PGC NEWS

Phoenix Online Studios, known for their captivating adventure-puzzle games like Lost Civilization and Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, ventures into the turn-based RPG genre with Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar. This review explores whether their foray into this new territory lives up to their established reputation for quality storytelling and engaging gameplay.

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Innovative and Unique Gameplay

While rooted in the turn-based RPG tradition, Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar introduces innovative mechanics that set it apart. Battles unfold automatically, with up to three player characters facing off against one to three enemies. Characters automatically execute physical attacks when their action bar fills, while players can utilize five hotkeys for special abilities.

The game’s unique twist lies in the ability to drag and drop characters, swapping their positions mid-battle. This seemingly simple mechanic, combined with the fast-paced combat, adds a layer of strategic depth. Players must quickly decide whether to reposition a weakened character, replace them with a stronger one, or utilize stalling tactics like stuns and heals.

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Adding to the challenge, defeated enemies drop randomized equipment and healing potions, which quickly disappear. This forces players to juggle offensive and defensive strategies while managing inventory on the fly. Even leveling up and stat allocation occur in real-time during these intense encounters.

The game’s structure, with waves of enemies relentlessly attacking, keeps players constantly engaged. This departure from the slower pace of traditional turn-based RPGs injects a thrilling sense of urgency into the gameplay.

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Engaging Narrative and Mechanics

Beyond its innovative combat, Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar boasts other compelling features. Dialogue between characters during downtime adds depth and humor to the narrative. Phoenix Online Studios leverages their storytelling expertise, crafting witty and meaningful interactions that reveal each character’s personality. From the impulsive swordsman Yaha to the flamboyant mage Benedict and the level-headed cleric Allen, the characters’ banter provides entertaining interludes.

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The crafting system further enhances the RPG elements. Post-battle, players can salvage unused equipment for materials to forge new weapons and armor. While a trading system exists to upgrade lower-tier materials, the steep exchange rate adds a layer of resource management.

Random events on the main map introduce an element of chance. These events present players with two choices, each with potential benefits or drawbacks. Encounters range from helpful bonuses like increased stats and resources to detrimental effects like stat reductions or even losing all items. A balancing mechanic adjusts the probability of positive and negative events based on previous encounters.

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Shortcomings: Skills and Difficulty

Despite its strengths, Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar has some notable flaws. The skill system, while offering each character ten abilities, feels underdeveloped. Many skills are redundant or ineffective, particularly those with long cooldowns. The reliance on area-of-effect abilities and group buffs further diminishes the strategic value of individual skills.

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The game’s difficulty curve also presents issues. Enemies scale with player level, often exceeding player power. This constant struggle, combined with the relentless waves of enemies and limited healing options, can feel overly punishing. Furthermore, the lack of impactful late-game equipment diminishes the sense of progression. Finally, the rapid leveling system early in the game creates a significant power gap when new characters join the party, requiring tedious grinding to catch them up.

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Conclusion

Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar offers a fresh and engaging take on the turn-based RPG genre. Its innovative combat and engaging narrative are commendable. However, the underdeveloped skill system and unbalanced difficulty hinder the overall experience. While Phoenix Online Studios’ ambition is evident, this foray into RPG territory shows room for improvement in balancing and refinement.