PGC NEWS

The core of any creative endeavor, whether a film, a book, or a video game, is its design philosophy. This core represents the creator’s vision and communicates a message to the consumer, customer, or audience. A compelling narrative, rich with thematic depth, typically requires meticulous planning, a structured approach, and a clear sense of direction. Randomness, in this context, is often seen as detrimental.

Yet, paradoxically, the video game industry frequently embraces randomness, often with considerable success. This is particularly true of the roguelike genre, where procedurally generated content creates unique experiences with each playthrough, offering a sense of endless replayability.

Developed by Awaken Realms Digital, Tainted Grail: Conquest follows in the footsteps of successful roguelikes like Hades, Hand of Fate, and Slay the Spire, officially launching after its Early Access period in late May 2021. Often considered a spiritual successor to Slay the Spire, the game garnered significant community support during Early Access, with many eagerly anticipating a polished final release. Does Tainted Grail: Conquest live up to the hype? Let’s delve into this review to find out.

Addictive Gameplay

Like Slay the Spire, Tainted Grail: Conquest is a deck-building RPG. Player actions and abilities are governed by cards, introducing an element of chance as players draw a limited number of cards each turn. Players can choose from nine distinct classes (initially only the Wyrd Hunter is available, with others unlocking progressively), each boasting unique gameplay mechanics, passive abilities, and card pools.

Through engaging dialogues, players uncover the secrets of the game’s ethereal world, rescuing various NPCs and unlocking powerful cards and equipment along the way.

alt text describing the gameplay of Tainted Grail, showing character selection and card choices

As a roguelike, Tainted Grail: Conquest embraces challenge, presenting players with procedurally generated encounters and situations. Combined with the deck-building mechanics and inherent randomness, each run offers a fresh experience.

Combat is turn-based, with players drawing cards representing attacks, special abilities (stun, area-of-effect damage, armor break), and defensive maneuvers (dodge, block, heal).

alt text depicting combat in Tainted Grail: Conquest, showing card usage and enemy interaction

Players must carefully consider enemy actions, anticipating their moves and reacting accordingly. For instance, if an enemy is charging a powerful attack over multiple turns, the player can capitalize on their vulnerability. Conversely, if an enemy is preparing a devastating blow, prioritizing defense becomes crucial. The diverse classes and extensive customization options allow players to tailor their builds, equipment, and decks to their preferred playstyle.

Impressive Visuals and Sound

Unlike Slay the Spire‘s 2D aesthetic, Tainted Grail: Conquest opts for a 3D presentation with a dark, gothic atmosphere that perfectly complements its otherworldly setting. The game’s central hub is a desolate village that gradually becomes more populated as players rescue NPCs.

alt text showing the game's 3D environment, featuring a dark and gothic village

The game’s meticulously crafted character and monster models are another highlight. While not reaching the visual heights of games like Bloodborne or Nioh, the combat effectively conveys the impact of player actions through card effects. Powerful cards deliver visually impressive attacks, and summoner classes command hordes of minions that hold their own against imposing foes.

alt text displaying the detailed character and monster models during combat

Complementing the 3D visuals are beautifully illustrated 2D card art, adding a unique stylistic flair. The audio design is equally impressive, with immersive narration, expressive NPC dialogue, and evocative music.

An Unfinished Product

Despite its potential, Tainted Grail: Conquest is hampered by significant flaws that diminish its overall appeal. The first issue is poor balancing. While roguelikes inherently involve frequent deaths as players learn and improve, the difficulty spikes can feel unfair, with some encounters seemingly designed to be unwinnable. The disparity in power levels between classes is also noticeable.

alt text showing an in-game scene of Tainted Grail: Conquest, possibly showcasing a challenging encounter

Furthermore, navigating the 3D environment feels clunky and unresponsive, a persistent issue from Early Access. Finally, despite officially launching, Tainted Grail: Conquest suffers from numerous technical problems, including crashes, lost save files, fluctuating frame rates, and high CPU usage.

alt text depicting a scene in Tainted Grail: Conquest, potentially highlighting technical issues or bugs

In conclusion, Tainted Grail: Conquest shows promise but ultimately falls short due to its unpolished state and technical shortcomings. The premature launch feels like a disservice to the game’s potential.