Toward Dawn

The full release lived up and exceeded the demo. It is really impressive that one dev manage to make such a wonderfull game with detailed battle mechanics and rich story.

This is one of my favourite games I've played this year! Toward Dawn is steeped in Welsh mythology, and I really enjoyed the way this developer explored that. The bestiary (which includes pronunciation guides!) is a series of comments from different party members which is also a smart way to get a little extra character development in. I loved exploring the world and finding all the different character interactions and getting to know everyone. The story is heartfelt and earnest, although it was the characters that really carried it for me. The really remarkable thing that this game accomplishes though is that I actually [i]enjoyed rather than tolerated[/i] the combat in a JRPG-style game! The party's abilities play off of one another in an enjoyable way, and equipment changes the formula of combat rather than acting as a statistical upgrade. There is no mandatory grinding, but I found myself actively seeking out unnecessary combat because I wanted to play around more with some of the abilities that late-game gear gives you access to. Combat felt tight and well balanced which is very impressive for a solo developer. I'm always so impressed with solo developers and small teams who manage to actually release something, because even quite simple games need you to acquire and unify so many different disciplines. When one manages to really pull it off like this, especially with a complex title like an RPG, I'm in genuine awe! I really hope we get to see more from this dev in the future. A word on length: The description suggests that you should expect around 10 hours. I rolled credits at about 18 hours with 100% achievements (and only a little bit of faffing / dragging my feet).

A short-form JRPG, centered around the love story of a cloistered priestess and the solitary beastman who saves her life after mercenaries destroy her temple. It's brief for an RPG, easily beatable in less than 20 hours. There are hints that it might have once been planned as a more sprawling epic, but was trimmed down in development. This was a good move. The narrow scope, snappy pace, and lack of filler allows the story to play to its strength: the heartwarming relationship between the two leads. Both Carys- the priestess- and Bleddyn- the beastman- are likable characters, and their relationship evolves naturally, eschewing both the saccharine and the melodramatic. Most of the game's first half is watching them open up to each other and grow together. The second half dials up the tension with a quest for vengeance, and also the introduction of a third party member who complicates things in ways unexpected. The gameplay is serviceable, nothing revolutionary but some noteworthy ideas. The combat is built around combos; the player characters have a lot of skills to use, and equipment can add even more. The key to victory is to exploit synergies between skills. This is especially important since neither grinding nor new gear will boost your stats naturally, meaning your party will rarely get more powerful, instead getting new tactical options. It's a rewarding system to master; the problem is that once you have mastered it, you'll basically be doing the same thing for the entire game. Here, too, the short length is a boon, as it doesn't allow the combat system to wear out its welcome. In all, it's a very respectable effort, especially for a solo dev making their first game. It's not without shortcomings, including occasionally dodgy scene art and a bit of an unwelcome difficulty spike near the end. But the good far outnumbers the bad, especially if you're in the mood for something short, fluffy, and heartfelt. I hope we'll see more from this developer someday, because she has definite promise.

This is an amazing little underrated indie gem. Has a delightfully unique story - I have never seen anything like it before in my 20+ years of playing video games. It's clear they crafted the world and characters with love. The pixel art is adorable and nostalgic. There is romance, but it is optional, subtle, and tactfully done...so it's not in your face if you don't want to see it. I absolutely adore the characters and I love the Welsh mythology as well, never seen it in a video game before. There are some portions of the game that could use polish and balancing, but this does not really detract much from the experience. I do wish the game was longer so I could immerse myself deeper into the world and the characters, and I hope to more from the game dev in the future.

Good Dog saves Wales + Combat is tactical and satisfying, refreshingly different from typical turn based RPGs + characters are interesting, likeable and engaging + story feels personal, not overly grandious but also has stakes + sprite work is lovely + Welsh mythology is a refreshing basis for a fantasy world + game respects your time, save anywhere and can restart fights if you lose - time limitations are apparent with cut/brief content in some areas - voice acting is variable, although Bleddyn himself sounds great so that's the main thing I'll definitely play the next devi serene game, they clearly have an instinct for satisfying combat systems and I'd love to experience a larger world!

Came for the "Did you want to bone-down with Blaidd from Elden Ring?" (and I love and appreciate the devs for the little nods and winks that show up in game to that!), stayed for the lovely (optional!) romance story with excellent writing and chemistry between the characters, challenging tactical combat with a surprising depth to it (that you can also tweak to your liking with good granular options!), and traversal that really rewards exploration through an altogether neat setting. Seriously hits the GBA game vibe and feel so well, up to and including a few unpolished bits in places that still overall didn't detract from my experience. If you're at all intrigued by it, you should play it!

HAYY! Just finished the game, and i enjoy it very much! I like the combat, and it lets you change your skill upgrades to so you don't ♥♥♥♥ your self over. I'm bad at explanting so i'm just going to do a 1-10 for a few things story (9-10) combat (7-10) funniness (7-10) some of the moments made me giggle. Cuteness (8-10) I love Carys and Bleddyn, There so cute together. Idwal is also a cute innocent boy

It shows signs of this being the developers first real game but it's mechanics, story and characters are all solid enough to carry it. It's a short and affordable turn based RPG that does nothing seriously wrong.

A charming and relatively small but well-crafted RPG with developed and memorable characters and a successfully built atmosphere. Don't pass this one by - give this game a chance.

https://youtu.be/zHYZuacOIJ0 Presenting a less popularized setting in Welsh mythology is unique enough but doing so with care and attention to RPG trends makes for an excellent complete package.