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As a kid, I only dreamed of possessing the number of games I currently have in my Steam library. This marketplace and others like it have made acquiring such collections easy and affordable, as there are plenty of low-cost games available, lots of developers with fantastic ideas, and countless sales. And that list doesn't even take into account various other methods to pack titles on, like Humble Bundle. Of course, you have to bear in mind that with so many games offered at sweet deals, there's bound to be scores of middling products...
Enter Fate, a rudimentary Diablo clone bathed in lighthearted charm. Its quest kicks off with a basic storyline spoken by a man who sounds like he always smiles, owns a fierce white beard and smells of cheese. From there, the game generates a dungeon and promotes a random critter from the immense abyss to the rank of "final boss," issuing said antagonist a ridiculous moniker like "Goblinlicker the Awful" or "Deathkisser the Disemboweler." You, on the other hand, get a dog. He may not be as awesome as an epic villain name, but at least he can carry some of your goods, nip at foes' ankles and transform when fed fish.
As you amble into the game's hub town, Grove, you discover the extent of Fate's simplicity. For instance, there are no classes and you're free to build your munchkin however you see fit. Unfortunately, the equipment offered throughout the campaign only allows for standard build types: fighter, mage, and rogue. You could dual-class, so to speak, but doing so requires a hefty amount of grinding in what is already a plain RPG.
If you're hoping for rich lore or lively NPCs to boost depth, then brace for disappointment. The supporting cast ranges from stereotypical shopkeeper to cliche wizard. They have little to add to the experience, except that they expect you to complete tasks within the dungeon in exchange for money and experience. Thankfully, embarking on side quests at least provides some addictive thrills for a few hours. Since they're quick and rewarding, you can't help but spend all night initiating and completing them. Unfortunately, the game only offers three types of missions: kill X monsters, annihilate a certain beast, or fetch a particular item. As you can imagine, these errands grow wearisome before long, especially when there's no backstory or mythology to bolster them.
I will admit that Fate held my attention for a goodish chunk of time. As you enter the battlefield, vast hordes of standard RPG monsters rush toward you. There is naught to do but click them all to death, gain experience, level up, acquire new skills (both active and passive) and advance to the next stage. Now and then, a mid-boss materializes and reminds you how challenging and rewarding the experience can be. Never mind that you've fought the same mid-bosses a few times over...
In fact, aren't all of these digs and creatures growing a bit familiar? I asked myself something along those lines about fifteen to twenty levels in...
Over time, the game's repetition grows wearisome. It doesn't take long before you've seen everything it has to offer, and by that point you're just repeating its paper thin premise until madness sets in. Without standout functions, there's no reason to recommend this game above any other Rogue-ish title. Of course, if you're the kind of gamer who enjoys casual products, then you might be able to look past Fate's lack of bells, whistles, or all-around depth.
Once you fell the antagonist, you have a choice: retire or continue to delve deeper into the shadowy chambers. The former option allows you to transform one of your items into an heirloom, which a new hero can use in New Game+. Joy. Personally, I prefer the old import/export system, a la Icewind Dale. It's a shame more RPGs don't use that. The latter choice allows you to push further into the darkness in a futile attempt to reach the bottom. There are no other "final" bosses, so every stage from this point onward will be identical terrain until you either give up or somehow reach the lowermost region.
You know, level 2,147,483,647. I'm not even exaggerating, either. According to developer WildTangent, there are over two billion levels, and the aforementioned stage is the finale.
This is assuming you can stomach Fate long enough to scotch the villain in the first place. Honestly, I couldn't wait to be done with this adventure. It's functional and addictive for a short while, but it's so bland that playing it sucks the enthusiasm out of you. Thanks to digital marketplaces, you can find scores of roguelikes superior to this one.
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Staff review by Joseph Shaffer (October 09, 2010)
Rumor has it that Joe is not actually a man, but a machine that likes video games, horror movies, and long walks on the beach. His/Its first contribution to HonestGamers was a review of Breath of Fire III. |
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