Armello (PC) - Review

by Chinh Tran , posted on 05 September 2015 / 7,218 Views

In recent years, many videogame developers have successfully turned to crowd-funding to help turn their ideas into reality. League of Geeks’ debut game, Armello, is another that can be added to that list. Armello is a fantastically crafted digital strategy table-top game that mixes card play and RPG elements together to create a wholly unique and enjoyable experience.

In Armello, the Lion King is afflicted with Rot, which has also desecrated the land. Up to four players can choose one of eight anthropomorphic heroes (each with their own strengths and weaknesses) and take turns moving around the board in an attempt to win the throne through various methods. Movement is done through tiles and players only have a few moves to make each turn. There are side quests that can also be completed which give bonus stats and cards that may help in achieving victory.

Players can win after curing the King by bringing four Spirit Stones and banishing him, killing him in combat to take the throne while surviving the battle, killing him in combat while having higher Rot and surviving, or having the highest prestige after he is killed by the Rot. There are many options for players to consider when attempting to achieve victory and this, coupled with the randomly generated map, ensures that every game feels fresh and plays out differently.

There are a multitude of systems at work in Armello but League of Geeks does an admiral job at blending them together while making the game accessible and easy to learn without sacrificing depth of strategy. Players will need to consider equipment, spell, and trap cards, as well as map positioning, a day and night cycle, stealthy opponents, and a progressive quest system in order to emerge victorious. There is an effective tutorial to introduce players to Armello’s overlapping features but it will take you a few games before you appreciate all of its intricacies.

Like some other table-top games, combat is done through dice rolls. Advantages, like extra dice, are given to a player depending on stats, equipment, and time of day. Each roll converts into attacks, blocks, and misses which are played out in a neat animation between characters. This part of Armello, above others, really makes it feel like a genuine table-top game.

With all of these systems in place, Armello does suffer a bit in that it sometimes feels too random. For example, exploring dungeons - which earns players rewards or punishments – is entirely random, and by successfully completing quests you gain bonus cards that are randomly drawn. Also, there are instances where Spirit Stones suddenly materialize near, or even right on, the tile a hero is on. This can all lead to frustration because regardless of how sound your moves are, sometimes chance will simply end up playing a larger role. You definitely have to take all of this into account when plotting a strategy.

Another weakness of Armello is that it lacks game modes. Currently, players can only choose to play offline against AI opponents – who become easy to defeat with practice - or online in skirmish mode with friends and through matchmaking. A ranked mode and local multiplayer (through local area network) are coming in future patches. This means that there is no way to gather four friends around the same screen to enjoy a game of Armello. Still, if you are able to gather friends online a lot of fun is there to be had.

Whether you play Armello alone or with others, it is undoubtedly a beautifully engrossing game. It is colourful and crafted with a great deal of attention. The animated world and characters are attractively realized through whimsical art and sound direction. Fans of Brian Jacques’ Redwall series will find a lot to like about the style. The music is also superb and really helps draw players into the fantasy world League of Geeks has passionately created.

Whether you are new to table-top games or have crowded around them for years, Armello has a lot to offer. Despite limited game modes, it is easy to learn while at the same time offers a deep, strategic, and satisfying experience. The random nature of the game and procedurally generated map ensures that players can spend hours in Armello and still learn something new each time. The world is also engrossing thanks to brilliant art direction, great sound design, and an enchanting musical score. Anyone who wants to experience a genuine table-top experience through a videogame would be wise to consider Armello.