Tarnished Blood 🩸 [Tactic RPG]

Very much wanted to like the game since it is heavily inspired by KDM, which I am a big fan of. That said, I can't recommend it at its current state (early access - post patch 5). First off, the elephant in the room - is the game play loop fun? The bulk of the game is spent fighting monsters thus, the satisfaction one gets from combat is crucial. Being able to anticipate the monster's actions seems neat at first but it is also unfortunately, the main flaw of the game. Since you can see ahead what the monster will do, the idea is to plan your survivors' moves to hit the monster and whittle it down while avoiding getting it. Thus, in essence, to win, you need to micromanage your survivors' moves. However, as you fight "souped up" versions of the same few monsters (with different skins and some variance in the moves), the number of attacks you need to avoid grows exponentially, which means you have to spent more and more time to plan your moves meticulously to avoid getting hit. Couple this with the "advanced" monsters having a lot more health (and armour) and the fights start to feel more tiresome than fun. Since this is the core mechanic of the game, I don't see how it can be improved on. Tweaking monsters' stats, adding more monster variety and re-balancing the weapon types can help to some extent.. but unfortunately, the core game play is what it is, and I don't see it changing with 1.0. Secondly, I feel the settlement building and survivor advancement aspect of the game is a missed opportunity. KDM is a complex board game and there's a lot to keep track of. However, since this is a PC game and you don't have to keep track of stuff on paper, there is room to make the game even bigger, with more elaborate and interesting mechanics. However, the developers decided to make a KDM "lite" instead. A standard play through is only 6 fights long, and before you can feel the satisfaction of advancing your survivors and settlement, the game ends abruptly with a final boss fight. Also, instead of being able to craft various unique weapons and armour from the different monsters you hunt, each "campaign" will only have one monster themed gear that you can craft. No matter what monster you hunt, you can only craft that same gear set for that campaign. The armour sets also don't provide any unique effect, and vary only in look and stat bonuses. Also, because a play through is designed to be only 6 fights long, there are not many progression options available for your settlement. The game could also do with a story and some lore. Hopefully these will get added with 1.0. It would help with immersion, and guide the player on what the game is about. Lastly, as to be expected, since the game is still in early access, there are some bugs that need to be ironed out. The main one I found is that even though players are provided with the option to continue playing after the 6th fight (i.e. final boss), one is unable to save the game and after quitting the game, the save game is gone.

[h1]Concise Game Reviews: "Tarnished Blood"[/h1] [i](Scroll down for the longer version)[/i] [table] [tr] [th][b]Game Value:[/b][/th] [th]✅ Highly recommended for fans of tactical RPGs, offering a unique experience with a time-bending combat system and dark fantasy survival elements.[/th] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Tags:[/b][/td] [td]✔Tactical RPG ✔Roguelite ✔Turn-Based Combat ✔Strategy ✔Dark Fantasy ✔Monster Hunting ✔Survival ✔Resource Management ✔Early Access[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Genre Classification:[/b][/td] [td]A dark tactical RPG focusing on survival, monster hunting, and unique time-manipulation combat mechanics.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Length:[/b][/td] [td]10~20 hours per campaign, with dynamic, replayable elements and progressively challenging encounters.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Challenge Level:[/b][/td] [td]High; intricate turn-based strategies requiring careful management of time and resources.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Graphics:[/b][/td] [td]Hand-drawn dark fantasy visuals, bringing a unique and atmospheric style to monster designs and combat scenarios.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Technical Stability:[/b][/td] [td]Generally stable, though some players report occasional bugs typical of Early Access.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Replay Value:[/b][/td] [td]High; each run is distinct, with different outcomes, enemies, and strategies.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [b]For further insights, feel free to join my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault]Steam group[/url] or follow my updates on my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault/]curator page[/url]. [h1]Detailed review:[/h1] [table] [tr] [td][b]What It Is:[/b][/td] [td] 🌟 [b]Tactical Survival Depth:[/b] Brace yourself for fierce battles where a unique time-control mechanic lets you fight through a relentless, brutal world. 🔥 [b]Dark Fantasy World:[/b] Enter a world filled with horrifying creatures, deep lore, and brutal, hand-drawn bosses. 🎯 [b]Customizable Combat and Characters:[/b]Equip diverse weaponry and develop skills to adapt and strategize against each new threat. 🎨 [b]Distinctive Visuals:[/b] Hand-crafted monster designs elevate the eerie, immersive atmosphere, pulling you deeper into the experience. ⚙️ [b]Dynamic Challenges and Replayability:[/b] Every campaign introduces new events, bosses, and tactics, ensuring gameplay remains intense and engaging. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🌟[b]Overview:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]"Tarnished Blood" plunges players into a dark, tactical RPG experience where they lead a team of seasoned hunters through a merciless world. Utilizing a unique blend of time manipulation mechanics and customizable weapons, players face terrifying foes and intense battles. Each encounter demands adaptive strategies, encouraging thoughtful decision-making, survival tactics, and distinct combat interactions.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🎮[b]Gameplay:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] Lead a team of fearless warriors on deadly hunts in this turn-based roguelite, where intense, time-driven combat is key. Plan your resources, strategize each attack, and protect your team as they journey through dark, treacherous landscapes. 🌍 [b]Exploration:[/b] Embark into the ominous Dome, where you’ll gather resources from terrifying creatures and reinforce your base. 🔧 [b]Customization System:[/b] Unlock a variety of skills and abilities by equipping your hunters with diverse weapons and armor. 🤝 [b]Team Management:[/b] Balance traits, address injuries, and craft strategies that leverage each hunter’s unique strengths. 💥 [b]Combat System:[/b] Utilize time-bending abilities to create combos, counter enemy attacks, and execute devastating moves. With its distinctive combat mechanics and haunting atmosphere, Tarnished Blood promises a gripping and strategic gameplay journey.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]📖[b]Story and Depth:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]"Tarnished Blood" immerses players in a dark, foreboding world where survival is threatened by ancient monsters and shadowy lore. As battles unfold, players uncover hidden truths and navigate character arcs shaped by both triumphs and lasting wounds. Choices carry weight, with each decision impacting survival and forging a unique story. Characters evolve through scars earned in combat, affecting their traits and abilities permanently. This creates a narrative depth where each playthrough offers a fresh, personalized experience, blending strategic survival with themes of resilience and sacrifice. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🏆[b]Verdict:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] Tarnished Blood redefines tactical RPGs with its dark fantasy setting, challenging time-based combat, and rich atmosphere. From the start, I was captivated by its eerie, hand-crafted visuals and the intense, strategic battles where every decision counts. The unique time-control mechanic adds depth, making each victory feel well-earned and satisfying. Currently in Early Access, the game is evolving constantly, with developers listening closely to player feedback. This commitment to improvement promises even more story depth, challenge, and immersion with each update. For fans of tactical RPGs seeking a fresh, dark experience, Tarnished Blood is a must-play. Its dynamic gameplay, strategic depth, and haunting world make it a standout in the genre and an unforgettable journey. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]✅[b]Good:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] 👍 [b]Unique time-control combat:[/b] Adds a fresh twist to tactical RPG battles. 👍 [b]Dark, immersive visuals:[/b] Hand-drawn art style heightens the game’s dark fantasy theme. 👍 [b]High replayability:[/b] Each run introduces varied events, keeping the gameplay dynamic and engaging. 👍 [b]Challenging gameplay:[/b] Strategically complex, rewarding players who adapt and experiment. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🛠️[b]Ways of Improvement:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] 👎 [b]Steep learning curve:[/b] More detailed tutorials could help ease new players into the game’s unique mechanics. 👎 [b]UI improvements needed:[/b] Simplified menus and clearer information could reduce frustration. 👎 [b]Early Access bugs:[/b] Occasional crashes and minor bugs affect gameplay but are being actively addressed. 👎 [b]Combat balance adjustments:[/b] Some encounters feel unbalanced and could benefit from fine-tuning. [/td] [/tr] [/table]

Really interesting and unique game that also has a boss that forcibly impregnates characters and that's just a no-go for me.

Great concept : you prepare your hunt party (3 or 4 human beings) to hunt giant monsters : every turn in the battle, you see the monster's attacks and the consequence of your move and can planify your fight according to those consequences. 4 factions for 4 differents ways to make your hunting party stronger. Game still in EA : more hunt targets would be welcomed, and despiste the little need of balance that every EA game requires, Tarnished Blood is already fun as it is. I look forwards to playing the final version of the game.

EA Roguelite RPG + unique + challenging = An interesting concept of tactical editing of actions per turn. Get essences and craft items for your team. Has a slight learning curve. Charming graphics. [h1][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/35180752-3-point-play/] Follow our curator for similar games [/url][/h1]

I have almost 100 hours at the moment and the only reason it wasn't more the time of writing this is due to lack of endless mode. That and the lack of what exactly stats mean like "lucky" "strength" and "potency" meant but the latter is negligible. The campaign is 6 fights or "years" as the game calls them and while i had a blast for 90 hours. It grew stale now with endless mode. I don't have to keep restarting, the monster slaying never ends. I'm not going to lie the game is a tad difficult in the beginning. You might lose at the start but just persevere and it'll click. Only takes a little bit to truly understand the mechanics and then the fun begins. It plays like Phantom Brigade using time manipulation elements, with Monster Hunter loot farming mechanics of: You fight "x" monster and collect a piece of equipment exclusive to it like a piece of armor or a weapon, and also you get general loot used to upgrade said equipment. I.e. every fight just makes you stronger for the next. It's also explicitly based off of the KDM board game. Anyways, hope this helps. Good luck out there.

Imagine you have a video editor. Now imagine it is a video game. You can go forward or backward or pause. If something went wrong you rewind and retry. It's actually amazing in its simplicity. Oh and this is practically a tactical RPG version of Elden Ring XDD It's HAAAAAARD. But in a good way, that makes you cherish your victories.

It just isn't fun. Far too many situations where you have no tools to avoid damage or do anything to alter the playing field. It just isn't fun watching your characters being juggled around by indestructible projectiles for two turns straight with no way to move out of the way or otherwise change the outcome. You jumped out of the way of an attack in the narrow space between two suns? Well, too bad, since while your character is still recovering next turn to dodge the third one coming from the other side of the screen. And while that hits you, your character will stand up next turn just in time to be knocked down by another unavoidable attack. Oh, and you had no way of knowing those attacks were coming on second turn, unless you've played the boss before and put the attacks to memory. And unlike, say, Dark Souls, which puts you right before the boss with an ability to prepare better, this game just kills your whole party or gives them permanent debuffs. Better waste another two hours getting to the point you just were (which is still day 1 or 2 of the game btw). This isn't "hardcore", this is tedious and grindy in the worst possible way. The mechanics themselves seem interesting and the game world/setting is great, but I'd rather play something that rewards me for putting time in it without being constantly at the mercy of RNG and being punished for trying to play the game. This could be more fun if you had more/easier control of your characters, but now it feels like you are just rolling cured dice every turn and hoping for the best. I've heard bad things about Kingdom Death approach to difficulty, and this takes the worst parts of the board game to adapt to a videogame forman. Unless you are a glutton for hitting your head against the wall for hours, stay away.

Really unique game, with a compelling gameplay loop. Fights are reminiscent of Your Only Move is HUSTLE, but adapted for party battles against bosses. Pretty hard, but definitely worth it for those interested in a one-of-a-kind indie title.

A wholly unique game mechanic. Creative and refreshing.