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Elemental Game Review(s) Thread

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Elemental Game Review(s) Thread

One thread to hold them all!

from Elemental Forums

So as I did for my previous favorite game SoaSE, I'll be scouring the web for Elemental reviews and posting them here. That way there will be a single location where we can navigate to all the reviews of the game, for easy reference.

B)

If you happen to find one I don't post, leave a comment below it in the following format:

  1. Site Name
  2. Score
  3. WWW Link

I hope this will be made sticky by someone from SD like my previous thread was in SoaSE.  

 

Metacritic Average

 

English Reviews:

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NEOSEEKER

9/10


http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Games/Reviews/elemental_war_of_magic/

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Eurogamer

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BIG Download

Verdict: Must Own

http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/09/07/review-elemental/

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IGN

6 / 10

http://pc.ign.com/articles/111/1117649p1.html

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Gameshark

C

http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3607/p_0/Elemental-War-of-Magic-Review.htm

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Gamespot

4 / 10

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/elementalwarofmagic/review.html

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GamerNode

2 / 5

 http://gamernode.com/reviews/9442-elemental-war-of-magic/index.html

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GameInformer

6.5 / 10

http://gameinformer.com/games/elemental_war_of_magic/b/pc/archive/2010/08/31/review.aspx

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Giantbomb

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Rock, Paper, Shotgun

""At the moment, I think “unfinished” is too harsh a phrase. I’d lean towards “a bit shoddy”.""

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/30/impressions-of-elemental-war-of-magic/

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Joystiq

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Destructoid

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PC Gamer

70 / 100

http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/09/02/elemental-war-of-magic-review/

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G4  X-Play

2/5

http://g4tv.com/games/pc/63836/Elemental-War-of-Magic/review/

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Shacknews

No score at this time.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/65347

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1 UP

C+

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3181116

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Fidgit

"I guarantee it's not going to be like anything you'll read from any other reviewer."

hhttp://fidgit.com/archives/2010/08/elemental_the_review.php

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RPGWatch

"Elemental is still 2-3 patches away from being ready for prime time.  When and if those patches are done, Elemental has the potential to be one of those few games that stays on your computer for years as a fun gaming experience."

http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=159&ref=0&id=412

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OutOfEight

5/8

http://www.outofeight.info/2010/08/elemental-war-of-magic-review.html

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GameEnema

6/10

www.gameenema.com/2.shtml

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GamePro

3.5/5

http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/216449/elemental-war-of-magic/

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Non-English Reviews:

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iPon

57%

http://ipon.hu/jatekok/elemental_war_of_magic_%E2%80%93_elementalis_bakloves/825/

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Meristation

6.5/10

http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_analisis.php?pic=PC&id=cw4c7d415c6ed86&idj=cw4911603a40884

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Gamestar

79/100

http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/elemental-war-of-magic/test/elemental_war_of_magic,44740,2317608.html

 

elemental
530,980 views 228 replies
Reply #201 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting onomastikon, reply 181

Quoting dragoaskani, reply 152Alright so I was in a really bad mood yesterday and took it out on Fatindian. (Sorry indian)  In other news, I don't really like some of these reviews. I can only assume some of them are playing the gold version to score it this way. Which of course since thats what "shipped" they have every right to do so.

Um, your "review" on gamespot isn't exactly what one would call coherent. You rate it "superb" with 9.0 but describe it (if that's what you can call it) as something which should, by the score standards you use, as something deserving of a 6.5 (caveat: hard to tell exactly what you were trying to say). I think many of the reviews rating the game as "fair" (6.0 to 6.5) or mediocre are, in fact, agreeing with what you yourself wrote ("There are much worse games out there to spend your money on then this one") -- that is the definition of mediocre.

Nobody likes the fact that Elemental is getting mediocre reviews (and note: nobody has given them abysmal reviews); while some people will dislike it doubly so (because they feel that the mediocre reviews are undeserved), almost everyone here dislikes the situation. That doesn't mean, however, that the reviews are substandard, grossly unfair, or more subjectively biased than all reviews, to some extent, have to be (since they are expressions of our subjective feelings regarding our experiences with a product).
I was bored and threw a bunch of words on a page. I wrote 5 sentences then the damn thing kept asking for more. So to spite it I chanced my 7.9 to a 9...cause at that point I had spent 5x as long as I wanted to on it. /shrug not that I give a rats ass either really what anyone thought of it. I wanted it short and sweet but it wouldnt let me.

Reply #202 from Elemental Forums Top

updated with the gamespot score -_-

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #203 from Elemental Forums Top

updated with IGNs comments. :yes:

Reply #205 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow.  Gamespot's review was, um, blunt to say the least. 4 is NOT pretty.  :(

Reply #207 from Elemental Forums Top

I added Gamestar's review (German). :yes:


Reply #208 from Elemental Forums Top

Joystiq

Eurogamer

Giantbomb

Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Destructoid


Are the last of the big reviews I am waiting for, after that I won't be actively looking for scores, so if anyone see's other sites posting scores leave a comment or send me a PM and I will update this thread.


:time:

Reply #210 from Elemental Forums Top

IGN score added. :yes:

Reply #211 from Elemental Forums Top

Added BIG DOWNLOAD   :rofl:

Reply #212 from Elemental Forums Top

I like the opinion of RPG Watch review. The game is really something between 4X games and rpg/tbs hybrid like HoMM and Disciples and fans of these games will enjoy it more than fans of MoM or AoW. I think this game just isn't for hardcore 4X and wargame tbs gamers, they can give it as many chances as possible and still won't like it. The game still needs polish in removing bugs and more improvements in its RPG aspect.

Reply #213 from Elemental Forums Top

Absolute Games: http://www.ag.ru/reviews/elemental_war_of_magic

58/100

 

Ending of the review (my translation from russian):

...truth be told, combat is very boring. Seems like the tactic battles that were missed by many in GalCiv 2 were added a month before release.
Because of simplistic mechanics and stuoid AI, player easily eliminates enemies' more powerful armies. It's not amazing that Stardock is not in a hurry to let players into multiplayer, because there's no trace of balance even in single mode. Knowing where to "shortcut", you'll be victorious in few dozens of turns. Alternative to it are painfully long sessions that irritate with program errors and slow work of a poorly optimized engine.
* * *

But there is also another option — to stay away from Elemental. At least until some serious updates, an add-on or release in Russia.
Wardell's credit of trust is depleted, and the thought that Master of Magic, Age of Wonders and Lords of Magic were best avoided until many patches gives little comfort.

Reply #214 from Elemental Forums Top

Added Gamepro , 3.5/5   :yes:

Reply #215 from Elemental Forums Top

Gameroni: B

Found this from the Three Moves Ahead podcast that Brad was on a few days ago.

Reply #216 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Tridus, reply 215
Gameroni: B

Found this from the Three Moves Ahead podcast that Brad was on a few days ago.

I loved the opening paragraph from this review:

Elemental is at its strongest when treated with the same finicky attention to detail and sense of ownership with which people regard RPG characters. The traits and statistics that kingdoms, heroes, and units possess are not trivial window-dressing, but play a major role in shaping strategy. Elemental might offer a variety of pre-made races and units, but it's a better game if you take the time to create exactly what you want. This is a strategy-RPG, and neither element should be ignored. Especially because neither half of the game is strong enough to stand on its own.

This really hits the nail on it's head. Unfortunately, I think this is a major reason why many people are scoring this game so low.  They are coming into the game expecting solely a fantasy 4X not unlike Master of Magic.  They see the RPG aspect as merely window dressing rather than a major component.  I am really having a lot more fun when I actually role-play with my characters, rather than see them as mindless pawns expendable in battle.

If strategy is the mind of Elemental, then role-play is its heart and soul.

Reply #217 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting GaelicVigil, reply 216
This really hits the nail on it's head. Unfortunately, I think this is a major reason why many people are scoring this game so low.  They are coming into the game expecting solely a fantasy 4X not unlike Master of Magic.  They see the RPG aspect as merely window dressing rather than a major component.  I am really having a lot more fun when I actually role-play with my characters, rather than see them as mindless pawns expendable in battle.

If strategy is the mind of Elemental, then role-play is its heart and soul.

Hmm...  I'm pretty sure it's gamebreaking bugs, an AI that's more MIA, non-existant diplomacy, incredibly bland and underpowered magic, a badly broken combat system and a wealth of inconsistancies and errors.

I don't want to beat this poor dead horse yet again, but we really need to be honest with ourselves as Brad and staff have been.  Elemental was a horrid, botched launch.  People aren't turned off because it's avant garde or somehow breaking some sacrosanct law about genre mixing...  it's a muddled mess of half-baked ideas and broken systems.  It has great potential, but potential does NOT sell games, even indie ones.

Reply #218 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Eiralin, reply 217
It has great potential, but potential does NOT sell games, even indie ones.

Potential does sell games to me. I'm willing to take a risk and be part of an evolving project. I knew this was the case here, because it's a Stardock game. Sometimes you have to support a project that is not finished if you want to enable it to reach its full potential. Not everyone is willing to do that, and it's fine -- the world is full of "consumers" without vision, but with plenty of expectations.

Elemental isn't quite the alpha version that you like to describe it as. It is perfectly playable and quite fun. It did need, and does need, a few more weeks and months to fully shine. It is far form unplayable, however. I've spent a bundle of money over the years on truly unfinished games that never actually improved after release. The past few weeks have already demonstrated that Elemental doesn't belong to that category.

Reply #219 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Mivo, reply 218



Quoting Eiralin,
reply 217
It has great potential, but potential does NOT sell games, even indie ones.


Potential does sell games to me. I'm willing to take a risk and be part of an evolving project.

Absolutely. I've spent 200$ on Dwarf Fortress already [donations in the last years], because it has a huge potential...but again, not everyone "works" like me I guess.. :D

Reply #220 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Eiralin, reply 217

Quoting GaelicVigil, reply 216This really hits the nail on it's head. Unfortunately, I think this is a major reason why many people are scoring this game so low.  They are coming into the game expecting solely a fantasy 4X not unlike Master of Magic.  They see the RPG aspect as merely window dressing rather than a major component.  I am really having a lot more fun when I actually role-play with my characters, rather than see them as mindless pawns expendable in battle.

If strategy is the mind of Elemental, then role-play is its heart and soul.

Hmm...  I'm pretty sure it's gamebreaking bugs, an AI that's more MIA, non-existant diplomacy, incredibly bland and underpowered magic, a badly broken combat system and a wealth of inconsistancies and errors.

I don't want to beat this poor dead horse yet again, but we really need to be honest with ourselves as Brad and staff have been.  Elemental was a horrid, botched launch.  People aren't turned off because it's avant garde or somehow breaking some sacrosanct law about genre mixing...  it's a muddled mess of half-baked ideas and broken systems.  It has great potential, but potential does NOT sell games, even indie ones.

You miss the point.  You're judging it based solely on the TBS aspect, which the reviewer states cannot stand on it's own without the RPG elements.  And, yes there are many people who buy games purely on potential.  You can count me as one of them.

Reply #221 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Eiralin, reply 217



Quoting GaelicVigil,
reply 216
This really hits the nail on it's head. Unfortunately, I think this is a major reason why many people are scoring this game so low.  They are coming into the game expecting solely a fantasy 4X not unlike Master of Magic.  They see the RPG aspect as merely window dressing rather than a major component.  I am really having a lot more fun when I actually role-play with my characters, rather than see them as mindless pawns expendable in battle.

If strategy is the mind of Elemental, then role-play is its heart and soul.


Hmm...  I'm pretty sure it's gamebreaking bugs, an AI that's more MIA, non-existant diplomacy, incredibly bland and underpowered magic, a badly broken combat system and a wealth of inconsistancies and errors.

I don't want to beat this poor dead horse yet again, but we really need to be honest with ourselves as Brad and staff have been.  Elemental was a horrid, botched launch.  People aren't turned off because it's avant garde or somehow breaking some sacrosanct law about genre mixing...  it's a muddled mess of half-baked ideas and broken systems.  It has great potential, but potential does NOT sell games, even indie ones.

 

This.

Reply #222 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting GaelicVigil, reply 220

You miss the point.  You're judging it based solely on the TBS aspect, which the reviewer states cannot stand on it's own without the RPG elements.  And, yes there are many people who buy games purely on potential.  You can count me as one of them.

 

RPG elements in release are raw, broken and inconsistent just like TBS elements.

Reply #224 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Mivo, reply 218
Potential does sell games to me. I'm willing to take a risk and be part of an evolving project. I knew this was the case here, because it's a Stardock game. Sometimes you have to support a project that is not finished if you want to enable it to reach its full potential. Not everyone is willing to do that, and it's fine -- the world is full of "consumers" without vision, but with plenty of expectations.

Elemental isn't quite the alpha version that you like to describe it as. It is perfectly playable and quite fun. It did need, and does need, a few more weeks and months to fully shine. It is far form unplayable, however. I've spent a bundle of money over the years on truly unfinished games that never actually improved after release. The past few weeks have already demonstrated that Elemental doesn't belong to that category.

Elemental went out of alpha the moment we purchased it...  that's my point.  Numerous beta testers have complained about not seeing the whole picture and major components being missing or broken even into beta 4.  Beta is NOT when you add big parts of the game (or do major revisions on such).

It was not playable for a huge swath of the purchasing public due to game breaking bugs (on ATI systems) or huge issues with gameplay itself.

I can't remember any game in my 30+ years of PC gaming being this broken at launch...  mind you I don't buy dozens of games a year, so I'm sure I've missed some of the more craptacular releases during that time.  But in my experience, Elemental has been the worst single launch I've seen.

I love potential...  *BUT* Joe/Jane Consumer sees the gamebox with all it's glowing promises and awesome screenshots and finds little to nothing of such in the box.  Will he/she stick it out for the 6 months to a year for the game to reach it's stride?  Or just avoid Stardock titles like the plague from here on out?  This doesn't mean that this somewhat fictional entity is "without vision" but is just not interested in believing in a software company that so completely violated their trust and $50 investment.

Reply #225 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting GaelicVigil, reply 220
You miss the point.  You're judging it based solely on the TBS aspect, which the reviewer states cannot stand on it's own without the RPG elements.  And, yes there are many people who buy games purely on potential.  You can count me as one of them.

Not in the slightest.

The RPG elements of Elemental are MUCH of what sold me on it.  And they just aren't there in any meaningful form.

Two "classes" with no special abilities outside of a very one dimensional magic system?  Incredibly unbalanced gear?  If I'd purchased Elemental primarily for the RPG I'd be sorely disappointed.