Tales Across Time

Again, I'm giving a review well before I finish the game but the mechanics of Tales Across Time are so different and interesting, I can't help myself. If you see the tag turn-based RPG and automatically think "nope, I'm not a person who likes to spend hours leveling up or grinding for money", you've got the wrong idea about this game. There's no leveling, no inventory, no gold grinding, no.... well, pretty much most things you associate with turn-based RPGs. The only similarities would be the graphics and the fact that there ARE turn-based battles. And it's all about strategy, baby. There is NO way to win the battles unless you use the skills you're given in the correct way. So here's how it works. Tales Across Time contains multiple stories - spanning many generations. You get to play one person in each story and each of them has a completely different skill set, weaknesses, and strengths. When you have control of your character and can explore, you'll find chests hidden here and there. They contain crystals that will boost your HP and AP (which is the equivalent to MP or SP in other RPGs). Currently, I'm playing the third "chapter" and my girl can even find power cells in chests which can completely turn a battle in my favor. The catch is that I can only use them once and then they're gone so I'm saving them for any tough battles ahead. And I KNOW those are coming. I've already hit a couple battles where I died over and over until I figured out the correct strategy (and then I felt stupid I didn't figure it out more quickly - you'd probably do better than me :p). So, the reasons to play this game? If you enjoy a great story and/or love strategy and puzzle solving. Because each battle is a puzzle to figure out. When to defend, when to heal, which attack to use (because weak attacks give you back more AP than strong attacks), which special skills to use and when, etc. So far, I am enjoying the story and battles very very much so I wanted to share my feelings about this little gem called Tales Across Time. Addition: Finished the game and loved it.

[i]Tales Across Time[/i] is an old school role-playing game created with RPG Maker. There are so many RPG Maker games on Steam it's hard to find the few good ones among them. [i]Tales Across Time[/i] did look like one of the good RPG Maker games, so when my friend [url=http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28971565/]Athravan[/url] from [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ReviewersGuild]The Reviewers' Guild[/url] had a spare key, I was happy I could give [i]Tales Across Time[/i] a try. To summarize this review, [i]Tales Across Time[/i] certainly falls into the category of good RPG Maker games, if you take into account that it's a short story-driven RPG rather than a combat-oriented RPG. So if you want to see constant action, equipping gear, leveling up and stat increases, [i]Tales Across Time[/i] isn't for you. If you think you might enjoy a story-driven RPG with tactical combat but not too much of it, [i]Tales Across Time[/i] is definitely worth looking into. [h1]Story and dialogue[/h1] [i]Tales Across Time[/i] tells three separate short stories that come together in the end. It takes about 3 hours to play through the entire game, so the stories are very short. The storytelling is okay. Don't expect to be blown away by these stories, but [i]Tales Across Time[/i] does manage to keep the player interested in its narrative. The dialogue is mostly well-written. It's refreshing to see dialogue in an RPG Maker game that hasn't been badly translated to English but is written in English instead (the creator is an Australian). I say 'mostly' because sometimes the dialogue seems 'off' somehow, more blunt, as if it's written by two different authors who each have a distinct style. For example, sometimes a character says [i]isn't[/i] and sometimes [i]ain't[/i], sometimes a character says [i]ya[/i] and sometimes [i]you[/i], and so on. This is only a minor gripe but noticeable nonetheless. Another minor gripe is that the name of the person talking is sometimes above the dialogue text, but it's not distinguishable from the rest of the dialogue. The developer should have found a way to separate the name of the character speaking from the dialogue itself e.g. by underlining the name or printing it in a different colour from the actual dialogue. [h1]Gameplay[/h1] You use the arrow keys or a controller to move around the world or to navigate through the combat menu, and the Enter-key or a controller button to interact with people and objects in the game world or to confirm an option in the combat menu. There are very few objects to interact with, which is uncommon for RPG Maker games but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. On the one hand, it does make the game feel a bit more 'empty' but on the other hand, I can do without dozens of generic messages like 'It's a vase', 'A painting of an old woman' and 'You see a bookcase with some miscellaneous books'. The combat system requires the player to do a bit of tactical thinking. You can choose between three attack options that boil down to the following principle: dealing more damage means less 'AP' gain (action points). You need AP to use special skills that deal a lot of damage, heal or buff your character. So there's always a tactical element of trying to deal damage but keep up your AP pool at the same time. Combat occurs at set places, so there is no random combat and no grinding whatsoever. You don't gain levels or equip gear. There are a few chests scattered around each chapter of the game. In those chests you find items that increase your HP or AP. And that's pretty much it for character development. [h1]Graphics and sound[/h1] Graphics are your typical RPG Maker style, so the old school look of the 16-bit console games from the 1990's. You can hardly say any 16-bit graphics look stunning by today's standards, but I think it's worth mentioning that the monster sprites in this game do look pretty good. The music sounds great and it genuinely fits the atmosphere of the events in the game. Moreover, the music never gets annoying, which is a rare feat for an RPG Maker game. [h1]On Steam's extra features[/h1] [i]Tales Across Time[/i] has 12 Steam Trading Cards. You'll get 6 while running the game. The 22 Steam Achievements consist of 12 unmissable story-related achievements and 10 missable achievements that require you to find all the chests in each chapter and perform completely optional actions like talk to every NPC in the town or interact with an object at a point of interest.

[h1] RPG maker baby! [/h1]

Gier na silniku RPG Makera powstaje od groma. Dobrych, czy choćby znośnych tytułów tego typu - no, jakby już mniej. Zaufajcie mi, bo wiem co mówię - idzie mi się przez ten śmietnik sklepu Steam przekopywać średnio raz w tygodniu w nadziei na wyłowienie perły z gnijącej brei wodorostów leżącej tylko połowicznie na brzegu. Ale się zdarza. Tales Across Time z czystym sumieniem mogę oddzielić od szlamu produkcji kuszących metką "RPG", a w zamian dostarczających fasadę fabuły opartą o sztucznie wydłużające grę losowe walki w liczbie opisywanej za pomocą rzędu dziesiątek zer przed. Powiem nawet, że jest to produkcja, gdzie autorzy włożyli w nią choć odrobinę serca i to powinno ją jednak od pospolitych gier tego typu odciąć. Brak tu korzystania z domyślnych postaci, lokacji czy nawet systemu walki i rozwoju postaci. Opis gry obiecuje tytuł napędzany fabułą i tak jest. Postacie w grze są autentyczne i dialogi są napisane starannie - brak w nich nienaturalności. Scenariusz to trzy historie. W pierwszej kierujemy mistrzem miecza, który zatrudnił się jako przewodnik i ochrona ekspedycji zmierzającej do starożytnych ruin. Ruin dawniej już przez niego odwiedzonych. Wśród świty podróżnych jest również młoda dziewczyna z ambicją aby nauczyć się walczyć. Mamy tu do czynienia z relacją mistrz/uczeń. Ale czy tylko? Druga opowieść dzieje się wieki później i bohaterka ma właśnie wyjść za mąż za kapitana straży. Ma otrzymać od kupców z dalekich krain dary i cała ta sielanka trwałaby dalej, gdyby nie pojawienie się w okolicy nie widzianych od lat potworów... Akcja trzeciej historii dzieje się w odległej i zaawansowanej technologicznie przyszłości, gdzie młoda kobieta jest ścigana przez tajemniczą istotę w masce. Jest już zmęczona ucieczką i samotnością - istota uśmierca każdego w jej pobliżu. Wiem, że powyższe przedstawienie elementów fabularnych brzmi jak reklama, ale naprawdę nie powinienem zdradzać więcej - ostatecznie całość mieści się kilku godzinach rozgrywki. Czy jest ona sztampowa? Owszem, ale mimo to i tak gra się przyjemnie. Nie ma tego rwania fabuły na ochłapy rzucane nam pomiędzy dziesiątkami walk i godzinami przemierzania rozległych lokacji. Zaryzykuję stwierdzenie, że każdy nasz krok jest ważny fabularnie i nie ma tu zbytecznego szlajania się. Podobnie odniósłbym się do częstotliwości walk. Wynikają one ze scenariusza i nawet jeżeli niespodziewane, to są logiką wspomnianego uzasadnione. Nie ma możliwości rozwinięcia postaci do absurdalnego poziomu dzięki szukaniu guza. Potencjał postaci jest z reguły odblokowany już na stracie i o zwycięstwie decyduje nasz dobór taktyki walki. Mamy trzy rodzaje ataków: szybki, średni i silny. Różni je poziom zadawanych obrażeń, ale i uzyskiwanych dzięki nim punktów akcji. Szybkie ciosy, obrona i leczenie się dają ich więcej niż cios silny. Skumulowane punkty pozwalają użyć specjalnych dla danej postaci manewrów. Czyni to walki z konieczności taktycznymi i wymaga czegoś więcej niż korzystania wyłącznie z najsilniejszego ataku do oporu. Po wygranej walce leczymy wszystkie stracone punkty żywotności. Nie otrzymujemy żadnych punktów doświadczenia. Postać rozwija się w toku wydarzeń lub znajdując w poukrywanych skrzyniach odpowiednie kryształy. Dzięki temu rozwiązaniu nie tracimy immersji i możemy płynnie iść z biegiem akcji. Grafika trzyma poziom produkcji jrpg z połowy lat 90-tych. Przypomnę tylko, że twórcy powstrzymali się od wykorzystania domyślnych wzorców z RPG Makera i stworzyli własne postacie protagonistów i przeciwników.Podobnie rzecz ma się ze stroną dźwiękową. Osiągnięcia w grze dalekie są od trudnych - wystarczy mieć oczy otwarte i głowę na karku. Jedyną widoczną wadą gry jest jej zwięzłość - całość można spokojnie ukończyć w dwa wieczory. Widzę w tym też paradoksalnie zaletę, bo nie odczuwamy wymuszonej dłużyzny. Można też zarzucić fabule brak oryginalności, ale uważam że to kawał solidnego rzemiosła - choć naturalnie nie będzie czymś o czym sobie przypomnimy po latach. Odpowiedni tytuł aby sobie zrobić dzień czy dwa odpoczynku od ważkich i wiekopomnych historii czy ogólnie rozumianej epickości tych "wielkich" tytułów gier. Dobry stosunek ceny do zawartości. ZALETY: - Płynięcie z historią - Trzy historie w cenie jednej - Walki wymagające myślenia - Brak wszechobecnego w gatunku grindu WADY: - Krótka - Fabuła złożona ze znanych klisz Osoby, które grałyby w tę grę: - Sigmund Ringeck - Agnes Dunbar - Ellen Ripley Osoby, które nie grałyby w tę grę: - Eustachy Dauger - Roman Sionis - Pazuzu Więcej moich recenzji na wartym obserwowania kuratorze [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/rec100cheevo] Recenzje na 100%... osiągnięć [/url]. Publikacja recenzji także na [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/26553378/] Świecie Recenzji [/url].

Hello friends, Today I will review the game Tales across Time. This is a indie RPG Maker game made by the same developers that made the game 8-bit Adventures series, which this author has also played in the past. As with the other game, this game looks and feels like a retro game made for a early Nintendo system. The music also fits this game very good. The one complaint I have is how short the game was. I was hoping it would be longer than what i played. Although others may find the shortness of the game good. The storyline is interesting and unique. I do not think I have played a generational rpg like this since Saga Frontier 2 on PS1. Basically, the player plays thru the ages in three different stories, from the past, present, and the future. The combat system is also interesting. Unlike other RPG's, there is no grinding involved, but the player can find special crystals that increase stats for each character. Anyways, here is my PROS and CONS list: PROS: - A short rpg with no grinding mechanics nor exp nor leveling. - A story that takes the player thru adventures in time. - Combat mechanics are easy to learn. - The music fits the game perfectly for a 8-bit type game. - Works on windows 11 operating system. - Works with controllers. I use a ZEN PRO switch controller. CONS: - Some people do not like RPG MAKER games as this was made with that program. - In some ways, the game is too short, but others may find it is the right length. - The simplistic graphics may not be liked by everyone. Do I recommend it? Only if RPG MAKER and Indie games do not really bother the player. The story is unique to keep the player involved in the game to see it's conclusion. The graphic style is retro and looks like a Nintendo game. If the buyer does not mind these type of games, I suggest buying it at least for the story and easy battle mechanics

This is a very unique RPG experience. It focuses much more heavily on story and characters and has a unique turn based battle system that focuses on tactics and strategy as opposed to leveling up and stat progression. It's pretty enjoyable, but also a bit frustrating as when you start to get the hang of one character, the story moves on and you have to relearn the next. Overall, a strong indie RPG and worth your time and money.

Worthwhile small game, though I gave up on the last battle as it was tedious and difficult. The three stories are varied yet related. Good for a few hours of relaxing gaming. The music is also nice. It's more like a short story collection than a novel in terms of the stories. Most of the battles aren't bad once you get the strategy of them. Don't expect a big shiny RPG, this is a smaller game, enjoyable as is.

The storyline was poor and I think the game is bugged because I literally (yes, literally) spent 20 minutes on the first 'boss', trying all sorts of combinations of moves and ended up healing, getting ap, healing getting ap and so on. Horribly boring if the only things I can do are heal, defend (useless), use a crappy uninspired skill or melee attack. I gave up. Saw other people enjoyed the game. Happy for them. Was a waste of time instead of a timewaster for me.

This seems like it should be an interesting little RPG but it is terrible. All you need to do is walk around and press select a few times. The combat is very dry: either do a bunch of strong attacks and heal, do a bunch of weak attacks and heal or use a skill if you have enough, or memorize an attack combination. Oh and what kind of combat mechanic requires you to lose? The music is interesting for about a minute. The story is as interesting as any other good vs evil, hero vs villain type story. Remember those amazing RPGs from the cartridge days? This will make you annoyed that those days ever existed. If you want to play a "retro" game then do that. If you want to play a new game then do that. Don't try to do those here.

A short and enjoyable game if you are looking for a game more on the story-driven side. It is not big on gameplay/strategy so do not expect too much in this matter. Other than that I think the story itself and the concept of the story are quite interesting and the overall vibe of this game is pretty nice. I recommend the game to everyone who likes pixel graphics with a really good soundtrack.