn't I don't know nor do I think it matters in the grand scheme of it) I don't really care too much about character creators but I liked this one. I really like that the crime, guilt and how you plea determine your starting party member and alignment (and also how alignment means something). Building your characters as they level is also done in a very novel way which makes me think about how I want them to be later and how I wanted them to be in the now. The 'gimmick' in the combat is Risk. On given characters turn they can use to use a set amount of risk to do an action. Using the risk allows them to take multiple actions on a turn, setting them back to their original place in the turn order. If you have x amount of risk you have an x% chance to lose your turn and be vulnerable to more damage until that character goes again. In essence its gambling but it keeps combat engaging and interesting. I am a big fan of managing of your camp (actually called your stronghold but camp is less characters so I'm calling it that) and how it works, You need said amount of manpower to go have an area be your camp and an additional amount of manpower for each service at your camp. Each party member gives a set amount of manpower depending on their skill level and alignment. Ex: chaotic alignment party members use their 2nd highest skill to give that amount of manpower to your total. Theres also the little things that you have to find out that are really fun to find for yourself instead of just being told about it. For example: [spoiler]Forging the parts of the Devil Adonis.[/spoiler] Now that might've been spelled out somewhere but I sure as hell didn't find it and it was cool to see where it went. I would say about half the unique party members were good and the other half were tolerable but even if you don't like any of the party members they're not actually required for anything except steam achievements, you can just recruit almost any given monster; assuming you have the means to. I liked Paul, Vankan, and Leftie (honorable mention to the incubi, my favorite design I’ve ever seen for them); they're all interesting in their own ways. Also I like how you don't really *know* a party member until you bond with them or rather they only tell you what they want/need you to know. The story is pretty good too. I won't get into it for the sake of trying to keep this spoiler free but I will say that I love how connected the setting is to both the characters stories and the main story. And as well as [spoiler]The other ending actually being meaningful to the world and its characters rather than just an arbitrary choice. Also having to find the other ending was lovely.[/spoiler] I do have a couple gripes though: I don't think that it would hurt to have an option to turn on autosaving. Personally, I save way too much in general and this game encourages that with the early game being pretty challenging if you don't know what you're doing. So if you do get pick up the game; It's good policy to just save after every area just in case the next one is harder than you thought it'd be. Endgame Spoilers: [spoiler]When you get to max level theres not real reason to explore other places because xp is practically your only reason to clear areas. Now gates are the exception because you get something special there but I mean every other area. Merchants can sell just about every item you would want (except love potions iirc but thats only a ransom from one enemy)[/spoiler] Bonding Spoilers: [spoiler]Bonding takes longer for each character you have bonded with so if you're wanting to 100% the game on steam, as have I, you'd need to bond at least 18 characters. Which takes forever if you do it legit. There is an exploit to make it take like 1 mission, 1k Gold, and a love potion. It's the only real way to make it not take so damn long but it would be better to just have it not take progressively longer. I get why you would put it in but c'mon.[/spoiler] TLDR: Its not groundbreaking but overall it is a very solid tactical RPG and I liked it more than I thought I would’ve. B+

A fun turn based dark fantasy romp on an island with an interesting history.

Actually great RPG experience, still haven't seen any sex scenes yet

its good try it out if you like turn based games and if you like of course monsters women men and everything in between

To be honest, I got hooked on this game. I'm currently on my 2nd run of the game on it's third act, and I'm still enjoying it a lot. The gameplay has actually interesting mechanics with the risk system and positioning units, especially if you were to have a unit with the Nightmarish trait. The art style in the CGs are very well done. From the campfire scenes to some of the other event CGs in the story, CaptainGerBear did a great job on them. And Lukatt has some very interesting worldbuilding, with some solid environmental storytelling! Came for the beautiful men, stayed for the gameplay and characters as well. Though if there was one thing I wish the game had, it's more trusted scenarios between 2 characters, and more character interactions as well. Let me bond with them and get to connect with them better in the game. Also I wish all the characters got more love.

The game play is peak. Not as nsfw as it seems and I'm loving it

Bastard Bonds The Good + Capture system + Good writing + Mature + Without sale 8,99€ The Bad - Repetitive Combat - Weak Class system - Capture system doesn't feel rewarding - Weak RPG I do understand why people like the game but for me it does not have enough mechanics, as example the combat system. You can shoot magic balls, hit with mele or shot with a bow. I can't turn someone into a sheep or spil out oil, so someone slips. For the price tag of the game i do not demand a masterpiece but after 16 hours i felt done with the game. The story seems good and they have some good jokes but not enough for me this time around. 6/10

Like old timey 16bit sprite turn based games? Like being gay? Like escaping prison? Do all these things and more! The sprites are very nice, Base building mechanics, secret dialogue if you have certain characters in party, and a lot more.